Waterville Valley - Home Again, Home Again By Ken Sheldon
"Buy land," Mark Twain once said. "They're not making it any more."
Concord, NH (PRWEB) September 23, 2005
He didn’t know it then, but Twain could have been speaking of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire – a historic vacation resort in the White Mountains. Or is it a quaint New England village that incorporates the latest urban planning techniques? Or a hot market for investment property?
Actually, Waterville Valley is all those things, as evidenced by its newest project, Moose Run, which consists of the last of the single-family lots to be offered in the valley. Adjacent to the Waterville Valley Golf Club, the 22-lot subdivision provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and out-your-backdoor access to the hiking and skiing trails of the White Mountain National Forest.
Waterville Valley has been called an "inland island"—500 acres of private land surrounded by 700,000 acres of National Forest. (If you're looking for protection from encroachment, you can't get do better than that.) The year-round population of Waterville Valley—charmingly posted on the welcome sign to the town—is 258. That number swells in winter (and increasingly, in summer) as visitors return to the second homes, condos and townhouses that are nestled throughout the valley.
And return they do, year after year—parents, children and grandchildren. "The kids grow up, they move away, they go to someplace like Colorado or California," says Bill Cantlin, president of the Waterville Company, which owns most of the valley. "Then the kids get married, they have their own kids, and guess what? They come back to Waterville Valley."
It's easy to see why. It is because of values. An isolated resort community since the 1800s, Waterville Valley became a ski mecca in the 1960s when U. S. Olympic skier Tom Corcoran envisioned a planned community free from the urban sprawl of fast-food restaurants and big box stores, a place where families could come to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, healthy environment. Today, Waterville Valley is a year-round escape from the hectic pace of modern life, where families come to hike, play golf, swim and catch up with old friends.
Phil Boisvert, whose family has been coming to Waterville Valley for thirty years, appreciates the quality of life it offers. "There's a peacefulness here," he says. "Nothing gets rushed, nothing's hurried."
Boisvert and his wife Jennifer, who hope to build a home at Moose Run before the land is gone forever, enjoy outdoor activities and are drawn to the sense of community in the valley. "All the full-time residents we've met are helpful. It's a safe place, and the school system is fantastic," he says, noting that Waterville Valley Elementary School has a teacher-student ratio of 1:7, among the best in the country.
The new Moose Run development exemplifies the spirit of Waterville Valley; a commitment to family, tradition, and love of nature. Winding through Moose Run are 16-foot wide multi-use paths designed for cross-country skiing, hiking and snow-shoeing, all groomed and connected to the trails of the National Forest. For those who are more town-oriented, an 8-foot wide walking path (wide enough for Mom, Dad, and two kids) leads to Town Square, the heart of the town's social life. "People want to be close to town," says Bill Cantlin. "These homesites are closer to Town Square than any other homes in the valley."
The Moose Run homesites, which range from.59 to.89 acres, are priced under $300,000. That price includes water, sewer and utility lines—buried, as they are throughout the valley—you won't find power, phone or cable lines cluttering up the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
Moose Run homeowners will have a choice of lots, some bordering the White Mountain National Forest and providing backdoor access to 100 kilometers of hiking, snow-shoeing and cross-country ski trails. Others will opt for a site overlooking the 9-hole golf course. A few sites do more than overlook it; from several lots, you could step out your door and tee off. The lots are still largely tree-covered—a few trees have been removed to showcase the spectacular views of Mount Tecumseh and Mount Osceola—but buyers will have the option of removing or leaving trees to open views or provide more privacy, as they desire.
Before a state-of-the-art renovation that is currently near completion, the 9-hole Waterville Valley Golf Club was formerly best described as "sporty"—golfer lingo for beginner-friendly, relaxed and perhaps a bit eccentric (at least two of the holes required you to shoot over a state highway). With no irrigation system, the course was hand-watered and often turned brown in late summer.
No more. Along with building the Moose Run development, the Waterville Company is investing over half million dollars to build a new clubhouse, renovate the course and make it a complete golfing experience for all levels of players. "Our goal is to let our guests use every club in their bag," says the club's pro, Bill Baker.
To that end, designers have retired three holes, renovated others and developed three new holes with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. The redesigned course will be a par 31 with four par 4 holes to provide a bit more challenge to better players.
Take Phil Boisvert, whose parents purchased a condominium unit in the valley years ago. As their children grew and grandchildren came along, they upgraded to a larger townhouse, but even that proved too small. Phil and his wife purchased their own condominium, and now they hope to build a year-round home at Moose Run.
Since most of the homes in Waterville Valley are second homes, property management is a popular option and widely available—for a fee, you can find someone to mow the lawn, plow the driveway, check the heat and (if you like) manage rentals when you're not using it. Increasingly, however, homeowners find themselves spending more time in the valley. Close proximity to Boston and high-speed Internet access means that businesspeople are able to extend their weekends or even work right from home. "People who buy here always envision themselves spending a lot more time here in the future," says Cantlin.
Homeowners and visitors enjoy the fact that the Town Square is pedestrian-friendly, an easy walk from most homes, and in winter you can cross-country ski right up to the square. The town is also experimenting with “traffic calming” devices—dividers and curbing designed to slow traffic as it passes through town. "The point is to make the town accommodating for people, not cars," says Cantlin—a modern approach to urban planning that fits well with the Waterville Valley's long-standing commitment to community.
Inside the Town Square, new homeowners will find the post office, restaurants, shops and CorcoranÂ’s Pond, where swimming, fishing, kayaking and other water sports are popular. In winter, cross-country skiers can follow trails right up to the Nordic Ski Center in the square.
Outside the Town Square, residents and visitors enjoy activities at the White Mountain Athletic ClubÂ’s pools and fitness facilities. Cultural activities abound at nearby Plymouth State University, whose men's hockey team plays its home games at Waterville ValleyÂ’s year-round indoor ice arena. The valley's 18 red clay tennis courts have earned it a place among the top 50 tennis resorts in the country and one of the five best in the country for families, according to Tennis Magazine. There's a delightfully cozy town library, formerly the town's one-room schoolhouse and town meeting place.
Of course, Waterville Valley is still renowned for its winter sports. The valley has hosted more World Cup ski competitions than any other resort of its size in North America. It is home to one of North America's most extensive cross-country ski trails and a highly-acclaimed adaptive ski program for physically and mentally challenged children and adults.
Apart from the quality of life offered by a Moose Run home, many are considering purchasing a lot simply as an investment. Waterville Valley has been named one of the top ten towns for second-home investments by MSN. com. Appreciation rates of valley properties have been higher than the national average. In these times of unrest and insecurity, the haven and solitude of places like Waterville Valley—"the town at the end of the road"—has become increasingly appealing.
Moose Run lots are now available. Owners will be able to begin construction immediately.
For more information contact Waterville Valley Realty, Inc. ; 1-888-987-8333, www. wvnh. com; or email wvr@wvnh. com.
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