The community around a home is just as important as the home itself. Not only should future homeowners like the scenery but the lifestyle the community represents.
According to Rex Walker, managing broker of Roberson and Associates in Newport News, “on the Peninsula there is a wide variety of lifestyles.” As a result, communities provide an equal amount of selections to home buyers.
Three communities which represent diverse lifestyles are Kiln Creek in Newport News and York, Gatling Pointe in Isle of Wight County and Southall Landings in Hampton.
“Kiln Creek is made up of military retirees, retired couples, young families and young couples,” says Gene Carr, president of Profits Through Marketing Inc.
Carr believes this cross section of lifestyles is because of variety of housing styles. They include condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, single-family homes, and custom lots.
Carr also believes that Kiln Creek is a “planned community with a diversified range of attractions.” Among other things, Kiln Creek offers a golf club, close proximity to schools, retail shopping and corporate centers, and security within the community.
Gatling Pointe, another area community, has residents ranging from young, two-income couples with no children to retirees.
According to Branch Lawson, president of the Hampton Roads division of East West Partners, the majority of residents are in the 30-to-50-year-old age bracket with at least two children.
“Gatling Pointe was developed with a family lifestyle in mind,” says Lawson. “It’s not surprising that Gatling Pointe attracts married couples with kids because of the fun environment.”
To create this “fun environment,” Gatling Pointe offers a jogging trail, bike path, landscaped parkways with gas lanterns, yacht club, tennis courts, swimming pool, clubhouse, 16-slip marina, volleyball court, playgrounds and an active community social calender. The homes are built in accordance with strong architectural guidelines and in a variety of styles.
Southall Landing offers “custom homes with condominium ownership” to those who are looking for a low maintenance home, says Chris Wilson, sales director with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Southall Landing residents run the gamut in age from 25 to 75 and are involved in either a “vocation or avocation and don’t want to spend time on the upkeep of a home,” says Wilson.
“We have detached custom homes, townhouses, and lakeside and marina villas all designed with this type of resident in mind.”
Southall Landing’s water location is a big draw, but the community also offers a clubhouse, full weight room, two racquetball courts, saunas, whirlpools, an entertainment room, tennis courts, an outdoor handball court, a jogging path/promenade, and a marina.
Walker believes that with the variety of lifestyles and communities in the area, privacy and convenience will play a big part in where most people decide to live.
