Western Skies Estates, Val Vista, or The Islands...or elsewhere in Gilbert, AZ (Chandler: transplants)

[Colkins1999]

Hello,

Thanks in advance for reading and responding to my thread. My husband and I are transplants from Ohio. We have been here almost a year now and through the much dreaded summer...but have loved every minute of the dry heat We are in our mid 30's without kids and have lived downtown in a rental for 6 months in the Coronado Historic District and now rented in Gilbert for 6 months in El Dorado Lakes. We are looking to buy in the Western Skies Estates, Val Vista Lakes, the Islands or elsewhere. Any info would be helpful, our range is up to $350k. Info on these community amenities would great to know, including if there is a gym. We are also looking at 80s-2000s subdivisions with little larger yards, space between homes, and private pools. We prefer a bedroom community to live in, we go into the City 1-3 times a week to meet up with friends and are fine with a drive less than 45 minutes. Husband works from home in IT so commute is not currently an issue for either of us but we prefer to be above the 202 or very close below it. We have two dogs and walking in a nice, safe, and larger neighborhood for walking variety is important for us. Golf is not important to us ironically. Looking for a 3 car garage and private pool. Don't mind having to do decoration updates or remodeling in a house with good bones, even kitchen and baths, but no money pits and shoddy construction!

We prefer Gilbert to urban living as we lived in downtown Cincinnati for over 10 years and are ready for the burbs. Safety, a well built home, and resale value are priorities for us, we took a bit of a bath on our home in Cincinnati that was in a "transitional' area before the recession. Good school district, accrues value...we know this is not guaranteed but some places are more likely to hold value.

We looked at Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Moon Valley, Tempe, Gilbert, and Chandler but it looks like you can get more for your money in Chandler and Gilbert with newer amenities. We like Arcadia and Moon Valley but can't afford what we want there. Prefer a ranch but it seems more ranches are in Chandler without 3 car garages and vice versa for Gilbert. Hubby really wants that 3 car garage, and we've set up life here, so we settled on Gilbert pretty much. However, we'd prefer not to live in El Dorado Lakes due to builder home quality, no offense.

No place near industrial or the flight path to the airport or Blackhawk traffic would also be ideal. I don't like Power Ranch or Cooley Station and Seville is too far for us. Sun Lakes in Chandler is WAY too far.

We are educated Protestant moderate-liberals and yes, shockingly are still ok with Gilbert. Thanks for the insight

[AZgarden]

How about contacting a realtor? By the way, Sun Lakes is a retirement community. Mid 30s can't live there. I think the best thing is to get a knowledgeable realtor and let them guide you.