Gone are the days when empty-nesters and retirees thought of life's next chapter as being "put out to pasture." Nowadays, that chapter means lightening one's load, being freed from the demands of keeping up a house and yard, pursuing an active, fulfilling lifestyle of freedom and friends, and accessing the best that life has to offer.

When it comes to accessing the best that Hampton Roads has to offer, Harbour View in north Suffolk is one of the most desirable locations in the region. Bordered on the north by the majestic James River and on the west by the scenic beauty of Bennetts Creek, Harbour View is situated in the heart of Hampton Roads, only 15 minutes away from the downtown areas of Norfolk, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Hampton, Historic Smithfield and Newport News. It is also home to some of the region's best restaurants and newest shopping venues. In this vibrantly booming area, WeldenField and Rowe Custom Homes and Neighborhoods--one of the region's premier builders of 55-and-better communities--is opening its newest community: The Retreat at Harbour Cove.

"The Retreat at Harbour Cove is where luxury living meets resort-style amenities," Realtor Carolyn Hurtado says. "Our 55-and-better community is designed with comfort and convenience in mind, offering spacious floor plans, modern appliances, and elegant finishes. In addition to our luxurious living spaces, The Retreat at Harbour Cove offers a range of exclusive amenities that will enhance the daily life of homeowners."

Those amenities include a fabulous resort-style clubhouse. With a pool, gym, party kitchen, party rooms, outdoor kitchen, and firepit, the clubhouse is sure to become the community's central social hub. The Retreat also features community gardens for those with a green thumb and a fenced-in "bark park" where furry, four-legged residents can socialize. All of the Retreat's outdoor living features are carefully planned to give residents and their guests a comfortable, worry-free environment where they can enjoy life. "From our beautifully landscaped grounds and garden to our resort-style pool, fitness center, and breathtaking clubhouse, there's always something to enjoy," Carolyn says with a smile.

Five signature floor plans are available and come with standard first-floor primary bedrooms, two-car garages, and exterior living spaces.

"Our community offers a range of townhomes and villas, each designed with our signature attention to detail," Carolyn explains. "The Nansemond, Lafayette, and Shenandoah townhomes are highly sought-after, while the luxurious Charleston and Asheville villas are making a comeback by popular demand with limited quantities. Our semi-custom homes are designed to be energy efficient and sustainable, making them eco-friendly while still maintaining their luxurious feel. Our buyers also can personalize their options to their exact specifications, ensuring that their dream home becomes a reality."

Art and Tanya Monroe recently moved into their dream home at the Retreat at Western Branch.
"We both are real estate professionals," Tanya explains, "so we were already aware of other Weldenfield and Rowe communities and had heard very favorable feedback about them. When we decided it was time to downsize and make a lifestyle change, the Weldenfield and Rowe community fit the bill! We love our home's square footage, open concept floor plan connecting the living room with the kitchen and dining areas, screened-in porch, tall ceilings, beautiful flooring, three full baths, main level primary and secondary bedrooms, plentiful closet space, and two-car garage."

"The most surprising thing we have discovered is that we no longer think about having to do landscaping, cutting the grass, and handling routine maintenance on the outside of our home," Art notes. "This provides us with the opportunity to do something else with our free time. Also, we love that the community has such great amenities--especially the clubhouse, pool, and walking trails."

Hearing residents sing the praises of all that the Retreat offers is deeply satisfying for Builder Brian Rowe of WeldenField and Rowe Custom Homes and Neighborhoods.

"We took a ton of time pre-planning to ensure that The Retreat has many wonderful amenities," he explains. "We have put a lot of effort into ensuring elements conducive to an active lifestyle are built into the fabric of this community. I've realized in talking to many of our residents that they notice these fine details. They appreciate the unique things we've added-things that we thought were important. My hope for residents is that they'll be able to experience all the different things we've put into this community--things aimed at promoting an active lifestyle."

Carolyn and her associates at WeldenField and Rowe praise Brian for not only being a gifted semi-custom production builder but also an innovator. They credit his hands-on approach and daily involvement throughout the building process for the beautiful Retreat communities.

"Brian strives for excellence," Carolyn points out. "He wants everything to be perfect. It's not enough for clients to be happy with their homes; he wants them to be ecstatic. He isn't merely building a place to live in but a home that buyers will cherish. He wants people to be proud of their homes. He's focused not simply on high quality but perfecting each design for the individual by offering lots of options. Brian listens to home buyers and gives them what they want. If something is required to accommodate a buyer's lifestyle, Brian will do that."

"At The Retreat at Harbour Cove, your home is more than just a place to live; it's a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy life to the fullest," Carolyn says. "Our community is the perfect option for those looking for a high-quality home designed with their needs in mind. We invite everyone to contact us today to schedule a tour and experience the lifestyle they deserve. We're confident that home buyers will be very satisfied with the high level of service, quality, and attention to detail they will receive."

That home buyer satisfaction is what makes Carolyn's job so fulfilling.
"If I sell you your home, I want you to be happy long-term with that home," she concludes. "At the Retreat, we're not just selling homes; we're selling homes people love. We're doing something good for other people. That's rewarding."