After decades of shoveling snow each winter, Pat and Shelley Williams wanted to retire to a city where snow was rare.
"We looked in North Carolina because Pat's brother lives near Charlotte," said Mrs. Williams, a retired school librarian from upstate New York. Her husband is a retired state police officer.
Further investigation led them to South Carolina.
They wanted to be near a golf course, and live in a gated community. Mrs. Williams said they looked at several in Aiken and North Augusta before a billboard prompted a visit to Woodside Plantation.
"We drove through, and I thought we could never afford this. The lawns are so green. It's so welcoming, pretty and well-maintained," she said.
But Woodside homes come in a wide price range, from $250,000 to more than $1.5 million.
They bought a lot and looked at many floor plans before finding the right one. Mr. and Mrs. Williams chose plans for a two-story home with a bonus room over the garage
The lower level features high ceilings in the living room and a spacious, screened-in porch overlooking the large backyard. There is ample space for parties.
Construction was completed in 2003, and the couple has lived in the home for four years. The first two years after it was completed, they used it as a holiday getaway until they were able to retire.
Mr. Williams spends a lot of time on the golf course and has found another hobby -- acting. A golf buddy, Bob Franklin, introduced Mr. Williams to the Aiken Community Playhouse, where he has been involved in three theater productions since the beginning of the year.
He's now rehearsing for It's A Wonderful Life the Musical , which opens Thanksgiving weekend.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Woodside Plantation, Aiken
WHAT: Construction began on the community in 1986. There are four large sections, with multiple neighborhoods.
LOCATION: Off Silver Bluff Road
HOME PRICES: Home prices range from $250,000 to more than $1.5 million. Recently, a home sold for $1.6 million. Home sizes begin at 1,500 square feet. The development features some townhouses and homes of 5,000 square feet and larger.
SCHOOLS: Chukker Creek Elementary School, Kennedy Middle School and South Aiken High School
AMENITIES: Two country clubs and two golf courses; seven lakes, numerous walking paths and parks
SHOPPING: Residents are within a few minutes' drive of Aiken Mall and other shops along Whiskey Road and Silver Bluff Road.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Memorial Day celebration, the Independence Day celebration with fireworks display, and Founders' Day in October. There are many special interest groups, including book clubs and groups for games such as Mahjong and canasta.
Source: Diana Peters, vice president of the Woodside Development
THE FAMILY: Shelley and Pat Williams
THE HOUSE: 2,800 square feet with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms
icon.
