By Carolyn Crist
For the AJC
With two kids in tow — Rachel, 3, and Austin, 2 — Charlene and Chris Trapp moved from their Marietta townhome to a single-family house about 3 miles down the road. They preferred to stay in the same area for the high-performing Cobb County schools and looked for a new neighborhood with kid-friendly activities and safety.
The five-bedroom house in Marietta’s Cobblestone Manor had one thing in common with previous homes: It was Chris’ third Ashton Woods purchase in a decade.
The priority
Like many parents, the Trapps desired more bedrooms and play space for their kids. They focused on floor plans with an open kitchen and family room, plus a bedroom on the first floor for their parents to move in as they age, if the need arises.
The couple paid attention to details that showed the home was built with quality, such as the crown molding and the way the doors opened, said Charlene, 38, a project manager. “We were excited to find everything we wanted in a new community, which doesn’t happen much in East Cobb,” she said.
The search
Chris, 35, an IT professional, wanted another new home with a reputable developer. The Trapps saw Cobblestone Manor, which has homes from the mid $600,000s to high $700,000s, and selected a five-bedroom, four-bathroom home with 3,900 square feet. “What really sealed the deal was that we heard Ashton Woods was building in the neighborhood, which included a swimming pool and tennis courts,” Chris said.
The home
The Trapps enjoyed picking features they always wanted, including a stone porch, a master suite with a Jacuzzi and gas lanterns. They also asked Ashton Woods to knock down a wall between the family room and kitchen, so they could keep an eye on their kids. The loft added play space.
“We also wanted a loft area upstairs in the middle of all the rooms for the kids to play and jump around,” Chris said. “We like that because we can spend time there as a family, where all of the upstairs rooms connect.”
The lifestyle
Living at the end of a cul-de-sac gives Rachel and Austin room to run around safely and play with their Goldendoodle, Macy. Even some of their friends have moved into the neighborhood. The family is getting to know other new residents who have young kids and are attracted to the public schools, Mt. Bethel Elementary, Dickerson Middle and Walton High School.
“We all seem to have the same mindset and reason for moving into the neighborhood — for the schools,” Charlene said.
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