James and Sylvia Mays headed down from St. Louis, Mo., to Atlanta in search of more sunshine. What they were happy to find was low-country architecture paired with resort-style amenities in Heron Bay Golf and Country Club.
“What initially attracted us to the Heron Bay community was the golf course, the beautiful lake, Cole Reservoir, and the amenities offered,” said James, who retired as an executive with a major New York-based fashion company and is a practicing attorney.
They also were intrigued by clustered developments, including neighborhoods just for senior adults, in the Henry County community, which will have about 2,400 homes.
James and Sylvia, a retired casualty claims manager with an insurance company, have discovered that the neighborhood and its amenities, which include pools, tennis courts and nature paths, have attracted a diverse group of residents.
“The people are from all over the country and a few other nations, and because of the diversity in the price of the various neighborhoods within the community, we have exposure to young families as well as retiree families,” James said. “It’s a great place to raise a young family as well as to retire to.”
Snapshot
Residents: James and Sylvia Mays
Location: Heron Bay Golf and Country Club
Size: About 5,500 square feet; five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths.
Year built: 2005
Year bought: 2005
Architectural style: Low-country with front and back porches.
Favorite architectural feature: The 20-foot-high ceiling in the great room, which is the largest, tallest room in the home and gets the most traffic. “It is in the center of the house and is probably the brightest, cheeriest spot because of all the light that pours into that room,” James said.
Interior design style: Warm and welcoming. “We tried to match the interior of the home with the exterior by presenting a comfortable, relaxed type of elegance in a slightly less formal format,” James said.
Favorite design feature: Three fireplaces in the keeping room, the great room and on the lower level. In the winter, the fireplaces add aromas, warmth and light throughout the house, James said.
Favorite outdoor feature: A fenced-in backyard that borders the golf course. “The yard is shaded and cool and in the afternoon is on the east side of the house, away from the hot afternoon sun. This area is also very beautiful and welcoming in the cool mornings when the golfers are just getting started,” James said.
