This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tracy Smith, 67, and Clair Mattig-Smith, 42, a mother and daughter who had plans to move from California to Texas for a more affordable and intentional lifestyle. However, they decided to stay in the Golden State after visiting Silverwood, a new affordable living, multigenerational community in Hesperia, where they bought a home earlier this year.
Clair: We’re mother and daughter, and we’re both widows. We’re from California originally, but my mom had been living in Arizona for the last couple of years.
I didn’t want my mom to be alone there, so a few years ago, I said to her: Why don’t you sell your house, come live with me and my kids (24, 21, 18, and 13) for a bit, and then we’ll just move to Texas together.
Tracy: I didn’t really care where we lived; I’m not picky. But the idea of having a multigenerational homefront where we’re all together was so nice. It’s amazing to watch my grandkids grow from babies into adulthood.
Clair: I always liked to vacation in Texas. I feel like life in general is a little slower there than it is here in California.
It feels like there’s more of a sense of community in Texas. People know their neighbors, whereas in California, I feel really disconnected. I only know one of my neighbors, and I’ve lived in my current house for the last six years.
Affordability was another factor. We really were planning to move to Texas, but that obviously didn’t happen.
We fell in love with Silverwood right away
Clair: I had heard rumblings that a new development was coming to the high desert area about 15 minutes from where we currently live in Apple Valley.
I was scrolling on social media earlier this year, and I saw a local news story about Silverwood’s grand opening. We decided to go take a look.
Tracy: As soon as we drove up the road to the property, we could see that they were paying great attention to details and aesthetics. The neighborhood looked open and clean with beautiful pools and hiking trails. We knew right away that Silverwood would be a really nice place to live.
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Clair: During our visit in April, we toured 21 available home models. But the minute we walked into the model we ended up buying, we just knew. We fell in love with our home, and that was it.
The downstairs has a great open floor plan. There’s also a bedroom downstairs with a bathroom, so my mom doesn’t have to go up and down stairs.
When we saw the kitchen, we looked at each other and just fell in love. I’m a big cook and I love to entertain, especially during football season. The kitchen is fabulous with a giant island and a butler’s pantry. There’s bar seating at the center island that can easily fit 14 people.
The base price with no upgrades was $575,000, but we upgraded just about everything we could, so our final price was $642,000 for a 6-bedroom, 3-bathroom house at 2,800 square feet.
That’s a pretty incredible price for California, but to be quite honest, we could have gotten the same house in Texas on a couple acres of land for close to half the price.
But we like California. We’ve been here all our lives. Silverwood is 100% the only reason we decided to stay in the state.
We started paperwork that same day. Silverwood did have some stipulations — they wouldn’t even talk to anyone who wasn’t pre-approved with a lender or realtor. But Silverwood’s sales agent was fantastic. They pre-qualified us that day.
Our final walk through is this week. We sign final papers on October 27, and then we’ll move in the next day.
The intentional community aspect of Silverwood is great
Tracy: They’re doing so many things to enhance residents’ lifestyles. There are outdoor activities like parks and hiking trails, entertainment options, and best of all, camaraderie with your neighbors.
Clair: Even though we haven’t moved in yet — nobody has — they’re already getting us all together to promote a sense of community.
Tracy: The neighborhood welcome center has already been developed. There are green spaces and parks and hiking trails and sidewalks for us.
They have a 15-year map of future development, and down the line, we’ll have our own schools and a shopping center.
They even held a neighbor get-together a few weeks ago. I went and introduced myself to several people who have already bought or are on the waiting list to buy. Kids were running around playing with their parents, there were families, and older couples. I got smiles all around. It was so lovely.
The community aspect gives me a reason to get out of the house and mingle as a retired person.
Clair: In order to become a Silverwood resident, you have to sign a kindness pledge. I think that sort of thing is much needed in today’s society.
Growing up, I knew every neighbor on the street. That’s just not the case anymore.
I think Silverwood’s intentional sense of community will eliminate a lot of the negativity we see in other areas of life and encourage people to get out and actually interact with one another.
Clair: Mom and I have been living together for the last two-and-a-half years. There are so many benefits: I have someone to come home to when I get off work, plus extra assistance around the house. I work all week about an hour away, and I’m lucky that she picks up my slack and helps with the kids. If there are dishes in the sink or laundry in the basket, she takes care of it.
Tracy: At my age, I want to be useful and help whoever needs my help in any way I can.
I’m lucky too. When she comes home from work every night, she cooks for us all. I love that about her.
Clair: It’s a delicate balance! My kids and I are loud, and we’re constantly on the go. My mom, on the other hand, is quiet and likes her peace.
Tracy: There are always dynamics to deal with, but at the end of the day, love wins. Both sides have to make compromises, but we’re willing to do that.
We’re just so excited to start this next chapter. I feel so lucky to get to enjoy the last quarter of my life with my family.
