Mesa--Las Sendas or Red Mountain Ranch? (Scottsdale, Superior: cul-de-sac, transplants, foreclosures)

[silvermountain]

I am sure there are some here who live in either place. I am seriously considering a home in both places (one home total, to be clear). I know all the school info; I am familiar with the area; I know about shopping and commutes. I am most interested in the intangibles that I am not familiar with such as HOA dues, any peculiar restrictions that one has over another; traffic within the community, memberships, etc. Any info is appreciated by someone who has lived in the areas.

*As a frame of reference, I have a family with children, I don't golf but wouldn't mind learning, I run my business out of my home with no need for people to come by.

[silvermountain]

For the benefit of others, I guess I will reply myself with what I have learned so far. Las Sendas kids go to Las Sendas Elementary, and Red Mountain Ranch kids go to Red Mountain Ranch elementary. Las Sendas Elementary is an A+ Superior school (5 out of 5 stars); and RMR Elementary is 4 out of 5 stars; although they are both very good for public schools from what I hear. A Golf membership at Red Mountain Ranch is $10,000. Also, Las Sendas seems more gated than Red Mountain Ranch. Any other info is appreciated.

[mesamom]

I live near both communities and my kids have attended both schools. Las Sendas has high HOA dues but lots of amenities. There are parks, walking trails, two pools, tennis courts, basketball courts plus a club that you pay extra to use the workout equipment. They also have organized activities and kids recreation classes. Red Mountain Ranch is different. There is one park and some walking trails. The Country Club has some organized activities, but not nearly as many as Las Sendas. A lot of people that used to live in Red Mountain Ranch have moved to Las Sendas. Red Mtn. is better for golf, but most other activities are better in Las Sendas. Red Mtn. Country Club recently had a deal that did waived the initiation fee - I would definitely call to find out the current fee structure. Las Sendas definitely has more transplants from out of state than Red Mtn. does. There is almost a Scottsdale "attitude" to Las Sendas and some parts of Red Mtn. (Country Club Estates ).

As for the schools, my choice would be Las Sendas. All students from second grade to sixth participate in Suzuki Violin. They have a strong emphasis on reading and math and participate in odyssey of the mind. Red Mtn. Ranch Elementary is gaining ground, but IMHO not at the same level as Las Sendas. HOWEVER, Las Sendas feeds into Freemont for Junior High and Red Mtn. feeds into Shepherd Jr. High. The general consensus is that Shepherd is the preference. Both feed into Red Mountain High School. I can't comment on the jr. or sr. high as my kids attend a charter.

If I had it to do over again, I would choose Las Sendas. It is well kept, newer and has a sense of being its own little town. I LOVE the gated areas and the cul-de-sacs. The only down side to Las Sendas is that there are soooooo many foreclosures in the 85207 zip code. The houses have lost some value over the past year or so. Not necessarily so on the other side of the street in 85215.

Let me know if you have more questions.