THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702210685
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GINGER ADAMS, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: 108 lines
In the heart of the Little Creek revitalization initiative is a neighborhood called Camellia Gardens. Quiet and settled, the subdivision boasts a low turnover rate in residents who enjoy scenic waterfront property.
Turning onto Camellia Road off Little Creek in Norfolk, residents can drive the extent of their intimate neighborhood to the shores of Pretty Lake. The feel is much like a suburban community, with its ranch-style homes and big yards.
One resident, Deborah Brown, has lived here since the neighborhood was built in the late `50s. She moved away briefly, then realized there was no place like Camellia Gardens.
Was it the neighbors? The settled, established feel? The water? Whatever it was, Brown moved back and serves as president of the civic league.
The community is tucked off the main thoroughfare enough to be peaceful, but also enjoys easy access to anything residents need. Nearby are all the restaurants and amenities of Little Creek Road and Shore Drive. It is close to the military bases and very convenient to shopping and churches.
Back in the '50s, many neighborhoods were springing up in Norfolk to accommodate the influx of military families.
``It used to be all marshland and farms, with a few little homes,'' explains Brown. ``The most interesting thing about the neighborhood is that it was built by two builders. On one street, all the houses look similar. Then on the next street, all those houses are the same.''
There is one house that is different from all the rest, Brown adds. One house near the entrance to Camellia Gardens was built as a Better Homes & Gardens model home. It was so striking that the residents patterned the sign at the entrance after this house, an angular ranch with sloping overhangs quite fashionable for its time.
At the heart of every neighborhood is its residents. Approximately one out of every five families is involved in the civic league. As the president, Brown has plans to make the neighborhood better.
Her first initiative has been to implement the block security program. She is proud to say that already over the past few months they have been able to control minor crimes.
Secondly, she is involving the neighborhood in the Little Creek upgrade by refurbishing the 1958 sign at the Little Creek entrance with new typestyle for the wooden letters. She is repainting them herself.
Then she plans to beautify the median strip at the entryway.
Thirdly, Brown is working to update the group's constitution to make it applicable for the '90s.
She is organizing workshops in conjunction with the Police Department, whose representatives will spend six weeks teaching residents how to work hand-in-hand with the officers.
Lastly, to give each resident a sense of belonging and enhance communication, Brown oversees a neighborhood newsletter.
Block captains distribute the newsletter and collect dues - $5 per year, to go toward gift baskets and neighborhood improvements.
``I love the neighborhood,'' she smiles. ``It is not transient - many people have lived here for 30 years. They raise their families here. The majority of the residents have been here as long as the neighborhood. People love their homes - they have beautiful homes.''
Homes on the market in Camellia Gardens average just over $81,000. Most are ranches with two to four bedrooms and about 1,500 square feet. Well-kept yards burst with color in spring and summer.
Nearby schools are Little Creek Elementary, Azalea Middle School, and Lake Taylor High School.
Many residents believes the charm of Camellia Gardens is that it doesn't change. They can trust each other to be there year after year and have formed a tight-knit group while respecting each other's privacy. They like the comfort and security an established community offers.
``People stick close together,'' one resident believes. ``Everyone is very friendly, and that is what has kept us here.'' She and her husband have lived in their home since 1979.
In such a changing region as Hampton Roads, it is refreshing to find an area that escapes the ebb and flow of population. Camellia Gardens captures the essence of stability and spells home to a proud community. ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
VP MAP
About The Neighborhood
Schools: Little Creek Elementary, Azalea Middle School, Lake Taylor
High School.
Shopping: Roosevelt Shopping Center, Little Creek East Shopping
Center, Shore Drive.
Recreation: Bowling on Little Creek Road, Tarrallton Community Park,
Water activities on Pretty Lake, Ocean View beaches.
FOR SALE
At 8144 Camellia Road, a three-bedroom, 1 1/2-bathroom house was
listed for $114,700.
SOLD
At 8101 Lemesa Ave., a two-bedroom, one-bath house recently sold for
$36,500.
At 8152 Camellia Road, a three-bedroom, one-bath house sold for
$92,500.
At 8019 Camellia Road, a three-bedroom, one-bath house sold for
$76,000.
At 8122 Pace Road, a three-bedroom, one-bath house sold for $85,500.
[Color Photos]
MOTOYA NAKAMURA
The Virginian-Pilot
The neihgborhood, developed in the 1950s from marshland and farms,
is still home to several original residents.
The house at 8000 Camellia Road was once a Better Home & Gardens
model.