Almost retiring to palm springs area (La Quinta, Rancho Mirage: HOA, condos, homes)

[idwards]

If you were the next generation of fiftyihs folks considering a second home in the Palm Springs area, where would you pick?

Requirements include safety, nice neighbors, access to shopping and restaurants.

Is gated necessary if you are not there year round?

[kirby10]

IMO I would want to be in a gated community...and I would choose Rancho Mirage...if you don't mind
more wind than some of the protected areas ( especially in the spring) Versaille is "relatively friendly'
area and the homes are very reasonably priced for age/square footage,etc. I say relatively friendly
because after living in the greater desert cities area for years you will find it less friendly because it is so transient....and people are grumpy when it hits 105+ and thats for about 4 solid months. No one walks except when it's "cooler"....you see so few people out in the neighborhoods....primarily because everyone has a gardener, so it's "into the garage and down with the door". Versaille is very
convenient and central to the valley. The Hoa dues are "affordable". We sold our home to an L.A. couple in their 50's. I would purchase soon...rates will never be lower

[Twinkle Toes]

Ummm ....... I'm sure rates WILL probably be lower. They've been dropping like dead flies. I don't see that changing anytime in the near future, unfortunately. I want the prices to go back up so I can move out of the desert, but I'm not going to take a bloodbath on my house.

[kirby10]

"Will" and "probably" shouldn't be used in the same sentence. I'm sorry about your bloodbath, "shift
happens".

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by kirby10

"Will" and "probably" shouldn't be used in the same sentence. I'm sorry about your bloodbath, "shift
happens".

I beg to differ.

[LucyI'mHome]

A definite maybe, indeed!

[Desertmiss]

Keep in mind that the closer you are to the mountains the less wind. Anything out by the 10 freeway is windy.

[Samoi137]

Is a gated community a necessity? Of course not, as you probably know. Is it a benefit? Some feel it is. Certainly no absolute guarantee of safety. Just one factor among others to consider. We're considering a second home (eventuaal retirement home) and my wife prefers gated communities since we could be gone for long periods of time, but it is somewhat of a subjective factor. If you find some homes you like, within your budget (incuding the HOA dues), you can then look at pros and cons, with the presence of a gated community perhaps being one factor to consider. Of course, gated communities can vary widely in amenities, costs, etc. If you're thinking of single family homes, vs. condos, you may still be responsible for all outside maintenance, or just the front yard, or some variation of this. So if you're gone you MAY sill have to have the lawn mowed, mail picked up, etc.

[shoegoddess]

La Quinta is very nice. And a gated community does not always equate safety.

[Twinkle Toes]

Nope - the guard gated Bermuda Dunes Country Club had an armed home invasion robbery last week. Neighbors interviewed on local news said there have been several in there. So, if somebody wants in, they're gonna get in - guards, gates - doesn't matter. The perps will just hop a wall into someone's back yard and then they have access to all the homes in the community. Never take your personal safety for granted. Always keep your doors and windows locked and if you are so inclined, keep your "gat" or your "9" at the ready at all times.