Williams Family: We Love Where We Live

 

Do most people choose where they live?  Do most people love where they live?  Our answer is "Yes!" to both!

We purchased our ground floor 3-bedroom/2-bath 1,442 square feet condo in August 2021 as an investment property, knowing that we would eventually want to live here full time.  The condo was inhabited by tenants in the midst of a year-long lease.  With the purchase came a relationship with a management company, which was peace of mind since we lived quite a distance away and had no experience with rental units, leases, etc.  Our decisions were based on need/wants in the future and location.  We chose were we wanted to live!

And, we love where we live, not just for the location and amenities, but for the people.  

In the last week, we have played dominoes with a group of friends and traveled to the beach with a friend.  Yesterday, we were on our way to the car and I forgot my phone.  The husband returned to retrieve the phone and found me hugging with a neighbor in the street.  Jodi, an active grandmother from Michigan and retired physical therapist caught up on her way to walk the lake. Our conversation ended with an embrace.  

At the pool yesterday, great conversations and connections with friends and neighbors.  Fran came to the pool to get a break from packing for her upcoming Alaskan cruise.  Linda, who likes to the pool to be a bit warmer, got in the pool for the first time of the season and had been painting furniture and redecorating her lanai. She was off to EPCOT for dinner. Joanne did her walking/breaststroke laps without a smear in her lipstick.  Jack came to the pool as I was drying off and asked if I was there by myself and I told him Todd had left a few minutes ago.  Jack shared his productive day and I cheered his ending the week with triumph.  Dave and Mary Ann enjoyed the pool and were off to Disney Springs to take in music or a movie. 

Last night, the husband returned from a late night walk with Sadie and said, "I love where we live."  I asked him what made him say that.  His reply was about feeling safe.  Our community does have 24 hour on-site security, but is not "gated" per say.  There are 5 entrances/exits into the community and one is controlled with a gate that requires a car sticker/sensor.  This is more about controlling through traffic.  Security responds to any concerns and monitors parking, clubhouse, pool, etc.  They notice unusual happenings and know many residents and families by name.  Vice Versa is true, too!  Vivian, who was on duty yesterday, was looking forward to bowling after her shift. 

Lakeside at Lakes of Windermere

Our community is occupied by 60% owners of units and 40% tenants.  Some owners live in Lakeside full time and some have other homes--in Norway, Houston, Indiana, New York, Chicago, St. Louis to name a few.  All tenants have to apply and be approved by the HOA Board with leases renewed and reviewed annually.  If a tenant has violations for noise, parking, disturbances, etc., the HOA Board will not renew the lease and the owner will have to find new tenants. 

It has been 13 months since we moved and we love where we live!