Spotlight: The Alexander Family
Living the Country Dream in Toombs County, Georgia
Outside of Lyons, Georgia, take a drive out of town, down a dirt road, onto a winding gravel driveway through pine trees to find a beautiful, secluded 30 acres. In the clearing surrounded by woods, a home sits on the highest point; a spot carefully chosen so evenings could be spent in rocking chairs on the front porch, watching kids run across the yard down to the garden, to fish in the creek, climb the deer stand, chase chickens, or play in the mud.
Matthew and Leslie Alexander are humble and grateful they get to raise their boys Jake (10), William (8) and Reid (5) in their little piece of paradise. Their journey, however, has required patience and sacrifice.
Country life fits best
For the Alexanders, living in the country is what they have always wanted. Matthew grew up in near St. Augustine, Florida and Leslie nearby in Lyons, Georgia. “We wanted to move to the country because city life didn’t fit. We like to farm, hunt, fish, let the kids run. The country lifestyle fits us best,” smiles Matthew.
After the couple married, they knew Toombs County was where they wanted to call home, near Leslie’s family, their church, and a good school system. Matthew got a job at Dot Foods in Vidalia and they began the search for land. “My rule was, if we lived in Georgia we needed property. If we lived in Florida, we needed to be on the water,” Matthew says with a laugh. After their initial four-acre purchase, the couple quickly realized it was not enough for their growing family.
Wise and conservative with their finances, the Alexanders began seeking guidance on how to prepare for their next, larger land purchase. After meeting with several banks, they connected with local AgSouth loan officer Clay Clifton and knew it was the right fit for them.
Working with a friend
From the start, working with Clay felt like working with a friend. AgSouth was willing to finance a large tract of open property, offered fixed interest rates on land, home construction, and a long-term mortgage. “To know we were working with a lender who understood what we were after made it an easy choice,” says Matthew.
Once pre-approved, the couple began their search for land. Their first time visiting the property, they walked the creek and saw duck feathers; immediately Matthew knew it was where they wanted to be. Knowing they would need to move quickly, they immediately reached out to AgSouth.
New to the land buying process, the Alexanders had some apprehension and many questions. “Clay took out the uncertainties. He made our experience easy, helped eliminate surprises. With every question, he put our mind at ease; like working with a good friend.”
Raggedy camper and hauling water
The land purchase in 2017 was the beginning of the dream, but sacrifice was required to get to the next stage of building their home. In order to save, the couple sold their house and purchased a “raggedy camper” to live in, hauling water each day and saving every dime they could to build. By 2021 they were able to approach their lender once more to pursue their home construction. Matthew describes of Leslie now looking proudly off the porch, “I built her a house, and she’s made it a home.”
Were those hard years worth it? Absolutely. The challenges they experienced living in the camper with three young boys and buying only necessities has put them in a position to have an affordable payment, invest in improvements on the land, and even purchase additional acreage.
The boys won’t remember those days in the camper, but they do get to grow up hunting and fishing, growing a garden and raising animals. They drink from a hose, wrestle in the yard, build sandcastles in the driveway, run through puddles. Leslie and Matthew love that living in the country helps them teach their boys responsibility, to provide for themselves and respect the land.
Matthew’s special way of documenting life in the country for his boys is to keep a journal of stories. Hunting, fishing, adventures, normal moments that turn into funny memories are written down, dated, and signed in a little black book. He also prints a photograph to go with each story. This precious way of documenting life will be a treasure to their family for generations to come.
Wisdom from experience
When asked one piece of advice on deciding to move to the country, the Alexander’s collectively agree, “Do it!”.
From a place of wisdom, Matthew carefully recommends to be prepared. “Start with talking to the bank and understanding what you need. Set realistic goals and get your money right. Build a relationship with your loan officer so that when the deal happens, you’re ready to make the move on it. And marry you a good woman!”
Clay has enjoyed working with the Alexanders just as much. With a mutual appreciation for the outdoors, hunting and fishing, he is proud to have played a role in helping Matthew and Leslie have a home in the country.
Rocking in his chair, Matthew reflects, “This relationship that we have has allowed opportunity for our children, opportunities for us. And over the next several decades I hope to keep rocking in these chairs, remember all that we’ve accomplished, and all the help we’ve had along the way.”
Matthew and Leslie, country looks good on you!