The Search
Shocked by how much they could get for their money in Georgia compared to the market in southern California, Joe and Katie Atwell purchased a six-bedroom home in Lawrenceville six years ago. They moved to the area after Joe retired from a career in the medical field.
"I think my eyes were a little bit bigger than my stomach," Katie said. "We ended up with a lot more house than we really needed."
When Katie's job location changed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, the couple decided to downsize to a community closer to her job.
"When I'm on call, I don't have to sleep in the hospital," said Katie, 53, who works in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. "I can be at home with my family."
They roamed through a variety of new home communities, including these three, to find their next house.
No. 1: Social setting
Village at Deaton Creek in Hoschton, a 55-and-up neighborhood by Del Webb, was big on amenities, with a 35,000-square-foot clubhouse, two pools, eight tennis courts and more. There was an array of two- and three-bedroom floor plans with key features for the Atwells, such as a master on the main. Floor plans in the neighborhood, about 5 minutes from I-85, range from the $180,000s to low $310,000s.
No. 2: One-level living
The ranch homes built by Jim Chapman Communities in Sterling on the Lake didn't require them to maneuver stairs. The Flowery Branch neighborhood was convenient to stores such as Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and The Home Depot. The homeowner's association fees covered lawn maintenance. "For people that are retiring, it's perfect, because you can come and enjoy the things you like to do without having a lot of extra upkeep," said Joe, 71. Homes in The Springs — the section where Jim Chapman Communities is building — are priced from the $190,000s to low $300,000s.
No. 3: Golfer's dream
Reunion Country Club in Hoschton, a John Wieland Homes community, and its 18-hole golf course would make it to hit the links. "I love to play golf. My recreation is mostly playing golf," Joe said. The floor plans also offered a master on the main, and other amenities included a fitness center, five lighted tennis courts and a water park. The neighborhood is located about 5 minutes from I-85 and 10 minutes from Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Floor plans start from the $240,000s-$330,000s.
The Choice
No. 2. They purchased a three-bedroom, three-bath home in Sterling on the Lake (they worked with Russ Lappana from Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage), and moved in with their daughter, Ashley, in 2011. The Atwells were able to add a screened-in porch, and the Cypress floor plan had an extra feature for Katie: a loft, where she's able to keep and work on crafts. "They utilized every square inch of this place," she says. Katie has a 15-minute commute to work, Joe is close to golf courses and a gym, and their church -- 12 Stone Church in Flowery Branch -- isn't far away either. "It's a nice community where you have everything you need, but without a lot of extra traffic," Katie said.
