Florence/Queen Creek/Maricopa

[Xcali]

We are retired and currently reside in Johnson Ranch... If we could sell, we'd move to Anthem (Sun City portion) in a heartbeat! They just opened a beautiful new Safeway store at the entrance to Anthem and there'll be more convienient retail to come...
We like Johnson Ranch in general, and our house is okay, but most of the homes are young working couples. 75-80% are gone all day due to long commutes. There are still lots of empty homes and now some foreclosures which will become an issue for the HOA, I'm sure.
Kids do cause issues at the pools, and some folks aren't very considerate about controlling their little darlings.
Its hard to meet other retirees. There isn't any clubhouse/meeting place, so any organized clubs and so on must be held in private homes.
At Anthem the homes seem to be owner-occupied and all look nicely maintained.

[gregandvicky]

Originally Posted by Xcali

We are retired and currently reside in Johnson Ranch... If we could sell, we'd move to Anthem (Sun City portion) in a heartbeat! They just opened a beautiful new Safeway store at the entrance to Anthem and there'll be more convienient retail to come...
We like Johnson Ranch in general, and our house is okay, but most of the homes are young working couples. 75-80% are gone all day due to long commutes. There are still lots of empty homes and now some foreclosures which will become an issue for the HOA, I'm sure.
Kids do cause issues at the pools, and some folks aren't very considerate about controlling their little darlings.
Its hard to meet other retirees. There isn't any clubhouse/meeting place, so any organized clubs and so on must be held in private homes.
At Anthem the homes seem to be owner-occupied and all look nicely maintained.

These are the exact reasons we are looking at the Anthem development in Florence. We are retired, the community center is a plus. Sun City is an option but more expensive so Anthem Merrill Ranch seems best for us.

[Xcali]

Greg and vicky:

Another thing-- there is a MAJOR shopping complex under construction right at Queen Creek (town of Queen Creek) about 7 miles from Johnson Ranch- so would be about 13-14 miles from Anthem... They are to open in the spring 2008. There will be a Super Walmart, Target, Petsmart or Petco, Lowes, Kohl's, Ihop, Macayo's (mexican restaurant) and much more...
Along the Ironwood/Gantzel road, which is currently being vastly improved, they will build a new Banner medical campus and a Fry's Marketplace among other things. These things will improve the whole area, and will ultimately increase property values, IMHO.

[Master Shake]

Aren't there at least two major prisons in Florence? For me personally, that would be a definate draw back. Also, what is the infrastructure like in Florance? I do believe it is where most of the Pinal County offices are, but what else is there -- other than new houses?

Queen Creek is very spread out, so depending on if you live in the Maricopa County portion or the Pinal County portion can add 10-15 miles to the commute into Chandler (with or without traffic). The Pinal County portion is very new and has limited commercial/shopping.

Maricopa is also more than 15 miles from Chandler and more than 20 miles from Casa Grande. There is a Harrah's casino less than 5 miles south of Maricopa, and two other casino's about 10 miles north of Maricopa -- if that is important to you. Just like in the Pinal County portion of Queen Creek, everything is new (less than 5 years old), but there is not much selection. However, they are currently building a WalMart.

Casa Grande would probably be the best bet of the (newer) areas south of Phoenix/Chandler. It is the most developed and has the largest amount of commercial/shopping areas, as well as a few "big box" stores and also a mall. Plus, it is directly connected to the 10 Fwy.

[Artliquide]

Originally Posted by Master Shake

Aren't there at least two major prisons in Florence? For me personally, that would be a definate draw back.

The state prison is there.

[UKFSChick]

Hi Greg and Vicky

I noticed you mention being close to Casa Grande as a reason to choose Florence, but you do not have Casa Grande down on your shortlisted place to actually live. Apologies in advance if your shortlist is set in stone and you are definitely not considering other options - I would advise that if affordability is a consideration, Casa Grande is incredibly reasonable and in some communities becoming even more so thanks to huge builder discounts. There are many, many builders here and most of them have too much inventory on their hands. For example, there are 1900 sq ft homes in lovely communities here recently going for $145k, and some builders are still offering up to $100k off all their specs, with 1600 sq ft golf community homes close to town going for $119k in the last 2 months. I suppose my point is that there are great deals here if you know where to look - and price should not necessarily be an inhibitor in choosing Casa Grande. The best deals are not listed on websites, but they are out there.

If you would like any more info drop me a private message, I would be happy to help. I have lived in Casa Grande for the last 4 years (I am from London, England, so it's quite a change!) and I think this is a great place to live, especially with the Historic Downtown redevelopment, and the new Mall opening in the next couple of months.

Good luck with your house hunt

Emma

[abmiku]

Originally Posted by ibarrio

I just saying that if they wanted to go to the west valley they do not have to take I-10. There is a Casino out that way as well (51st Ave).

I looked it up. It is Riggs rd...that turns into Beltline...that turns into 51st Ave....and puts you in Laveen/West Valley.

Maricopa is close to Ahwatukee and Chandler. Queen Creek is close to Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler.

My suggestions for Retirees would actually be Sun City Grand or Sun City West. But from where they are looking I would still take Maricopa.

Maricopa is not close to anything...I would move to Queen Creek as long as it was really queen creek and not Johnson Ranch.

[Woody7]

Originally Posted by Master Shake

Aren't there at least two major prisons in Florence? For me personally, that would be a definate draw back. Also, what is the infrastructure like in Florance? I do believe it is where most of the Pinal County offices are, but what else is there -- other than new houses?

Queen Creek is very spread out, so depending on if you live in the Maricopa County portion or the Pinal County portion can add 10-15 miles to the commute into Chandler (with or without traffic). The Pinal County portion is very new and has limited commercial/shopping.

Maricopa is also more than 15 miles from Chandler and more than 20 miles from Casa Grande. There is a Harrah's casino less than 5 miles south of Maricopa, and two other casino's about 10 miles north of Maricopa -- if that is important to you. Just like in the Pinal County portion of Queen Creek, everything is new (less than 5 years old), but there is not much selection. However, they are currently building a WalMart.

Casa Grande would probably be the best bet of the (newer) areas south of Phoenix/Chandler. It is the most developed and has the largest amount of commercial/shopping areas, as well as a few "big box" stores and also a mall. Plus, it is directly connected to the 10 Fwy.

Anthem is in the city limits , but miles of open desert are between the the old town of Florance with the prisons . Anthem is its own little village.

[starchief5]

Forget about any negative descriptions of the city of Florence and the prisons there if you are considering living in Anthem. Anthem is a good 8-10 miles from the city of Florence and any prisons. If you live in Anthem, you will likely not go into Florence very often if at all (and any of Florence's problems are not likely to reach out to you).

I retired and moved into Anthem and I'm glad I did. I told my wife that, with all the amenities, it's like living at a resort. If you are RETIRED and thinking of moving to the Phoenix area, I highly recommend you come and take a look. There are some incredible bargains to be had in housing here.

On the other hand, if you have any kind of daily lengthy commute, I would definitely recommend a place that is closer. I think a long commute from Anthem would probably wear you down over time and cause you to not like the place.