‘I am never moving again’

Q: How quickly did you decide on Villas at Blackberry Run?

A: We looked at a lot of different communities. We looked at Soleil Laurel Canyon. We went to Lake Arrowhead. We looked at condos. We wanted to be sure we found the right place. This is our final place. I am never moving again.

Q: What did you want in a home and neighborhood?

A: We wanted a ranch. We wanted to be in a smaller community. I did not want to be in a retirement community, but what I loved about this is the 55 restricted (neighborhood), but you're surrounded by all ages. When we lived in Florida, it was a retirement community. You were around old people all the time, and it was depressing. I tell people that, and they look at me and are like, "You're old." But I don't want to be old. I still have fun and enjoy life.

Q: How does the neighborhood encourage you to be active?

A: I love going out to my mailbox and to get my paper. There's always someone out there. We were at our home-owners' meeting the other night, and I met several ladies. They asked me to come and play Bunco. People won't bother you if you don't want to be bothered, but you're invited to everything that goes on. We've got a nice clubhouse. There's an exercise facility in there. We walk. We exercise. I play mah-jongg once a week, and I'm in a ladies poker club once a month. I'm also playing Bunco in a group here. There is something constantly going on here. We have everything available to us at Seven Hills, also.

Q: How does it compare to your Florida home?

A: This is much cozier. I feel more comfortable here. We've got a beautiful stacked stone fireplace. We'll sit here and watch TV at night, and my husband will get a chill and he'll go over and flip that switch and stand in front of the fireplace and it's like, "Wow, this is cool."

Q: What other features stood out in the home?

A: The built-in stairs going to the attic. It's totally floored, so it's wonderful storage.

Q: Did you make any changes to the house?

A: We added beadboard under the kitchen counter. In the patio courtyard area, it was just concrete slab. We had a decorative overlay. In the laundry room, I had cabinets and a long pantry put in. We changed our casita a good bit. We had upper and lower cabinets put in, and a small refrigerator and microwave. It's almost like a little motel guest room.

Blackberry Run

Address: 356 Shoal Creek Way, Dallas, GA 30132 (Listing on the market, see below)

County: Paulding

Information: 770-917-8082 or 1-888-917-8082, www.windsonglife.com

Price range: $184,900-$267,423

Homes: 78

Square footage: 1,607-2,164

Standard features: Private courtyard with patio, 10-foot vaulted ceilings, ventless fireplace with gas logs, walk-in closet in master bath, attic storage space

Amenities: Olympic-size lap pool, zero entry pool, 10 tennis courts, two basketball courts, all-purpose play court, volleyball court, clubhouse, community garden, amphitheater, picnic pavilions, walking trails

Homeowners fees: $130 per month (no initiation fee)

Developer/builder: Windsong Properties

Broker: Loren Realty

Getting there

Take I-75 north to Exit 278 (Glade Road) and turn left. At the third light (Ga. 92), turn right. At U.S. 41, turn right. Go past Ga. 92 and turn left at light on Cedarcrest Road. Seven Hills is approximately 5 miles on the right. Turn right on Seven Hills Boulevard. Go past the amenities and turn right on Blackberry Run Trail. Villas at Blackberry Run will be on the left.

For sale

$267,423: 356 Shoal Creek Way, Dallas 30132. A three-bedroom, 2½-bath home with a formal dining room and private courtyard.

$206,133: 380 Shoal Creek Way, Dallas 30132. A two-bedroom, two-bath home with study and covered patio in private courtyard.

Recent sale

$260,175: 353 Shoal Creek Way, Dallas 30132. Three-bedroom, three-bath home with cherry cabinets and hardwood floors.