Why are Arcadia and Arcadia Lite so popular? (Phoenix, Paradise Valley: section 8, apartment complex)

[Alandros]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Not Arcadia Proper. One of the reasons it's desirable is the homes are custom built & of high quality, despite being older. It's rare to find a property in Arcadia valued at under $1 million. I pulled up Google maps of a random street in Arcadia. Feel free to take a look at the homes in this neighborhood. None of them could be described as "cookie cutter".

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5059...7i16384!8i8192

Plenty of expensive custom homes are quite uninspired and pretty cookie cutter. Plenty of old homes are cookie cutter, just old cookie cutter. About 80% of the homes in that link are fairly cookie cutter IMHO. A couple that stand out as more unique. Most I wouldn't personally ever choose since they aren't my cup o tea. Desirability doesn't mean everyone likes them and plenty of desirable homes are relatively cookie cutter.

When I heard people keep saying Arcadia homes are very much not cookie cutter, yet I see street views like that... I really am surprised. Certainly not the most cookie cutter I've ever seen, by a long shot, but far from the most unique homes either (again with a couple exception).

People have different tastes though and most of those homes are pretty similar looking and that specific look might appeal to people. The more unique minority stand out to me personally, though again Arcadia isn't my preference.

[Alandros]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I don’t care if you agree or disagree with me. I’m not arguing an opinion. They’re custom homes and by definition, are not cookie cutter.

I listed two streets above. Arcadia isn’t a particularly large area.

Being custom homes isn't mutually exclusive with being cookie cutter. Different terms. Again plenty of custom homes are cookie cutter, if to a lesser degree than most non-custom homes. I disagree and I can do it without insulting you.

[DetroitN8V]

Yeah, I can see how large green lots with front row mountain view seats, central location, quality, unique construction, great restaurants, access to hiking, biking, golf and more would be not everyone’s cup of tea. Lol

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by Alandros

Being custom homes isn't mutually exclusive with being cookie cutter. Different terms. Again plenty of custom homes are cookie cutter, if to a lesser degree than most non-custom homes. I disagree and I can do it without insulting you.

Perhaps looking up the definition of ‘custom’ will clear this up.

[Alandros]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Perhaps looking up the definition of ‘custom’ will clear this up.

I would suggest "cookie cutter". Which doesn't include "non custom" in those two words. Many "custom" houses aren't very custom, often they use "cookie cutter" specs, sometimes even more "cookie cutter" than some higher end tract homes often implied as "cookie cutter." There are plenty of custom home builders that sell spec homes as well, that are technically custom for example (this isn't anything new either).

Maybe you disagree, that's fine, but my opinion is mine and looking at those houses only solidifies my opinion, again with exceptions, though most are highly similar and hence "cookie cutter".

[Alandros]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Yeah, I can see how large green lots with front row mountain view seats, central location, quality, unique construction, great restaurants, access to hiking, biking, golf and more would be not everyone’s cup of tea. Lol

Sarcasm instead of genuine discussion. I won't succumb to that.

There are plenty of high end neighbhoods with amenities. You could make that argument about countless places, or even other cities or States. I never said it wasn't nice, desirable. in fact I quite literally said

Arcadia has a lot going for it and I get why it's so desirable.

There are plenty of places with moutain views, custom homes (plenty that are far more unique IMHO), green yards, biking golfing etc. In fact most of what you said could be applied to most custom home (and plenty of non custom home) communities being built or having been built in the valley.

Again, to each their own. Not sure why it bothers you so much that it's not my preference. I'm sure there are plenty of things I like that you would understand why but wouldn't personally choose.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by Alandros

I would suggest "cookie cutter". Which doesn't include "non custom" in those two words. Many "custom" houses aren't very custom, often they use "cookie cutter" specs, sometimes even more "cookie cutter" than some higher end tract homes often implied as "cookie cutter." There are plenty of custom home builders that sell spec homes as well, that are technically custom for example (this isn't anything new either).

Maybe you disagree, that's fine, but my opinion is mine and looking at those houses only solidifies my opinion, again with exceptions, though most are highly similar and hence "cookie cutter".

Custom is custom. One-off, bespoke. The literal opposite of cookie-cutter. That’s what’s being referred to. Not whatever sort of watered down custom definition you’re attempting to use to bolster your incorrect argument. We’re talking about actual custom homes, like those found throughout Arcadia. Those by definition are not cookie-cutter houses.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by Alandros

Sarcasm instead of genuine discussion. I won't succumb to that.

There are plenty of high end neighbhoods with amenities. You could make that argument about countless places, or even other cities or States. I never said it wasn't nice, desirable. in fact I quite literally said



There are plenty of places with moutain views, custom homes (plenty that are far more unique IMHO), green yards, biking golfing etc. In fact most of what you said could be applied to most custom home (and plenty of non custom home) communities being built or having been built in the valley.

Again, to each their own. Not sure why it bothers you so much that it's not my preference. I'm sure there are plenty of things I like that you would understand why but wouldn't personally choose.

I’m not bothered by your preferences. I’m correcting some of the incorrect assumptions you’ve used to get there. Go for a drive down Exeter and up Arcadia Dr. It sounds like you haven’t really been through there. There’s good reason why you can’t buy dirt for less than seven figures.

[Alandros]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I’m not bothered by your preferences. I’m correcting some of the incorrect assumptions you’ve used to get there. Go for a drive down Exeter and up Arcadia Dr. It sounds like you haven’t really been through there. There’s good reason why you can’t but dirt for less than seven figures.

No you are disagreeing with him but trying to invalidate my opinion for some reason instead of just saying you think I'm wrong and disagree.

Plenty of cookie cutter homes sell for that so price isn't proof of how cookie cutter something is or isn't.

So to illustrate my example in that link Valley Native posted here are some of the homes quite close to that exact spot

These two houses are quite similar in my opinion




Also these two






Nothing wrong with these homes, just relatively skin deep differences IMHO.

For example here is a tract home from Troll Brothers. This is the same exact model but different elevations





Those I find at least as different if not more. Front yards can be configured a variety of ways as well.

Here's a different model in the same community as well



In this one community there can be 6 different models with 3-5 different elevations per that can be quite distinct... On top of that I believe you can choose different colors as well, etc.

This is a "cookie cutter" builder and community that I personally find less cookie cutter than a lot of custom homes in those communities.

Again there are exceptions and I'm sure Arcadia has clusters of more unique homes too... but everything is relative to other things and even the example I showed is far from the only one or probably even the most unique variety of "cookie cutter" homes.

So I repeat I partially but don't fully agree with the sentiment about Arcadia and I keep all qualifications I included originally, that I can understand why it's appealing, that I'm sure there are clusters of more unique homes, etc etc. These are reasons I personally am not that impressed with the community, much like I can appreciate certain makes of cars, say a Porsche, but really prefer something else like a Mercedes or a Jaguar.

You are welcome to disagree.

[scully2010]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Not Arcadia Proper. One of the reasons it's desirable is the homes are custom built & of high quality, despite being older. It's rare to find a property in Arcadia valued at under $1 million. I pulled up Google maps of a random street in Arcadia. Feel free to take a look at the homes in this neighborhood. None of them could be described as "cookie cutter".

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.5059...7i16384!8i8192

Beautiful street!!! I loved this house in particular. Went to Zillow It's $2 million plus. I clearly have champagne tastes on an imported beer budget: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4.../7836440_zpid/