THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, Januarry 21, 1995 TAG: 9501190263
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
Albemarle Acres, near the open fields of the two lane Mount Pleasant Road and Centerville Turnpike, used to be farmland before the first houses sprung up, in the early to mid 1960's, says one of the builders, Herbert Ansell.
This Chesapeake community of 150 homes, almost all brick ranches, sits amongst tall, stately pine trees, (most of them brought in from the same farm) a lot of pine straw and assorted other greenery. The streets are wide, without sidewalks or gutters, ideal for a leisurely stroll through inviting scenery.
The houses, although many are at least 20 years old, look fresh and loved, being in good repair looking newly painted.
The neighborhood seems to invite friendliness, with groups of children playing together and adults mingling, both waving at passing vehicles. Several neighborhood residents have relatives or friends as neighbors, probably adding to the congeniality and cohesiveness of the community.
Attesting to the friendliness of the neighbors, Linda Peters says ``everyone here even knows everyone else's cats by name - and there's a lot of cats here.''
Bill and Gay Judah moved into their house in 1972. They previously lived in South Norfolk. Gay recalled that some neighborhood children were upset by the construction of their house; apparently the children had built a fort on the site that was torn down when the house was built.
The land was fairly barren during that time, and the Judahs have enjoyed watching the land become a wooded area through the years. Many years ago, the neighbors had a big, annual block party on one of the dead-end streets. Gay says her neighbors are ``always willing to help,'' without being the nosy type. Bill Judah's brother-in-law moved into the neighborhood a few years after he did, as well as some school buddies.
Bill's brother-in-law, Bobby Cousins, also from South Norfolk, moved into his three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch 21 years ago. He and his wife, Debby, have renovated many areas of their home, including knocking down the wall between the den and living room, to make a great room.
They also turned their two-car garage into a six-car garage, with a wood stove, perfect for frequent NASCAR race parties and handyman repairs. Their next project is adding a den.
Debby Cousins says they enjoy their large lot, complete with a climbing bars built for their children in the back yard. She says the area's schools ``are great,'' and the neighborhood is ``only minutes away from everything, while maintaining a country-like atmosphere.''
``The neighbors are fantastic. It's a family-oriented neighborhood, where the neighbors are involved with one another, watching out for each other,'' she says. ``I feel safe.'' The Cousins have several family members living in the community, including a daughter and grandchildren.
Lee Maxon, a neighbor and sorority sister of Debby Cousins, moved into her 3 bedroom, 1 1/2-bathroom house in 1985. She and her husband, Jim, previously lived in Norfolk. According to Debby, they only planned on living in the house a few years, building up equity, then moving back to Norfolk. However, after six months in Albemarle Acres, they decided to stay.
Debby Cousins, remembering how their Norfolk home was broken into twice, says her first impression of the neighborhood was that it was ``so different'' from Norfolk.
``It's quiet; there's very little crime; kids play outside without their parents worrying; people work hard on their lawns, and neighbors wave at each other,'' she says.
She fondly recalled that one night she bought an air conditioner for her den while her husband was out of town. It was heavy, so she left it in the car overnight; by the next morning, five neighbors had asked her if she needed assistance with it.
Since moving in, the Maxons have added a shed, deck and fence. They replaced their garage door, and recently finished remodeling their den. It was gutted, with the ceiling and paneling replaced, repainted and refurnished.
About 10 years ago, an adjacent subdivision, with two-story homes on smaller, less wooded lots, Albemarle Acres West, began development on the site of an old field. According to Gay Judah, several neighborhood children were disappointed at the prospect of losing one of their beloved, large climbing trees, positioned in the midst of the new construction. However, the tree was preserved and now sits regally in a back yard.
Bill Epling, an agent with Prudential Decker Realty in Chesapeake, calls Albemarle Acres a ``TLC neighborhood. People take care of their homes and property.''
``It's a very desirable neighborhood,'' he says. ``You can't keep an appropriately priced house on the market there for long. '' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Richard L. Dunston
Albemarle Acres...
Lee Maxon...
Graphic and map
At a glance
by CNB