Norwood Gardens, Norwood, Mass.

For people seeking convenience in a friendly and relaxed environment, Norwood Gardens is a natural choice. Surrounded by 600 acres of conservation land on one side and by a well-established neighborhood of single family homes on the other, Norwood Gardens offers its residents a special ambiance. For this reason, among others, it's not unusual to find residents who have called Norwood Gardens their home for 20 plus years. Norwood Gardens property manager Lillian Palermo says her residents include many retirees and empty nesters, along with numerous professionals who work in Boston or at Norwood hospitals and private companies along the 128 beltway. "We're located within minutes of all the major transportation routes which makes it an easy commute almost anywhere. When five o'clock comes, and people turn back onto Hampden Drive they can leave all the hustle and bustle behind them. It's unusual to find a residential community as well situated as ours. That's a big part of Norwood Garden's appeal," said Palermo, who has managed the property since CHR purchased it in 1983. Many find the location, halfway between Boston and Providence, extremely convenient, including Tim Wakefield who lived at Norwood Gardens until he secured a permanent spot with the Red Sox. Norwood Gardens was built in three stages on 27.3 acres of land. Construction began in 1973, a second phase was built in 1976 and a third in 1980. The development has 332 apartments, ranging in size from 810 to 1,300 s/f. With walk-in closets, eat-in kitchens and oversized living rooms, Norwood Gardens offers some of the most spacious units found in the area. Chestnut Hill Realty has invested in numerous capital improvement projects and continues upgrading the property. The company transformed Norwood Gardens from an asphalt jungle into a beautifully landscaped community. Geller Associates, a major landscaping design firm, turned Norwood Gardens into a property with a warm, suburban feeling. New roofs were installed on all the buildings, and all the common areas and hallways received new carpet, paint and wallpaper. Future plans include a new leasing office with attached community center offering an internet café, fitness center, media room, new pool and tennis court, with a separate activity room. Residents can bike, jog, enjoy a stroll through the garden-style landscaped grounds or use the fitness circuit located around the property. Hassle free parking completes the picture. In addition to the amenities and ambiance, many residents and Chestnut Hill Realty staff would agree that Palermo, who has served as property manager for 26 years, is a big part of Norwood Gardens' appeal. Norwood's town manager, John Carroll says Norwood Gardens is an asset to the town and a good neighbor. "The property is beautifully maintained," Carroll said. "We never have a complaint about Norwood Gardens. From a town manager's perspective, that's the greatest compliment possible."