Opinions on Fountain Hills (Phoenix, Mesa: gated, budget, work)

[newflamenco]

From what we found, Fountain Hills seems to be a place where our family can thrive... beautiful, good schools, clean, low crime, etc. Now, we are interested to learn about negative things about this town. Anyone?

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by newflamenco

From what we found, Fountain Hills seems to be a place where our family can thrive... beautiful, good schools, clean, low crime, etc. Now, we are interested to learn about negative things about this town. Anyone?

I have some coworkers who live in Fountains Hills. They would agree with all of the positives noted above and add one big negative: Fountain Hills is somewhat isolated in the northeastern corner of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. To get anywhere else requires a drive of several miles into Scottsdale just to get onto the freeway system, or a drive down dusty Route 87 through the reservation to Mesa.

With that in mind, FH might work well if only one adult works outside the home and being close to urban amenities is not critical. If, on other hand, both of you commute to work, you might find that it is impossible for anyone to get home on time to be there for the kids. Likewise, if you like to go to sporting events, museums, and other "city" events on a regular basis, you may find the long drive wearying.

Consider your lifestyle carefully and make sure to visit and drive from FH to downtown Phoenix at least once in rush hour traffic. If you still like FH after doing so, then it's probably the right place for you.

[newflamenco]

SilverBear - Thank you for your reply Commute is not a major issue since both of us will be working in the air park area of Scottsdale.

[HX_Guy]

I fell in love with a home in Fountain Hills a couple weeks ago.

It was located right at Palisades and Shea in a new community...two story, but you walked in on the second story since the house was on a hill...then walked down into a "basement" that opened to the backyard which features a negative edge pool overlooking Fountain Hills and mountain views. It was stunning.

I'd love to get into something like that but I do most of my work in the Glendale Arrowhead and Peoria areas and it just wouldn't make sense to have that sort of commute.

[SpeedyAZ]

Fountain Hills is an AMAZING town. Beautiful homes, beautiful mountains, just about everything one would want in a town of 20,000 people appx. I know a few people who live there and absolutely love it.

The only negative I see is the isolated location (as one poster said). It really isn't central to anything in the Valley and you'll have a pretty long commute to Phoenix. It's also fairly expensive (especially in the gated communities and mountains). $500,000 won't get you much in FH.

[newflamenco]

Thank you all . You all have confirmed that Fountain Hills is the place for us. We also have a feeling that "Snob" factor should be very small or none in this town. Now we have to find a decent house that fits our budget .

[sablebaby]

Well, I would have to say that I have met some snobs in FH's as well. There is definitely money there, too. I dated a guy whose family was building a 10,000 sf home on the side of one of the mountains. Talk about snobby. FH's in a very affluent area just as Scottsdale is. So, check it out first.

[Steve-o]

Fountain Hills is probably my favorite suburb outside of Scottsdale/Carefree. Last two times we were there though, we had (seriously) people offer us drugs while we were watching the fountains (plus some creepy dude with a viscious Rottweiler that wouldnt leave us alone). Im sure that wont make one little iota of difference in your decision to move there (nor would it mine), but its just something you should be aware of. Would I feel safe walking down there at night? Maybe. Just seemed a bit creepy to us, that all. haha Quite strange...

Is it true that there is a big gay community in FH? Ive heard a few people tell me that, just wondered if that was true.

[newflamenco]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Last two times we were there though, we had (seriously) people offer us drugs while we were watching the fountains.

We were hoping that the isolated location of FH would not attract these types of bad elements. Are there quite a few drug users/homeless hanging around the park? How bad is the drug problem in FH compared to Phoenix?

[AzDreamer]

You might get something from the Fountain Hill Times online.

www.fhtimes.com/