Tired of traffic jams and long commutes? If you’re looking for a place of peace and tranquility, stop the world and get off at Habersham. Just six miles from historic downtown Beaufort you’ll find a charming little neighborhood where you can literally take a step back in time, slow down your pace and experience a new way of living. Think of a modern-day Mayberry: yesterday’s look and feel with today’s amenities.
According to Michael Asnip, vice president of Habersham Properties, many people see this as the answer to urban sprawl. “By building a neighborhood that is self-contained and sustainable, people don’t have to leave here to go do everything,” he explained, pointing out the quaint buildings that make up the town center: a café, post office, fitness center, CPA, dentist, mortgage company, real estate company, attorney’s office, soon-to-come hair salon and general store, and even an on-site fire station and sheriff’s office.
The overall plan for Habersham was based on the characteristics inherent to small southern towns. The design team studied the aesthetic and functional details of these traditional neighborhoods, including setbacks, street widths, curb radii, sidewalk widths and spatial relationships. As you make your way through the neighborhood, the differences are distinct.
The first thing you might notice is the slightly narrowed streets. “This helps slow people down,” explained Asnip. Although driving is permitted, residents are encouraged to walk, ride bicycles and use golf carts for transportation on the property.
Other distinguishing features include the close proximity of the houses to the street. The garages are in the back, and most include a guest house or room over the garage. The space between the house and garage becomes an outside room – a beautiful courtyard and an ideal place for a pool, barbecue or dog run. But perhaps most charming are the mandatory front porches.
“The neighborhood is for people who love people,” Asnip said. “When you’re on your front porch, you’re talking to people on the sidewalk. It’s not unusual to see several families gathered on someone’s porch.”
Multi-family living is another Habersham option, with the Village Flat Condominiums and the Town Homes of Le Chene Circle. These spacious homes meet the architectural standards of the single-family homes, featuring twelve-foot ceilings and the same modern amenities at an affordable price point. “The difference is not as much about the price as it is a lifestyle choice,” said Asnip, explaining that many people readily embrace life without yard work.
As you explore Habersham, a profusion of magnificent moss-draped oaks makes it plain to see that the developers went to great lengths to preserve nature’s beauty. Residents enjoy approximately 20 parks throughout the neighborhood, each with a unique character. And with over two miles of conservatively developed riverfront land as well as property overlooking Habersham Creek, breathtaking marsh and water views are unspoiled.
In addition to the parks, common properties include three Sea Islands, connected by causeway. The first island accommodates a magnificent junior Olympic pool, overlooking a vast expanse of marsh and the beautiful Broad River. The second island is slated for a luxurious Bed and Breakfast, yet to be built. The third island boasts a deep water dock and river retreat with a pavilion, outdoor fireplace, porch swings and kayak racks – a place where residents gather for oyster roasts and other community social functions.
For all of its beauty and functionality, residents agree that it’s the people who make the Habersham neighborhood feel like home. According to Barbara Yergens, a former Hilton Head Island resident who moved to Beaufort after 20 years in Florida, “Living at Habersham is a return to a real neighborhood where you can meet people of all ages and with different interests.” Citing numerous neighborhood clubs and activities, casual gatherings at the pool, conversations at the postal center and everyday social encounters, she added, “It’s a place with a real family feel.”
For more information, call toll free: 877-542-2377 or visit online at www.habershamsc.com .
~ Linda S. Hopkins
Photography courtesy
Habersham /Brandon Advertising
