Ideal second home in Arizona?

[Francine(minnesota)]

Someone brought to my attention - Gold Canyon. Any news or suggestions about this place?

[Nice Nice Baby!]

Another beautiful place! Great views. When you visit check to see how close to shopping and dining you'll need to be. It's a little further from malls, but a little closer to the lakes and high country.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Nice Nice Baby!

Another beautiful place! Great views. When you visit check to see how close to shopping and dining you'll need to be. It's a little further from malls, but a little closer to the lakes and high country.

They've come a long way with some stuff out there. They have their own thing going on. It's not far from E AJ either. It's a good place to grab a deal right now. In years to come the value should go back up again and appreciate nicely.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Nice Nice Baby!

YES! Of course this is a biased response for a good reason. I just walked out my back yard and enjoyed the quiet, beautiful sunrise over the spectacular panoramic mountain views to the south, north, and east. We are slightly elevated above the valley floor from our lot giving us our unobstructed view. I race stock cars on dirt, so space is important, and it sounds like it will be for you too! Plenty of room to even test drive once in a while. What is nice for us is that we have friends and relatives who visit in their RVs in the winter and they hook their water up and empty out to our septic system and stay as long as they fancy. It makes for some great cook outs! Look along the Hunt Highway corridor west of Ellsworth and south of Hunt highway, because once you get east of Ellsworth the traffic gets backed up from housing developments out there. It's much easier here and all lots are zoned to be at least 1.25 acres, and 2 acres in some spots. There will be no major tract home developments preserving the open space! The city and county has determined this in their general plan. Another selling point is that a brand new mall is opening up a few miles to the north off the 202 freeway later this year so there is plenty of shopping and dining in the area. Like I stated in a previous post, my neighbor is selling their place with 2.5 acres for just over $325k to give you an idea. Best of luck in your search when you visit and get a good realtor.

Oh that's a very good area, now that is a foothill. Great suggestion! I used to bop around a lot over there when I was looking at Montelena Springs.

[Ponderosa]

I have often thought of having a home in AZ for the fall-spring and going to the UP of Michigan or somewhere each summer. Although an acre or more would be great, I think it is not practical for a second home here. I have about 1/3 of an acre and it always needs something done, We have wind storms in the summer that dump leaves, trash, and tumbleweeds in the yards. Irrigation pipes and fittings are always breaking or plugging up etc, etc. After 8 months of this the place is going to look neglected and everyone (thieves) is going to know it is unoccupied unless you hire people to be out there to keep it up.

I think a better choice is a small house (1500-1800 sf) on a small lot, gravel front and back, all native low-water plants in a sub-division, alarm with nearby response service. There are several of these winter homes around where I live. With only minimal effort and an occasional visit from a service, they can continue to look attractive throughout the year.

[Francine(minnesota)]

Thank you, Ponderosa. Something very important to keep in mind.

[Nice Nice Baby!]

Nice! Plenty of those around, too!

[deem]

Hi Francine(minnesota)
I sent you a message - you need to look at Gilbert area - too - there is the VAl VIsta Lakes - which has views of the Superstition Mtns. - close to amentities but still a feel of a country - great people, not expensive, good restaurants, shopping at Dana PArk is wonderful.

[Francine(minnesota)]

Thank you, Deem. I will check out Gilbert (VIA Vista Lakes) too.

[dduffield]

Francine,
It's a great time to buy a second home in the Phoenix area. I just helped some Canadians buy a home in a gated community for 170,000. about 30,000 under market. Moderator cut: Advertising