Senior Living
Patsy Anders chose Flowery Branch because she was seeking a serene and peaceful setting after living in the rush of Miami. After living in one townhome, she moved down the road to a new townhome in a different neighborhood, Sterling on the Lake.
Anders, 68, who works in the business development and marketing of dialysis corporations, chatted about her move to the Hall County community on Lake Lanier.
Q: How many homes have you owned?
A: I think I have bought and sold eight. Some built from scratch, some were built in the last 20 years, and maybe even more than that. This has been the epitome of all of those experiences.
Q: Why is that?
A: First of all, these were so beautifully decorated from the outside. They wanted to pull you in, and it does. Once here, the workmanship here is just the best I’ve ever seen. Every detail was done with class. The house itself is perfect for me. It has a keeping room. I’ve got the office in here and everything. The way it’s put together, it just suits my life incredibly.
Q: Yours is not a one-story, like many older adults, choose. Why were you OK with buying a home with more than one level?
A: I thought that practically speaking, I would maybe get one story. No, I have 18 long steps. What I did finally decide is, it’s OK, I've got these steps, but I changed my attitude, thinking that [I didn’t want to] give into the aging process. I’m in good health. It’s a gift to be healthy. One thing about this house is the staircase is really wide. God forbid if something should happen, but if it did, it’s wide enough to put a chair that will get you up there.
Q: How did the location give you the peaceful setting you were seeking?
A: These townhouses have woods in the back. It’s just picturesque. I look out sort of over a vista. I can see the hills. The birds and the wildlife are just absolutely amazing. Out the front, I have a view like you wouldn’t believe. It looks out on the open space, where there’s the gazebo and concerts in the summertime and where Santa Claus arrives [for a holiday party] and there are pumpkin patches. Young people are out there playing, and the community has a blend of different ethnic groups, which I just love. It’s a little microcosm of the way things ought to be, in my book.
Q: Why did you choose a community with all ages?
A: I would never want to live in a senior community where there’s no sounds of children giggling and playing and having fun. I just love it. I have total peace and quiet, I never hear cars. I never hear the boom, boom, boom of [loudspeakers in cars].
Q: How do the neighbors interact with each other?
A: It’s like the old-time neighborhoods where everybody comes out and says hello, I’m here if you need anything, anytime. It’s an amazing sense of community and kindness.
At a glance
Patsy Anders’ new townhome in Sterling on the Lake has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, an unfinished basement, and more than 3,000 square feet. She purchased it in December. Peachtree Residential Properties’ townhomes are in the low $200,000s and single-family homes are in high $200,000s in Sterling on the Lake.
