Indian Wells vs LaQuinta vs Rancho Mirage (Santa Rosa, Palm Springs: foreclosures, HOA fees)

[Louuuu]

This winter has convinced us to move to the PS area. If you have the time, could you post the pluses and minuses of each of the towns, especially bang for the buck in housing. TIA

[Ulysses61]

Rancho Mirage is BY FAR the most expensive in terms of buying a house. You also have to factor in the traffic, because RM is engulfed by Palm Springs. You can get many 3,000 sq. foot houses as foreclosures in either Indian Wells or La Quinta. I prefer LQ, but either is nice. Beware of high HOA fees in various golf or gated communities, however.

[Twinkle Toes]

It depends on the house, but overall, Indian Wells is the most expensive.

[TBCasino]

Have you considered Palm Desert at all?

[murfslaw]

I've owned homes in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert and we're currently putting together an offer in La Quinta.

Rancho Mirage has some great neighborhoods with prices for everyone. It can get crowded during the season.

Indian Wells tends to be more expensive than the other communities except for the little pocket of homes across Hwy111. The city also has a lot of interesting regulations about what you can and can't do on the weekends like mowing your lawn or working with power tools with your garage door open, etc.

Palm Desert is a little more laid back and much more reasonably priced.

We find La Quinta quieter and with less traffic and lots of homes/developments closer to the mountains. It's also in the Imperial Water and Electric district which means somewhat lower utility bills than the other cities mentioned.

[Louuuu]

TBC

No, we haven't considered Palm Desert. What are some of the advantages.

Would LQ have the most spectacular view of the mountains?

[TBCasino]

Palm Desert, where I lived, Monterey Avenue, just south of El Paseo was, as previously mentioned, very laid back and quiet. It sits right between Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage. Shopping, Dining and recreational activities were only minutes away. Pretty good view of the Santa Rosa mountain range as well. Just another option for you to consider.
There are great neighborhoods all over the valley, good luck with your search

[Nebraska Lady]

Originally Posted by murfslaw

I've owned homes in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert and we're currently putting together an offer in La Quinta.

Rancho Mirage has some great neighborhoods with prices for everyone. It can get crowded during the season.

Indian Wells tends to be more expensive than the other communities except for the little pocket of homes across Hwy111. The city also has a lot of interesting regulations about what you can and can't do on the weekends like mowing your lawn or working with power tools with your garage door open, etc.

Palm Desert is a little more laid back and much more reasonably priced.

We find La Quinta quieter and with less traffic and lots of homes/developments closer to the mountains. It's also in the Imperial Water and Electric district which means somewhat lower utility bills than the other cities mentioned.

I was thinking about trying to move to La Quinta to get out of this cold! We don't want a swimming pool and would like something not too terribly old. Do you think we could find something in the low 200's???

[Twinkle Toes]

Anywhere you live in the valley you are pretty much going to have a view of the mountains. There are small places throughout the valley in your price range. I know 'Cordoniz' airs radio ads touting homes "under $300,000", or "in the $200,000's". Not sure they are what you're looking for, but there are a lot of things in that price range throughout the valley, just depends on what you are looking for. Here in the Desert Area MLS for your convenience:

Desert Area Multiple Listing Service

[murfslaw]

Look in Bermuda Dunes and the Palm Desert Country Club if you mean the low $200's. TT is right the valley is surrounded by mountains