Macon Telegraph; July 24th, 2004

A bit of Florida in Perry

First resident moves into Houston Springs

By Ayanna McPhail

PERRY - Instead of baby boomers and retirees flocking to places like Florida and Arizona, empty nesters are seeking relaxation in the Peach State.

"You won't find anyplace like this in Georgia," said Jeff Moredock, managing director of Houston Springs, an "active adult resort," for people 55 years old and up.

He said there are other communities offering homes with amenities for this age range, but nothing on the scale of this development. It will be complete with about 2,000 homes, five recreation spots, an 18-hole golf course, a shopping area and club house when it's done in five to seven years.

It's going to be 494 acres of a gated community that's expected to boost Perry's population of 10,000 by about 4,000 people.

Residents will be able to apply for membership cards they can use for debit transactions and discounts in the planned shopping area that will be open to the public. They will never have to get in a car to enjoy the boutiques and coffee shop because because they'll be able to cruise around in golf carts.

"It's like coming back to a college campus again - you're around all your friends," Moredock said.

But, instead of loud frat parties, residents can enjoy playing tennis, going swimming, walking along trails, working out at fitness centers and joining various club-like organizations.

Houston Springs is "not a retirement community," Moredock said. "What you won't see are walkers, canes and respirators."

And that's exactly what Zee Jones was looking for when she decided to move back to Perry from Centerville. She said she will move in to her house next month.

"I don't want to grow old yet," she said.

And Jones doesn't have to in this Florida-style community. She's a widow looking forward to meeting other single women and enjoying the amenities.

So far, 55 houses, four ponds and half of the golf course have been built on 72 acres. The total building area is about 200 acres, Moredock said, and the remaining space is full of trees.

The first phase is almost sold out and the first resident, Audrey George of Waycross, moved in this week with the help of her son, Jeff.

"It's certainly far from complete, but progress is great," said Jeff George, who purchased a lot for his mother several months ago.

Audrey George is a retiree who decided to move to Houston Springs to be closer to her son and his family in Perry.

"I think it's great for seniors," she said. "I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this community."

Jeff George said he's not surprised about a community this massive developing in Perry, but "sort of glad that somebody did it." He's had conversations with friends who are growing tired of their larger homes and have considered downsizing to a place like Houston Springs.

Moredock said the primary buyers are people like Audrey George who want to move closer to family, homeowners who are downsizing from a larger home and investors who plan on leasing the homes.

So far, 55 percent of the purchasers are paying cash for the two- to three-bedroom houses, said Moredock, who suspects they are selling their paid-off homes and using the money to buy in Houston Springs.

The homes range from 1,200 square feet to 2,900 square feet. The prices start at $102,000 and will go up to the $400,000 range for larger estate properties with views of a pond and golf course, Moredock said.

"We want to provide housing that meets the needs of our customers," he said.

Houston Springs is located on Airport Road about 1.7 miles from the Perry exit 136 on Interstate 75.

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