It was all for love. Taryn Skala and her husband, Kris, had been living with his brother in Brunswick when the couple decided to start their search for a home of their own.
“[Kris] grew up in Brunswick,” says Skala. “He wanted to stay in Brunswick.”
But Skala quickly fell in love with the city herself after the two purchased a traditional two-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,500-square-foot colonial in the quiet Glencove development on the west side of town last year. While the 15-year-old home was fairly turnkey, the couple has plans to make a few changes, especially in the basement.
“We would like to finish it and make it into a man cave,” she says.
Skala also fell for the neighborhood, cozied away on a quiet cul-de-sac. “It’s very peaceful,” says the 28-year-old marketing coordinator.
But when the couple wants to escape their tranquil abode, they head into the city’s downtown area to the Winking Lizard for dinner. “One thing I can say about Brunswick is that it’s very convenient,” she says. “There are stores everywhere.”
The southern suburb is popular among residents for its retail and dining options that run along state Route 303 and Pearl Road while still maintaining a country charm — a draw for first-time homebuyers especially when you factor in the affordable housing prices.
“We are running out of houses. People are fighting to get into Brunswick,” says Tina Grant, a Howard Hanna real estate agent. “It’s very affordable, and you get a feeling that you belong to a community.”
That sense of togetherness was important to the Skalas. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents are no farther than 10 to 15 minutes away. The proximity makes it easy for impromptu family outings and a friendly face when someone in the clan needs an extra hand.
“There [are] so many special things about living close to family,” she says. “It’s really nice to pop over and spend time together.”
