Birchwood at Brambleton is well beyond what Sandy and Chris envisioned for a 55 and older community when they relocated here from their townhome in Brambleton where they had lived for six years.

“We wanted a neighborhood with residents at similar points in their lives,” says Sandy, noting that their former home was located in an area with young families in a different stage of their lives.

Grandparents to three active young boys, ages 9, 5, and 1, Sandy and Chris are both still leading busy professional lives. Sandy, who commutes to Tysons and works part of the week from home, has been in the finance industry for 30 years. Chris is a teacher and enjoys his profession at a nearby Loudoun County high school.

Now in a Winchester Homes’ single-family-attached home, Sandy and Chris are enjoying being involved in the Resident Ambassador program where they are meeting new and prospective Birchwood residents. Sandy notes that some prospective residents have expressed hesitancy since they are not retired, but she and Chris have been able to talk about their situation and answer questions, putting them at ease.

Their lifestyle shows new residents that there are many facets to enjoying making a new home in Birchwood. “We have met some wonderful people here,” she adds.

A serious runner, Sandy runs marathons and stays very active keeping physically fit and running about 30 miles a week. She has qualified for the Boston Marathon and is looking forward to this challenge.

“We love the community center, the potluck dinners, the gym, the pool and parties,” says Sandy who also enjoys taking their dog for outings on the path around the lake and heading out to the walking trails.

Besides entertaining her grandchildren with activities outside and at the community center, Sandy adds that her mother likes to visit from Pennsylvania and that she “fits right in” with their lifestyle in Birchwood.

“There’s no pressure here and you can be as involved in community activities as much as you want to be,” says Sandy.

“Birchwood is well beyond our expectations for an active 55 community,” Sandy says, noting that she and Chris moved here because of the house and found it a bonus to have all the amenities that they currently enjoy.