For those desiring Delmarva’s peaceful lifestyle, beautiful collection of ocean resorts and innumerable recreational possibilities, the community choices are seemingly endless. Ultimately, however, people are looking for more than walls around them and a roof over their heads when they settle down for the long haul. They’re looking for an enjoyable lifestyle sharing things in common with friends and neighbors. And they want someplace that delivers on the promises of amenities and features as soon as they move in. And Heritage Shores delivers that and more.
Located in Bridgeville, Del., Heritage Shores 55 and better community offers a number of different home models to suit many tastes and needs. All of the homes are equipped with Energy Star features to help save money. And some are even available with geothermal heating and air conditioning systems, as well as solar and wind power to increase energy savings. Heritage Shores also offers home options with Universal Design features like open floor plans and modified room designs to provide those with impaired mobility or wheelchair dependence easier accessibility and living space.
“These are features we include that are silent until someone has a knee surgery or hip replacement,” explains President of Providence of Brookfield Homes Dorothy Harper, whose company is Heritage Shores’ primary force. “Then they realize how easy it is to get around their home.”
And unlike many developments where residents wait for years to see the amenities the sales brochures promised them, Heritage Shores has 100 percent of its amenities in place. That includes its 18-Hole Arthur Hills Championship Golf Course, with classic links-style design and more than 20 ponds along the course. The course comes with a full pro shop, practice greens, and the Sand Wedge Snack Bar with outdoor seating. Then there’s the 28,000-square-foot community clubhouse, which houses the full dining Passwaters Restaurant, a spacious Grand Ballroom with dance floor and stage, the 1730 Tavern, billiards and cards room, woodworking shop, craft room, library and furnished terraces on which to sit and enjoy the expansive golf course view.
The community’s Fitness and Aquatic Center includes exercise facilities with personal training services available, in addition to a dance and aerobics studio, four tennis courts, state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor pools, and more. Throughout the week, residents enjoy a treasure chest of health and wellness programs, like Tai Chi, Zumba, Yoga, Water Aerobics and Pilates to help keep them active and fit into their later years.
“We are distinguished by the extent of the amenity package that is complete and ready for use, the quality of our homes and the overall experience,” Harper relates. “Our restaurant and tavern offer culinary experiences not available at any other 55+ community in the area.”
Having all of those community features ready to use is a huge attraction for buyers. “We like the fact that all the amenities are in place,” says Ed Heath, who with his wife Carla has lived in Heritage Shores for several years. “It’s nice to know all of it’s there, especially if you have friends and guests who would like to enjoy them.”
With access to facilities like the full ballroom and catering services, residents like Ed and Carla Heath have entertainment opportunities they never dreamed of having right at their fingertips. “We have a gorgeous clubhouse, and the food is great,” Heath explains. “We threw a party there ourselves with 100 people and they did a fantastic job. It was perfect, flawless, from the food to the timing.”
Heritage Shores offers more than living space and quality community facilities — it provides an active and interesting lifestyle for those wanting to truly get the most out of their time. With more than 300 homes sold, residents enjoy a vital community of neighbors with many interests and ideas to share. With the help of a dedicated lifestyle committee and director, residents have formed special interest clubs for crafts, fiber arts, ceramics, sewing, ballroom dancing and even woodworking. And these groups create so many reasons for Heritage Shores community members to come together.
Take a look at the community’s monthly activities calendar, and you’ll get a feel for how much there is to do. There are Mahjong and Bridge playing groups, meetings for Civil War and genealogy enthusiasts, a wine lovers group, pool players’ clubs, and even Texas Hold ‘Em poker nights. Not to mention regularly scheduled times to sit and chat over a cup of fresh coffee in the morning. One thing is for certain: There is plenty to do and very little opportunity to be bored. The social opportunities combined with the lifestyle benefits Delmarva offers create the perfect endless vacation.
“The community location allows residents to enjoy a slower pace, tremendous tax advantages from the state of Delaware and the best home value in the area,” Harper relates. “The social engagement and organized activities provide a resort lifestyle every day.”
With all that activity in which to participate, who has time for mowing lawns, cleaning gutters and all those pesky home maintenance issues? Luckily, that’s covered as well. Heritage Shores provides a la carte services for grounds and home maintenance service providers at negotiated reduced rates for the entire community. That means residents don’t have to grapple with businesses to get the best price, because Heritage Shores has already done all the work for them.
For homeowners, the community is something of which to be proud. “It’s a nice place to show off to people,” Heath explains. “We decided we’d retire to a place that had a ‘Wow’ factor, and this community definitely did. It’s a very, very nice way of life.”