Dobson Ranch in Mesa (Chandler: real estate, renters, crime)

[dura]

Just back from a visit, and after driving and walking around Dobson Ranch in Mesa, it seems like a decent area to live. There are recreational centers, walking paths, community activities, and our commute time would be short.

However, after reading a few posts stating that it might be going somewhat downhill, perhaps due to an influx of renters, and some other posts stating that it is still a nice area to live, please provide your opinion on Dobson Ranch.

Do you think that Dobson Ranch is a decent place to live, and do you see it holding its own or depreciating in the coming years? Thank you.

[amatrine]

I lived in Dobson Ranch until a year ago when I bought my own home.

I think it is a good place to live.
It is so close to all the interstates.
We never had any crime problems except for kids, one time kids went around and shot out the blocks car windshields with a bb gun, but you find things like that anywhere in the city.

I lived there for 5 years as a renter, granted there are rentals there, but not in over abundance as other places I have seen. I knew all my neighbors, most of whom had lived there for 20 plus years. I love the home styles they have there as well. That area does well in property value, and location is key.

[homesweetazhome]

The people that live in Dobson Ranch, love it. You are right about it being convenient to commuting. It is an older community and the homeowners show pride in their properties. It is also a very desirable community. I had a listing there in 2008 and the minute I put my sign up, I was inundated with phone calls from interested buyers. Before I could get my flyers from the printer, I had sold the listing (3 Days!). As far as holding it's value or depreciating, it is very difficult to say in the current Real Estate arena. Most properties have depreciated this past year. But due to Dobson Ranch's excellent location, it will most probably fair well as far as property values.

[capnkimber]

I have lived in Dobson Ranch for 6 years. We LOVE the location, we find it to be central to everything we need. There are a lot of great people here, and many people have lived in the area for a long time and have a lot of pride in their homes and neighborhood. There are some rentals in the neighborhood, as there are in many neighborhoods, and of course some renters are great and take care of the homes as if they were their own, and others don't. The community centers and La Casita playground are awesome and offer a lot of activities for all ages. We have done a lot of work updating our house, and we love it. Many people on our street have also remodeled, updated, and improved their homes. Of course home values have been dropping, just like everywhere else, but things were certainly inflated to a ridiculous level in 05. Unfortunately we have seen some negative changes in the surrounding areas. The Fiesta Mall area continues to go downhill, businesses seem to leave and buildings are left sitting empty. There are also neighborhoods nearby that do not have HOA's, and people do not always keep up their lawns, etc. It is disappointing, because we really like Dobson Ranch, and this location is just great! We just continue to hope that some of the surrounding areas that are in need of revitalization will get it soon!

[azriverfan.]

The location is perfect. I agree with that. I used to love Dobson Ranch 9-10 years ago but since then it's gotten a little old and the area around it has faded. When Fiesta Mall was nice 10 years ago, prior to the construction of the Chandler Mall, the Dobson Ranch area was really hopping. It was a very sought after and desirable area. I remember when the 24 hour fitness gym on Baseline and Price was called the Q and it was the nicest gym in the state at the time of its opening. The area had a lot of buzz because the 101 didn't extend south of Baseline for a long time and so Dobson Ranch was sort of Ocotillo before there was Ocotillo

If you can live near one of the lakes and the golf course there, I think it's nice, otherwise I would probably look at other areas that are newer like Ocotillo or even Chandler.

However, like the others have mentioned, the location is arguably the best in the city. You are near everything!

[katysalsa]

I used to live in Dobson Ranch back in like 85 when I was a kid. From what I know that neighborhood has always had a pretty good rep. Anyone remember that Alpha Beta near there? I still like that area.

[believer500]

love Dobson ranch and there is no doubt in my mind that feista mall will be back stronger than ever it went down a little with chandler mall opening then the mesa/tempe malls killed it but why would Dicks and best buy and in and out and target not to mention the new childrens hospital have put so much money into new stores... if they didnt think they are on the ground floor of a big revitalization?? anyway lots of pride I do hate that they bus kids into our neighborhood school and that ran them down from top 10 to title 1 but we have great charter and catholic schools.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by believer500

love Dobson ranch and there is no doubt in my mind that feista mall will be back stronger than ever it went down a little with chandler mall opening then the mesa/tempe malls killed it but why would Dicks and best buy and in and out and target not to mention the new childrens hospital have put so much money into new stores... if they didnt think they are on the ground floor of a big revitalization?? anyway lots of pride I do hate that they bus kids into our neighborhood school and that ran them down from top 10 to title 1 but we have great charter and catholic schools.

You are obviously new here... this thread is going on two years old. Look at the dates on a thread before you post on it...

[Friend of Sonic]

Originally Posted by observer53

You are obviously new here... this thread is going on two years old. Look at the dates on a thread before you post on it...

I'm not sure how he broke etiquette by bumping a discussion.