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We have bought a lot in a new one just now being developed.
We are 77 and 70 and I am in not-good health.
Currently we live in a 5,000 sf house on a beautiful lot with 3 sides surrounded by woods. I have a very high maintenance perennial garden and a beautiful yard, all of which we pay others to maintain.
I know we need to downsize now while we can manage it and we are getting ready for the move in approximately 10 months when our new home will be ready.
But ever since we bought the lot I've been a bit depressed. In our current home I can look out every single window (and there are many) and see swaying trees, beautiful woods, wildlife (deer are a constant in the woods)my gorgeous flowers,beautiful birds, a wildflower cutting garden, and flowering shrubs. In our new Courtyard home I will have about 1,000 sf of gardening space which means about 25 feet from our courtyard to the back of our neighbor's home all along our property line. We chose this lot specifically because it offers the biggest gardening area. The homes are designed so every main part of the house will face the courtyard. We will have one window facing the woods behind us( in the master bedroom) and one window facing the street in front of us (the den). I'm so afraid I will go crazy when my eyes cannot easily see nature at every glance. Yes, I will design our garden space to have much color and movement but that will take some time to develop.
In other words, we are giving up the nature we love because the nature we love is taking up too much money and time to maintain.
If you live in an Epcon Courtyard home are you satisfied with your views and how have you adjusted to this kind of living?
While this video is about Epcon in Ohio, it shows the courtyards.
Hi: I don't live in Epcon, but I sure would if they would build them around here. I have watched these homes for a while and I think it's the best you can buy for a retirement home, without giving up everything, as in a condo.
You do want to downsize and your house is too big. You have to hire people to work for you. So maybe it's just a courtyard and not a whole garden. There are beautiful courtyards and small gardens that are just as lovely as a whole lot. I would try to concentrate on what you want to do with this piece of land and your new home.
Guess this is what they call "buyer's remorse", huh? I say change is good. Nothing stays the same forever. I wish I had your problem, because my yard really gives me backaches.
I am of the impression Epcon is operated like a rent the space mobile home park meaning Epcon maintains ownership of the land versus builds and turn over to owners like an HOA.
Elderly friends of mine in England just were approved for a courtyard type of house as their council house. It was a weedy mess. They have fixed up both the small front area the edge beds and a garden area. It provides wonderful exercise for both of them. Small space but maximum impact and ease of care. Not expensive to hire the small amount of help they need. You don't need a huge yard to have special views and gardening fun. He is in his 80s and she is in her 70s. They have a beautiful space and they have only lived there for one year.
I love the Epcon designs and would not mind the houses at all. I like the floor plans as they seem very efficiently designed. For us, location and walkability are the most important facets of a community and unfortunately, these communities in our area are too far away from needed areas. So we are looking for community that is older and closer in to the city.
I am of the impression Epcon is operated like a rent the space mobile home park meaning Epcon maintains ownership of the land versus builds and turn over to owners like an HOA.
Comments please.
Not sure what you mean but we will own our home there and can rent it out or sell it if we want to. HOA fees pay for all outside maintenance including roof, outside walls, gutters, common areas, pool, garden plots, and yards. In fact they will maintain my gardening area off my courtyard if I want them to but I doubt I will. Once the neighborhood is sold (it is only 63 units) all will be turned over to the HOA. They are basically single family condos with no shared walls.
It looks like Epcon is a franchise business. How it turns out is dependent on the franchisee. They could be good or bad businesspeople.
Well that's not entirely true. Some are and some aren't. We are buying in a non-franchise development but we went to Greensboro to check out a franchise one. Amazing how they changed floor plans and design. From what I could tell there was more leeway and personalization for this particular franchise in Greensboro.
The courtyard concept reminds me of my lanai here in FL. My lanai is fenced in with a high screen cage. I have a small landscaped area along with rope lights, beautiful outdoor furniture and candles. I love looking at it from the living room and using it for entertaining.
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