Val Vista Lakes - nice place to live? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: relocating, estate)

[procwaad]

All,

Well, we have been researching the area for a while now, and we really like Val Vista Lakes in Gilbert (relocating from Washington DC suburbs next spring) as far as the recreation, schools, etc. goes. Really, there are a few communities in the Gilbert/Chandler/Higley area that we like (Seville, the Islands, etc.), but it just looks like Val Vista is an absolutely beautiful community. Does anyone have any information on the area such as:
1) what are the boundaries of the actual Val Vista Lakes community - specifically, where do you need to live to have access to the amenities of Val Vista?
2) any other lake communities in that proximity that are worth taking a look at?
3) does it seem reasonable that we can get a nice home (4 bedroom, 2 bath min with a pool) in those areas for $400K or so?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated - next step will be to actually fly out and look at the actual houses this summer - may as well go when it is the hottest to see if we can "take the heat" Thanks a lot!!

[deem]

Hi
we actually live in Val Vista Lakes and have been there for years - it is a communtiy of about 18 yrs old with a multimillion dollar clubhouse, beach, tennis club
I come from NE and this made me and my family feel right at home - the people are freindly not snobbish for a lake community - the lakes are absolutely beautiful and they have Christmas decorations on the boats, the beach and pool area surpasses anything this valley could offer - it was designed and the sand shipped in from SAn DIego - they maintain everything wonderfully. Crime is obsolete - parks for the children to play and the schools Val Vista Lakes Elem or Sonoma Ranch Elem rank very high - as well as Highland High
Clean - can you tell I love it here -
There are a couple of areas that have also a private park and their own Olympic size pools with spas for the immediate neighborhood which consists mainly of about 10 houses - one is the HArbour where we live - and it is like having your own paradise without the maintenance. got to www.arizonahomelocator.com - PAt and SHaron Harfst - if anyone knows anything about this area he does - navy man turned realtor been here since the models went up
He can direct you of the main VAl VIsta Lakes area - which is West of VAl Vista Lakes Drive, south of Baseline, North of Guadalupe, and east of Greenfield
The only other area east of VVl Drive is the WestLakes Estates which are 1m
homes
AS for your price - the great houses here run 300k to 425k - that are not on the lake directly - but some of us have backviews - or are in walking distance -
To give you an idea (we are moving - not telling you this to push our house but) our jobs have since ceased here and are moving to Idaho
1726 sq feet - open loft over the downstairs, large country kitchen, 3 bdrm up with full bath, master down with full bath across from the park and pool (private) we are at 319k another in the Harbour is 325 and he is 2 story also with 1900 k. You do get a lot for your money here, lifestyle is great, families are nice
A
Oh - by the way VVL is close to the major highway 60 which will get you anywhere south of Scottsdale and north of Gold Canyon in about 30 minutes w/traffic
All shopping is close by in fact, we just built our own DANA PArk shopping area, with Barnes & Noble, AJ"S, CJico's etc. fashion outdoor shopping, paved walkways, cafe's
no one else has that in the valley - with blue waters - everyone else is landlocked
As for other communities with lakes there - are some - but not as pretty as VVL
Hope this helps
any questions write me

[procwaad]

Thanks, Deem! That really is helpful - we liked some houses in the Islands community as well, but it does not seem to have the sandy beach/lake swimming area that really appeals to us. Seville looked really beautiful also near the course (but not a lake community), and their clubhouse seems incredible as well, but something keeps drawing me back to Val Vista...So - id your house on the market yet? Maybe we have already looked at it online - I am fairly obsessed with it - a researcher by nature (or OCD as my wife likes to say )

[LVGAZ]

here ye - here ye to VAl Vista LAkes - over the Islands - anyday
moved there myself over 4 yrs agao
love the tennis and racquetball club - wife and kids can never get enought of the beach
we have even had large parties (private at the clubhouse ) our friends are getting married there May 1st - beautiful surroundings with an incredible waterfall and walkway
we pay 80.00 HOa
love it - love it - love it

[deem]

hi there - check out mls2674055 for an idea of the homes this is a 4/2

[gigi927]

On the Seville front...we originally bought in their second phase several years back, and then cancelled our deal and moved to another part of town (for reasons not related to Seville). Seville is gorgeous - the clubhouse and amenities they have put in are really beautiful. I think for what you get, it's a value in the Phoenix area. I don't know how much their golf memberships are anymore, but they were $15,000 several years back. Expensive compared to where we livein Austin now, but for Phoenix, probably pretty reasonable!

Good luck with your search! I'm sure either place you land you'll like.