Anthem versus Aviano Desert Ridge for family and schools (Phoenix: house, to buy)

[foreste1]

OK we have narrowed down our areas to either Anthem or Aviano in Desert Ridge. We have 3 boys, ages 7, 10, almost 14 and want to get the scoop on Explorer middle and Pinnacle high, verses Anthems schools and just the general info on why we would pick one verses the other. All 3 play soccer, and want to live where we have club house so they can hang out with friends and be close to school. Any help would be great!!! Oh also hearing Anthem has some crazy water bills??

[Skywayy2001]

That's a pretty easy decision. Do you want to live in Phoenix or not? Anthem is remote, although people love it..you are stuck out there; I would not even consider that a suburb of Phoenix. Aviano is in a great location. Ultimately, it may come down to money..more for your money in Anthem but live way out there. In Aviano, most of the homes have reverted back to 1/2 of what they originally sold for, but that's still $350-$650k, depending on the model

[foreste1]

Thanks but I am after info on schools from people that have kids in the schools in both areas to see what they say. I like Aviano the best but tough to get a house with what we want.

[Stokes172]

The only BAD thing I've ever hear about Anthem is the water bills. But how BAD can they be...I hear SURPRISE could be paying the same next year.

" Anthem is remote, although people love it..you are stuck out there"

I don't understand this comment. Everyone in Phoenix lives with the automobile so 5 or 10 minutes up the freeway is not "stuck"

Anthem has everything you need including sports facilities like the OP is after.

[pgc323]

The water rates increased recently in Anthem east of I-17, however the increase may be mitigated pending a hearing by the Arizona Corporation Commission. The Administrative Law Judge for the Commission will allow public comment at the beginning of deconsolidation hearings next week.

Link for information about Anthem area schools.


Also...
In 2010-2011, Deer Valley was named an Advanced Placement Achievement district, one of four in Arizona. Barry Goldwater High School and Desert Winds Elementary were identified as two of twenty-five Arizona schools to be named A+ Schools. Anthem School was named National Aerospace Connections in Education School of the Year.

And, plenty of information about Anthem here...click me!

[hts]

Anthem is a *great* community with awesome schools. We just moved (back) to Anthem in July from Northern VA (many consider Fairfax/Loudoun County to have excellent schools) and we're just as happy with the schools here as we were there. Our boys are 9 (10 this month) and just turned 11 and are in 4th and 6th grades respectively. We live in the country club section and couldn't be happier. :-)

[AZJ0SH]

Desert Ridge is a smaller area, but much more centrally located. I personally thing Anthem is a great community for kids and families, but it's long drive from town and unless you work nearby it might not be the best choice.

The schools near Desert Ridge are great.

[musicforme]

We used to live just south of Anthem near I-17 and Carefree Highway.

I work near the Scottsdale Air Park and moved strictly because of my commute time between home and work. We're downsizing from a 3,900 sq ft house to 2,400 in the Sweetwater Ranch area of Scottsdale so I'll have a 2 mile commute to work.

My wife is a former educator in Texas (Reading Instructional Specialist, taught Reading Teachers how to teach reading, Masters in Education), and she wasn't impressed with the Deer Valley school district that services that area.

I know you didn't create this thread for information on this topic, but since you mentioned the school system, I thought it was worth mentioning the opinion of a professional in that field.

[hts]

No offense intended, but Tramonto is no Anthem. In fact, I don't believe there's another community like Anthem anywhere in the country, let alone the Valley.

That being said, we are up here aways to be sure. For us, that's a plus. We have two young boys (one turned 11 last month, the other turns 10 next week) and we looked at Desert Ridge (Toll Brothers) when it was first starting up back in 2005. We chose Anthem for a number of reasons, but the fact that we're somewhat distanced (isolated if you prefer) from the city (and all the negatives that that entails) is a benefit to us.

My wife just started work down by the airport and therefore drives approx. 45 miles each way every day. It takes her almost an hour. That's a drag. We go to out for dinner or ice cream (Texas de Brazil, Sweet Republic, etc.) in Scottsdale 2-3 times/month and it's fine. It'd be nice to be a little closer on those occasions, but it only takes us 30 mins on a Fri/Sat night, or during the weekends if/when we want to go shopping down there.

In addition to the public schools here in Anthem, which are quite good--see previous posts, ie:

Deer Valley was named an Advanced Placement Achievement district, one of four in Arizona. Barry Goldwater High School and Desert Winds Elementary were identified as two of twenty-five Arizona schools to be named A+ Schools. Anthem School was named National Aerospace Connections in Education School of the Year.

Deer Valley Unified was one of top 10 districts in the state to receive an A for accountability and achievement.

we also have a number of acclaimed charter schools, including (but not limited to): Anthem Prep (a Great Hearts Academy), Caurus Academy, Westwind Academy, as well as a private, non-denominational school--Caepe. I have no affiliation with any of them.

I can't speak to Desert Ridge, as I don't live there. From a central location in N Phoenix, it's very good. I don't believe it's a golf course community, nor do I think it offers the community amenities we have up here in Anthem, but then again, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything comparable to Anthem anywhere else in the valley (we also checked out Vistancia, DC Ranch, Greyhawk, Verrado, etc. before we purchased).

The schools here are very good (not great), and everything else is awesome. Good luck with wherever you choose to buy!