KB homes in Gilbert (Phoenix, Chandler: low crime, how much, house)

[BetuliaJ]

Happy New Year everyone! My husband and I took a drive to Gilbert AZ, while visiting family in CA. (pretty short drive ) We're currently living in North Florida, but want to be closer to Cali. I've read great things about Gilbert. Great schools(very important!) family friendly,low crime, close to jobs.... the south side of Gilbert (past that San Tan fwy 202 loop ???) reminded us of Chino Hills in CA back a few years (the cows). My husband preferred the North, specifically the new KB homes in Cameron Ranch, almost on the corner of Baseline and Higley. Can anyone tell me about the area?
Also, how is the air quality? I noticed some kind of a smoke puffing plant nearby, ( 2 of my kids suffer from asthma)..I already know it gets very hot! I'm ready for that. I think. And how is the traffic heading toward Phoenix? and Chandler?(compared for instance to southern Calif.) Also, I believe this area goes to Gilbert schools (Highland HS and junior high??) Does anyone know about the IB program in Chandler High school, if they offer bus transportation for out of district students? We like small town atmosphere, friendly people, safe streets, fun community activities for kids, such as youth sports.......anything you can tell us about Gilbert and what it's like to live there would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Oh,....and how hard is it to maintain a green lawn???? Also... I forgot to ask while I was there. Do you have electric or gas stoves???

[sh9730]

Well, I cant help with ALL of your questions, but there are MANY MANY posts on Gilbert here if you do a search - but here are a couple answers:

Air Quality - Not sure how much the specific plant you saw effects things, but in the winter (a la the last few days), or whenever we have a stagnant air pattern, the Valley can have many "unhealthful for sensitive people" days. Burning gets restricted etc. Outside the valley even just 10-15 miles can make a big difference (Im 25 miles south of Chandler and we can see the inversion from here on bad days). But Im no expert on Asthma so not sure how much of a factor it would be in Gilbert.

Green grass - We have two seasons of grass here. Summer grass (bermuda) that can stand the heat as long as watered/fertilized properly, and winter overseed grass (typically Rye) that can fill in during the winter when the Bermuda dies due to the cold. The bermuda doesnt really die underneath and comes back in the summer with watering. My water bill in the winter runs about 35 bucks and jumps to 50 in the summer. Thats with 95 plants on a drip system and about 1000 sq ft of lawn front/back.

Gas vs Electric - Most places still seem to install electric kitchen appliance and electric heat pumps (usually part of your AC system) for heating. More and more though are starting to get at least partial natural gas hookups. My house built last year has gas water heater, gas dryer option, and gas stove option, although the builder installed an electric stove!

The schools stuff will have to come from others - sorry.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by BetuliaJ

Happy New Year everyone! My husband and I took a drive to Gilbert AZ, while visiting family in CA. (pretty short drive ) We're currently living in North Florida, but want to be closer to Cali. I've read great things about Gilbert. Great schools(very important!) family friendly,low crime, close to jobs.... the south side of Gilbert (past that San Tan fwy 202 loop ???) reminded us of Chino Hills in CA back a few years (the cows). My husband preferred the North, specifically the new KB homes in Cameron Ranch, almost on the corner of Baseline and Higley. Can anyone tell me about the area?
Also, how is the air quality? I noticed some kind of a smoke puffing plant nearby, ( 2 of my kids suffer from asthma)..I already know it gets very hot! I'm ready for that. I think. And how is the traffic heading toward Phoenix? and Chandler?(compared for instance to southern Calif.) Also, I believe this area goes to Gilbert schools (Highland HS and junior high??) Does anyone know about the IB program in Chandler High school, if they offer bus transportation for out of district students? We like small town atmosphere, friendly people, safe streets, fun community activities for kids, such as youth sports.......anything you can tell us about Gilbert and what it's like to live there would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Oh,....and how hard is it to maintain a green lawn???? Also... I forgot to ask while I was there. Do you have electric or gas stoves???

Baseline and Higley is a good area, although I don't know about the new KB homes there.

Gilbert is a family oriented town with good schools and a low crime rate.

I believe what you are seeing is steam from the San Tan alternate electricity source for SRP. SRP: Santan Generating Station The purpose of the plant is to provide an alternate source of power during certain peak periods of usage.

I live at Val Vista and Baseline area which is roughly 3 miles from the plant. Personally I would not purchase a home within 1 mile of the plant and especially if it would be visible from the house. I do not know if there are any health hazards from the steam, however, many buyers would be turned off by the proximity and the sight, and that's why I wouldn't buy a residence very close to it.

Others are not bothered by the plant and are quite willing to live nearby.

[thegirlinaz]

Don't know how much I can help, but here is what I know.

I live further south Gilbert (Higley and Pecos) and I love it. Sometimes you can smell the dairy farms when you are driving, but it really doesn't bother me. However, I don't think I have ever smelled them around Higley and Baseline area, so that is a plus.

And that power plant, I see the smoke from it all the time, but never really notice anything about it (air quality, smell, etc)... it is just all visual to me. I know that we could have boughten a house in the subdivision right by it, but that was a negative quality to me... and I would also think it would be harder to sell in the future.

I work right on Baseline and Higley and I think it is a nice area. I don't know anything about the subdivsion you are talking about though, but I am sure it is a nice place.

Our stove is electric, which I believe most of them here are.

And I can't tell you a single thing about the schools, sorry!

[homesweetazhome]

Your best chance for the Chandler HS IB program is to live in the Chandler boundaries. They absolutely will not offer bus transportation outside of their boundaries. No exceptions. But, many of the Chandler school district boundaries actually extend into Gilbert. There are KB homes available in Chandler as well. Chandler and Gilbert are pretty similar as cities. The further east you go the longer your commute to Phoenix. The link below will show you the Chandler School District Map. Also, I have a Free Relocation guide on my website that may be of help to you.
http://www.chandler.k12.az.us/Downloads/CUSD_HS%20Color%2008-09.pdf (broken link)

Good Luck to you!