FINDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY: WINDSOR MOBILE COUNTRY CLUB RESIDENTS SOCIAL, YET INDEPENDENT

Darlene Nunley and her husband, Lonnie, moved to Windsor Mobile Country Club seven years ago, but she had had her eye on the mobile home park for years.

"I sold Avon in this park 30 years ago, so I knew the area. I already knew that this is where I wanted to be," Nunley said.

Although the couple haven't lived in the park as long as many residents, they've jumped right into community life, attending socials and chatting with others at the dog park.

"The good part of living here is that I know everybody," Nunley said. "I've got the neatest neighbors. They don't care what I do and I don't care what they do. We get along just fine."

Although it's the largest mobile home park in Windsor by more than 200 spaces, Windsor Mobile Country Club remains a quiet, close-knit community.

The 336-unit neighborhood just west of 101 on Conde Lane is home to 442 residents at last count. The main problems that manager Kevin Lederer has to address are parking violations and barking dogs.

"Really, it's just people living normal lives, not doing anything extraordinarily good or bad," said Lederer, who has lived in the park for over 30 years.

The main qualification for residence at Windsor Mobile Country Club is that primary residents must be at least 55 years old.

"It works for us because we're in that age group," Nunley said. She and her husband are both in their 70s. "Plus, I don't really like children other than my own grandchildren."

"There are quite a few residents who are just over 55 and still working," said Lederer. "There are also quite a few that are over 90. A lot of people stay put."

Even those who don't stay often find themselves back in Windsor after giving another place a try. "A lot of people moved out and then moved back," said Lederer. "That tells you something right there."

Larry Jefferson and his wife moved to Windsor Mobile Country Club five years ago from a single-family home on one acre in Santa Rosa. They haven't regretted their decision.

Unlike on the previous property, "there's not a lot of yardwork that I have to do," Jefferson said.

He has found a strong community at the park, especially among other dog owners.

"I go down to the dog park every day. Between three o'clock and four o'clock the people in the neighborhood with small dogs meet. The people with large dogs meet from four to five. We just get together and talk," Jefferson said.

"We love it up here. It's a nice little community."

That sense of community seems strong throughout the park. Last week 80 residents got together for a potluck social dinner in the clubhouse.

Volunteers also host a variety of activities including yoga and bingo, and residents take advantage of the park's green spaces to walk their dogs or socialize.

"We have lots of areas where people can walk safely," said Lederer. "People will visit each other and sit together at the park with the pets. There are quite a few people who walk around the neighborhood talking and sharing stories."

Lederer also coordinates a Neighbor Helping Neighbor program.

"Every week, residents donate everything from canned goods and toilet paper to cleaning products and non-perishables to the lower-income members of our community, and I go to the food bank everything Thursday for fresh produce," Lederer said.

"It's really impressive to see the generosity of the people here."

According to Lederer, turnover at Windsor Mobile Country Club is low.

"At least half of our vacancies are from age-related reasons. People pass away or get too old to take care of themselves. Of course, people also just want to move to be closer to relatives, which is age-related too," Lederer said.

The park was built in three stages, starting in 1964. It expanded in both 1977 and 1985 to reach its present size, and homes within the 47-acre park vary in age, size and construction.

Residents pay space rent to the property owner, the nonprofit Resident Owned Parks, which bought the space in 2008.

"The previous owner looked for a nonprofit buyer like Resident Owned Parks because otherwise property values get too high for residents to be able to stay here," Lederer said.

Although the lots vary in size from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, "lot price is the same for all new tenants, $615 per month. Previous tenants pay less, $452 per month," he said.

Residents are also responsible for the cost of their mobile home unit, which they can either buy used from the previous owner or purchase new from a manufacturer.

Sale prices for mobile homes within the park vary widely. Current listings range between $32,000 and $147,000.

"Others have sold for well over $200,000," Lederer said. "There are all different lot sizes. Corner lots are usually larger, as are those in the back. Homes themselves also vary quite a bit. Newer ones are made out of better materials and have better insulation, so they're worth more."

Life is generally pretty quiet at Windsor Mobile Country Club, but every once in a while something out of the ordinary happens.

Last December, 80-year-old piano teacher Jean Young was shot in the stomach by her roommate, who then killed himself. Despite the trauma, Young opted to remain in the park. Her son reported that she felt grateful for the cards, notes, phone calls and other support she's received in the aftermath of the assault.

The Nunleys do have a one minor complaint.

"I love the pool, but it's not warm anymore. The heater broke and they replaced it with a solar heater. It's too cold now -- it's not good for old people," Darlene Nunley said.

But overall, they're happy with their decision to live in Windsor Mobile Country Club.

"It's within walking distance to everything and it's a great place to live. We love it here."