WHITMAN / Auburndale
Auburndale residents have deep roots

By TERI BORSETI
For The Patriot Ledger Area: 6.98 sq. mi.

POPULATION
2000: 13,882
2007: 14,072

Density: 2,100 res./square mile
Median age: 35
Median household income: $61,806

FINANCES
Tax rate: $10.74
Town budget: $27.8 million
Average water-sewer bill: $460-$500/year

HOUSING
Median home price (# sales)
2007: $301,825 (86)
2008: $250,000 (9 through March)
Median condo price
2007: $278,000 (23)
2008: $236,000 (3 through March)

SCHOOLS
Number of students: 4,372
Number of teachers: 273 H.S. grads to 4-yr. college: 54%
H.S. grads to 2-yr. college: 27%
Median SAT score (2006): 1466

As soon as the warm weather arrives, Donna Harding heads outside to work in her Whitman neighborhood. Her husband, Bob, said that when her flowers, shrubs and trees are in full bloom, people driving by often stop and compliment her landscaping skills.

"She's out there with a flashlight when it gets dark," he said.

The Hardings' home is one of a row of slab ranch houses built in 1960 along Hogg Memorial Drive and Homestead Drive, which are just off Route 14.

The land was once part of a huge farm. It was wet, but developers filled it in and built the neighborhood, Bob Harding said.

The Hardings,, who grew up in Whitman, bought a house in their hometown. In the 1960s, the homes sold for $8,000 to $10,000 new.

"I used to skate through here long before the neighborhood went in and there was an ice house not far from this house," said Bob Harding, who grew up on High Street.

The section of town known as Auburndale was part of Abington until 1875. It is almost unrecognizable from its 1960s version. Over time the ranch houses along these streets have been added onto and reconfigured. Screened porches, breezeways and family rooms are just a few things residents have added since the houses were new.

The Hardings added a three-room addition in 2003, including a bedroom suite that Donna Harding's mother uses when she visits from Florida.

"We're happy here. It's quiet and there's a nice mix of people, some of the original buyers are still here," she said.

Nearby, Tim Sullivan and Ed MacGilvray talk over the fence. Sullivan grew up in the house where his mother still lives and said though he lives in Abington now, he feels good knowing that neighbors watch out for her and are there if she needs them.

"That's the way it's always been here though. My mother is one of the original buyers and she paid $10,900 for the house new. It cost an extra $1,000 if you wanted a garage," he said.

MacGilvray moved into his house in 1978, and by then the prices had almost tripled.

"They were asking for $29,900 and we offered $28,900, and they took it. This was my starter home, my kids grew up here and now it's my retirement home," he said.

MacGilvray's children have grown but stayed local. "One of my sons manages the Wendy's in Abington, my other son is in the armed forces, and my daughter is in college. They all went through the Whitman school system and did fine," he said.

Both men say it is common to find people living in the same houses they grew up in. With a high percentage of the houses in this part of town priced at around $300,000, it is still an affordable place for a family. Most homes have three bedrooms, many have large decks, pools and one resident even added an entire second floor.

Hogg Memorial Drive is a dead end and Homeland Drive consists of one large circle, leading people to think there are two Homeland Drives in the same neighborhood. The streets are flat and a nice day brings out mothers with baby carriages, kids on bikes and joggers.

Mark Walker has lived five years on Homeland Drive and loves the location.

Routes 14, 18 and 27 are close and it takes only about 15 minutes to reach Route 3 and I-495 by car.