Job in Rancho Mirage, where to live?? (Palm Desert, La Quinta: lease, vacation home)

[ViOli]

My husband is up for a job in Rancho Mirage. We desperately need advice on where to live. When I think of that area, I think vacation homes or retired people but I am sure that is not the case 100%. I just do not know where to start researching.

-We have two small children (1st grade and preK) and would like a family-oriented community. My husband and I are in our late 30's and both have graduate degrees, although I am a stay at home mom now.

-Schools are a big concern. Are the public schools anywhere in that area very good? Are the choices of private schools good? We have our kids in a private school now since the schools in our current area stink.

-We are looking for a house in the above $600K range

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Twinkle Toes]

Your search should be concentrated in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, or La Quinta. You want to stay in the Desert Sands school district. Our public schools here are very good and have high state rankings, but we also have good private schools here as well. You should have no problem finding a home in your price range in any of these cities. No, the area is not all retirees and old people. There are a lot of families and full-time residents here.

[ViOli]

Thanks, Twinkle! I appreciate the info, it will really help.

[NathansMomCC]

Hi ViOli, have you guys moved there yet or made any decisions as to where to move? I'm in a similar situation as you. However, my move won't be til next spring. I'm also wondering and researching and asking about which community to live in for having a 4year old. Please share any further info that you think may be helpful. I'm a little stressed with mixed reviews about living in the desert... but the move will happen despite that and I'm trying to figure out the ins and outs of the desert area that related to kids/schools/activities etc, especially in the summertime for kids.. Hope to hear back from you!

[Twinkle Toes]

Whatever you do ... STAY OUT OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS!!!

[NathansMomCC]

Twinkle, can you give me examples of what kids do in the summertime?? being that its soooo hot, what are available in the community (La Quinta or Rancho Mirage areas) for them? I found YMCA... would love to get some ideas from you. thanks!

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by NathansMomCC

Twinkle, can you give me examples of what kids do in the summertime?? being that its soooo hot, what are available in the community (La Quinta or Rancho Mirage areas) for them? I found YMCA... would love to get some ideas from you. thanks!

Well, I don't have a lot of ideas since my kids are 25 and 16. The 25 year old works, and does the off-roading thing in his truck and sand toys. The 16 tags along with him. Other than that, the 16 hangs out in his room on the computer playing those online games with people from all over the world, or he goes to friends' houses, or the friends come over here. The boys then either do the computer stuff together, or they all jam out on their instruments. My son plays piano and guitar, he has other friends who play guitar and/or drums.

It's pretty hot here during the summer, so most kids stay indoors. It's even too hot to swim during the day with the hot sun beating down on you. We usually swim around 6 or 7 when we can be in the pool in the shade.

A lot of times the kids hang out at the mall. There used to be an ice rink inside the mall when I first moved here, but I guess it wasn't a money maker at that time. Now that there are a LOT of families and kids here, I really wish that ice rink were here. I know there are plans in the works by some world-class Olympic trainer to put another ice rink here in the valley, but not sure when that's going to materialize, or even which city it will be in. We did have one in La Quinta and they had ice hockey and stuff, but I think the owners weren't making enough money to keep it open, and it closed.

Now ... during the winter, fall, and spring, there are a lot of activities - hiking, biking, tennis, swimming, skate parks, soccer, baseball and softball, football, etc. It's just that the summers here are so brutal and most people are not used to them. Even though I'm used to them, it's even a little too hot for ME to be outside today!

In fact, my crazy husband, who goes out golfing in the heat, went out with an out-of-town friend this morning. They got through 8 holes of golf and the friend collapsed and had to be taken to the hospital. So what does my nutty husband do? He comes home, calls some other nutty friends (who also live here) and sets up an afternoon tee time! I have my cell phone handy just in case I get an emergency call telling me my husband passed out in the heat! It's never happened to him, but I just think it might happen in the future.

Oh ... also, most gyms here in the valley have programs for the kids indoors. So, if you are working out, your kids could be doing something on-site with other kids. Or you could just drop them off too.

Let's see ... there's also the Children's Discovery Museum in Rancho Mirage on Gerald Ford Drive (next to the Vons/Pavillion). They have stuff for kids, but I'm not sure if they have different activities every day, or what. Also, the libraries in the area have childrens programs.

When my youngest was little, I used to keep him occupied at home by doing things with him, but put him into after school programs, or summer programs because I had to work. He also had play dates. One thing to remember though, is to ALWAYS be present when the kids are in the pool. I know you probably don't need to be warned about this, but I read of so many drownings in our local paper, where people have left the pool unattended for only a few minutes only to return to a dead child. So ... just a reminder for everyone.

[NathansMomCC]

thanks so much for your candid glimpse into what kids' life could be like, Twinkle!

[krudawg]

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

Your search should be concentrated in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, or La Quinta. You want to stay in the Desert Sands school district. Our public schools here are very good and have high state rankings, but we also have good private schools here as well. You should have no problem finding a home in your price range in any of these cities. No, the area is not all retirees and old people. There are a lot of families and full-time residents here.

Hi Twinkle toes, my wife and I have been searching homes in mission hills country club community. Do you have any information about the area and why all the homes are land lease and not fee simple. We like the floor plans in mission hills and the prices but would like more information on the land lease issues and the community in general