McDowell Mountain Ranch or Greyhawk? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: hoa, for sale, work)

[lookingforparadise]

My family is thinking about moving to the Phoenix area in the near future. We are looking for a GREAT family community (we have 3 young kids), my husband is partial to staying on the Eastside (Chapparal HS is a fav or his), and doesn't want much more than a 10-15 mile commute to work. I was looking at DC Ranch/ McCormick Ranch, but think those may be too much for our wants/ price range (we don't want to go over $800k, want to be able to afford HOAs/ CC membership). We want a 4/2.5+, 3000sf, need an office/ den, would like a pool, and a decent sized yard (15000 sf or so). I haven't heard much about McDowell Mountain Ranch.

Any suggestions/ what about the family atmosphere in these areas? I want LOTS of families.

[Beena]

McDowell Mountain Ranch is very family oriented and a very friendly place. I lived there for a couple of years. The negatives are that home prices seem to be tanking there worse than just about any other neighborhoods in North Scottsdale and I believe that will continue for at least a couple more years. You can get much better value for your money in the 85260 zip code, Mountainview Ranch and the surrounding neighborhoods and be a little closer to shopping and schools.

[hts]

We looked all over that area when we bought 3 years ago (our boys are currently 6 & 7 and we had similar wants). Everyone said great things about both communities. We of course fell in love with DCR, but couldn't afford it. We expanded our search, looked at Desert Ridge and a number of other communities as we expanded out from that epicenter.We never thought we'd live this far out, but we ended up in Anthem. May be too far away for you, but couldn't be happier.

[lookingforparadise]

Thanks for the info. I'm just curious why McDowell Mtn Ranch prices are seeing a greated decrease than DC Ranch or Greyhawk . I know we'd love Anthem, I'm just not sure if being that far out would work for us.

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by lookingforparadise

Thanks for the info. I'm just curious why McDowell Mtn Ranch prices are seeing a greated decrease than DC Ranch or Greyhawk . I know we'd love Anthem, I'm just not sure if being that far out would work for us.

I have friends at Greyhawk and they really like it (like you they have 3 small kids).

I think prices are more stable at Greyhawk compared to DC Ranch from what I've heard. You should do some research.

All in all, if I had to choose I'd pick Greyhawk....the location is very good and it's a good family friendly atmosphere.

[hts]

I know it doesn't both most people, but the biggest drawback to us (both of us) with Greyhawk are those above ground power lines--they seem to cut right through the middle of the community. :-(

[Beena]

LookingforParadise, the prices in McDowell Mountain shot up so fast and so high per square foot in 04 and 05 and so many homes were purchased by investors who had no desire to keep them that we really had no place to go but down. It varies from month to month, but the last time I checked there was a couple years worth of inventory up there. (Like 240 homes for sale and 10 sold last month) If you were going to buy in 85255...I would wait 12 to 18 months.

Anthem is a long ways out. I know people who live there and like it. And I know people who describe the commute as an absolute nightmare.

For 800k you have an awful lot of options. Scottsdale 85260 and 85259 have great school districts.

[enigmadsm]

I love the Mcdowell Mtn Ranch area, great mountain views and a very attractive area. Can't go wrong with greyhawk either. Not sure which you would find a better deal on. As ppl did bring up about the houses in Mcdowell Mtn Ranch, if you plan on staying 5+ years I don't think it would really affect you or cause you to lose money by any means.

[hts]

I almost forgot about the Vistancia power line issue...

From today's Az Republic:

Peoria to fight APS proposal for power lines near Vistancia

Cecilia Chan
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 1, 2008 06:20 PM

Peoria is vowing to fight an APS proposal to string high-voltage power lines near Vistancia, which includes the private country-club community of Blackstone.



Peoria to fight APS proposal for power lines near Vistancia (broken link)

[Great Joy]

APS's proposal to put power lines near Vistancia will be defeated because all of the residents, developers, and govt officials are strongly fighting it including legal actions.