Ideal second home in Arizona? (Phoenix, Mesa: for sale, mobile home, buy)

[Francine(minnesota)]

Hello - My husband and I are from Minnesota and we are looking for an Arizona second home in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. This home would only be used during the winter months when we are supposed to be hibernating up here - 10 below to 30 degrees gets old. Anyway, we would definitely like to avoid the mad city lifestyle and would love to settle for a nice place with beautiful mountain views and space - 1 acre + to boot. Also, descent dining and shopping near by. Remember, we will not have to worry about commuting into Phoenix. Just want to enjoy the beautiful view and weather - but not too remote. We are 40 years old, so a retirement community is not of interest at this time. Is Queen Creek a good option? I noticed that they have homes for sale with the acreage in our range. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance?

[Boatdrinks]

I wouldn't suggest Queen Creek if you want beautiful mountain views, unless you want distant mountain views. Queen Creek is in the valley so you'll have to squint and look around all the houses to see the mountains. Also, there's not much to do in Queen Creek - you'd have to go to Gilbert or Mesa for the nearest restaurants and shopping. Not a huge drive, but something to consider.

Personally, I'd love to have a second home in a place like Flagstaff or Prescott. Flagstaff is gorgeous, right in the mountains so views are great, and there's also a decent selection of restaurants and shopping. Your price range may be tough if you need an acre and mountain views. But if you're willing to be flexible on lot size and maybe have some flexibility on price, it may work for you.

Also, other areas to consider are Verrado or Estrella Mountain Ranch. You won't get an acre by any means - those are planned communities. But they have beautiful mountain views. Verrado is right next to the White Tanks and EMR is built right into Estrella Mountain. Again - no acre lots in your price range, but beautiful views.

Just depends on what's more important to you - an acre of land or mountain views. If you need an acre and the mountains aren't as important, Queen Creek may be an option. You might also look north of Phoenix, up the 17. They're doing a lot of building up there - I saw Pulte signs last time we were there so you might check their website. Since you won't be commuting, you could live up there without worry of traffic.

[MotleyCrew]

If you want to be out in the boonies, try looking around Wickenburg. The land is very pretty and there are homes on acreage. Not too sure $200K to $300K will buy you very much if you want land. There are plenty of very nice developments up in the foothills to check on.

[sfw1979]

Originally Posted by Francine(minnesota)

Hello - My husband and I are from Minnesota and we are looking for an Arizona second home in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. This home would only be used during the winter months when we are supposed to be hibernating up here - 10 below to 30 degrees gets old. Anyway, we would definitely like to avoid the mad city lifestyle and would love to settle for a nice place with beautiful mountain views and space - 1 acre + to boot. Also, descent dining and shopping near by. Remember, we will not have to worry about commuting into Phoenix. Just want to enjoy the beautiful view and weather - but not too remote. We are 40 years old, so a retirement community is not of interest at this time. Is Queen Creek a good option? I noticed that they have homes for sale with the acreage in our range. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance?

Hello! Not sure if you have to be in the Phoenix area but you may want to check out Yuma, not to large of a city but not to small....VERY popular with snowbirds...prices in AZ have gone up a lot but maybe since you are only going to be here in the winter maybe a mobile home on acreage would do? Good luck!

[Nice Nice Baby!]

Francine, you CAN get an acre of land in Queen Creek right next to the San Tan mountains with in city limits, and it's my neighbor's house for sale on a TWO and a HALF acre lot for just over $300k. It's in the foothills, plenty of open space, beautiful views of the mountains, and shopping and dining just a few (3) miles away. The home is a manufactured home, well built I might add because it doesn't look like one. The land alone is worth the price as it is only 5 miles from Chandler/Gilbert schools, and Queen Creek schools are great, too. With enough searching you can find what you want because I got 2.25 acres for $158k a couple years ago. I have neighbors who have started building $1.5 million dollar homes across the street so now is a great time to shop! You may want to find a local realtor who knows a thing or two, because my commute to downtown Chandler is only 20 minutes. The area is formerly known as Chandler Heights, but Queen Creek incorporated it years ago. The zoning here keeps out tract homes and requires lot sizes to be at least 1.25 acres. It's VERY doable! I've lived here for 12 years from the upper midwest so I know what you're going through. Boatdrinks is pointing you in the opposite direction. Come out and visit first!

[Boatdrinks]

Originally Posted by Nice Nice Baby!

Francine, you CAN get an acre of land in Queen Creek right next to the San Tan mountains with in city limits, and it's my neighbor's house for sale on a TWO and a HALF acre lot for just over $300k. It's in the foothills, plenty of open space, beautiful views of the mountains, and shopping and dining just a few (3) miles away. The home is a manufactured home, well built I might add because it doesn't look like one. The land alone is worth the price as it is only 5 miles from Chandler/Gilbert schools, and Queen Creek schools are great, too. With enough searching you can find what you want because I got 2.25 acres for $158k a couple years ago. I have neighbors who have started building $1.5 million dollar homes across the street so now is a great time to shop! You may want to find a local realtor who knows a thing or two, because my commute to downtown Chandler is only 20 minutes. The area is formerly known as Chandler Heights, but Queen Creek incorporated it years ago. The zoning here keeps out tract homes and requires lot sizes to be at least 1.25 acres. It's VERY doable! I've lived here for 12 years from the upper midwest so I know what you're going through. Boatdrinks is pointing you in the opposite direction. Come out and visit first!

I did not tell her she couldn't get the land. In fact, I told her she COULD get the land in Queen Creek. I told her if she wanted beautiful mountain views, I wouldn't recommend Queen Creek. The San Tan Mountains aren't what I'd call beautiful mountains - they're more like large hills. And if your backyard doesn't face the mountain directly, without any houses behind you, then you don't even benefit from that view. IMO, Queen Creek is isolated and not a good short term investment. Resale in QC is terrible. And "shopping and dining" in QC is limited at best.

Everyone has different taste though. It's great that you like it there, and if she likes it, that's great too. I do agree with you - it's definitely important to visit before you judge based on a few things people say and/or pictures on the internet.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Francine(minnesota)

Hello - My husband and I are from Minnesota and we are looking for an Arizona second home in the range of $200,000 to $300,000. This home would only be used during the winter months when we are supposed to be hibernating up here - 10 below to 30 degrees gets old. Anyway, we would definitely like to avoid the mad city lifestyle and would love to settle for a nice place with beautiful mountain views and space - 1 acre + to boot. Also, descent dining and shopping near by. Remember, we will not have to worry about commuting into Phoenix. Just want to enjoy the beautiful view and weather - but not too remote. We are 40 years old, so a retirement community is not of interest at this time. Is Queen Creek a good option? I noticed that they have homes for sale with the acreage in our range. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance?

Maybe something in Black Canyon City, Gold Canyon. You can probably get some deals now that people are trying to unload. You are lucky the commute is not important to you.

[Francine(minnesota)]

Thank you for the replys. I can see that we will have many options. This is really the fun stage, but your input is very important to me to head me in the right direction. Queen Creek seems to be the first choice right now, my husband is into racing racecars, NHRA, and I know that if I get him excited about being within the Chandler area (raceway site), my boys (3 & 5) and I will get what we want - a nice home, some area to play, descent mountain views (remember, Minnesota doesn't have mountains) and of course, great weather. This home will be open to my parents, friends and family to stay during the winter months if they desire (for free, of course). We, personally, would only be using it for a few weeks during the winter months for many years to come. By reading other posts, I got a good feeling that having a home near the San Tan Mountain area might seem the best bet - $300+. What do you think?

[Nice Nice Baby!]

YES! Of course this is a biased response for a good reason. I just walked out my back yard and enjoyed the quiet, beautiful sunrise over the spectacular panoramic mountain views to the south, north, and east. We are slightly elevated above the valley floor from our lot giving us our unobstructed view. I race stock cars on dirt, so space is important, and it sounds like it will be for you too! Plenty of room to even test drive once in a while. What is nice for us is that we have friends and relatives who visit in their RVs in the winter and they hook their water up and empty out to our septic system and stay as long as they fancy. It makes for some great cook outs! Look along the Hunt Highway corridor west of Ellsworth and south of Hunt highway, because once you get east of Ellsworth the traffic gets backed up from housing developments out there. It's much easier here and all lots are zoned to be at least 1.25 acres, and 2 acres in some spots. There will be no major tract home developments preserving the open space! The city and county has determined this in their general plan. Another selling point is that a brand new mall is opening up a few miles to the north off the 202 freeway later this year so there is plenty of shopping and dining in the area. Like I stated in a previous post, my neighbor is selling their place with 2.5 acres for just over $325k to give you an idea. Best of luck in your search when you visit and get a good realtor.

[Francine(minnesota)]

Thank you "nice, nice baby" - I wrote down what you wrote and left a message for a realtor to review that area with me when they get a moment.
Your honesty is greatly appreciated.