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PHOTOS BY KATE AWTREY
▲ Avalon in Alpharetta
does happen, we’re in the right
place,” Ross said.
Angie Ponsell, Real Estate
Consultant, I Sell Sandy Springs,
sees many older adults who
move from 2-story homes to
ranches. “The square footage
isn’t as important as the layout,
and they tend to prefer one level
ranches,” she said. “Also, they
want it already updated, with
nothing that needs to be repaired
or renovated.”
She said that most seniors look
for a home that they don’t have to
worry about—a lock and leave—
where if something happens, like
a tree falls on their home, there
are other people around to help.
“But not all of them are interested
in living among other retirees
exclusively,” Ponsell said. “Many
like to mix it up and live around
families and younger people as
well.”
Cluster communities that
include single-level homes, or
homes with a master suite on
the main level, fit the bill well,
Ponsell said. “There’s a need for
more homes like that, especially
with smaller square footage.”
Susan & Michael Jackson
are retirees in the process of
downsizing and selling their
5,000-square-foot home in Sandy
Springs. They’re looking forward
to a simpler, more flexible lifestyle.
“The more stuff you have, the
more you have to take care of,”
Susan said. According to her,
the purging process is like going
down memory lane. It’s difficult
to stay unemotional, but it’s very
energizing, too.
“It’s incredibly cathartic
and especially satisfying when
you’re completed,” Susan said.
“It’s also much easier to do the
earlier in life you tackle it.”
Intown and north metro
Atlanta provide many perks
for older adults, including
walkability, quality restaurants
and nearby entertainment
venues. Retirement communities
also offer maintenance-free
homes and active social lives.
“When many Atlanta residents
consider downsizing, they first
consider Vinings,” said Martha
Chanaberry, Harry Norman
REALTORS. “It’s very close to
Buckhead and downtown Atlanta,
and Vinings Village, with its
attractive shops, restaurants
and a library, is within walking
distance of many properties.”
Vinings also offers a
considerable property tax
advantage. It’s unincorporated,
so there’s no city tax. Once
residents reach age 62, they pay
no school tax, either, which
means a considerable savings,
approximately 75 percent of their
tax bill.
“The Courtyards of Vinings is a
popular choice,” Chanaberry said.
“It’s known for its active lifestyle,
with a pool and tennis. There’s
a very social neighborhood
networking group that plans pool
parties, Mahjong, progressive
dinners, wine tastings and more.
Also, it’s an easy walk to the
Vinings Jubilee area.”
By trading in their large
single-family homes in
the suburbs for intown or
north metro Atlanta condos,
townhomes or apartments,
active older adults enjoy a
simpler lifestyle. There’s less
square footage to clean and heat,
less housework and yardwork,
and less travel time to reach
restaurants and entertainment.
There’s more walkability, more
time and more freedom.
▲ Overture Lindbergh
▲ Renaissance Senior Residence
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JUNE 2017 I ATLANTASENIORLIFE.COM