Active Adult community and 50 pound dog... do they mix? (Sun City: for sale, HOA)

[Paul91]

Hi all,

My wife and I will be relocating to the east valley in a few months. We are looking at 55+ communities, and are finding that extremely few houses have a fenced back yard. We have a 50 lb Lab mix, and would like her to spend time outside without being in a leash. What to people do with their dogs in these communites? Are they always leashed? Can fences be installed? (I'm sure it varies by HOA)

Thanks for your input!

[MotleyCrew]

Trilogy/Vistancia has quite a few larger dogs living there and yes, you can fence your yard and there is a leash law in place I believe. We have a 67 lb mix right now and had a 200+ Mastiff until last week when we had to put him to sleep. No problems with either of them in Sun City.

[Paul91]

Thanks for the info, MotleyCrew. Sorry to hear about your Mastiff.

From the photos, it looks like a lot of the backyards in the east valley 55+ homes are pretty darn small. That would make it cheaper to fence in, though.

[MotleyCrew]

Originally Posted by Paul91

Thanks for the info, MotleyCrew. Sorry to hear about your Mastiff.

From the photos, it looks like a lot of the backyards in the east valley 55+ homes are pretty darn small. That would make it cheaper to fence in, though.

Thank you.

Most of the yards in the newer 55 + developments are postage stamp sized, but makes for less yard work and in Trilogy the fences are "view" fences which are wrought iron. Sun City, the III phase has some decent sized yards but quite a few go unfenced. We put a fence across the back to keep our neighbor from just walking up to the back patio door which creeped me out. Sun City is not everyone's cup of tea, especially the homes built in the 60's and 70's, but they are fun to remodel and the HOA is not that strick...so put that pink flamingo out in front, hahah. Anyway, here in AZ you have some awesome, high end/newer communities with the gorgeous landscaping and club houses and some more simple huts to choose from. Best of luck in your hunt.

[ReadyFreddy]

In the east valley, Leisure World was also built in the 60s/70s, I think. Some of the yards are decent sized. Most retirees don't want much of a yard, though.

Sun Lakes has houses with fenced yards. Those are about the only two adult communities I'm familiar with. I think the MLS has a field for fenced yard, doesn't it?

Does your dog need a big yard? My two big dogs mostly sleep. When they do decide to play chase, it's around the house.

[Paul91]

Originally Posted by ReadyFreddy

Does your dog need a big yard? My two big dogs mostly sleep. When they do decide to play chase, it's around the house.

No, she doesn't need a big yard.... just a place to call a restroom and a different area to lay in. It would be a lot easier to simply let her out back to do her business, rather than having to leash her up just to tinkle.

I'm not a big fan of the open backyards with walkways between the rows of houses. Like MotleyCrew mentioned.... it would freak me out if the neighbors walked up to my backdoor.

[ReadyFreddy]

Oh, I'm no fan of unfenced back yards, either. I'm always shocked how few yards are fenced back east.

[MarianR]

Trying to think... I don't think fences are allowed in Leisure World. And there is a limit on how high your wall can be, but there are houses with a backyard that could contain a dog. Lots of folks hop in their golf cart to take the dog to grass.

[ReadyFreddy]

My father had two homes in Leisure World, both with enclosed yards, I think. I'm certain the second one did. It had a view fence to a golf course but was entirely enclosed and had a pool.

[Paul91]

Thanks for the info, MarianR and ReadyFreddy!

In my MLS search, it seems to be hit or miss on whether or not a particular house for sale has an enclosed backyard or not. (I don't see a search choice for enclosed/fenced yard) We expect to be house hunting in June, so we'll have to wait and see what's available at the time.

At least the 55+ community houses in our price range aren't selling like hotcakes, like the 'family' houses are.