Often times it’s a collection of things that make a house a home.
For Lori and Mike Shirey, their home in the Highgrove neighborhood in York County is perfect for a number of reasons — not just because of the upgraded tile in their kitchen or tray ceiling in the master suite — it’s the whole package.
The Shireys and their two young children were living in an older house in Newport News when they began their search for a new home.
They had York County in mind because of Waller Mill Elementary School, a fine arts magnet school. Their daughter was accepted there and will start this fall.
“We kind of stumbled across this neighborhood, and as soon as we saw one of the houses here, we fell in love,” said Lori. “It was on a cul-de-sac, which was great, and with my husband working in Newport News, we liked the easy access to the interstate. We just thought ‘Oh my gosh, this is the one,’ and we didn’t look at anything else after that.”
The 1,915-square-foot, two-story home is the subdivision’s upgraded Alexander model. It features three bedrooms, two baths, a loft area and a bonus room off the main entryway.
Lori uses the bonus room as an arts and crafts room for her kids. She envisions the upstairs loft area as a perfect place for her kids to use their computers once they’re older.
A large backyard, double-tiered deck and privacy fence also make for a great play area. There’s plenty of space for her children to run around, and they recently added a new play set.
The Highgrove neighborhood is relatively new. Construction began in 2009 with the last home built in 2012. It’s a family neighborhood with a heavy military presence — both active duty and retired — which the Shireys appreciate.
Their neighbors represent different branches of the armed forces and have lived all over the world. Lori said she’s really enjoyed getting to know them and hearing their stories. Neighbors in Highgrove often get together for barbecues and football games.
The Shireys also appreciate the simple things, like having a sidewalk and being surrounded by trees and nature.
The neighborhood also features a retention pond, walking trail, a soccer field and well-maintained playground.
“There are always kids playing outside, and it’s been great for our kids to have met so many friends,” said Lori.
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