By Carolyn Crist
For the AJC
After living and working in Tampa, Fla., for most of her life, Sallie Nardone retired to Georgia to be closer to her son, Alex, and his family. She bought a College Park short sale near Woodward Academy, which her four grandchildren attend.
Nardone, 70, a retired administrative assistant for Hillsborough County Public Schools, talked about her three-bedroom home with a pool in College Park.
Q: Why did you decide to buy?
A: I wanted to move here at 70 so I wouldn't come here at 80 and have to make new friends or get used to Atlanta at that age. If you're going to move, go ahead and do it.
Q: What were your priorities?
A: Location and price were big. I wanted to be near the children and school to help with carpooling, and the home was affordable. So many couples who have retired to College Park bought smaller homes and refurbished them. I decided to do that.
Q: How was the closing process?
A: Karen (Corbin with Red Door Realty Group) guided me through everything, as did my son. It was the first home that I owned by myself, and it took a while to go through the bank because it was a short sale. At one point, I thought I might pull out, but Alex told me to hang in there. I finally became the owner.
Q: What do you love about it?
A: The yard. I love taking my coffee or lunch outside and sitting near the pool or terrace. I have a bird feeder and hummingbird feeder, and I enjoy the roses when they're in bloom. I cut them and take bouquets to friends.
Q: What have you added so far?
A: We changed everything. Alex painted the outside of the house, updated the casements, replaced the windows, cut down trees, replaced the fence, relaid the terrace, cleaned the pool after two years of sitting, replaced the air conditioner after it was stolen, and repaved the driveway. I left the 1960s style of the bathroom and really enjoy that.
Q: What’s the lifestyle of the community?
A: Getting involved in the community has been key. In Tampa, I was a Junior League member my whole life, and my mother and grandmother were in it. I knew when I came up here that I needed to be part of a similar group, and I found the College Park First United Methodist Church and College Park Woman's Club.
Q: What advice do you have for senior buyers?
A: The hardest part of coming to a new community is finding your dentist, doctor and mechanic. It has taken a while, but I have done that. You'll feel vulnerable until you can find the people you can trust, and I've enjoyed becoming a part of College Park.
At a Glance
Sallie Nardone's home, built in 1960, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,700 square feet. Similar single-family homes in College Park (meetcpga.com) range from the low to high $100,000s.
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