John Womeldorf is Mr. Williamsburg, sharing his thoughts, real estate expertise, and “all things Williamsburg” in an effort to spread the word that Williamsburg, Virginia is the greatest place on earth to live!

Thought I would share a newspaper article I found about Windsor Forest that was originally porinted around 1980    ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

Sitting on top of just about the highest point in the Williamsburg/ James City County area of Virginia is a z shaped swimming pool where dozens of youngsters cavort during daylight hours. Along toward evening, adults wander down to the pool area to enjoy the cool water and the view. From nearby comes the sounds of the whop, whop of tennis balls being knocked around on the courts, accompanied by the shouts of kids competing on the basketball court.

This idyllic setting is one of the major amenities that attracts home buyers to the Windsor Forest Neighborhood just off Longhill Rd near Lafayette High School. The natural wooded setting and the protective greenbelts and scenic easements surrounding the neighborhood are also part of the drawing card.

“But it’s the people who make this a great place to live” said one longtime resident.

Most of the folks at Windsor Forest are professional pursuing careers at the College of William and Mary, private industries, and the local schools. The majority are young aged 28–40, with a fair sprinkling of retired businessman and retired military.

Samuel Powell said he was attracted to the neighborhood because he knew a lot of people who lived there, plus he liked the wooded lots and natural surroundings.

Leaving Windsor Forest in its natural state was the whole idea behind Robert S. Hornsby’s hope for the 321 acre tract of land he started developing in 1971. He purchased the land from Frank and Lester Bozarth, and put in roads, street lights, and lots all designed to leave as many trees as possible to protect the privacy of the residents.

Mr. and Mrs. Adis Pitts were the first to move into Windsor Forest in 1972. They chose it because” we couldn’t’t find a lot anywhere else that suited us.” Mrs. Pitts said. “ We had the choice of trees because we were the first buyers and the lots were reasonable.

At that time lots were selling for $6500 for three quarters of an acre. Now lots are selling for as high as $19,500. Mrs. Pitts said her home and lot have doubled in value since 1972.

There are a variety of home styles in Windsor Forest ranging from colonial to contemporary. The highest recent sale was $125,000 but most homes are selling in the $75,000 to $90,000 price range. The average lot size is 3/4 of an acre.. Currently homes are built on 80 of the 150 lots available with about 400 residents occupying them.

Generally speaking Windsor Forest is a community of younger people. With kids ranging from newborns to high school age. Kids attend school at Mathew Whaley, Berkley, James Blair and Lafayette High Schools.

The swimming pool was built 4 years ago although the 5.5. acre recreation area has been around since the beginning of the neighborhood. The Windsor Forest Association owns the recreation area and pool, but residents were quick to point out that it was Hornsby who provided the majority of the money for the projects. Residents pay $130 annually for a family membership for the pool. Residents also pay $15 yearly to the association for maintenance of the recreation area and common areas.

Debbie DiCicco said it’s the comradeship that she likes best about the neighborhood. There’s a real special closeness among the kids and the adults because of the community interest in the recreation area and because most of the residents are professionals.

Mrs. DiCicco said she couldn’t even think of any problems in Windsor Forest. Even the pets are nice” she said. Jogging is a big sport in the neighborhood. Everybody’s big on it. You see little bands of people jogging together, ladies in the morning around 7 and men in the evenings.

W.B. Gallagher said he was attracted to Windsor Forest because of the covenants and architectural control policies that protect the natural environment and the privacy of the lots.

Mrs. Pitts , who has been in Windsor Forest the longest, said when they first moved to Windsor Forest, ” There wasn’t anything out here but 5 crows” But she said they wouldn’t change anything about the area.

Traffic isn’t a problem within the neighborhood, residents said. The roads in the first five sections of Windsor Forest are already under state highway department maintenance. The colonial style street lights were specially selected and out in even before some lots were developed.

Retired Colonel Michael D. Brouse agreed that the natural setting, the lack of crime, and the congeniality of the neighbors makes Windsor Forest an ideal place to live. ‘ It’s one place that’s left where I can get up in the morning and see 10 deer in my backyard” he said. ‘ There’s plenty of wildlife and that’s what adds to the area.

Things haven’t changed much in Windsor Forest since this article was written in 1980. ( Except Prices)

Currently there are seven homes for sale in Windsor Forest in James City County, Williamsburg VA. There prices range from $279,900 to $495,000

IN the last 12 months there were ten homes sold in Windsor Forest. Sold prices ranged from $308,000 to $469,000.

The average days on market for a Windsor Forest home in the last 12 months was 73 days.

If you want to see all homes currently for sale in Windsor Forest, Williamsburg , Virginia click here:

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Real estate, windsor forest, windsor forest home search, windsor forest homes for sale, windsor forest real estate, windsor forest realtor, windsor forest williamsburg |