Phoenix Arizona Waterfront Homes

Lago Estancia - Gilbert

Lakefront Community Profile 

One of Gilbert’s smaller lakefront communities with approximately 100 waterfront homes, Lago Estancia is unique from other waterfront communities with the walking paths next to the shoreline.  Many of the homes that back up to the lake have a view fence separating the backyard from the water, which is ideal for families with small children that want the security of a fenced backyard but also enjoy the ambiance and serenity that a lakefront property offers. 

Read the rest of this entry

The Islands: Lake community in Gilbert       

The Islands,  a master planned lake and waterfront community with over 200 waterfront homes, is one of Gilbert’s most established lake subdivisions.  Homes in The Islands range from townhouses to custom homes, built mostly between 1987 and 1995, and range in square footage from 1,300 to over 4,800 square feet.  It also has a large waterfront park with walking trails, basketball court, sand volleyball, covered children’s play area and community center.

Within The Islands are individual communities or subdivisions such as Seawynds, Trade Winds, Windhaven, Coral Point, The Shores, Harbor Point, Key Harbor, Tres Vistas and Catalina Bay.   Lakefront residents take advantage of the many long stretches of water measuring over 1/2 mile in length with an evening boat ride.  Internal combustion motors are not allowed.  The Islands HOA keeps this community informed and connected with an on-line website and newsleter and various events such as a Father Day breakfast.

Read the rest of this entry

Gilbert Waterfront Ski Homes

Playa del Rey Estates, one of the Phoenix area waterski communities has more ski lake homes than any other subdivision in Arizona.  With the recent completion of homes on the last two remaining lots, there are 34 waterfront homes on the ski lake.  Instead of traveling 45 minutes to Canyon Lake or Saguaro Lake to waterski, you can walk out your back door and be skiing in the time needed to hook up your boat to the SUV.  The entire subdivision has 125 homes which enjoy ski privileges on the lake via a community boat ramp for those not on the lake.

Read the rest of this entry

 How do schools near waterfront / lake communities rank?

The other day the Tribune featured an article that discussed the number of schools that attained each level of the Achievement Profile as reported by the Arizona Department of Educaton. That made me wonder how the schools that serve the Phoenix area waterfront homes and communities are ranked.  I should have stopped at that point since that simple question led to hours worth of searching, copying, pasting and creating hyperlinks.  The best way to answer the question was to go the Arizona Department of Education website and find the rankings for each elementary school and the corresponding community.  The page School Report Card page is invaluable with the amount of information it contains. Unfortunately, 2007 is the last year for which it will be available.  Starting in 2008, the format is greatly condensed and I believe does not have as much information.  If you want to how the Jr. High and High Schools rank for a specific neighborhood, just e-mail or hopefully you’ll have visited the department’s website and learned how to use this useful tool.  I’m also convinced that what follows is the most complete list of waterfront / lakefront homes and communities for the Phoenix area by city. 

Read the rest of this entry

There’s a waterski lake in my backyard!

You’ll never see it as you’re driving on Riggs Road. There’s a gate and some attractive landscaping that is common to many custom home subdivisions in south Gilbert. What you many not know is that it hides a 13 acre waterski lake where 20 owners enjoy a slalom waterski course year round and enthusiats gather for regional waterski competition on the 2,200 ft. long lake known as Santan Lakeside Estates.

Read the rest of this entry

Scottsdale homes near Bartlett Lake

 A well known gathering place for watersport enthusiasts living in the north Scottsdale area is Bartlett Lake.  From communities such as Desert Mountain, Boulder Heights, Treviso, Mirabel and others, just 14 miles away is one of the valley’s favorite lakes for those who have a passion for fishing, boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding and hydrofoiling. Bartlett Lake has a surface area larger than Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake combined, over 2800 acres, and is open year round. Since Scottsdale does not have any private waterski lakes, an ideal strategy for those who would crave the waterskiing, wakeboarding and hydrofoiling is to find a north Scottsdale home that has adequate garage space or a dedicated RV garage that will accomodate a boat then make the short 14 miles drive when you want to enjoy the H20.

Read the rest of this entry

Popular Hiking Trail in East Valley

You’d really be missing out if you didn’t spend one afternoon hiking up Peralta trail to the saddle which allows you to experience breath taking views on either side of the Supersition mountains and the landmark Weaver’s Needle.  Conveniently, the trailhead is located less than 30 miles from well known waterfront lake communities as Val Vista Lakes and The Islands and most areas in Mesa, Queen Creek and Gilbert.  The trail starts about 7 miles from the US 60.  You pass through the Peralta Trails subdivision for about 2 miles, passing an elementary school then continue another 5 miles on a dirt road to arrive at the trailhead.  If you make it to Frement Saddle you’ll have ascended 1,366 feet over 2.3 mile hike.

Read the rest of this entry

Waterfront Property for Sale

Here’s your chance to enjoy a private tournament ski lake located in the west valley south of Buckeye. Own a one acre lakefront lot with 175′ of ski lake waterfront.  With only 11 lots per lake, you’ll have plenty of time to waterski and wakeboard.  This is a chance to get away from the city, enjoy the mountain views and some of the best waterskiing in the west on a slalom course.

Visual tour of Spring Mountain Ski Ranch

Read the rest of this entry

Hamilton Aquatic Center

Three times a week my son has swim practice as part of the Rio Salado Swim Club.  Practices are long; 90 minutes in the water and when he’s done he’s looks like a raisin.  But he’s getting some good exercise and not in front of the T.V.!   Practices are held at the Hamilton Aquatic Center located right next to Hamilton High on Arizona Ave.   It’s a perfect combination; a high caliber swimming program taking place at an Arizona Parks & Recreation Outstanding Facility Award recipient.  The San Tan Sun newspaper has given it the “Best of South Chandler for Family Fun” award, so it’s definitely worth visiting.  The facility includes 8 competition swim lanes, 2 water slides, two 1 meter diving boards, a zero depth play pool, SCS interactive water feature, water vortex and current river.
Read the rest of this entry

One of the newer Chandler lakefront communities

Those who appreciate homes on larger lots and enhanced curb appeal with a great selection of single story and two story luxury waterfront homes must add Pinelake Estates to their itinerary.  It is complemented by the Chandler city park that creates a gathering place where families can enjoy the playground, volleyball and basketball court.

Hamilton High School is less than a mile way and the 202 freeway is just 3 miles to the north.  You won’t have to venture far with the recent addition of retail shopping at the intersection of Arizona Ave. and Ocotillo.  The ever popular Chandler Fashion Center is a quick 7 miles away.  The south Chandler area has become home to many high tech semi conductor companies including Intel which are major employers in the Phoenix area.  Again proximity to work with a 3 mile commute from Pinelake Estates to Intel is extremely enticing.

Read the rest of this entry