Like many people 55-and-better, Randy and Robin Duncan did not equate downsizing with settling for less. They still wanted a beautiful home, spacious enough to entertain friends and host visiting family, albeit without the demands of yard work. An attractive, well-kept neighborhood with a strong sense of community was also a must. And, of course, the location was important because of the active lifestyle they envisioned for themselves.

Randy and Robin found the home of their dreams at the Retreat at Western Branch in Chesapeake.

"We feel like we live at a resort," Randy says. "We come home every day to a gorgeous home in a maintenance-free community with resort-style amenities. Our neighbors are awesome, and the Retreat is located in the heart of Western Branch-a wonderful community that is close to our family and all the things and places we love."

The Retreat at Western Branch is one of the newest 55-and-better communities from WeldenField and Rowe Custom Homes and Neighborhoods-builders committed to providing clients with the highest quality home for the best value possible.

The homes at the Retreat are the creations of Brian Rowe, a developer and custom home builder with over 30 years of experience. High-quality construction, maintainability, and timeless curb appeal-the hallmarks of the over 600 homes he has built in Virginia-are on display here. Brian has created three beautiful floor designs for The Retreat at Western Branch: the Nansemond, the Shenandoah, and the Lafayette.

"All three are designed with first-floor living in mind," Site Manager Donna Lakoski explains. "Each has a spacious master bedroom and ensuite on the first floor, with additional bedrooms and baths upstairs. Separate thermostats on each floor allow homeowners to control the temperature and reduce heating bills. Each home also has a two-car garage."

"People driving by don't realize how open and beautiful these homes are inside," Co-site Manager Doreen Giuliano adds. "After living for years in a Ranch or similar style home, they assume these homes will be small, but when they walk in, their initial reaction is awe. They're overwhelmed. These homes are open, spacious, and bright, with vaulted ceilings and wider doorways. There's plenty of storage space and closets-including walk-in closets. One of the three designs, the Lafayette, features three walk-in closets on the second level. The fashionista ladies will love that!"
When Randy and Robin first saw the three floorplans, they were immediately impressed by the quality of the workmanship and the attention to detail evident in each.

"We chose the Shenandoah model," Randy says. "We loved being able to customize our home and choose the various custom options and finishes such as flooring, cabinets and countertops, paint, and lighting. We love how open and spacious it is. The large kitchen and dining area are perfect for entertaining and having family and guests over to visit. We love our master suite and the beautiful master bathroom, as well as how much storage space our home provides. Our view of the pond and the fountain makes it the perfect place to relax."

"Here, neighbors have plenty of time to relax, get together and enjoy one another's company because all of the properties are maintenance-free," Donna says. "When people move to the Retreat at Western Branch, they can sell their lawnmowers and weed whackers because yard work becomes a thing of the past."

Having a finely-crafted new home in a beautiful, professionally maintained neighborhood ensures that Retreat residents enjoy a more carefree lifestyle and instills a sense of community pride.
To create a vibrant community atmosphere perfect for making new friends and enjoying each day to the fullest, WeldenField and Rowe Custom Homes and Neighbors included some top-notch amenities when designing the Retreat at Western Branch.

The crown jewel of these amenities is the Retreat's spectacular resort-style clubhouse-the social hub of the community. Its spacious great room, vaulted ceilings and fireplace, state-of-the-art fitness center, and expansive community kitchen make it the perfect place for parties and gatherings. The clubhouse's outdoor pool is the ideal spot for swimming or soaking up sun. Neighbors can also enjoy drinks and conversation around the cozy fire pits or entertain in style at the clubhouse's elegant outdoor kitchen.

Other intentional outdoor spaces offer plenty of opportunities for social interactions with friendly neighbors. "We have a beautiful Bark Park with a watering station and fire hydrants where residents can walk their dogs," Doreen notes. "We have a lovely pond, and soon we'll be installing community gardens for those with green thumbs who like to dig in the dirt."

"We also have clubs here for the residents to enjoy," Donna adds. "We have book clubs, wine clubs, and a dinner club, with more clubs in the planning stages."

The Retreat's location makes it especially appealing to those 55-and-better who want to enjoy the best that Hampton Roads has to offer.

"Because we're in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake, we are in the heart of the entire Hampton Roads region," Donna explains. "When I leave here, depending on the direction I'm driving, I can be in either downtown Norfolk, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Hampton, or Newport News in about ten minutes. There's plenty of new growth even closer. Harborview and Bridgeport-just a three-minute drive away-are booming with restaurants, shops, movie theatres, and more, while nearby Chesapeake Square is being entirely revamped and will be known as Destination Western Branch."

The Retreat at Western Branch has proven to be a destination for 55-and-better home buyers like Randy and Robin Duncan. Donna and Doreen point out that the Retreat's home sales have now reached the halfway point. Available incentives include $25K off selected inventory homes while supplies last.

Having made the Retreat at Western Branch their home, Randy and Robin Duncan couldn't be happier.

"From day one, we were treated so well," Randy smiles. "The staff was extremely helpful-answering all our questions and guiding us through the entire process. We were able to watch our home being built and witnessed firsthand the skill and care that was taken to do things right. We have found our forever home!"