THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 2, 1995 TAG: 9508310360
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MELANIE BEROTH, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
Watching the sun rise over the Atlantic beaches is an awesome experience, but it's equally incredible to look west in the evening and see the sun fading away.
But where do you go in Virginia Beach to watch the majestic colors of a sunset? Residents of Lake James just walk to their back porches to watch the sun fold behind their lake.
``Seeing a sunset in Virginia Beach is rare,'' Fred and Irene Walker say. ``We could never see the sunset until we moved here. Now, we enjoy looking out at the view when we eat dinner at night.''
The Walkers have lived on their lakefront property for 11 years. In the original Lake James development, they had three model homes to choose from: The Westover, The Charleston or The Belvedeere.
Each two-story model had three or four bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. The Walkers picked The Westover and personalized their property with a vegetable and flower garden.
While the choices of available floor plans have expanded in the last 10 years, Lake James still consists of two-story traditional and colonial-style homes. The 247 dwellings range from $110,000 to $252,000, depending on the proximity to the lake.
Shawn and Kim Smith are raising two daughters in their house that looks out onto the water. ``We're not from this area originally,'' Kim Smith says, ``but we feel like it is home. It is a quiet area, but it is also centrally located and convenient to the interstate.''
Only a block away from expanding Indian River Road, Lake James residents don't have to go far to shop. ``We can walk to Farm Fresh, church, the post office, even to the roller skating rink if we wanted,'' Irene Walker says.
In spite of the development just outside the subdivision, Brad and Christine Broughton say Lake James has maintained a small-town feel. ``We love the location,'' Christine Broughton says. ``We close to I-64 and have accessibility to anywhere in Tidewater. It's a small community in the middle of the city.''
While the entrance to Interstate 64, with its easy route to the Oceanfront, is less than a five-minute drive, many Lake James residents prefer the 100-acre swimming hole in their backyard instead of heading to the Atlantic. ``The lake and the beach are a great spot to retreat,'' Broughton says. ``When the backyard gets too small for our family, we go to the beach to swim.''
All residents have access to two boat ramps and a sandy beach. For anglers, the lake, which plunges 60 feet at its deepest point, is filled with largemouth bass, pickerel and sunfish.
The two-mile stretch around the lake dead-ends on both sides into a community park called Lake James Island, making bicycles the only wheeled transportation that can circumnavigate the lake's perimeter.
The well-maintained park contains a bike path, volleyball and basketball courts, picnic tables, playground equipment and grills. Residents may reserve the picnic areas for parties and the community often celebrates holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July at the park.
Vicky Rizzi, president of the neighborhood homeowners association, says, ``Our board works hard to make sure the neighborhood is kept up. The homeowners association exists to enforce the neighborhood guidelines and keep the community's architectural standards.''
Community upkeep is done by volunteers. Residents maintain the park and keep the swimming area filled with sand. Dues to the homeowners association are $135 per year. ``Because of the volunteers,'' Rizzi says, ``we are able to keep our dues low and our standards high.''
The association's board meets monthly and homeowners are welcome to attend and offer suggestions.
During the summer, the streets are patrolled by an unmarked security car. According to Rizzi, Lake James participates in a Neighborhood Block Watch. ``Residents make up teams and everyone keeps an eye on the neighborhood,'' she says. ``People look out for one another.''
``We love our neighbors,'' Broughton says. ``The area is very community-oriented and everyone is friendly. We know people all around the lake.''
With front-row seating on their docks, waterfront residents rally during the warm months to cheer the more than 20 sailboats that participate in the Lake James regattas.
Paul Cruciano, vice commodore of the Lake James Yacht Club, says, ``This is the ideal place for someone who loves sailing. The water is clear and there are no jellyfish or muddy bottoms like in the ocean or the bay.''
The community club, which Cruciano describes as ``a combination of a yacht, sailing and social club,'' stages races six times a year. At the conclusion, the neighbors celebrate with a large party.
The racing is friendly,'' Cruciano says, ``but we take it seriously. Yacht racing is an incredible sport. It is like chess on the water - you play your opponents.''
A formal race course is set up on the lake with permanent markers for the ardent sailors. According to Cruciano, the lake is also ideal for wind surging. ``When the conditions are tough on the bay and ocean, the water here is flat even with high-speed winds.''
While residents enjoy their community for its convenience, safety and small-town atmosphere, they are all emphatic about one thing: the lake.
Fred Walker points to his backyard: ``We enjoy the neighborhood and it's a good place for guests, but we moved here because we like the lake.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by L. Todd Spencer
Walter Chernish...
Neighborhood...regattas
Graphic with map
Staff photos by L. TODD SPENCER
Irene and Fred Walker can see the sun set over the lake. They've
lived in Lake James for 11 years.
A.B. Duncan shows Miles McClendon, 8, how to shell lima beans.
by CNB