Senior Living
Like many senior adults, Jerry and Margy Jennings had moved to Florida in hopes of retiring, but they kept working and eventually returned to Atlanta to live near their kids, grandchildren and other family members.
The couple sought a one-story home with no stairs to climb as they aged and no yard maintenance worries. The couple, who previously lived in Dunwoody, chatted about their ranch condo in Cumming’s Ballantrae at Creekstone community.
Q: What did you want in a home and neighborhood?
Margy: We wanted something we could stay in long term. We didn’t want to worry about the yard and maintenance.
Q: How did you decide on this home?
Margy: We narrowed it down between this one and one in Johns Creek that was new. This community is finished, so that appealed to us, not to have to live with the construction. Probably the most appealing thing is the outdoor area. It has a really pretty covered porch and lots of entertaining area. We can have 14, 15 people comfortably seated. It has a lot of yard for the kids to run around and play in. We love being outside.
Q: What type of yard maintenance is included in the HOA fees?
Margy: They do everything. We just have our pretty pots and that’s all we have to worry about. We didn’t want to have to do yard work.
Q: What should people consider when looking at the HOA fees?
Margy: We had put a contract on a place in another community. The HOA was going to be almost $599 a month. We thought, “We’re paying for all this stuff we're not going to be using.” There’s not a pool here, which we actually like because we didn’t think we would use it. It’s nice not having to pay (their HOA fees are $291 a month, which also covers insurance and exterior maintenance). They have a monthly TGIF cocktail party. There’s bridge, which I plan on doing. There’s a little exercise room. There are two putting greens, which is really nice. There’s four fish ponds and some really pretty waterfalls. It’s a nice walking community.
Q: How has the Cumming location worked out?
Margy: We still belong to Dunwoody Country Club and we have a lot of friends there. I was worried about that. But I’m not driving there at 8 in the morning or coming home at 6 [during rush hour]. Certainly where we are, everything is here. Everything is within 2 miles. If you go east, we have everything in Johns Creek.
Jerry: We get an exemption on school taxes [in Forsyth County] because I’m 65. It makes it even less.
Q: What tips would you give senior buyers?
Margy: See [the location] at different times of the day. Be aware of what traffic concerns you have. Don’t be too far from the kids, but don’t be too close [their children live in Alpharetta and Roswell].
At a Glance
Jerry and Margy Jennings’ home, built in 2006, has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and about 2,800 square feet. Assisted by Melissa G. Regalado with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, they purchased it in June. Homes in the community are listed in the $300,000s.
