Almost five years ago Lisa Rispoli, 41, and her son Philip, 18, were moving to Atlanta from New York. "I was starting a new life," says Rispoli, and she began her search on the Internet. Familiar with Woodstock because she has family in the area, she found Terraces at Towne Lake. One phone call, and they were holding an apartment for her.

"We drove 23 hours straight and I tell you when we arrived, we looked like the 'Grapes of Wrath,' " she laughs. "They gave me a hug and a kiss, put the keys in my hand and sent me up to the apartment to get a shower; we could do the paperwork later. They didn't know me from a hole in the wall. It was unbelievable. Now I've built a successful business and I couldn't have done it without the support of the people here."

CHRISTOPHER OQUENDO / Special (ENLARGE)

This is as close to Shangri-La as you're going to get,' says Lisa Rispoli of her life at Terraces at Towne Lake.

Getting there Take I-75 north to I-575. Take Exit 8 (Towne Lake Parkway) and turn left. Go approximately 3 miles and turn left onto Towne Lake Hills S. Drive.

Her apartment: Rispoli rents a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment with a wood-burning fireplace. She gardens on the large balcony and loves the master bedroom with its huge walk-in closet and the bathroom with its sunken garden tub. She also rents six one-car garage spaces — one for use as a studio and the others for supplies for her business, Flore de Lisa Designs. She does interior and commercial design, and specializes in special events and holiday design.

Life in the apartments: "There are two swimming pools and a fitness center, which was just renovated. There's a huge clubhouse we use for floral design classes; the staff holds pool parties three or four times a year with a DJ, all the food and beverages provided; and lots of activities for the kids. A couple of times a month, there are staffers at the gate handing out orange juice and breakfast wraps or bagels as you head out to work. It's absolutely fabulous here. If I move, it will only be for space reasons as my business grows. This is as close to Shangri-La as you're going to get."

Terraces at Towne Lake

Address: 1345 Towne Lake Hills S. Drive, Woodstock 30189

Information: 770-926-4100, Terraces at Towne Lake

Year built: 1997, renovated in 2007

Rent (subject to change): one-bedroom $685-$775; two-bedroom, one-bath $670-$747; two-bedroom, two-bath $792-$965; three-bedroom $867-$915

Fees: $55 application fee per person; security fee of $125-$200; $300 small-pet fee, $500 large-pet fee, half-refundable

Managed by: Mid-America

Number of units: 502

Amenities: two pools, heated outdoor spa; sauna; double lighted tennis court with pavilion, putting green, two picnic areas with grills and tables; fitness facility; playground; cyber cafe; business center; club room with full kitchen and bar; on-site car center

Units for the disabled: yes

Public schools: Carmel Elementary, Woodstock Middle, Woodstock High

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