Moving to Goodyear, which community (Phoenix: scorpion, to live, termites)

[vesquer]

I have lived in Goodyear for 7 years now. I love the area and think it is only getting better. Here are some things to consider. Canyon Trails has a tremendous amount of renters and investment (vacant) properties. Estrella Mountain Ranch is beautiful, but its a community that you either love or hate, there is no in between. From the Interstate it takes about 10-15 minutes and there arent' many ways in or out so traffic gets congested in the morning and evening. Beautiful views, nice ammenities with the clubhouse. Too far from shopping in my opinion. You have to drive all the way to the interstate to reach walmart. Palm Valley in my opinion is the best of the three spots. New Westcor mall, lots of new shopping and restaurants. For the most part the homes are very nice and there aren't a lot of starter type or homes that are priced ideally for a bunch of investors. There are some good deals to be had from the builders, however, where the new phase of palm valley is, the noise level from the Jets seems to carry a little more, there aren't any homes, just fields between the airfield and this phase of palm valley. On the resell market you will also find some great deals.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by vesquer

I have lived in Goodyear for 7 years now. I love the area and think it is only getting better. Here are some things to consider. Canyon Trails has a tremendous amount of renters and investment (vacant) properties. Estrella Mountain Ranch is beautiful, but its a community that you either love or hate, there is no in between. From the Interstate it takes about 10-15 minutes and there arent' many ways in or out so traffic gets congested in the morning and evening. Beautiful views, nice ammenities with the clubhouse. Too far from shopping in my opinion. You have to drive all the way to the interstate to reach walmart. Palm Valley in my opinion is the best of the three spots. New Westcor mall, lots of new shopping and restaurants. For the most part the homes are very nice and there aren't a lot of starter type or homes that are priced ideally for a bunch of investors. There are some good deals to be had from the builders, however, where the new phase of palm valley is, the noise level from the Jets seems to carry a little more, there aren't any homes, just fields between the airfield and this phase of palm valley. On the resell market you will also find some great deals.

There is noise from the jets at Luke. It doesn't bother us as hubby is a pilot and we've lived literally ON an airfield in Korea. I can see how it might deter others. Fortunately, Luke seems to do the majority of their training during daytime hours Mon-Fri, which is unlike some other military places we've lived. Also, it is quiet as can be on holidays. If noise is a concern for the original poster, that might eliminate this area. I forgot to mention it, because it isn't an issue for us

[Finger Laker]

if you have kids I'd look at Palm Valley right now. It's in the Litchfield Elementary School district, which is one of the best in the state.

However, some of this may change if the district consolidations go through.

Estrella Mountain Ranch is really nice, but I drive from Goodyear into Phoenix everyday and I think the extra 15-20 minutes of morning traffic would push me over the edge.

Canyon Trails is nice as well. However, if I were moving to Goodyear I'd look closer to Yuma/Estrella.

There are a few developments going up in this area. It is real close to where they are putting the spring training stadium and shops, easy access to the I-10 and the shoping centers around it. The westcor mall would be about 5 minutes away and they are going to develop a shopping center and yuma and cotton ln shortly.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by military spouse

There is noise from the jets at Luke. It doesn't bother us as hubby is a pilot and we've lived literally ON an airfield in Korea. I can see how it might deter others. Fortunately, Luke seems to do the majority of their training during daytime hours Mon-Fri, which is unlike some other military places we've lived. Also, it is quiet as can be on holidays. If noise is a concern for the original poster, that might eliminate this area. I forgot to mention it, because it isn't an issue for us

We get the Luke jet noise from time to time in Estrella too. They are are a lot higher altitude than in the "valley" but those things are still LOUD. We also get annoying private pilots circling I guess taking in the golf course and lake views from above and the occasional 747 taking off from Goodyear airport.

On the other post, I can live with WalMart being 15 minutes away. But it gets very old havng to go down the hill for every little thing. Next year we are supposed to get a Basha's, some restaurants, hardware, daycare etc so life may begin to approach the promise this place has always held. For me it means I can walk to the lake to fish, walk to the waterpark to swim, and now, walk to the store along the lakeshore to get food and nails. But, I would be happy with pizza delivery. You'd be amazed how many people out here are against ANY commercial whatsoever. I can see the point to some extent. There is nothing like the remoteness and community feel of Estrella anywhere else in the Phoenix metro that I know of. It's like early Ahwatukee was.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

We get the Luke jet noise from time to time in Estrella too. They are are a lot higher altitude than in the "valley" but those things are still LOUD. We also get annoying private pilots circling I guess taking in the golf course and lake views from above and the occasional 747 taking off from Goodyear airport.

On the other post, I can live with WalMart being 15 minutes away. But it gets very old havng to go down the hill for every little thing. Next year we are supposed to get a Basha's, some restaurants, hardware, daycare etc so life may begin to approach the promise this place has always held. For me it means I can walk to the lake to fish, walk to the waterpark to swim, and now, walk to the store along the lakeshore to get food and nails. But, I would be happy with pizza delivery. You'd be amazed how many people out here are against ANY commercial whatsoever. I can see the point to some extent. There is nothing like the remoteness and community feel of Estrella anywhere else in the Phoenix metro that I know of. It's like early Ahwatukee was.

The jets practically take off in our backyard

[foma]

there's new construction in palm valley? where?

i like pv b'c it's close to the hwy but not too close.

estrella mountain ranch is also nice but i think it's a little too far from the hwy, at least for me it is

[Finger Laker]

all along indian school road from pebble creek to litchfield rd

[scarlettmose]

EMR (estrella mountain ranch) is beautiful, but i know several people that live up there and would love to get out. they say it is too isolated - takes 20 min just to get down "the hill" and another 15 min to a grocery store and shopping. There is a 'grocery store" up there ... it is really a convience store/gas station/pizza shop. The hoa fees go up quite a bit every year. Everyone says it is most inconvienent living up there and that a lot of the people are "clickie" as if they were still in high school. Lots of gossip .. but if you are into gossip, this is the place to be. School system is great though ... which is hard to say for most of the valley. Despite the beauty and school system, they still wish to leave to live down with the rest of the world in Palm Valley area. Oh yes, there is a pretty good termite problem in many of the homes up there too.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by scarlettmose

EMR (estrella mountain ranch) is beautiful, but i know several people that live up there and would love to get out. they say it is too isolated - takes 20 min just to get down "the hill" and another 15 min to a grocery store and shopping. There is a 'grocery store" up there ... it is really a convience store/gas station/pizza shop. The hoa fees go up quite a bit every year. Everyone says it is most inconvienent living up there and that a lot of the people are "clickie" as if they were still in high school. Lots of gossip .. but if you are into gossip, this is the place to be. School system is great though ... which is hard to say for most of the valley. Despite the beauty and school system, they still wish to leave to live down with the rest of the world in Palm Valley area. Oh yes, there is a pretty good termite problem in many of the homes up there too.

I guess you don't like EMR. It is not convenient except to the parks, lakes and golf, but it does not take 35 minutes to get to the freeway. It takes me 14 minutes to get to Safeway, 15 to Walmart and 15.5 to get to I-10. I know. I do it every day of my life. It's the distance, not the time that gets to you. I'm on the lake and if you came from the nether regions in the south part it might be another five minutes. If I were to leave Estrella (it's back to the original name) I would not go to Palm Valley. It is too much like every other development here - out in the middle of a former cotton field with no/distant views surrounded by six-lane streets, traffic lights, shopping malls and PEOPLE. I'd pick Vistancia or Anthem, if I didn't have to drive to town too often. To each his own.

I also agree with you that people here are snobby. Some of them border on obnoxious. There is a real attitude that we are not part of Phoenix or even the rest of Goodyear and even a hint of "we are better than them". It's kind of "north Scottsdale" mentality.

[scourt]

thank you for all your input. It is really appreciated. Now I did read a thread about a Termite problem in Estrella? Any one else heard of this? Also is there a scorpion problem? I was told there is
Thanks to all
Sandy