The Moyaone Reserve has for many years attracted an electric mix of professionals and hobbyists, all unified under a common love of nature.
Mina, Poplar Hill
How and when did you first learn of the Moyaone Reserve?
I found out about the Moyaone at the start of 2018. At the time, living in the city was becoming increasingly uncomfortable for me. Gradually I developed a rather obsessive nightly routine of perusing rural homes on Redfin. One lucky night, I found a beautiful mid-century modern in a forest outside of the beltway. I had no idea such a thing could exist within an hour of everything. I was afraid to give up in DC… and that got me on the phone with Sheryl Romeo…. you know the rest.
Why do you love living in the Moyaone Reserve?
I love the warm eclectic neighbors, the amazing community that welcomed us here was a beautiful surprise. I had no idea that moving here would also bring so many new friends into my life; people that intrigue and inspire me to no end.
What three things attracted you most to the Moyaone Reserve?
The land is truly special. Driving through these rocky roads amidst the tall wild trees is a daily vision that charges my soul. The space and privacy of each property fuels creativity, there’s such a sense of possibility in having your own little jungle outside. Whether it’s gardening or boat-making, this magical forest wants you to stay put and manifest your visions. As an artist, I don’t know if there’s a better way to live. I could settle the debate in my soul between country life and city life here. I had spent most of my life in urban environments. Every attempt had made to live a simpler rural eventually bored me and felt very lonely. But I still deeply craved a more nature-centered life that gave me time and space for a devoted art practice. I knew that I had to free myself of the costs and distractions of city life to accomplish my long-term life goals. Living in the Moyaone offers me the rural life of my dreams without cutting me off from the friends, family, and opportunities that I love about city life.
Describe how this community enables you to live your best life.
There are so many amazing trails for long nature walks. I love walking, I need it for the health of my mind, body, and spirit. My biggest fear about leaving city life was not living in a walkable place and becoming ‘a driver.’ While I may need to drive for all my errands here, I don’t mind it at all because I gift myself with at least an hour everyday to walk around these woods.
John & Betty, Auburn
How and when did you first learn of the Moyaone Reserve?
We had just bought a new house in a new subdivision in PG County. The house was very comfortable, but the neighborhood was not – there was no sense of community. Almost all of our neighbors entered their homes by driving into the garage and never being seen unless they had to shovel their driveways of snow. As we discussed where to move for our pre-retirement years after our two children had reached adulthood, John recalled that he had driven through a wonderful area several years before. It was literally in the woods with unpaved roads and no street lights, but so close to DC. John thought the houses must all cost a fortune, but we ventured out to take a look anyway. Once we arrived, we saw a realtor sign by Sheryl Romeo, for an unimproved lot that, unfortunately, didn’t perk. We waited a year because no one was leaving the Moyaone voluntarily. Finally, something opened up. The house was nothing to get excited about… we actually hated it. But it was on five acres in the woods, and by the time it came on the market, Sheryl had already introduced us to the Moyaone community. In one short year, we felt more at home in the Moyaone than we ever felt anywhere else. We felt like the house was inconsequential; we were buying into an incredible community of diverse and interesting people.
What three things attracted you most to the Moyaone Reserve?
We were attracted to a place somewhat similar to our getaway house in the mountains of West Virginia, which is surrounded by woodland nature. When we discovered that the Moyaone was populated by interesting, diverse and friendly people, we could not resist. We calculated that by the time we found our house, we had attended more parties in the Moyaone than at the place we had been living for the past 17 years. It was a no-brainer.
Why do you love living in the Moyaone Reserve?
We love living in the Moyaone because we are able to hear silence, listen to birds, and get together with the neighbors. It is a great sense of community.
What does the Moyaone Reserve offer you that other communities do not?
Peace. We are not afraid to walk around our neighborhood, and we are no strangers to our neighbors. That was the most we were hoping for, but we found more than that here. It is so nice to often bump into people we know, and who always have time for a friendly chat. People in this community are not just friendly, but also caring of each other and our environment. This place is full of people we can not only trust, but also call friends.