At New Durham Estates, we believe home is more than just four walls; it’s the people who wave from their cars, neighbors who text to check if you need anything from the store, and the feeling of safety that allows you to breathe a little easier. We sat down with residents Holly and Mike to hear their story firsthand.
Tell us a little about yourselves and how long you’ve called New Durham Estates home.
Holly: We’ve lived here eight years, going on nine now.
Mike: We’re originally from Illinois. I transferred to Ohio for 23 years with my job, and then we eventually made our way here.
What brought you to New Durham Estates specifically?
Holly: It all started with our daughter, actually. There’s a campground down the road, and she was camping with her family. She rode by here and knew we were looking for somewhere to land. She called me and said, “Mom, there’s a good place you should go look at.” So, we came down on a weekend, picked out our house, and signed. That was that.
Mike: We knew we wanted to be close to Illinois, all our family is there, but we didn’t want to deal with the taxes. We’re about an hour and a half away. Close enough, but not too close. We understand that balance pretty well around here.
Was manufactured housing something you’d considered before, or was this new territory?
Holly: This is the first time I’ve ever lived in one. And honestly, I think they always get a bad rap. But we thought, well, we’re going to go look. And I was just so impressed with what they have to offer. They’re beautiful, nothing like what people picture from back in the day.
Mike: The price point is always a big factor, too. And they tell you that you can move them — my old house, I certainly couldn’t do that.
When you first drove through the community, what made you feel like this was the right place?
Holly: The location struck us right away. You’re right in the middle of everything. Valparaiso is ten minutes away, La Porte, Michigan City, it’s all right there. And then when we drove through the first time, the pond caught Mike’s eye. He’s a fisherman.
Mike: And people were waving as we went by. Who does that anymore? Right off the bat, everyone seemed so friendly.
Holly: When we talked with Wendy in the office, my husband started kidding around with her, and she gave it right back. That told us it was a good fit.
Mike: I find it to be a very quiet, peaceful place. It may have something to do with the people here — a lot of folks are retired. You don’t have cars racing up and down. It’s just calm. I really like that.
What amenities or features have become part of your everyday life?
Mike: I do a lot of little projects, so the hardware store right here in the community is something I genuinely appreciate. No matter how well you plan something, you always come up a little short on something. It saves me a trip every time.
Holly: We both enjoy the gym. We may not look like it — (laughs) — but we go. And you don’t have to join a club or pay extra. It’s just right here. We also walk the trail behind our place almost every day in the summer. It’s wonderful. Quiet. We always run into Liz out there, too. It’s just a great extra thing to have right outside your door.
Was there anything about the community that surprised you in a good way after you moved in?
Holly: You know how nervous you always are about meeting people when you move somewhere new? Well, they had a picnic out by the pond, and so many people were there. We met people eight years ago who we are still close friends with today. We play cards, we hang out. If the weather’s bad, it’s like, “Come on over” — you’re only a couple of streets away.
Mike: It’s also just a safe community. I’ve never seen or heard anything concerning. That’s comforting when you live somewhere. That kind of peace of mind matters.
Holly: And I’ve never lived anywhere where someone will text me and say, “I’m going to Walmart, do you need anything?” That happens here all the time.
How has living here made your daily life easier or more enjoyable?
Holly: The people, number one. We’ve met the nicest people, and we’ve created a little family. If someone’s sick, we’re all over there with food. The gym is right here. Everything is just accessible and easy.
Is there a moment when you really fell in love with the community?
Holly: When we first moved in, I’d be sitting outside in the morning with my coffee, and cars would go by and slow down. I’d think, “Oh, I don’t know them.” And they’d just yell out their window — “Hi! I’m so-and-so, welcome!” To this day, cars will still stop, and people will just talk. Mike will look at me and say, “Who was that?” and I’ll say, “I have no idea.” But they stopped, and they talked. It’s just that kind of place.
What do you appreciate most about the management and staff?
Holly: It’s an open-door policy. I know I can go talk to Liz or Wendy anytime. The door is always open, and they’ve always been fair with us.
Mike: And it’s not just the office. The people who keep this place running — Craig, Dale, the whole team — they’re always polite, always friendly. You call and somebody actually gets back to you, which says a lot. I’ve had plenty of experiences in life where you call and just never hear anything. That’s not the case here.
Holly: Craig has even left squash on my porch from his garden. That’s just the kind of people they are.
What would you tell a friend or family member who’s on the fence about making a move like this?
Holly: We actually have a couple of friends from Illinois who came out and toured the community. When they walked into our house, they said, “I didn’t think they were this big on the inside. I didn’t know they offered all of this.” They were genuinely surprised — and they’re seriously thinking about making the move when they retire.
Mike: The tax situation is also a real incentive for a lot of people. Everyone wants to come to Indiana.
Holly: And the affordability overall. You pay a lot more for lot fees elsewhere, and here the garbage and water are included. It’s a wonderful value.
Last question — if you had to describe New Durham Estates in just a few words, what would they be?
Mike: Safety. Location. Proximity to everything you need.
Holly: It’s an overall enjoyable place to live. A genuinely good place to retire.
And then, after the camera stopped rolling, Holly added something that said it all:
Holly: I do feel safe here. If anything ever happened to me, God forbid, I would feel safe because of the wonderful people around me.
Ready to find your community? Schedule a tour of New Durham Estates today and see for yourself what Holly and Mike discovered eight years ago.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Holly and Mike for sharing what makes their experience at New Durham Estates so special.
