Peri and Dwight Schwabrow are not shy about how happy they are to be living at Babcock Ranch. CHRIS TILLEY / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH
When you think of retirees, do you imagine people spending their time on the front porch in rocking chairs, reminiscing about the good old days? At Babcock Ranch, residents are rethinking what retirement means as they explore the town’s amenities, try new activities and classes, and immerse themselves in the Babcock Ranch lifestyle.
Being part of a vibrant, multigenerational community was what Peri and Dwight Schwabrow had in mind when they moved to Babcock Ranch from Port Charlotte. They had been reading about Babcock Ranch for years, and were eagerly awaiting the time the town announced it would welcome residents.
“We were looking for a better way of life,” says Peri. “We wanted a quiet community that offered affordable homes and close proximity to physician offices.”
Living in an environmentally minded community was also important to Peri, who is a retired teacher. Babcock Ranch’s emphasis on solar power and sustainable living resonated with both Schwabrows.
Peri and Dwight Schwabrow left, with president Syd Kitson, and Partners, CEO of the Kitson developer & of Babcock Ranch. CHRIS TILLEY / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH
Together, the couple takes advantage of opportunities to stay active, using the community’s network of trails for walking and cycling as well as kayaking during the pandemic, and looking forward to resuming water aerobics, dance and other classes when the fitness center resumes operation.
Living in a new town allows them to use their skills and talents to contribute to the community and help shape it into what they’d like it to be.
For example, Peri organized Neighbors Helping Neighbors Technology +, a resident-to-resident Facebook page that offers answers to tech questions about computer skills, the internet, smart home speakers and phone apps. She also started the Wayside Stargazers Group, which meets to watch Kennedy Space Center launches, meteor showers and other astronomical events.
“The view east of Babcock Neighborhood School is perfect, and a lot of residents have telescopes,” she says.
Before social distancing became the rule of the day, she also organized resident meet-ups, holiday cookie exchanges and craft sessions at the Lakehouse, the community clubhouse for the Trail’s Edge neighborhood. And she was a vendor at the Babcock Ranch Farmers Market, where neighbors helped set up a display each week for her baking business. She looks forward to returning to all of those activities, and more.
“Neighbors are like family at Babcock Ranch,” she says.
Peri and Dwight selected Lennar’s Royal home design, with four bedrooms and two baths in 2,244 square feet of living space.
“We really enjoy the spacious kitchen, plus the beautiful lake views,” says Peri. The three car garage was an added bonus, she says.
“Being able to live in a beautiful place where we can enjoy the natural setting and get around in our golf cart made Babcock Ranch the right choice for us.”