The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Plethora of playmates seals the deal
Couple takes a second look in Smyrna to find it affordable and friendly.
Community events, like Smyrna’s Spring Jonquil Festival, going on this weekend, can show families considering a move the type of activities they might enjoy in metro Atlanta’s different suburbs.
Michael and Tayrn Szweda, who were living in Austell, focused on Smyrna because of the convenience to Midtown and downtown Atlanta and after seeing other young families purchase homes there.
“I grew up in a community where there were kids in the neighborhood and you also ran around and played with them,” said Michael, 34. “I think it just helps them grow up a little bit with social skills and being able to interact with other kids.” range. They looked at it again in 2011 and found the prices to be more affordable.
“Most of the communities we went to were all the same,” Tayrn said. “Then we went to this community. And there was such a different feel for both of us. The charm and character of this development was unlike anything we had been to.”
The home
They found a five-bedroom, 4 ½-bath home built in 2001. The wraparound porches, streetlights and mailboxes add to the neighborhood’s Charlestonian feel, Tayrn said.
“As we were driving in, we came up to a little square that was maintained very well. There was a little kid running across it. It was inviting. That did it,” Tayrn, 30, said.
They liked the 10-foot ceilings, which added to the spaciousness of the home, the screened-in porch and finished basement. One of their offices is in the basement; another is on the third floor. Also upstairs is a room that will become a playroom.
The lifestyle
The couple initially wanted a neighborhood with a pool and tennis courts, but have found the community is quite active without those amenities.
“That was something we had to say, ‘We don’t need it,’ because this community has so much more to offer,” Tayrn said.
The tip
Find out what activities the neighborhood offers throughout the year. The Szwedas received a calendar of events for the year, including an Easter egg hunt in the square and a Halloween parade.
They also were invited to a playdate.