"The trees - and the fact that it's beautiful - that's what drew us here," says Lisa Hockaday, who moved to the sprawling, still-growing subdivision last August from Washington state. "The mature landscaping is great. We get so many compliments when visitors come."

Indeed, with mature hardwoods serving as a luxuriant backdrop for the majority of the 600-plus homes in Neely Farm in Simpsonville SC, it's easy to see why trees are part of the appeal. Simpsonville SC real estate is really growing.

Local real-estate agent Angelika Schmidt was so smitten by the abundance of natural growth that she decided to live there herself. And prospective buyers are forever reminding her of that.

"I hear this from everybody," said Schmidt, an agent for C. Dan Joyner. "They are so perturbed by these cookie-cutter neighborhoods with homes for sale with a couple of sticks in the front yard. Not in this Simpsonville SC neighborhood.

"Builders can cut everything down, then say they'll put you another tree there. But that stick takes 30 or 40 years before it's as big and nice as what was there. We're all six feet under before these trees are a decent size. What I like about Neely Farm is that it was done in a planned fashion."

There are four subdivisions within the subdivision, if you will, at Neely Farm: Laurel Brook, Deer Spring, Greystone and Ivy Creek, with prices ranging from $180,000 up to $260,000. Michelin and General Electric, two of the Greenville SC area's largest employers, are well-represented among residents, who tend to be younger professionals, many with children.

"We moved here with no kids, and bought here primarily for resale value," Lisa Miller said.

Today, the Millers have two children who have immersed themselves in the subdivision's myriad groups for children, the playground and the pool. Now, they've become firmly entrenched in Simpsonville SC real estate.

"We've been here 11 years now, and we used to talk about moving to a bigger house, but we don't want to leave," Miller said.

Neely Farm is just off the burgeoning Fairview Road area of Simpsonville SC, about 17 miles from downtown Greenville.

What used to be rolling pastureland is now a conglomeration of stores and restaurants.

"When we first moved here, it really felt like you were out in the country, so I guess the development is kind of bittersweet," Miller said. "You used to be able to watch the sun set over the pastures, and we can't anymore, so that's kind of bitter. But it's sweet having a new Target (store) right around the corner."

In many a resident's eyes, the Simpsonville SC real estate development offers convenience.

"It's nice knowing that you don't have to drive all the way into Greenville SC if you need something," said Jeanne Sowder, who moved to Neely Farm three years ago with her husband, Roger, and three children. Everything is right here in Simpsonville SC

In fact, Roger works just down the street at Christ Community Church.

"We had heard that this was a great neighborhood," Roger said. "When you drove through, you could just tell that everybody knew each other and that it had a great sense of community about it."

The Simpsonville SC real estate subdivision may be built on former farmland, but it's anything but flat. Hills and undulating streets seem to add a bit of unique charm as they wind past traditional-style homes, most of which are two-story - although some have basements - and largely vinyl siding with a healthy mix of rock and/or brick on two or three sides.

"It's a family-friendly neighborhood," said real estate agent Cameron Keegan with Prudential. "And highly desirable because of the amenities."

Those amenities include a pond, a clubhouse and swimming pool, tennis courts, a walking trail and a playground. In addition, there are plenty of activities for both adults and kids, ranging from a subdivision garden club to a volunteer-run music club that meets at the clubhouse. Scouting is big among many of the residents. There also is a homeowners' association, a monthly newsletter and a Neely Farm Web site. A social committee helps plan activities to get all residents involved.

"There are a lot of young couples here, and a lot of kids," Roger Sowder said. "But you'll also find some older retired people who have moved back to the area to be close to Greenville SC and the mountains. It's just a good mix of people for a neighborhood."

On a recent afternoon, Bryan Williams took advantage of the 90-degree weather to offer a backyard bath to his 4-year-old son, Hudson, and their yellow Labrador retriever, Drake.

"We moved here from Greer SC two years ago because we like the area," Williams said. "It's growing. My wife liked it a lot, and it has easy access to Greenville SC."

And plenty of trees around this Simpsonville SC real estate.

"They kept a lot of trees when they were building here, and we like that, too," Williams said.