Country Retreat with a Private Pond, Expansive Acreage and Multiple Outbuildings in Phenix City, Alabama — $550,000
Country Living · Phenix City, Alabama
Property Overview
Imagine starting the morning with expansive views across your own acreage, a pond reflecting the changing sky, and room to enjoy the outdoors at your own pace. Located at 188 Woodland Drive in Phenix City, Alabama, this distinctive country property spans 30.35 acres and combines a one-story traditional home, a four-acre pond, multiple outbuildings, and dedicated spaces for workshops, hobbies, and outdoor gatherings.
The approximately 3,050-square-foot home was built in 1950 and offers three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and one half bathroom. Its country kitchen, sunroom, living and dining areas, screened porch, and oversized primary bedroom provide a foundation for renovation and personalization. The home is being sold as-is, making its existing character and extensive surrounding land important considerations for buyers planning their own improvements.
Beyond the house, the property includes two storage buildings, a detached one-car garage with two lean-tos, a two-story outbuilding, and a large shop and gathering building with a kitchen setup and screened porch. Whether your interests include gardening, fishing, hands-on projects, outdoor entertaining, or simply having more room to spread out, the land and additional structures offer a variety of possibilities to explore.
Despite its rural character, the property is in Phenix City, with access to the wider Chattahoochee Valley area, including Columbus, Georgia. Shopping, dining, the Columbus RiverWalk, Uptown Columbus, and Fort Benning are among the regional destinations to consider when evaluating the location.
Interior Features & Possibilities
The single-story layout offers three main-level bedrooms and a combination of living spaces that can be adapted to suit a future owner’s needs. The home has traditional character and provides an opportunity to update the interiors while retaining the features that make the property distinctive.
Country Kitchen and Gathering Spaces
The country kitchen serves as a central feature of the home. Separate living and dining areas provide space for everyday activities and gatherings, while a sunroom offers another place to enjoy natural light and views of the surrounding acreage. A brick corner with a cast-iron stove adds a distinctive element to the interior.
Primary Bedroom Retreat
The oversized primary bedroom features wall-to-wall windows overlooking the property, with views that capture the setting sun. A separate temperature-controlled sunroom extends this private area, while individual walk-in closets provide dedicated storage. Together, these spaces offer flexibility for a bedroom retreat, reading area, or other personal use as the home is updated.
Bathrooms, Flooring and Laundry
- Three bedrooms, all located on the main level.
- Two full bathrooms and one half bathroom.
- Carpet and laminate flooring.
- Multiple closets, including walk-in closets.
- Laundry area in the mudroom and laundry room.
- Self-cleaning oven included among the listed appliances.
- Central air conditioning and ceiling fans.
- Electric heating.
- Crawl-space foundation.
Renovation opportunity: The home is classified as a fixer and is being sold as-is. Buyers can evaluate the existing structure, systems, finishes, and potential improvements to determine how best to tailor the home to their plans.
30.35 Acres of Land, Water and Open Views
The acreage is a defining feature of this property. A mix of cleared and open areas, wooded surroundings, rural views, and a substantial pond creates a varied outdoor setting. The land offers room to consider gardening, outdoor recreation, personal projects, and gatherings, subject to site conditions and applicable requirements.
Four-Acre Pond
The pond provides a prominent water feature within the property. It adds visual interest to the landscape and creates opportunities to enjoy time outdoors, observe the changing seasons, or explore recreational uses such as fishing where conditions and applicable rules permit. Buyers should independently assess pond maintenance, water conditions, depth, drainage, and any associated structures or access points.
Outdoor Living and Screened Porches
A screened porch, rear porch, side porch, and deck extend the property’s usable outdoor spaces. The larger gathering building also includes a screened porch, creating a separate setting for entertaining, hobbies, or relaxed time outdoors.
Room for Gardens and Personal Projects
The open portions of the acreage offer space to explore vegetable gardening, landscaping, outdoor work areas, or other personal projects. Buyers interested in keeping chickens, maintaining gardens, or pursuing other land uses should verify zoning, animal-keeping rules, soil conditions, and any applicable restrictions before making plans.
Outbuildings, Workshop and Storage
Several additional structures expand the property’s potential beyond the main residence. These spaces may appeal to buyers who need room for equipment, storage, hobbies, projects, or larger gatherings.
Detached Garage and Lean-Tos
A detached one-car garage with two lean-tos provides additional covered and enclosed space. The property also has a two-space carport listed among its parking features. Buyers should confirm the condition, dimensions, permitted uses, and suitability of each structure for their intended needs.
Two Storage Buildings
Two storage buildings provide additional space for tools, equipment, seasonal items, and other belongings. Their condition and usable capacity should be evaluated during an in-person inspection.
Two-Story Outbuilding
A two-story outbuilding offers additional flexible space for storage, recreational equipment, hobbies, or a personal retreat. Any proposed living, sleeping, or commercial use should be evaluated against the building’s condition, utility connections, and applicable code requirements.
Shop and Gathering Building
The larger outdoor shop and gathering building includes a kitchen setup and screened porch. It has served as a setting for birthday parties, weddings, cookouts, and reunions. The separate space provides room to consider workshop activities, gatherings, storage, and hobbies, subject to the building’s condition and permitted uses.
Structure, Exterior and Access
- Property style: Traditional single-family residence.
- Levels: One-story main home.
- Year built: 1950.
- Exterior material: Vinyl siding.
- Roof: Metal.
- Foundation: Crawl space.
- Access: Paved road surface.
- Parking: Two-space carport and a detached one-car garage.
- Outdoor features: Screened porch, rear porch, side porch, deck, and storage structures.
- Fencing: Front-yard wrought-iron fencing.
- Additional structures: Gazebo, outbuildings, storage buildings, and workshop.
Given the home’s age and as-is condition, buyers should arrange appropriate inspections of the roof, foundation, electrical system, plumbing, heating and cooling equipment, moisture conditions, and all additional structures. Any renovation budget should account for findings from those inspections.
Utilities and Essential Property Systems
The property details list public water, a septic tank, and electric service. Electricity and water are listed as available utilities, with 110-volt electric service noted in the property details. The home has electric heating and central air conditioning.
- Water: Public water is listed for the property.
- Sewer: Septic tank.
- Electricity: Electric service; 110-volt service is listed.
- Heating: Electric.
- Cooling: Central air conditioning and ceiling fans.
- Internet and cellular service: Availability and performance at the property require confirmation.
- Garbage and recycling: Confirm the applicable service arrangements for this address.
Buyers should verify utility connections, operating condition, service capacity, and any separate connections for the outbuildings. The septic system should be inspected, and its capacity and suitability for the home and intended occupancy should be established. Broadband providers may serve portions of the surrounding area, but service type, speed, and availability at this particular address should be checked directly.
Buyer Area Research: Phenix City and the Chattahoochee Valley
Phenix City is located in Russell County in eastern Alabama, along the Chattahoochee River opposite Columbus, Georgia. The two cities form part of a cross-state regional area for employment, shopping, healthcare, education, recreation, and military-related activity.
The setting around this property combines rural land and outdoor space with access to services in Phenix City and the broader Columbus metropolitan area. Buyers considering the location should assess their preferred balance between acreage, property maintenance, travel needs, and access to everyday amenities.
Regional population context: Phenix City’s population was approximately 38,000 in recent city-level population estimates, while Russell County’s 2025 population estimate was approximately 58,900. These figures describe different geographic areas and should not be treated as interchangeable.
The regional economy includes healthcare, education, retail, manufacturing, public services, and military-related employment associated with the wider Columbus area and Fort Benning. Individual commute times and employment access will depend on the destination, route, and traffic conditions.
Safety and Crime Information
Crime statistics should be evaluated using the reporting jurisdiction, the specific offense category, and the year of the data. Citywide figures do not establish the level of crime at an individual property or within its immediate surroundings.
Alabama maintains statewide crime-reporting information, but a complete, consistently comparable set of current offense rates for the immediate area around 188 Woodland Drive was not established for this listing. No property-specific safety rating is assigned.
Buyers can make a more informed assessment by reviewing recent reported incidents for the relevant jurisdiction, distinguishing violent offenses from property offenses, and considering the geographic coverage and completeness of the reporting period.
Schools and Education
Phenix City and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley offer public elementary, middle, and high school options, along with early-learning programs and postsecondary education opportunities.
Public School Options in Phenix City
- Lakewood Elementary School.
- Lakewood Primary School.
- Meadowlane Elementary School.
- Phenix City Elementary School.
- Phenix City Intermediate School.
- Ridgecrest Elementary School.
- Sherwood Elementary School.
- South Girard School.
- Westview Elementary School.
- Central Freshman Academy.
- Central High School.
These are examples of schools in the Phenix City area, not a verified assignment list for this property. School attendance zones, grade configurations, transportation arrangements, enrollment eligibility, and program availability should be confirmed with the relevant school district before purchase.
Higher Education
Regional postsecondary options include Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Alabama and Columbus State University in Georgia. Other colleges and technical education programs are available across the wider region.
Healthcare and Hospitals
The Phenix City and Columbus area provides access to hospital care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, physician practices, and pharmacies.
- Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital: A hospital in Phenix City with a 24-hour emergency department.
- Columbus-area hospitals: Additional hospital and specialist services are available across the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia.
- Primary care and outpatient services: Physician offices, medical clinics, and other outpatient services operate throughout the regional area.
- Pharmacies: Retail pharmacy services are available in the Phenix City and Columbus communities.
Exact travel distances from the property, current facility services, insurance participation, appointment availability, and emergency access routes should be confirmed for individual healthcare needs.
Phenix City Housing Market History
Historical housing values provide context for the broader local market, although they do not determine the value of a specific rural property with extensive acreage, a pond, multiple outbuildings, and a home requiring updates.
The following series presents median values of owner-occupied homes in Phenix City from 2020 through 2024. It uses the same geographic area and housing-value measure throughout, rather than mixing sale prices, listing prices, and automated estimates.
| Year | Median Home Value | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $130,100 | Baseline |
| 2021 | $136,600 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $154,000 | +12.7% |
| 2023 | $160,000 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $170,300 | +6.4% |
Values are rounded to the nearest hundred dollars. Annual percentage changes are calculated from the displayed values. The series reflects broad owner-occupied housing values and is not a measure of individual property sale prices.
From 2020 to 2024, the median value increased by approximately 30.9%, equivalent to a nominal increase of $40,200. This historical change does not account for inflation, differences in individual properties, or the condition and acreage of this particular home.
Large rural properties can behave differently from typical residential housing because land area, water features, outbuildings, access, renovation requirements, and the availability of comparable sales can materially affect buyer demand and valuation. A property-specific valuation would require relevant comparable sales and an assessment of the home’s current condition and the additional structures.
Transportation and Regional Access
Phenix City connects to the wider Columbus, Georgia, area through the road network crossing the Chattahoochee River. Regional travel supports access to employment centers, shopping districts, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and military-related destinations.
- Regional highways: U.S. Highway 280 and U.S. Highway 431 are important regional routes serving the Phenix City area.
- Columbus access: Road connections link Phenix City with central Columbus, Uptown Columbus, and destinations across the Georgia side of the metropolitan area.
- Fort Benning: The regional road network provides access to the installation and surrounding employment areas.
- Air travel: Columbus Airport in Georgia serves regional air travel needs, with larger airports available farther afield.
- Public transportation: Transit services operate in portions of the Columbus metropolitan area; route coverage and cross-state connections should be checked for specific journeys.
Exact driving distances, commute times, and public transportation availability from 188 Woodland Drive depend on the destination and route. Buyers who commute regularly should test their likely journeys at relevant times of day.
Shopping and Everyday Services
Phenix City and nearby Columbus provide a range of everyday services for residents, including grocery shopping, pharmacies, restaurants, fuel stations, banks, postal services, and home-improvement retailers.
- Groceries and household essentials: Supermarkets and convenience retailers serve Phenix City and surrounding communities.
- Pharmacies and medical services: Retail pharmacies, clinics, and medical offices operate throughout the regional area.
- Home improvement and hardware: Retail options in the broader market can support renovation, maintenance, gardening, and workshop projects.
- Dining: Phenix City and Columbus offer a variety of local restaurants, casual dining, and other food-service options.
- Financial and postal services: Banking and postal services are available across the two-city area.
- Additional retail: Larger shopping districts in Columbus provide broader retail choices beyond neighborhood services.
Because individual businesses, store locations, and operating hours can change, buyers should confirm current availability and travel routes for their preferred services.
Parks, Recreation and Outdoor Activities
The property itself offers substantial outdoor space, including a pond, open land, wooded surroundings, porches, and additional structures that can accommodate a variety of personal interests. The land provides opportunities to explore gardening, outdoor gatherings, and other recreational uses subject to site conditions and applicable regulations.
Regional Recreation
- Chattahoochee RiverWalk: A well-known riverfront recreational corridor in Columbus, with paved paths for walking, running, and cycling along portions of the river.
- Uptown Columbus: A downtown destination with restaurants, cultural activities, riverfront attractions, and seasonal events.
- Local parks: Phenix City and Columbus have public parks, sports facilities, and outdoor recreation areas.
- River-based activities: The Chattahoochee River corridor supports a range of recreational activities at designated locations, subject to current access conditions and safety requirements.
- Private outdoor space: The property’s pond and acreage create opportunities for outdoor projects and recreation on the land itself.
Access to public recreation facilities, operating schedules, water conditions, and any permit requirements should be checked before planning specific activities.
Utilities and Connectivity in the Area
Utility arrangements vary across Phenix City and Russell County, particularly between properties within municipal service boundaries and rural properties using private systems.
- Electricity: Alabama Power and Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative are among the electric providers serving different parts of the broader area.
- Water and sewer: Phenix City Utilities and Russell County Water Authority serve portions of the region. Public water and septic service are listed for this property.
- Natural gas: Gas service is available in parts of the broader market, but property-specific availability requires confirmation.
- Internet: Wired and wireless broadband options vary by address. Available technologies and speeds should be checked directly.
- Cellular coverage: Signal strength may vary across the acreage and within buildings, making on-site testing useful.
- Garbage and recycling: Service arrangements depend on the property’s location and applicable service provider.
Area-wide provider coverage does not establish that a particular utility or broadband technology is connected to every structure on the property. Buyers should verify service availability, connection costs, and any capacity requirements for the main residence and outbuildings.
Development and Planning Considerations
No specific proposed, pending, approved, or under-construction development project affecting the immediate surroundings of 188 Woodland Drive was reliably established for this listing. This should not be interpreted as confirmation that no projects or planning changes exist.
Buyers considering changes to the land or buildings should confirm the property’s zoning and permitted uses, subdivision requirements, building permits, flood and drainage considerations, pond-related requirements, septic capacity, and any applicable environmental restrictions.
Potential uses for the outbuildings, shop, gathering space, or additional land should be evaluated against current regulations rather than assumed to be automatically permitted. Any future construction or change of use may require separate approvals.
Important Considerations for Buyers
This property combines a substantial amount of land with an older residence and multiple additional structures. Its suitability will depend on a buyer’s intended use, renovation plans, maintenance capacity, and assessment of the property’s physical condition.
- Arrange a comprehensive home inspection and assess the scope of any necessary renovations.
- Evaluate the roof, crawl space, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling, and visible moisture conditions.
- Inspect the septic system and verify its capacity and operational condition.
- Review the pond, drainage, access, and land conditions, including any applicable flood or environmental considerations.
- Inspect the garage, lean-tos, storage buildings, shop, gathering building, gazebo, and two-story outbuilding.
- Verify the legal status, dimensions, permitted uses, and condition of each additional structure.
- Confirm boundaries, acreage, access rights, easements, and any applicable restrictions through appropriate due diligence.
- Check insurance availability and costs for the home, pond, acreage, and outbuildings.
- Confirm utility service, internet availability, school attendance zones, and travel routes relevant to your needs.
The as-is sale condition makes it particularly important to understand the property’s current state and anticipated repair costs before proceeding.
Property Summary
| Property Type | Single-family residence |
|---|---|
| Architectural Style | Traditional |
| Street Address | 188 Woodland Drive |
| City | Phenix City |
| County | Russell County |
| State | Alabama |
| ZIP Code | 36869 |
| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Bathrooms | 2 full bathrooms and 1 half bathroom |
| Interior Living Area | 3,050 square feet |
| Lot Size | 30.35 acres |
| Pond | Approximately 4 acres |
| Year Built | 1950 |
| Condition | Fixer; sold as-is |
| Exterior | Vinyl siding |
| Roof | Metal |
| Foundation | Crawl space |
| Heating | Electric |
| Cooling | Central air conditioning and ceiling fans |
| Water | Public water listed |
| Sewer | Septic tank |
| Parking | Two-space carport and detached one-car garage |
| Outdoor Features | Pond, screened porch, rear porch, side porch, deck, open land, and wooded views |
| Additional Structures | Two storage buildings, two-story outbuilding, workshop and gathering building, gazebo, and detached garage with two lean-tos |
| Parcel Number | 04062304002009001 |
| Annual Property Tax | $5,304, as listed |
| Assessed Value | $736,600, as listed |
| Homeowners Association | No HOA listed |
Property characteristics and financial figures should be confirmed during due diligence. The assessed value is a tax-related figure and is not necessarily equivalent to market value. No automated market-value or rent estimate was available in the supplied listing details.
Photography and property presentation: Credit to the original photographer(s) and property owner(s). Individual photographer and owner names were not available for identification.
Explore This Phenix City Property
Discover the acreage, pond, home, and additional structures at 188 Woodland Drive. Review the property details and arrange an opportunity to experience the setting in person.
View on Zillow — $550,000