THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 29, 1995 TAG: 9504270261
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANET DUNPHY, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Lake Shores is one of those neighborhoods where you either lived as a child or want to live as an adult.
The trees are tall and plentiful, the homes and yards are well kept and the nearby water gives it a country-in-the-city feeling.
Bounded in part by the Little Creek Reservoir, the 30-year-old houses are nestled among Independence and Northampton boulevards and Shore Drive in Virginia Beach.
Lake Shore's proximity to Interstate 64 makes for an easy commute to Norfolk or a quick drive to Norfolk International Airport.
Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base is just across Shore Drive.
The homes are a classic mix of old and new: The cottage with a porch swing, the brick ranch with a pool, the contemporary two-story painted with pale colors.
Many houses are almost hidden by trees and shrubs. The dwellings typically have three bedrooms and two baths. Most of those sold in 1994 were under $130,000, according to the city assessor's office.
New homes are being constructed on Jack Frost Road, which connects Shore Drive and Northampton Boulevard.
Several empty lots are still for sale in the neighborhood, priced from $69,500 to $125,000 for a waterfront property.
``My husband was raised in Lake Shores,'' says homeowner Julie Russell, who grew up in the Cape Henry area.
``His family still lives here. It's well established and central to most places. The homes are well built.''
The Russells have lived in Lake Shores for seven years. They've done the usual updating to the walls, windows and bathrooms of their brick ranch on Mosby Road.
``We've thought about moving closer to the water where I grew up, but I'm happy with my house and the neighborhood,'' Julie Russell says.
``When you look at new construction and what you get for the money, it's frightening.''
Homeowners in Lake Shores range from empty-nesters to younger couples with school-age kids. Nine of the 46 homes sold last year were listed by the appraiser's office as ``gifts'' or ``wills.''
When residents talk about their neighborhood, they refer to the old section and the new section.
The old section is the portion from Jack Frost Road west that backs up to the reservoir.
Several of the larger homes in the old section have signs that name the properties, such as ``Baker's Acre'' and ``Holly Cove.''
The new section includes the lots east of Jack Frost and it has access to busy Independence Boulevard. Shelton Park Elementary School is located there.
``I wouldn't live anywhere else,'' says William Ludwick, who has lived in the old section on Lake Shore Drive for 20 years. ``This is an older area. The houses aren't close together and nobody's in my back yard.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Gary C. Knapp
Julie and Dave Russell and daughters...
Lake Shores...
Graphic with map
About the Neighborhood
by CNB