Empty nesters Jerry and Jovette Robinson wanted to spend the rest of their lives in their next home. Cartersville offered a community — Village at Waterside — less than a mile from Red Top Mountain State Park. Jerry, general manager at Acworth-based Strategic Contract Resources, a worldwide staffing firm for the petrochemical, energy and environmental industries, discussed their home.

Q: What attracted you to the neighborhood?

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

At Waterside, Jerry and Jovette Robinson have room for guests.

Getting there From downtown Atlanta, take I-75 north to Exit 285 (Red Top Mountain Road) and turn right. Travel .3 miles, and the Village at Waterside will be on the left.

A: There's a special feel when you come into the gates, and it's kind of that combination of resort living and mountainous area. It's gorgeous.

Q: What were you looking for in a home?

A: We wanted to maintain the same quality of home that we had in east Cobb, but we wanted to find something that was a little bit more suited to us as we became older, which was all of the living is on the main level. We also needed the flexibility of having enough size that the kids could come back, we could still do the holidays. Every empty nester hopes it will be a frequent occurrence — the family getting together. This was just the right combination.

Q: How does the layout help during those family visits?

A: We have additional master suites on the terrace level and also on the third floor. We also are fortunate enough to have a nicely appointed terrace level with a bar area, office, pool table-type room and a theater.

Q: What is it like to live there?

A: I like to say that I can control the speed of life here. I can walk out the front door, go down the street and turn left, and be in one of the great parks of Georgia. I can boat, I can fish, I can hike. If I go the other way a couple of miles, I'm in the quaint southern town of Cartersville. If I go on the highway 25 miles, I can be in one of the fastest-paced cities in the nation.

Q: What's a favorite feature in your home?

A: The entire house is wired for sound with a computer-based library of music.

TRACT FACTS

Address: 405 Red Top Mountain Road, Cartersville 30121

County: Bartow

Information: 770-383-9487, www.watersideredtop.com

Price range: $520,000-$650,000

Homes: 100-plus

Square footage: 1,800-3,000

Lot sizes: three-fourths to 1 acre

Standard features: master on main, outdoor living areas, granite countertops, hardwood floors on first floor, tiled bathrooms

Amenities: pavilion with picnic tables and an outdoor fireplace, pool, preserved canyon with picnic area, walking trails from community to Lake Allatoona.

Homeowners fees: $500 annually (no initiation fee)

Developer: Waterside North

Builders: Highland Homecrafters, Scott Homes, Steve Hatley Homes, Gaylord Construction, Burtz Builders, Stephen Karle Contractor