If you want more space, a quieter setting, and easy access to Oxford, The Highlands is one of the neighborhoods that often comes up in the conversation. You may be looking for a home with room to spread out, a more natural backdrop, or a community that feels tucked away without being far from town. This guide will help you understand what daily life in The Highlands can look like, from the setting and home styles to amenities and convenience. Let’s dive in.
Where The Highlands Is Located
The Highlands is on Oxford’s east side in Lafayette County, about 4.5 miles east of the city. Official neighborhood materials also describe it as roughly five minutes from the historic Oxford Square and about 6.2 miles from Ole Miss.
That location gives you a useful balance. You can live outside the busier in-town areas while still staying close to restaurants, shopping, campus, and everyday errands.
The Overall Feel of The Highlands
The Highlands feels more like a suburban lake community than a dense neighborhood in the middle of town. Public materials emphasize wooded views, open space, and a natural setting, which helps explain why the area appeals to buyers who want more privacy and a little breathing room.
This is also not a brand-new development. The community was first assembled in the late 1990s, so it has a more established feel than a newly started subdivision.
Another part of the neighborhood’s character comes from its HOA structure. Common-area documents identify features like Braemar Park, a tot lot playground, nature trails and bridges, the lake and boat launch, landscaped entrances, walking paths, and pool and racket club property.
What Homes Are Like in The Highlands
One of the more appealing things about The Highlands is that it does not come across as a one-size-fits-all neighborhood. Public information describes it as a luxury-lot community with ample lot sizes, spacious floor plans, and high-end finishes.
Current development materials for Phase 12 also frame the neighborhood as luxury living with large lots and thoughtfully planned homes. That suggests buyers can expect residences designed to work with the natural setting instead of a tightly packed streetscape.
There is also a smaller-home option within the community. The Cottages at The Highlands are described as homes designed for buyers who want to downsize without giving up quality, as well as buyers looking for a setting away from the busier parts of city life.
According to official neighborhood information, Cottage homes range from 2,000 to 2,800 square feet and include single-story, one-and-a-half-story, and two-story plans. So if you like the area but do not need a very large home, there may still be a fit within the neighborhood.
HOA Standards and Community Appearance
If curb appeal and neighborhood consistency matter to you, The Highlands may stand out for that reason too. HOA architectural guidelines require approval for exterior changes, which helps maintain a coordinated look throughout the community.
For some buyers, that structure is a major plus. It can support a more cohesive streetscape and help preserve the overall appearance of the neighborhood over time.
At the same time, it is helpful to know that this kind of community usually comes with more formal review standards. If you are considering a purchase here, understanding HOA rules early can help you decide whether the neighborhood matches your lifestyle and preferences.
Lake Living in Oxford
The signature amenity in The Highlands is the lake. Official community information says it spans 80 acres, includes 3.5 miles of shoreline, has an average depth of more than 15 feet, and reaches a deepest point of over 34 feet.
The lake has also been stocked with bluegill, minnows, largemouth bass, and catfish. That adds to the neighborhood’s outdoor appeal and supports the more relaxed, recreation-focused setting the community promotes.
Lake rules also shape the atmosphere. Jet skis and wave runners are prohibited, and boat length is limited, which helps keep the environment quieter and more low-key.
Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Amenities
The Highlands offers more than water access. Braemar Park includes open grassy areas for sports, a basketball court, swing sets, game installations, and a pavilion with seating and a community grill.
The walking trail around Braemar Park is listed as three-quarters of a mile and lined with trees. HOA materials also mention nature trails and bridges, which reinforce the neighborhood’s outdoors-first feel.
Other common areas listed by the HOA include a tot lot playground, a clubhouse area associated with Lake Margaret, and pool and racket club property. If you enjoy getting outside close to home, those amenities are a meaningful part of the lifestyle here.
Access to Oxford’s Dining and Shopping
One reason The Highlands is attractive to many buyers is that it combines a quieter home setting with quick access to Oxford’s core. The Oxford Square is widely recognized as the city’s cultural and economic hub, with restaurants, boutiques, museums, art galleries, specialty shops, and the historic courthouse.
In practical terms, that means you can enjoy a more private neighborhood environment without feeling cut off from town life. Dining out, meeting friends, browsing local shops, or running errands can all stay within a short drive.
That convenience matters for everyday living. It also matters if you want a neighborhood that feels residential and removed while still keeping Oxford’s most active commercial district close by.
Proximity to Ole Miss and Town Life
For many Oxford buyers, distance to the University of Mississippi is part of the decision-making process. Official neighborhood materials place The Highlands about 6.2 miles from Ole Miss.
That can make the area worth a look if you want access to the university and the wider Oxford market, but prefer not to live right in the middle of the busier campus-adjacent areas. It gives you another location option to consider depending on how you want your daily routine to feel.
School District Notes for The Highlands
A practical detail that often matters to buyers is school district assignment. According to official neighborhood materials, buyers can choose sites in either the Lafayette County School District or the Oxford City School District.
Because lot location can affect district assignment, it is smart to verify the specific property details during your home search. In a neighborhood with multiple phases and lot options, that extra step can be especially important.
Utilities and Everyday Practicalities
The neighborhood’s HOA resources page lists AT&T high-speed internet access and NEMEPA electricity among its helpful links. That points to standard utility access for residents, which is useful to know if you are comparing neighborhoods in and around Oxford.
These details may not be the first thing you think about when touring homes, but they do shape day-to-day comfort. Internet access, utilities, and HOA-managed common spaces all play a role in how a neighborhood functions over time.
Who The Highlands May Appeal To
The Highlands may be a strong fit if you want a home in Oxford that leans more private, scenic, and spacious. Buyers who value larger lots, natural surroundings, lake access, and neighborhood amenities may find a lot to like here.
It may also appeal to buyers who want a more established community with architectural standards and managed common areas. If your goal is to stay close to Oxford while enjoying a more tucked-away residential setting, The Highlands offers a distinct option in the market.
For buyers comparing neighborhoods, the big takeaway is this: The Highlands offers a combination of space, outdoor amenities, and access to town that can be hard to replicate. It feels separate from downtown, but not far from the places that shape everyday life in Oxford.
If you are thinking about buying or selling in The Highlands or anywhere in Oxford, Noelle Goubeaux can help you evaluate neighborhood options, compare available homes, and uncover the right fit for your goals.
FAQs
Where is The Highlands in Oxford, Mississippi?
- The Highlands is on Oxford’s east side in Lafayette County, about 4.5 miles east of the city, roughly five minutes from the Oxford Square, and about 6.2 miles from Ole Miss according to official neighborhood materials.
What kind of homes are in The Highlands, Oxford?
- Public neighborhood materials describe The Highlands as a luxury-lot community with large lots, spacious floor plans, and high-end finishes, along with a Cottage section offering homes from 2,000 to 2,800 square feet.
Does The Highlands in Oxford have a lake?
- Yes. Official amenities information says The Highlands includes an 80-acre lake with 3.5 miles of shoreline, stocked fish, and rules that prohibit jet skis and wave runners.
What amenities are available in The Highlands, Oxford?
- Community materials list Braemar Park, a walking trail, basketball court, swing sets, game installations, a pavilion and grill, a tot lot playground, nature trails and bridges, lake access, pool and racket club property, and landscaped common areas.
How close is The Highlands to the Oxford Square?
- Official neighborhood information describes The Highlands as about five minutes from the historic Oxford Square, making it convenient for dining, shopping, and other town activities.
Are there different school district options in The Highlands, Oxford?
- According to official neighborhood materials, buyers can choose sites in either the Lafayette County School District or the Oxford City School District, depending on the lot location.
