Serenbe Eco-Village Escapes Economy

Georgia development bucks trends

Aerial view of Serenbe

While regular home prices are still slumping further, new homes in an innovative eco-village in Georgia called Serenbe are going up in value.

The small community uses only eco-friendly construction, feeds its residents with crops from farmland right in the neighborhood and has its own water recycling facility.

Safe in Serenbe

Besides the water recycling facility, the community also has regular recycling and composting facilities for residents. Reducing waste and recycling have the added benefit of cutting down on residents’ costs as well.

Their eco-friendly ways have saved residents enough that they don’t have to worry about going out to eat at community restaurant Hil on the Hill, where business is booming.

“We don’t have as much of a roller coaster ride, people are traveling to see us, and they come from the city because of the whole farm-to-table concept,” says restaurant owner Hilary White.

The nearest city is Atlanta, but the community is surrounded by 40,000 acres of dense forest.

Costs organically low

White says the economic chaos that has overtaken just about every facet of life in the greater United States hasn’t affected her restaurant, which isn’t looking for bailout money or cash advance loans any time soon.

She credits her success to her farm-to-table concept, which saves her loads of money on transportation and fuel. The restaurant serves food that comes directly from organic farmland only steps away from the kitchen.

White admits winter causes sales to slump, but the restaurant has no plans to scale back on costs. It seems they are naturally as low as they can get.

Naturally good business

The creators of Serenbe, Marie and Steve Nygren, came across a winning concept with their eco-friendly village, a business venture that still remains profitable. People are still willing to pay for being able to easily live an environmentally friendly life. The Nygrens say their eco-village concept has remained profitable because they were so thorough in their commitment to green living and earth-friendly construction.

“People are looking for what’s important, quality of life, for them and their children,” Steve says.

Pricey but profitable

A home in Serenbe

Houses in Serenbe go for about $350,000. This is higher than the national average, the Nygrens have had no problem filling them. The small village now has about 160 residents, and it’s still growing.