[Croce]

Thanks to a lot of info gleaned from this board and many kind folks we now own (along with the bank) our retirement home in Painted Desert. We had visited Vegas several times and knew we eventually wanted to end up there so took the plunge. It all worked out fine, but there were a few tense moments along the way. I wanted to commend Ticor title and my Zip realtor. USBank came through with the loan - 30 year 4.5 0/0 mortgage. The location is what sold us on this place. We had it narrowed down to this one and another home near the "District" in Henderson. The home near the District needed a bit more work, was less expensive and had multiple offers on it already. We decided not to mess with that since we really liked the home we eventually purchased. Paramount for us was a quiet location within close proximity to shopping, entertainment, freeway access. From this location everything we need is 4 miles or less away - this includes a casino, costco, sams, walmart, 24 hour fitness, 99c store, INNnOut, etc. I talked to several residents of Painted Desert and universally they loved living there. They mostly had been there for 10+ years and a few had recently moved in from other Vegas locations after the recent decline in prices offered them an opportunity to move.

We had a home inspection done by a reputable engineering firm and received a pretty good report. I arranged a pool guy and landscaper as well as a builder/remodeler type from phone interviews and recommendations from a friend. Thus far seems to be working out.

The appraisal came in for about 10k over our purchase price. I was actually hoping for a lower price so I could possibly negotiate down a bit, but it all worked out anyway.

So we'll be back soon for a visit and our next door neighbor is keeping an eye on the place. We have a monitored alarm and have installed a talking siren so if anyone breaks in, they will hear a message in english and spanish.

Our only regret now is that we can't move in right away. We're ready. My only concern is that Vegas might run out of water. Time will tell. Thanks again for this board and all the info that is presented.

[nfapps]

Let me be the first to say Congratulations!

[jjameson922]

Let me be the first to say "welcome." You will love it. I moved a month ago from Ohio to an area very near where you will be living. Everything is around here and there is so much to do. The only thing I was incorrect about was, I said I would have a handful of friends within two weeks and it's been a month and I can only say I have a few acquaintances. I forgot to plug in, no matter how outgoing I am, these people have lived here for years and are already settled with friends and cliques. What area are you coming from?

[PinkString]

Croce, don't worry about running out of water. It won't happen even though "they" want us to believe there is a shortage.

[Jukesgrrl]

Congratulations! I hope your retirement home fulfills all your dreams. But do me one favor. If you won't be a full-time resident for awhile, try not to be too much of an imposition on that helpful person who lives next door. Break-ins aren't the only issue.

I have some experience with next-door snowbirds and they can be trying. Those of us on both sides of their house make an effort to be neighborly, but seriously, there's a limit, especially since it's a one-way street; they're never here to do anything for us. Last year they had a water pipe to their in-ground hot tub burst and it flooded half the street before I was finally able to break into their fenced property to shut off the water. It took the two of us nearly a day to reach them on the East Coast and, believe me, they didn't fly in to help with the clean up of rivers of mud we had all over our driveways and sidewalks. I know that's an unusual situation, but it's just one of many things that have taken time out of my day.

Another C-D member wrote about the snowbird on the other side of his block wall who got mad at him over a robbery he knew nothing about. So don't expect miracles, por favor.