Lifestyle Community: Viewpoint

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Howard and Sandy Peterson expected to spend their retirement at the lake or in the country, but they bought a condo in Midtown, where they can continue to usher at the Fox Theatre and attend performances at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Sandy, 59, an adjunct professor who also teaches part time in Gwinnett County, and Howard, 59, who works for the federal government, chatted about their new condo in Viewpoint and their search for a retirement home, which was assisted by Russ Ferdon with Coldwell Banker Intown.

Q: Where did you previously live?

Sandy: In Lilburn, for 25 years.

Q: Why did you decide to move?

Sandy: Our plan is to retire in the next year or two. We were really looking to simplify our life. We had a big home, and the kids have moved out. We got a little tired of the upkeep or maintenance.

Q: Why did Midtown appeal to you?

Sandy: Midtown had what we were looking for, at prices that we could perhaps afford, and it had availability to MARTA. Once we began our search and began comparing buildings, we decided we wanted to be off the street [Viewpoint is 36 stories tall] and we wanted to have a view.

Q: What type of features did you desire?

Sandy: We wanted at least two to three bedrooms. I wanted to have a place where if the family came, we could have dinner and feel a little bit comfortable. We looked at one bedrooms with studies, but we felt like that would probably be too small. As we started to compare buildings, of course, the amenities package was important.

Q: What type of view do you have?

Sandy: We look south onto the BellSouth building, and basically we can look east to west. We can see the expressway and most of downtown, which is very nice during the day and also at night.

Q: How did Viewpoint’s amenities stand out?

Sandy: The amenities are newer, and there seems to be more available. I also liked that the amenities are separated. The pool and one barbecue area is on one side of the other building. The garden area and another barbecue area is on another side of the building. Viewpoint has an outdoor fireplace area and outdoor television, which I found very nice, and we’ve used.

Q: What type of reaction has your move caused?

Sandy: Many of our friends think we’re nuts. They’ve even said, “Why are you doing that?” But I think many of them have not been exposed to this type of living situation.

Q: Have you noticed a difference in your lifestyle?

Sandy: One of the reasons we moved is to try to stay active in our retirement.

We weren’t ready to move to a retirement community. It’s so nice to be able to go out your front door and across the street to eat. Publix is two blocks away; CVS is across the street. I feel like things are more accessible because I do not have to get into my car.

Howard: It’s a radically different lifestyle. I’ve been a suburbanite almost all my life. This is a lot different. We’re trying to change to a simpler life. We can be a little more active. It’s close to the Fox Theatre, the arts, Piedmont Park. Rather than staying indoors [now and in their retirement], we’re going to try to spend more time outside of our place.

At a glance

Howard and Sandy Peterson’s condo has two bedrooms, two baths, a den and about 1,320 square feet of livable space. They purchased the condo in June.

Viewpoint

Address: 855 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30308

County: Fulton

Information: 404-961-7180, www.viewpointmidtown.com

Price range: High $100,000s-$340,000s

Units: 378

Square footage: 700-1,320

Standard features: 10-foot ceilings, balconies and terraces, granite countertops in kitchen and baths, Whirlpool stainless steel appliances, HALO (home automation, lifestyle organization) intranet system

Amenities: Pool, sundeck, grills, clubroom, outdoor living room with TV and fireplace, fitness center, media room, 24-hour concierge, parking space, street-level retail

Homeowners fees: 34.2 cents per square foot

Developer: Novare Group, Loudermilk/Rohrig

Builder: RJ Griffin & Co.

Broker: The Marketing Directors

Schools: Morningside Elementary, Inman Middle, Grady High

More on schools: schools.ajchomefinder.com

Getting there

Take I-75/85 to Exit 250 (10th/14th Street), if traveling northbound on the interstate (it's also Exit 250 if southbound on I-75). Turn right onto 10th Street. Turn right onto Peachtree Street N.E. Viewpoint will be on the left. If traveling southbound on I-85, take Exit 84 (10th/14th/17th Street) and follow the signs to 10th Street East. Turn left onto 10th Street. Turn right onto Peachtree Street N.E. Viewpoint will be on the left.

Recent sales

$339,000: 855 Peachtree St N.E., Unit 2609, Atlanta 30308. A two-bedroom, two-bath condo built in 2008 with 10-foot ceilings and a view of downtown.

$286,000: 855 Peachtree St N.E., Unit 602, Atlanta 30308. A two-bedroom, two-bath condo built in 2008 with 10-foot ceilings and a view of downtown.

For sale

$340,900: 855 Peachtree St N.E., Unit 3304, Atlanta 30308. A two-bedroom, two-bath condo built in 2008 with hardwood floors and a breakfast bar in the kitchen.

$310,900: 855 Peachtree St N.E., Unit 1209, Atlanta 30308. A two-bedroom, two-bath condo built in 2008 with hardwood floors and a breakfast bar in the kitchen.

Community information provided by Nancy Gaw with Viewpoint and Russ Ferdon with Coldwell Banker Intown.