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There are a ton in Florida despite the perception the bulk of the building boom here occurred in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Cities like Tampa, Clearwater, Sarasota, Winter Park and Fort Myers have some good selections that fit the OP's criteria.
Aren't the Palm Springs MCMs all very expensive? Phoenix has somewhat affordable MCMs, around 400k-700k. But they are in some of the most central parts of towns, around even more expensive homes.
Aren't the Palm Springs MCMs all very expensive? Phoenix has somewhat affordable MCMs, around 400k-700k. But they are in some of the most central parts of towns, around even more expensive homes.
Yes, but only in certain neighborhoods known for their celebrity (past) presence. Many mid-century Hollywood stars had homes, some as vacation homes, in some of these neighborhoods. Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Liberace all had homes in Palm Springs at one time. There are other mid-century neighborhoods that are still reasonably priced in Palm Springs. Lucille Ball and Bob Hope had homes down valley outside of PS. There are countless others.
Yes, but only in certain neighborhoods known for their celebrity (past) presence. Many mid-century Hollywood stars had homes, some as vacation homes, in some of these neighborhoods. Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Liberace all had homes in Palm Springs at one time. There are other mid-century neighborhoods that are still reasonably priced in Palm Springs.
I love mid-century moderns. Always wanted to own one one day.
Though I try to remember that reasonably priced is a much different price in California than elsewhere, even in the inland areas. "Reasonable" needs a clearer definition.
Phoenix has many, many mid-centuries but they aren't always modern, that's the trade-off. Phoenix mostly has 50-70s ranch homes OP also mentioned, mixed in with the MCMs. The mid-century ranches are everywhere. Most MCMs were designed by two architects, Ralph Haver and Al Beadle, though there is also Frank Lloyd Wright and a few others that designed a few.
Ralph Haver designed most of the MCM single-family homes, whereas Al Beadle mainly focused on condos and town homes. One of Beadle's most well-known works are the Beadle Boxes, they are some really cool lofts in the Camelback East neighborhood.
MCM Enclaves in Phoenix by Ralph Haver:
- Starlite Vista
- Marlen Grove
- Mayfair Manor
- Northwood Homes
- Town & Country Manor
- Town & Country Paradise
- Town & Country Scottsdale (also commonly known as 72nd & Oak)
- Windermere
MCM Enclaves in Phoenix by Al Beadle:
- Bridgewood North
- Camelback Place
- Executive Towers
- Paradise Gardens
- The Boardwalk
- Three Fountains
Here is the cheapest MCM I can find here in Phoenix, a 2 bedroom at $264k, very white but in good condition albeit smaller. You can get them more reasonably if they aren't attached to famous architects, which most are not. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3.../7819220_zpid/
Last edited by Prickly Pear; 04-08-2017 at 11:45 PM..
A good question about Palm Springs. Up until recently, Palm Springs was very affordable either with single family, condos, or apartments. The end of the recession has brought prices back up.
Define affordable in California? Well, it was certainly more affordable than the rest of Riverside County to the west, and greatly more affordable than LA County. I actively scouted condos in late 2014 in PS and found some decent 1-BR condos in good condition at 120K or less. Try that today, no such luck. And even then, you couldn't find anything similar in Riverside Co. to the west under 200K. Single family homes have also increased in the past two years. Thinking back, I should have bought in PS, but hindsight is of course 20/20.
A good question about Palm Springs. Up until recently, Palm Springs was very affordable either with single family, condos, or apartments. The end of the recession has brought prices back up.
Define affordable in California? Well, it was certainly more affordable than the rest of Riverside County to the west, and greatly more affordable than LA County. I actively scouted condos in late 2014 in PS and found some decent 1-BR condos in good condition at 120K or less. Try that today, no such luck. And even then, you couldn't find anything similar in Riverside Co. to the west under 200K. Single family homes have also increased in the past two years. Thinking back, I should have bought in PS, but hindsight is of course 20/20.
See and it's really easy to buy under 200k here in Phoenix. I mean it won't be a MCM but it may be a small mid-century ranch (again, they're everywhere) and not in the best area of town but it's no southside Chicago. Average home prices right now are around 250-300k here in Phoenix.
I expected Palm Springs to be a bit more affordable than LA but then again the Californian desert is arguably the least desirable area out of that entire state. Palm Springs doesn't have the jobs or affordability as Phoenix at the end of the day. I also would never live in California for a million of reasons, though California has it's positives.
It sounds like in PS you couldn't get a SFH until at least 500k, or am I wrong?
Here is a 2 bedroom Ralph Haver mid-century modern condo in the Town & Country Manor community, built right next to the Biltmore, a popular area for high-end shopping and jobs, priced at $175k and in fairly good condition. Seems like a nice place if you ask me: 5226 N 20th St Unit B6, Phoenix, AZ 85016 - realtor.com®
It's just baffling sometimes how much more expensive California is, as a whole.
See and it's really easy to buy under 200k here in Phoenix. I mean it won't be a MCM but it may be a small mid-century ranch (again, they're everywhere) and not in the best area of town but it's no southside Chicago. Average home prices right now are around 250-300k here in Phoenix.
I expected Palm Springs to be a bit more affordable than LA but then again the Californian desert is arguably the least desirable area out of that entire state. Palm Springs doesn't have the jobs or affordability as Phoenix at the end of the day. I also would never live in California for a million of reasons, though California has it's positives.
It sounds like in PS you couldn't get a SFH until at least 500k, or am I wrong?
Here is a 2 bedroom Ralph Haver mid-century modern condo in the Town & Country Manor community, built right next to the Biltmore, a popular area for high-end shopping and jobs, priced at $175k and in fairly good condition. Seems like a nice place if you ask me: 5226 N 20th St Unit B6, Phoenix, AZ 85016 - realtor.com®
It's just baffling sometimes how much more expensive California is, as a whole.
Agreed for the most part. But PS is not the least desirable area in the entire state. The weather is markedly better during the winter, and even in early summer where CA coastal areas suffer from marine morning cloudiness. "The June Gloom" as the weathercasters love to say. Yes, too hot in the summer, but again, many celebs spent their winters here, not their summers.
PS is not a big job center, for sure. However, the gay culture seems to be strong there, and loves the area and that creates many tourist/hospitality/restaurant opportunities. Not sure if that is a longterm answer, but for now it seems to be working.
Agreed for the most part. But PS is not the least desirable area in the entire state. The weather is markedly better during the winter, and even in early summer where CA coastal areas suffer from marine morning cloudiness. "The June Gloom" as the weathercasters love to say. Yes, too hot in the summer, but again, many celebs spent their winters here, not their summers.
PS is not a big job center, for sure. However, the gay culture seems to be strong there, and loves the area and that creates many tourist/hospitality/restaurant opportunities. Not sure if that is a longterm answer, but for now it seems to be working.
Maybe the Central Valley is less desirable. Though the desert falls towards the end on the options in California. California desert has taller mountains which is a pro, but isn't nearly as lush. Weather between the two is practically the same with negligible differences.
Cloudy weather is nice sometimes lol but not always!
There is certainly a divide in the valley. You start with Palm Springs, which has become a very middle class gay-mecca, but still with a significant family population, and some still very small, but upscale neighborhoods. Moving east, you run into Cathedral City, then Palm Desert, and eventually Indio. As you move into Palm Desert the more upscale it becomes, but then into Indio is a different world. The whole valley is a story of three different populations. PS is middle class, gay, and still the center of the valley. Palm Desert is upper middle class to outright wealthy, and then Indio is lower middle class to downright poor. An interesting population diversity in the Coachella Valley.
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lol but not always!
