Welcome to Park Hills Crossing

In 40 years of marriage, Bob and Madelyn Wilson moved nine times and built several new houses. But when they looked for the home they expected to be their last one, they turned, for the second time, to manufactured housing. …and in the same community they had lived in before.

“There are probably half a dozen people who liked (our first home here) that now  (in this community). So now we’re back, too,” says Madelyn, with obvious delight.live here

“Back” refers to this 55 and over community a change since the Wilsons and their children lived in their previous manufactured home here during the 1980s. In between, they built a 2700-square-foot split-level home that was just too big once their youngest child left home. While deciding where to go next, they tried apartment living but didn’t enjoy the close proximity of neighbors. A condominium was considered, but they couldn’t find anything they liked.

“We enjoyed living here before,” says Bob. “So we had no qualms about moving back.” One of the benefits of community living, Bob says, is that everyone has to play by the rules. And Madelyn echoes his feelings. “That’s what keeps it nice, the rules and regulations. It’s well taken care of and well maintained.”

Their three-bedroom, two-bath, l500 square-foot home suits the Wilson’s’ busy lifestyle. Though past retirement age, Bob, a great believer in “keeping the mind and body active,” still works full- time as owner of a photofinishing company, dealing with retailers across two-thirds of Ohio. Madelyn loves to quilt, but hasn’t had time recently-Bob quips that she’s to busy on the golf course-and she also collects family heirlooms. Travel is at the top of their leisure list, and includes visiting their two sons and their families, including six grandchildren, who live out state. Their daughter works with Bob in the photo business.

Because the Wilson’s were already familiar with manufactured housing, they knew to talk with their builder about available upgrades and options for their new home. Bob says he finds that many manufactured home residents see his home and wish they had made changes and added features to their own homes before they bought. Bob notes, “They still envision that you (look at the floor plan) and just take it the way it is. It’s not like that at all.”

Bob and Madelyn upgraded their carpet, flooring and fixtures, and upgraded insulation. Skylights were added in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. When we built this home, we wanted it as right as possible.” Having built so many houses in the past helped them determine just what they wanted in a new home.

Efficiency of space is one of the best features, according to Madelyn. With three walk-in closets, a walk-in pantry, guest closet and even a linen closet in the laundry room, there is no wasted space.

The Wilson’s chose jade green carpet throughout the living and dining rooms, and the bedrooms. Vinyl flooring serves the kitchen and adjacent laundry room. The ivory painted walls creates the light, bright looks that Madelyn craved, and provides the perfect backdrop to show off her collections of plates, teacups and saucers in the living room and dining room. Many were antiques, in her family for years; some were gifts from her children.

A prized heirloom displayed in the dining room is Bob’s mother’s antique doll that Madelyn had restored. The doll sits on an antique chair that belonged to Madelyn’s father. Both items are more than 80 years old.

The large living room’s furnishings are comfortable and inviting. The ivory sofa, love seat and chair are complemented by a mauve velvet wing chair. The pecan French provincial coffee table and three end tables support lamps and the latest bestsellers. The walls are adorned with two racks holding Madelyn’s teacup collection, plus a plate rack. A ceiling paddle fan cools and circulates the air for both the living and dining rooms.

The Wilson’s purposely designed their home without a family room. “We just wanted a nice-size living room,” Madelyn says. “And we didn’t want to bother with a fireplace.”

The master bedroom and bath have all the amenities that people expect in new homes today: walk-in closet, bay window, double-sink vanity, garden tub, walk-in shower. The bedroom is large enough to easily accommodate their queen bed, two nightstands, triple dresser and chest of drawers. A Singer treadle sewing machine topped with antique family photos fills the bay window. The master bath can be accessed from the master bedroom or the laundry room. Oak cabinets provide clutter-free storage in both rooms, and the Wilson’s added a sink to the laundry room as another upgrade. The furnace in this their home is also located here next to the washer and dryer.

The remaining bedrooms are divided between Bob and Madelyn as a den and a sewing room. Bob has a desk, upholstered rocker, TV, bookcases and end table in his hideaway. Often joining him is the couple’s Shih-Tzu puppy, Buffy.

Madelyn’s sewing room doubles as a guest room with a brass double bed, sewing table and cabinet, bookcases, drop-front desk and dry sink. The guest bath, with a single vanity and tub, is accented in dark mauve. Recessed lighting and skylights illuminate the Wilson’s’ kitchen. Traditional oak cabinets include a center work island, where Madelyn stores all her pots and pans within easy reach. She is especially pleased with the walk-in pantry for food storage. White and black appliances-glass-top stove, microwave, dishwasher and double-door refrigerator-are accented in medium blue, including bowls, towels and other accessories.

Bob and Madelyn added an enclosed porch, which, they expect to use most of the year. Fully insulated, it is furnished with the family room furniture from their previous home.

And the difference between this home and the manufactured home they bought 18 years ago? Like night and day, says Madelyn. “The construction is so much better. Drywall wasn’t available then; there weren’t any skylights; the insulation is better. These are the same kitchen cabinets you’d order for any type of house.”

And they knew they would fit right back into the same community they had left 10 years before. Having friends nearby was never an issue. Twenty- eight friends live in this same manufactured housing community, including Madelyn’s sister, and Bob’s sister, who’s been here 23 years.

“We have friends who bought here who lived in their previous home for 47 years, “Bob explained. “Their manufactured home now is 50 percent bigger.” Their friends consistently demonstrate surprise at the size of their home. One of Madelyn’s golfing partners ribbed her about moving back to manufactured housing until Madelyn invited her to visit. According to Madelyn, her friend was quite stunned when she walked in. “She said, ‘Boy, do I have egg on my face. I can’t believe this… this is bigger than my house!’” “People don’t have any idea how big they really are,” Madelyn added. “We just love it. It’s perfect.”

As it should be, the second time around.

The above article appeared in Homes for Ohio Magazine published by The Ohio Manufactured Housing Association. The experience and lifestyle described by the Wilson’s are very similar to residents living in Park Hills Crossing. Our residents are enjoying a very active lifestyle that includes: golf, bicycling, walking, craft making, gardening, and socializing. Our community caters to active adults looking for a 55 and over community in Ohio. For more information please call 937-879-5200 or Click Here To E-mail.