55+ Community Villas in Virginia Come with Many Amenities

Placeholder while loading article actions

Townhouse-style “villas” are for sale at Cascades in Embrey Mill, a new 55+ retirement community with access to a wide variety of existing and planned amenities in Stafford County, Virginia.

Miller & Smith is building 78 two- and three-level seniors’ villas in Cascades, 15 of which have already been sold. The age-restricted development also has condominium “apartments”, but they are not yet available for purchase.

Pete and Wendy Chambers have rented a unit in the unrestricted first phase of the Embrey Mill development while waiting for their villa to be completed. They lived in southwest Virginia and moved east for a job opportunity. “Renting was a quick fix,” said Pete, who is 56. “We did this so we could take our time looking for a place we liked.”

Two variants of the Rainier model villa are on sale at Cascades. The two-level model without a walk-out basement includes three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room (half bath). It starts at $474,990 for 2,028 square feet. Final units are a bit larger, at 2,079 square feet, and their prices start at $492,990. The three-level model with walk-out basement also has three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room. It starts at $524,990 for 2,756 square feet.

Find Inspiration and Relaxation at Old Town North Luxury Condos

Swimming pools and vegetable gardens are among Embrey Mill’s many outdoor attractions. “Our residents over the age of 55 will have access to all of Embrey Mill’s amazing amenities, including over 10 miles of trails and wooded trails, 15 parks and playgrounds, dog stations, a race park for tricycles and a full-service bistro,” said Jackie DeGennaro, community sales manager at Miller & Smith.

The list of planned amenities includes pickleball courts, bocce courts and the private Cascade Club, which will have an event kitchen. The club will also have a lounge with a fireplace, a yoga room, a weight room, a meeting room, a games room, a terrace with outdoor barbecues, two fireplaces and an oversized chessboard/board.

Pete and Wendy Chambers discovered Embrey Mill through friends who lived there. The possibility of downsizing and the layout of the unit helped seal the deal. “We wanted a smaller place for two people – our kids are adults – and we didn’t want a big house,” Pete said. “Les Cascades was the perfect size and we loved the floor plan.

Several builders work at Embrey Mill. The Miller & Smith section is about three miles northwest of Stafford, the county seat, which is just over 40 miles southwest of Washington and about 10 miles northeast of Fredericksburg. The Fredericksburg-Stafford area – with commuter rail service to Washington and easy access to Interstate 95 – has become a hot real estate market.

Townhouse community is close to the beach but still “very private”

In 2021, Fredericksburg ranked sixth in a SmartAsset study of the best places to retire in Virginia. The study cited the city’s “tax friendliness, medical care, and opportunities for social and recreational activities”.

Fredericksburg has a charming downtown and local history includes two Civil War battles. The Stafford area’s small-town vibe was another reason Pete and Wendy Chambers chose it for their golden years.

“We didn’t want to live in town and love how close Stafford is to everything and so much to do,” Pete said.

Schools: Park Ridge Elementary, HH Poole Middle, North Stafford High

Transit: Residents of Embrey Mill have easy access to I-95. The Virginia Railway Express Brooke Station in Stafford is about six miles to the southeast.

Nearby: Stafford, Fredericksburg, Government Island, Stafford Civil War Park, Widewater State Park, Patawomeck Park, Jeff Rouse Swim and Sport Center.

466 Embrey Mill Road, Stafford, Virginia 22554

The plan calls for 78 townhouse-style villas; 15 have sold. Prices start at $474,990 for 2,028 square feet; $492,990 for 2,079 square feet; $524,990 for 2,756 square feet.

Features: Nine-foot ceilings on the ground floor and in the attic; oversized, energy-efficient low-e glass windows; engineered hardwood floors in the vestibule, powder room and kitchen; fully covered cabinets (for a seamless appearance) in the kitchen and bathrooms; granite countertops and stainless steel Samsung appliances in the kitchen.

Bedrooms/bathrooms: 3 or 4/2.5

Square feet: 2,208-2,756

Homeowners Association Fee: $183 per month

See the model: On appointment

Sales: Jackie De Gennaro, 703-300-1333, [email protected]

About Coy Lewallen

Check Also

Former duo Cherries named in England’s World Cup squad