NEIGHBORHOOD SCOOP

by Linda Bassitt

Olympia

If driving on 441/State Road 7 or on Forest Hill Blvd, one cannot fail to notice the monumental, regal like entrances to this community.  Once inside, Fatio Blvd winds around the entire community in a circle, branching off into the separate subdivisions: Widener, Treanor, Hamblin, Shaughnessy, Scribner, Bryden, Easton, Cooper, Dansforth, Woodworth, Thompson, Waburton, Postley, and now Phipps.  Each one seems to have its own personality.  At times, people mention that Olympia it too big; but since we have our separate subdivisions, the development doesn’t seem all that large. 

Olympia is the ultimate in suburbia living.  The homes look like little boxes, all lined up next to each other…beautiful mcmansions among a sea of perfectly cut hedges and colorful flowers.  The landscaping is immaculately maintained, and the Club house, Villa Olympia, resembles that of a resort.  There’s a laguna style pool, a kid’s water works center, play ground with rock climbling, fitness center overlooking the pool area, a business center, a great room with big screen plasma, tennis courts, volleyball, indoor and outdoor basketball, and a front desk to ensure everything is running smoothly. 

Everything you could possibly need is five minutes away- from the Wellington Green Mall, now a new Whole Foods, and every service imaginable.  Every morning, there are people jogging, riding bike, and walking with strollers.  The elementary, middle, and high schools are right adjacent to the community; and everyday before and after schools there are kids, young and old, making their way around Fatio Blvd. 

Lots of clubs to join in Olympia and activities to do, from karate classes, personal training, swimming lessons for the little ones with Aqua Pam, the over 30 basketball league, tennis classes, and an activities committee to think of even more things to do.

It’s a very friendly community, one where it is more common to see kids playing outside in their front yards than in their back yards.  It’s a community trend, where you can even see neighbors playing golf, as if their front yards were putting greens.  Some cul-de-sacs put mini kid cones out when kids are playing and BBQs and neighborhood get-togethers in others.  Everyone seems to know each other, and all the kids know each other school.  There’s a lot of communal spirit.

Overall, it’s a great place to live.  Yes, with the foreclosure situation many homes are abandoned or on short sale.  The separate subdivisions are trying to work with their HOA’s to try to maintain those homes and the overall community appearance.  The developer, Minto, is still building new homes, and has the strong hold on the general Olympia management and HOA.  Even those from out of state and new to the Wellington area can’t fail to notice Olympia and its good looks, location, and amenities.

In the end, Olympia is still one of the nicest looking communities, appearance wise, in Wellington, and it has maintained its popularity with current and new residents.  Home prices are now more attainable, starting in the low $200,000’s versus the $400,000+ prices in the boom era. 

If you are looking for a place where your kids will have lots of friends, a community with stellar a club house and appearance, or simply a neighborhood where you can walk your dog and get to know all your neighbors in the process, Olympia is your place to be.

Linda Bassitt P.A. is a longtime Olympia resident.  She is also a Realtor® with a BA in Marketing from FAU, and believes that marketing is the key to success for any business.  Visit http://www.lindabassitt.com/ for more.