THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 8, 1995 TAG: 9504060268
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 121 lines
A few twists and turns off the flurry of General Booth Boulevard, near Corporate Landing Office Park, tucked behind Red Mill Farm with no sign to announce it, is Ocean Lakes East, a quaint neighborhood of about 70 homes. The area, once farmland, was developed in the late 1980s and was sold under the name ``West Ridge.'' The area was built after Ocean Lakes and has no affiliation with it, other than its name.
Ocean Lakes East residents are petitioning for the name to be legally changed to West Ridge. Once that is accomplished, they also hope to start a civic league. Contractor R.G. Moore developed the land and built the neighborhood's houses, mostly two-stories, with a smattering of ranches. The streets are mostly cul-de-sacs, without sidewalks.
Bradford pear trees, white and full in spring splendor, are a popular landscaping choice. Many porch flags also announce the coming of spring, adorned with flowers or Easter motifs.
Suzie Cecchini, an agent with Re/Max Alliance calls the neighborhood a ``beautiful, hidden area,'' since it's secreted behind Red Mill Farm, with no distinct division. ``It's a nice, little, family-oriented neighborhood where kids can safely play in the streets,'' she says.
Jamie Kelly and her family moved into their two-story brick house almost six years ago. They had outgrown their Pembroke area townhouse, and were happy to move to the four-bedroom, three-bathroom house, with a deck, which better suited their family of four.
Kelly says the standard lot, which runs about 10,000 square feet, was a big draw for her family. ``It's a great place for kids to play in,'' she says, ``It felt like we were coming into country.''
They enjoy its convenience, being near the beach and the military base, where her husband works. Another big improvement, she says is the Princess Anne Recreation Center. ``We use that all the time,'' she says.
She calls her neighborhood a ``young community,'' with plenty of kids. ``My kids don't have far to go to find other kids to play with,'' Kelly sayd. ``And, the area's schools are excellent. The neighbors are great - really friendly. We all know one another and everyone looks out for each other.''
One neighbor, Cindy Dorman and her family, had lived in Norfolk for 12 years when they decided to move to Virginia Beach a little over five years ago. Dorman says they wanted to build a house and make sure their three children attended good schools.
``There couldn't be a better school than Red Mill Elementary,'' she says.
Dorman says compared to nearby neighborhoods, the West Ridge models offered more square feet and standard features. Now they're very happy in their two-story, three-bedroom (plus room over garage), 2 1/2-bath house.
Dorman says her children love to be outdoors in the summer, taking advantage of the beach. They also enjoy playing basketball and street hockey in thes cul-de-sacs.
``There's no traffic; that's one of the reasons we love living out here,'' she says. ``It's quiet; we never have any disturbances outside of the occasional barking dog, and we have great neighbors.''
She explains there are retired residents, those without children, military and non-military residents. ``We all know our close neighbors and we look forward to socializing this summer, when we can all get out,'' she says.
``The people here are conscientious about the appearance of their homes and yards; they take pride in their property. It's been a great place to live.''
Tom Suit and his wife moved to Virginia Beach from California, building their house as a wedding gift. After looking at the models, they knew then they didn't even have to house hunt. They had found what they wanted on their first stop.
They moved into their two-story, four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bathroom house in early 1990.
``We've been thrilled'' says Suit. He and his wife sincerely describe their neighborhood as the ``old fashioned, `Leave It To Beaver' '' neighborhood. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
Residents of Ocean Lakes East have petititioned to change the
subdivision's name to West Ridge. Then they'll start a civic
league.
The Kellys, from left: mom Jamie, son Kevin Patrick, dad Kevin and
daughter Jessica.
AT A GLANCE
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Public schools: Red Mill Elementary, Princess Anne Middle, and
Kellam High Schools.
Shopping areas: Lynnhaven Mall is the nearest mall, about 15
minutes away by car. Strawbridge Marketplace, Kmart Plaza, Dam Neck
Square and Booth Hill strip shopping centers are all nearby, on
General Booth Boulevard.
Recreation: The neighborhood is well stocked in facilities. It
has its own wooded, enclosed park with swings, slide, jungle gym,
etc.. The new Virginia Beach Community Recreation Center at Princess
Anne is two miles from the neighborhood, on Ferrell Parkway, next to
the new Strawbridge Elementary School. Strawbridge Park, with a
ball field, is close. Within close driving distance is Redwing Park,
Redwing Lake Golf Course, the Virginia Beach Little League Park and
campgrounds.
Assessments: The city assessor's office reports the range of
evaluations from $90,827 to $133,296 but this assessment includes
about 60 dwellings in surrounding neighborhoods.
FOR SALE
At 1205 Faulkner Road, a 2,300 square foot, four-bedroom, 2
1/2-bathroom vinyl colonial with front porch, well and pump,
screened gazebo and deck, built in 1990, is listed at $134,900.00.
At 1201 Thackeray Court, a 2,340-square-foot, four-bedroom, three
bath vinyl colonial, with hardwood in the foyer, well and pump and
privacy fence, built in 1989, is listed for 132,900.
At 1209 Faulkner Road, a four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath vynyl colonial
with extra large deck, oversized garage, skylights, well and pump,
built in 1990, is listed at $131,900.
SOLD
At 2117 Thackeray Lane, a 2,566-square-foot, four bedroom, 2
1/2-bath brick and vinyl house, built in 1987, sold for $138,000 in
October 1994 after 62 days on the market.
At 1225 Faulkner Road, a 2,300-square-foot, four bedroom, three
bath ranch with detached workshop and full front porch, built in
1989, sold for $132,500 in August 1993, after 60 days on the
market.
by CNB