LaGrange Ga.’s West Point Lake is Home Sweet HomeLakefront living, charming downtown and family-friendly lake welcome families home to LaGrange
By: Katie Reeder, LRC Says resident Shawn Zwilling: “I grew up here. After moving to Atlanta, starting a business and getting married, my wife and I decided to return to LaGrange to start a family. We wanted a safe, small town with Southern charm that was close to Atlanta. “LaGrange offered all of that and more.” Land of opportunity “This is a small town with a lot of opportunity,” The opportunities Long speaks of are due in part to the Callaway Foundation, Inc. Its assets, as of September 2010, were valued at $184,096,970. Its mission is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in LaGrange and Troup County by making it a special place to live, work, learn, and play. “The Downtown LaGrange Development Authority has placed an emphasis on the development of the downtown area, which is starting to really thrive with the help of the Callaway Foundation,” “You get more house for your money here and the quality of life is tenfold that of other places,” says Joel Upchurch, a real estate agent with Re/Max Results, who calls LaGrange a bedroom community for metro Atlanta. “There are amenities here you just don’t see in other towns this size – the symphony, the lake, dining destinations, an upbeat downtown area and more.” These features, along with LaGrange’s quick access to the Atlanta airport and the regional economic hub of West Georgia – Columbus – make this small town a favorite among those with ties to bigger surrounding cities. Lakefront living Even though his love for LaGrange dates back only to June 2010, Knox is tuned into the growing interest of people who are moving to this charming town, particularly to the areas around West Point Lake. The developer’s latest project, Retreat on West Point Lake, is a 479-acre gated residential community situated against eight miles of shoreline on the 26,000-acre West Point Lake and just 12 miles from LaFayette Square, LaGrange’s quaint, historic town square. “Here, homes are more than a place to offer shelter from the elements,” says Knox. “Sites are gracious in size – with each one exceeding an acre – and carefully planned to enable access to the lake while blending in with the rolling topography and dense tree canopy.” As a waterfront community, access to the lake is Retreat’s number one amenity. A close second? A wet slip permit for each home site in the community. Joey Mines, host of “Outdoors with Joey Mines” on Fox Sports for 29 years, built a “green” house in Retreat constructed of earth-friendly materials and containing energy-saving appliances. “I have had the pleasure of visiting some great places in North and South America for my show,” he says. “But my favorite place, without a doubt, is sitting on the deck at my house with my wife, Betty, and our two dogs, Bug and Nic, overlooking West Point Lake.” According to Knox, Retreat is the first development of its kind on the lake that employs a community dock system. “By working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and implementing a community dock program, we were able to protect over 40,000 feet of shoreline – a huge plus as this adds to the pristine look of the lake from the water,” he says. Charles and Fran Holland, a couple from Conyers, Georgia, are like many who are anticipating making LaGrange home as they build in this lakeside enclave. “We liked that it has a small-town feel and offers amenities like shopping, entertainment and cultural arts,” says Fran Holland. “We are very impressed with the way the city and county government have controlled the growth in the area while adding more amenities. “There are still so many green spaces and few traffic jams. The historical area has stayed vibrant even through the economic downturn and we can still get to downtown Atlanta easily. There is also Callaway Gardens nearby and Columbus for sightseeing.” Solid value According to Upchurch, current prices on lake lots are from $45,000 to $150,000 and waterfront homes run from $125,000 to $540,000. “It seems the value of the properties have not taken as big a hit as in other areas of Georgia,” says Charles Holland. “Even though the values have dropped, we believe they will recover faster than other areas because businesses seem to be thriving in this area – whereas they are closing up shop in other areas.” For Knox, the major draw to the area was West Point Lake, followed closely by the thriving community. “The more time I spend here, the more impressed I become,” he says. “I've found LaGrange to be a progressive Southern town bustling with cultural and historic venues, outstanding dining options, as well as an active and involved business community – all while maintaining small-town values,” he says. Downtown delights After a day on the lake, families congregate in Historic Downtown LaGrange, where boutiques and eateries welcome sun-soaked water lovers. Just five minutes away, West Point Lake’s accessibility to a charming downtown area means those who live here literally have it all – the peace and quiet of a day in nature coupled with the convenience of a gourmet dinner come sunset. C’sons in downtown is the best place to reconnect with old friends and linger over savory delights following a day outdoors. The menu features seasonal market fresh ingredients like locally-grown mixed greens which come to life with the masterful touch of chefs who add toppings like creamy ginger vinaigrette to wake up the taste buds. Anything-but- “Once you spend time here, you won’t want to leave,” says Upchurch. Anchoring it all is LaGrange College, the oldest private college in Georgia, founded in 1831 and renowned for its offerings in drama, music and art. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the once all-female college now has a diverse student body of just over 1,000 people representing 19 states and 15 countries, with 53 academic and pre-professional programs. “LaGrange College is a hidden gem,” says Long. Sort of like LaGrange itself. MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Jennings, 706-884-8671 LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce http://www.LaGrangeChamber.com Image: An evening in Downtown LaGrange is the happy-ever-after to a fairy-tale day. Credit: LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce # # # Cost-per-project professional writing services, pre-priced press material packages, annual contracts which may include additional media relations services, plus. We create content for websites, travel guides, brochures, e-marketing pieces and more. End
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