By Carolyn Crist
For the AJC
When Vickie Collins retired for a second time in June 2014, she decided to move from Albany to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter who live in Gwinnett County.
She said she was concerned about leaving her lifelong friends, doctors, church and familiar surroundings, but she felt at ease in Cumming's Piedmont Corners, a 55-and-up community by Smith Douglas Homes. Collins, 68, a retired elementary school principal and former garden center co-owner, chatted about her home.
Q: What were your priorities?
A: I enjoy gardening and wanted an area where I could still play in the dirt. My previous house had the master bedroom downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs, and I was ready to get on one level.
Q: What do you love about it?
A: The doors are wheelchair accessible, and the master bathroom has an extra large shower. The great room, kitchen and dining room are all in one, and I have a lot of cabinet and storage space. As I think ahead to the next 10 to 15 years, when driving may be more difficult, it's not hard to get to the doctor's office or Northside Hospital. I can get around without driving on I-85, I-75 or I-285.
Q: What have you added so far?
A: My style is very traditional, and almost everything I had from my previous house, I was able to move here. I replaced my sofa and love seat and let my 11-year-old granddaughter pick out furniture for the guest bedroom so she would feel comfortable when she visits.
Q: What’s the lifestyle of the community?
A: The subdivision has tons of activities, with game nights, Bible study, lunches and day trips. I planned to visit a different church every week, but I started at First Baptist Church of Cumming and never went anywhere else. It has an active senior group, and I immediately felt at home.
Q: What advice do you have for senior buyers?
A: This was the most frightening move I've ever made because I left everything I knew. But listen to this — two houses in Piedmont Corners were being built next to each other at the same time. I'm Vickie, and she's Vicki. I was an elementary school principal, and she was a high school principal. We're the same age and both moved to be closer to our children. We hit it off from day one. The move can seem overwhelming at times, but if you take it one day at a time, it will all work out well.
At a Glance
Vickie Collins’ home, built in 2014, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,800 square feet. She was assisted in the purchase by Ben Staten and Kathy Kirby Seger with RE/MAX Around Atlanta. Homes in Piedmont Corners range from the high $100,000s to low $200,000s.
About the Author
