Victoria Park a perfect fit for transferees

Scott and Holly Read Maul enjoy the maintenance-free lifestyle they found at Victoria Park in Libertyville.

Two years ago when Scott and Holly Read Maul heard that they were being transferred to Chicago, they expected to buy a single-family home.

But after working with a real estate agent and looking at everything that was available, they found themselves among the first to buy at Victoria Park, a Residential Homes of America, Inc. (RHA) active adult community located in north suburban Libertyville.

And two years later they are still pleased with the quality of their home, the convenient location of the community and the relaxed maintenance-free lifestyle.

"Victoria Park works well on many levels for us. The location is great for work, shopping and services. The look of the interior of our home is beautiful and there are so many details that we love. We are very satisfied living here," Holly said.

A smaller and much more intimate active-adult community than most people are accustomed to, Victoria Park has just 52 townhouses available in both ranch and two-story designs, priced from $349,990.

Even though it is a small, enclave-style community, it has most of the amenities of a larger community and is designed for buyers 55 and up who want to lead a socially and recreationally invigorating lifestyle.

"Scott and I transferred from Indianapolis, Holly recalled. "When we first visited Victoria Park, I was thrilled with its location, which couldn't be better for commuting to work. Scott and I were also impressed with the high quality of the homes, the layout of the community with the mature trees and the clubhouse. We were hoping to find a home with about 2,500 square feet of living area and that's exactly what we found at Victoria Park."

Scott and Holly chose the Ansel Cook floor plan, named for Libertyville's famous 19th century resident. This layout measures 2,172 square feet and when the full basement is included, totals approximately the 2,500 square feet the couple wanted.

The floor plan they chose is a two-story end-unit plan with two bedrooms, den, 2½ baths, a combination living/dining room with two-story ceiling and an open kitchen and breakfast area that flows into the family room.

This model also has a luxury master suite, a second floor laundry room, large concrete patio and a two-car garage.

"We wanted to have the equivalent of three bedrooms and that's what we have with our den, which we use as an office. The living and dining room is very nice and this is where I have my piano set up, so I sometimes call it my music room," Holly said.

The couple chose a fireplace for their family room and an oversized walk-in shower in their master bath. Their basement is also finished and they use it as a television room.

"Another thing I really love about our home is all the windows, which give the rooms such a nice feeling. We are on a secluded lot which backs to open space and the view out the back of our home makes me feel like I'm in the country," said Holly.

Buyers at Victoria Park can select from three floor plans, ranging in size from 1,768 to 2,172 square feet. Both ranch and two-story designs are available.

Both Scott and Holly were also attracted to Victoria Park by the fact that all outdoor landscape care is taken care of, including grass cutting and snow removal.

Victoria Park also offers its residents premium on-site amenities at the community clubhouse and recreation center.

A lighted, tree-lined walking path leads the way to the clubhouse, located at the rear of the community for privacy. The clubhouse features a furnished clubroom with fireplace and a complete fitness facility. There is also meeting space, which is ideal for residents who work from home.

"I used the clubhouse for a party last year and I also use the exercise room on a regular basis. It's very convenient to have these amenities just steps from our home. I'm also planning another party that I want to use the clubhouse for," Holly said.

They have also attended various planned activities at the clubhouse, like the annual Super Bowl party.

Victoria Park is located in Libertyville, on the north side of Peterson Road (Route 137), approximately one mile west of Milwaukee Avenue. The sales center is located at 1850 Torrey Parkway and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (847) 367-0300 or visit www.rhahomes.com.