With too many steps in their Staten Island town home and a long driving distance to their children and grandchildren, Rene and Allan Newman are trading in their New York roots for an active adult lifestyle at K. Hovnanian’s^® Four Seasons at South Knolls.

“Our three children have moved to New Jersey and we want to be close to them,” said Allan. “We are really looking forward to moving into the Four Seasons community. We have lived in our home for 32 years and eventually the steps here might become a problem. I want the convenience of having everything on one level and being closer to my children.”

The Newmans have three sons, all of whom live fairly close to their new home. One is a doctor, one is a criminal attorney and one is a teacher.

Like her husband, Rene is also looking forward to the simplicity of single floor living and is excited about decorating her new home and taking advantage of the many activities the community offers. After looking at different active adult communities for more than two years, the couple chose Four Seasons at South Knolls for several reasons.  The home’s floor plan, community design and amenities and superb attention by the K. Hovnanian sales professionals are what really drew the couple in.

“We had looked at all the different communities and the thing that set K. Hovnanian apart was the design of the homes, the community, and the professionalism of the staff in the sales office,” said Rene. “Everyone is extremely friendly and did everything they could to make sure we were happy with our new home. K. Hovnanian is very accommodating and we were pleased with the nice, professional manner with which we were treated.”

Allan agreed.

“Our sales consultant, George Economy, is the absolute best,” he said. “To say he took good care of us is a major understatement. He took stupendous care of us. You figure once they have your money, that’s the end of it. But that wasn’t the case with us. Whenever we called George, he was available, he answered all our questions, he’s right on target. We’ve referred friends to him, and a few have bought homes from him. He’s that good.”

Friendliness toward visiting grandchildren was another selling point for Rene and Allan. With three grandchildren and two others on the way, the Newmans wanted to be sure their extended family could enjoy the community’s amenities when they came to visit.

“A lot of communities are very difficult when it comes to allowing children the use of amenities like the swimming pool,” said Allan. “K. Hovnanian recognizes that younger people are moving into their communities. We are a very close family and spend a lot of time with our grandchildren. It was important to us that they be able to use the facilities and be welcomed.”

Allan and Rene are looking forward to warm summer days by the pool and know that even when winter winds start whipping, they can enjoy swimming year-round in the community’s indoor pool. The magnificent clubhouse at Four Seasons at South Knolls features a state-of-the-art fitness center, putting green, and recreation center, offering everything needed for fun, fitness, socializing and relaxation.

“The activities offered by the community were very important to us and after being so busy and hectic all these years, it is time to relax and enjoy the pleasures that are offered to this age group,” said Allan. “I love to play tennis and golf and the clubhouse is walking distance of our new home.”

That is, if they have time. Allan retired from his job as principal at a middle school in New York City and Rene retired as director of children’s services at YMYWHA of Union. After they retired, they both promptly got back to work. Allan is the principal at Yeshiva Tiferes Naftoli High School in Old Bridge, and both are professors of graduate education at Wagner College.

Allan and Rene purchased the 2,024 square foot Burnham model and will enjoy single floor living in their new three-bedroom home. A spacious, open floor plan offers formal living and dining rooms, a family room, designer kitchen with breakfast nook and an impressive master bedroom suite.

“My wife fell in love with the kitchen – it is one she has always dreamed about,” said Allan. “And we are adding a sunroom. We were just talking about how nice it will be to sit in the sunroom, have a hot cup of coffee and watch the snow drifting down. The best part is knowing we don’t have to shovel it!”

All of K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons communities are maintenance-free, meaning residents can enjoy active adult living at its finest.

“This is the type of lifestyle we want,” said Rene. “We have been very pleased with our experience from the minute we walked through K. Hovnanian’s doors and we are looking forward to moving in.”