Yesterday, we went out to Verrado, which is one of those master-planned communities on the unbelievably far outskirts of the Phoenix-metropolitan area.
Personally, I have strong misgivings about people who choose to live out in the boonies. I understand the rationale. Who wouldn’t want to get out of the damned, polluted and dirty city? As cities go, Phoenix may supposedly be one of the best-run in the world, but it is undeniably ugly, sitting as it does on the most unpleasantly ugly expanse of desert Arizona has to offer.
You need to get a long way out of town before the land takes on any character.
However, while I understand the desire to get away, I’m offended by the complete irresponsibility of people who work in town and drive 60 miles or more a day on their commute. You can’t tell me that isn’t a major contributor to Phoenix’s pollution problems.
Nonetheless, it’s fun to look and dream about the day when you could retire and not have to drive in. or perhaps that not-so-distant day when we can really telecommute every day. I could make the trip once a month for staff meetings, that wouldn’t be so bad.
Verrado was supposed to be one of the new attempts to bring community back to people’s lives. Some of the concepts include garages in the back of the house, front porches set close to the streets to foster community. “Centralized” retail space, which apartment living above the commercial space, etc.
It all sounds good on paper, but in all practicality, the centralized retail space is far away from even the outskirts of Verrado itself. It’s beyond the walking range of the average person, and even beyond the walking range of the extraordinary person when the summer temperatures peak out well over 110º.
So, while it is a little different from the average tract homes, it’s still just a planned community which relies on the automobile.
We went out on a lark, in the afternoon, just to take a look. We had no idea there would be some 24 or so model homes from 8 different builders, and we weren’t able to complete the circuit before the sun was going down.
By way of background, I used to do electrical work. I worked for some contractors who built mega-expensive, completely custom-built homes. These were homes ranging from $4-10 million and that was 22 years ago. I’ve worked on 16-bedroom mansions and homes with built-in elevators and 13 car garages. I’ve seen some very nice homes.
That notwithstanding, the house pictured here is my favorite house I’ve ever seen. It’s about a 4 bedroom (with massive master bedroom and bathroom), plus den and office and with a completely attached (and yet separate) guest house (which is what you see in front).
On the right of the picture in the main entry, which leads you into a walled courtyard. There’s even a tree in the courtyard, although I’d be concerned that might be a maintenance nightmare in the future.
The only I would change about this house is that the model home directly to the left has a better master bathroom.
However, as this model is over 4,000 square feet and priced at over $634,000, unless I hit the PowerBall, it’s never going to happen.
Still let’s give them credit where credit is due, this particular home is “Residence Four” in the Acacia neighborhood by Monterey Homes. If you’re out that way, take a look at it, it’s amazing.
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Hello,
I read your blog and found it interesting. However, I live in Verrado and believe that your first impressions are a bit unfair:
I rideshare into the far NW Valley for work and not only do I save money but contribute less than others to valley pollution. Also, my friends and neighbors in Verrado are quickly building a real community here that I’ve never before had in 25 years living in AZ. I’ve met more neighbors in the few months that I’ve lived here than I ever did in the +9 years I lived in my Phx home. Our central retail district is going to grow and many people do walk, bike, or drive to it to shop, meet, and socialize. My children walk to school, have many friends, and are in a safe and secure area where everyone looks out for them. This place is truly someplace special and is growing into a real community-not because of the developers, but because of the people who have moved here that are excited, dedicated, and truly nice. I would rather live in a place that I LOVE and drive farther to work, than live in a place close to work that I am indifferent to. Remember, work is temporary, you can loose your job at anytime. But a home and community is (for most people) a long-term relationship. While I might have paid a little more to live here, its been more than worth it.
Thanks!
Hello,
I read your blog and found it interesting. However, I live in Verrado and believe that your first impressions are a bit unfair:
I rideshare into the far NW Valley for work and not only do I save money but contribute less than others to valley pollution. Also, my friends and neighbors in Verrado are quickly building a real community here that I’ve never before had in 25 years living in AZ. I’ve met more neighbors in the few months that I’ve lived here than I ever did in the +9 years I lived in my Phx home. Our central retail district is going to grow and many people do walk, bike, or drive to it to shop, meet, and socialize. My children walk to school, have many friends, and are in a safe and secure area where everyone looks out for them. This place is truly someplace special and is growing into a real community-not because of the developers, but because of the people who have moved here that are excited, dedicated, and truly nice. I would rather live in a place that I LOVE and drive farther to work, than live in a place close to work that I am indifferent to. Remember, work is temporary, you can loose your job at anytime. But a home and community is (for most people) a long-term relationship. While I might have paid a little more to live here, its been more than worth it.
Thanks!