Ted and Mary Anne Bregar aren’t strangers to corporate job moves. They’ve lived at 16 addresses in 38 years with Ted, 62, serving in director roles for energy and technology companies.
Why Atlanta?
The Bregars headed south for Ted’s job, now serving as chairman of Yanmar America. They decided they wanted the opposite of their 1,300-square-foot space in downtown Chicago that overlooked Lake Michigan. Although downtown Atlanta is vibrant and has condos and homes on the market, they realized Ted’s commute to Adairsville would be too long, said Mary Anne, 60.
The Bregars wanted a home near I-75 to keep Ted’s commute short. They searched for six months before landing on Ashton Woods’ custom plans in the Heritage at Kennesaw Mountain. They had hiked nearby Kennesaw Mountain a few times before and loved the area. The couple decided on a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home with 3,600 square feet and added features such as molding, upgraded appliances and custom paint colors.
“It’s more house than two people need, but we love it,” Mary Anne said. “It’s a half mile to the battlefield, and I’ll often see baby deer when I hike.”
Putting down roots
The Bregars enjoyed picking out their home preferences during a 60-day timeline, taking the time to look at the options, consider the prices and sleep on the decisions. Once they moved in six months later, they decorated the home with family heirlooms and travel souvenirs. A family trunk from 1774 is in one room, and in another, they showcase marble statues and a shimmering geode from Ted’s business trip to Brazil.
“We were particular about what we wanted on the lot,” she said. “We didn’t want to move in and find out they took out all the trees, so they were great about keeping as many as possible and talking to us about landscaping.”
Mary Anne particularly enjoys taking out Sherlock, their new miniature schnauzer, when neighbors walk their dogs in the evenings and on the weekends.
The backyard was an unexpected plus. The Bregars often see deer walking through the lot and watch nature from their screened-in porch. “Even the neighbors come over and say it’s an arboretum,” she said. “I’m so happy living here.”
Relocation tip
The Bregars said they have found that new neighborhoods tend to be more welcoming because everyone’s settling. Mary Anne joined a women’s book club, and they’ve hosted events and picnics together. She adds: “Everyone in the neighborhood is getting to know each other through these events, and I think that’s important.”
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