Desert Ridge? Phoenix v. Scottsdale? (Paradise Valley: homes, school district, subdivision)

[lookingforparadise]

Okay, I'm looking for a Master Planned Community for my family of 5 (three young kids). Basically, it doesn't have to be fancy, I simply want a home within what we called back home a "subdivision" which is anchored by a swim/ tennis club. That's apparently not the norm out west. Anyhow, we can spend up to 800K, but my husband is really hesitant to spend that in an area (Phoenix area) that doesn't have a really good underlying industry to support that kind of money being spent on a home (i.e., we don't want to end up holding the bag on a severly depreciating asset).

Here's what we want: "subdivision" with swim club/ community activities, lots of families, about 3000 sf, 4/2 +den, a home that does not need a lot of work (newer, or possibly remodeled/ updated), good schools. Also, we want to stay in the North/ NorthEast Valley for work purposes. Is it realistic to think we could get this for under 600K? I'm thinking Desert Ridge, because it's about the only MPC in Phoenix. I couldn't care less about the "scottsdale" address, I'm a down to earth person, but I also would be fine living in Scottsdale and think it gets a bad rap from malcontents.

Any advice? I'm completely open to suggestions. Thanks!

[aguafria]

Hello,
My mom lives in Desert Ridge and really likes the area. And I do too. It's Paradise Valley School District, Phoenix taxes, and you are SO close to the 101. There is more traffic there b/c of all of the shopping and they are building another mall that way (City North?) or something like that.

I don't see that area losing it's value. I think b/c gas prices are going up so much, a lot of people will want to live close to the freeway and close to work. It's a really nice area!

I just did a quick search on realtor.com and there are several homes that are 4b 2b for under 600k. But I'm not sure about the square footage. If you click on the links it will tell you. The zip code is 85054.