
DATE: Saturday, June 28, 1997               TAG: 9706260263

SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY 

                                            LENGTH:  127 lines

AT HOME: COLUMBUS STATION, VIRGINIA BEACH A COHESIVE GROUP IN AN IDEAL LOCATION

A little neighborhood near a lot of action. That's what comes to mind when people think about Columbus Station condominiums, just south of Pembroke Mall, a stone's throw from the trendy Columbus Square shopping center, a popular hangout for bagel enthusiasts and music, movie and book buffs.

A handful of interesting streets, like squiggly lines on an etch-a-sketch, are lined bye 384 townhouse-style condos, four units per building, built from 1984 through 1990 by The Dragas Companies.

The neighborhood has two sections, one older. Upon entering the area, the older section is encountered, shaded by more trees and landscaping than the newer section, which is further into the neighborhood. The older section also has street lamps and more marsh area.

The newer section is bordered by a sign - Columbus Station East - where there's also a grassy, built-up area, appropriately called ``the mound,'' where residents walk their dogs.

Although all units have about 1,100 square feet, two bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, two levels, a reserved parking space and patio with fence, lamp and storage shed, there are some differences among them. The older units have heat pumps while about half the newer ones have natural gas.

There are slight differences in windows, vanity placements and bedroom ceilings. Units in both sections vary in bedroom size. Some units have a larger master bedroom than guest room; others have two master suites of equal size.

Each section has its own pool and condo association. The condo fee in the newer section includes the water and sewage charges; residents of the older section pay separate bills. Spaces are designated for visitor parking.

The moderately priced condos are ``in the true logistical heart of Virginia Beach,'' says Peggy Economidis, Realtor with William E. Wood and Associates. ``It's close to all the highways and facilities. It's a great beginner place for first-time buyers, single professionals or empty-nesters. Because of the building design, each unit is like an end unit, which gives you more privacy.''

Plus the patio area contains enough space for patio furniture and a flower bed or vegetable garden.

``It's for people who want easy, carefree living. The units are airy, spacious and bright. They're easy to maintain. Residents can focus on work and play rather than maintenance,'' Economidis says.

And the residents seem to do that. During summer, residents walk to or from the pool, towels and suntan lotion in hand. The pool, sidewalks and cul-de-sacs offer plenty of chances for meeting neighbors, whether you're a sunbather, swimmer, walker, jogger, biker or dog owner.

``They all seem to get to know one another by spending time at the pool, and they look after one another,'' says Economidis.

Fourth of July fireworks at nearby Mount Trashmore provide another opportunity for neighborhood bonding. During this ritual, residents gather on and around the mound, looking skyward, towards the fireworks explosion.

Judy Blaylock, an original owner of a Columbus East condo, built her unit about nine years ago, likes the fact that all the residents look out for each other. ``We keep an eye on things,'' she says.

Blaylock, chose the area because she knew some friends who lived in the older section and really liked it.

``I like it because it's close to everything,'' she says - mall, restaurants and recreation. ``And a lot of the neighbors have also been here since the beginning.''

Since moving in, Blaylock has seen many changes. Besides the last of the condos being built, Columbus Square has made its debut.

The nearby shopping center sports a large theater complex, a Barnes & Noble bookstore and the Planet Music tape and CD store, as well as some smaller stores that keep the commercial parking lot jammed. A large bed and bath store is the most recent addition. A lot of Columbus Station residents walk to the shopping center, Blaylock says.

She appreciates that there are no through streets in the area and says she, her husband and 4 1/2-year-old daughter do a lot of biking around the neighborhood. ``A lot of people either walk or jog around here,'' she says.

And for other neighborhood recreation, she says, ``The pool's real nice - never real crowded - and you always know somebody out there.''

``It's true; the neighbors watch out for each other,'' says Joyce Faubel, Realtor with ReMax Central, who knows the neighborhood intimately. She's lived there about seven years, is on the condo association's board of directors, owns two of the condos in the older section, and is property manager to six others.

``After a while we get to know each other pretty well in here. At least we know where everybody lives and if you're a resident here. It's a real quiet community.''

Faubel recently spent quite a bit of money sprucing up her place.

``Last year I put all new carpeting and appliances in, ceramic tile in the kitchen and half-bath, and painted all the kitchen cabinets and my fireplace white. I wanted it to look real beachy. And I have an abundance of flowers in my garden,'' she says. Faubel also has a gas fireplace.

``The nice part about this area is that its very convenient,'' she says. ``You can walk or bike to anywhere like restaurants, recreation, the mall. We have a lot of young professionals and older empty-nesters. It's a real neat little area.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]

GARY C. KNAPP

The swimming pools are popular with COlumbus Station residents,

especially since summer has finally arrived.

Residents can wlak to the nearby shopping center for a movie, book

or bagel.

AT A GLANCE

MAP

PEMBROKE AREA, VA. BEACH

ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Schools: Thalia Elementary, Independence Middle and Princess Anne

High schools.

Hospital: Sentara Bayside Hospital on Independence Boulevard.