Neighborhood amenities make life more convenient, fun

By Bill Lewis

Some of Sumner County’s most popular neighborhoods offer amenities like resort-style pools, fitness centers, walking trails and pocket parks, but the greatest luxury of all is time.

People are busier than ever and want to live in neighborhoods where they can spend their time efficiently, said Goodall Homes Vice President Todd Reynolds. The company has a number of subdivisions from White House to Hendersonville.

“Home is where you check in and move on to the next thing. People want it to be stop and go,” he said.

Instead of driving across town to a pool or a fitness center, they want to walk to the community clubhouse. They could walk on a municipal greenway, but a trail through the community may be steps from their door. Neighbors spend time together and become friends with shared interests, not just the people next door.

 “Neighborhoods today just match up to the way people live their lives,” said Reynolds.

Many people moving to the region leave their extended families and friends behind. Neighborhood amenities help them build new social networks, said Tiffany Caine, director of sales for Parkside Builders. The company is the developer of Waterford Village, at 20 Nokes Drive in Hendersonville.

“So many people nowadays are new to the area and looking to establish their roots here. Our community designs help encourage this naturally. Our sidewalks, balconies, front porches and shared green spaces are designed to bring neighbors together. We see neighbors chatting in the courtyards at the end of the day or during early-morning walks, enjoying our community and making new friends,” she said.

The neighborhood features single-family houses and townhomes from the $200,000s. In addition to its walkability and a pool, it is adding amenities including a clubhouse, a playground and a dog park. Residents will be invited to social events. Green spaces and common spaces are maintained by the HOA, giving residents more free time.

“The walkability of the sidewalk system, shared green spaces and common courtyards get people out and about in the community. Plus, our homes are designed for outdoor living, with front porches, balconies and colorful streetscapes. When finished, the dog park, playground and clubhouse will further foster a sense of community.  It’s a place people really love calling home,” said Caine.

Even when they’re home, residents of today’s master-planned communities usually aren’t sitting around the house. They are at the fitness center or the pool. At Durham Farms in Hendersonville, they might be found riding one of the community’s bicycles, said Reynolds.

Goodall is building townhomes in Durham Farms. David Weekley Homes is building one-level villas as well as single-family homes. Celebration Homes, Lennar, Drees and Crescent Homes also build homes in the subdivision. Durham Farms is located on Drakes Creek Road between Vietnam Veterans Boulevard and Long Hollow Pike.

Durham Farms’ amenities include trails for walking or biking as well as green spaces. The community clubhouse, called The Farmhouse, features a fitness facility, swimming pool with splash pad, outdoor gathering areas, a free wi-fi work café, a conference room where residents with home offices can hold business meetings and a game and activities area.