COVID-19 and its variant cousins, which appear to have come for a visit and decided to stay indefinitely, changed perspectives about how we live today. What do we need, and how do we want our homes to function? What sustains us and supports the lifestyles we desire? And what do we want and need from our neighborhoods and our communities. These were the questions everyone began to ponder over the course of the past two years. For so many homebuyers, priorities shifted. More square footage, places to recreate and spend time as families, or be independent of them, were popular. Pools ranked high. A single dedicated home office space has long been desirable, but today, buyers look for homes that allow them to have two or more workspaces. Outdoor living space and local green spaces are highly desirable, too, especially if they're pristine and offers a connection to nature and wildlife.

Tony Semproni is a Realtor with William Pitt Sotheby's in Old Lyme and the listing agent for 15 Butterfly Drive in Westerly, R.I., a classic three-bedroom colonial on a cul-de-sac. This home has a long list of compelling attributes — for example, lightly finished hardwood floors, an eat-in kitchen and a deck overlooking the level backyard. Its location is also special.

"Westerly has so much to offer," Semproni said, listing off some of the town's greatest assets, including the beaches, Watch Hill, the Watch Hill Yacht Club and local marinas. He cited consistently delicious Westerly dining establishments, and the restored United Theater, where patrons see movies, theatrical performances and the symphony. Plus, there's ferry service to New York, Block Island and Martha's Vineyard, and towns like Mystic and Stonington in Connecticut are just a short drive away.

"The Amtrak station in Westerly makes it convenient to Boston and New York City," Semproni remarked.

Westerly is also home to an idyllic nature preserve, Moore Woods, an absolute treasure for locals who appreciate the green space for exercise and more fascinating pastimes, like birdwatching.

"Moore Woods nature preserve is a 35-acre preserve," Semproni explained. "The land was acquired as different parcels between 1966 and 1984. There are designated trails with targeted points of interest in the preserve."

He noted that there's a map of the trail system at the Preserve's access point.

"(It's) strictly used for hiking, picnics, bird watching, nature photography and other forms of passive recreation," Semproni said. "The property gives local residents easy access to experience a natural environment in their backyard."

The future buyer of 15 Butterfly Drive may enjoy walking through the Preserve and learning about its native plants and trees.

"Throughout the property, a select group of plant species are labeled by their common name, botanical name and geographic origin," he said.

"Avondale Trail, a one-mile loop preserve located between Westerly and Watch Hill, offers an additional opportunity for residents to experience the local natural environment," Semproni also suggested.