RETIRE IN STYLE
CantaMia.
This latest addition to Estrella in Goodyear is designed for active adults 55 and older. Planned for more than 1,700 single-story homes and a recreation complex including two swimming pools, CantaMia is located at the southern end of Estrella Parkway, about 14 miles south of I-10. Floor plans range in size from 1,189 to more than 2,800 square feet, many with options for guest casitas. In addition, homes in CantaMia are being built to exceed the standards of the Energy Star program and the Environments For Living® Certified Green program. The gated community’s resort-style amenities include The Golf Club of Estrella, Starpointe Residents Club, miles of trails and Estrella’s 72 acres of lakes. Homes are priced from the high $130s to the $300s.

Classic Residence at Silverstone.
This continuing care retirement community, still in development, will offer both independent and assisted living. Located on Thompson Peak Parkway between Scottsdale and Hayden roads, Silverstone will comprise 270 homes and villas along with an on-site care center, which will feature private accommodations for residential assisted living, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and skilled nursing care. Silverstone residents will have access to on-site exercise facilities and fitness programs, heated indoor and outdoor Olympic-sized pools, a choice of dining venues, a library, a salon and spa, an art studio, a garden and a movie theater.

Photo courtesy Shea Homes Trilogy at Vistancia

Triology at Vistancia.
Among the foothills of Peoria in the northwest Valley, Trilogy at Vistancia welcomes active adults 55 and older to treat every day as an adventure. More than 3,000 people live in this community, which is anchored by a 7,300-yard, par-72 championship course offering spectacular views and shot variety. Homes range in size  from 1,314 to 3,906 square feet, and are priced from the $150s to the $370s. At Vistancia’s Kiva Club, you’ll find the Alvea Spa & Athletic Club, which offers massage treatments, classes and a resort pool in addition to exercise equipment. Residents also have access to miles of hiking and biking trails, indoor and outdoor pools and four lighted professional tennis courts. Plus, Trilogy boasts eco-friendly features such as satellite-controlled sprinkler systems, recycled insulation, wood from sustainable forests and water-conserving appliances – meaning a smaller carbon footprint.

Photo courtesy SPACES SPACES

SPLENDID SUBURBIA
SPACES.
Recognizing the changing needs of homebuyers, Shea Homes has created a new concept: SPACES, which combines functionality, energy efficiency and style. Located in Seville, on the north side of Riggs Road between Higley and Power roads in Gilbert, SPACES is a brand-new neighborhood featuring seven flexible floor plans ranging in size from 1,460 to 2,288 square feet, priced from the high $190s to the high $230s (models opened in January). With this concept, Shea invites homebuyers to think differently about their home: It’s not just about design and style; it’s about function and usability. Instead of a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, SPACES features EAT, SPLASH and DREAM. Living spaces were designed to be flexible based on different family sizes, and garages have ports to recharge electric cars. These new homes utilize hip, urban design elements – display kitchens, etched glass partitions and open floor plans replace useless walls and hallways and rarely used formal rooms. And just a few miles away, you’ll find all the shopping amenities of SanTan Village.

McCormick Ranch

McCormick Ranch.
Incorporated in 1972, McCormick Ranch is recognized as Scottsdale’s first master-planned community. Residents have access to two championship 18-hole golf courses, plus parks, public tennis courts, miles of bicycle paths and 120 acres of lakes; the larger lakes permit boating and fishing. The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and Museum, open 363 days a year, offers guests the opportunity to take a ride on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad and on an antique carousel. Residents have easy access to the Loop 101 freeway, Scottsdale Fashion Square and downtown Scottsdale’s myriad dining and cultural options. Within a few short miles, you can find everything you need.

Marley Park (above & above right)

Marley Park.
This DMB community in Surprise is splendid for a variety of reasons. Each home, each street, each subdivision has a unique character and charm. In Marley Park, you’ll not only find various architectural styles, such as bungalow, cottage, craftsman and territorial ranch, but you’ll find inviting front porches, tree-lined streets and neighborhood parks. In fact, the community of approximately 1,700 residents already enjoys 12 uniquely themed neighborhood parks, with more planned. Marley Park residents also enjoy the benefits of the Heritage Club, a 6,000-square-foot, private recreational facility with an outdoor event lawn, catering kitchen, teen room, and meeting spaces and computer stations. The community’s Pool House offers multi-purpose spaces for events and gatherings as well as two pools, a recreational play pool and a fitness pool.

Fulton Ranch.
Located off Arizona Avenue just south of Ocotillo in Chandler, Fulton Ranch offers a range of home sizes and prices starting from nearly 2,000-square-foot homes in the Mediterranean subdivision to up to 6,000 square feet in Aegean Cove. These homes range in price from the $260s to $530s. Plus, the neighborhood has custom home sites in The Island. Down the street, the Fulton Ranch Towne Center has several dining and retail shopping options, and The Promenade at Fulton Ranch, located at Chandler Heights and Alma School roads, has even more choices, including the popular neighborhood restaurant and wine bar Cork.



GOLF RESORT LIVING
FireRock.
Picturesque is putting it mildly. This neighborhood in Fountain Hills just northeast of Scottsdale offers stunning views of the McDowell Mountains and, of course, golf course views. About 400 homes on large desert lots are scattered around the community, and the Villas at FireRock offer another luxury option. Ranging from 2,922 to 3,071 square feet, the Villas start at $849,000 and feature stone-tiled patios, intimate courtyard entries and gourmet kitchens. At the heart of the community is the members-only Fire-Rock Country Club. Roughly half of the community’s residents are members and have the opportunity to play the beautiful course, participate in the tennis program, work out at the fitness center and take advantage of the club’s fine dining options.

Desert Highlands

Desert Highlands.
Desert Highlands Golf Club, a private residential golf community in Scottsdale, opened in 1983 and was one of the city’s first upscale residential golf communities. The member-owned private club community has 565 home sites – just 55 remain – on 850 acres. Only property owners can be club members, whose privileges include access to the Jack Nicklaus championship golf course, 18-hole putting course, 13 grass and hard surface tennis courts, beautiful 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, swimming pool and fitness center with spa services. And not that you’d ever want to leave, but located just off Happy Valley Road, the community has easy access to ample shopping and dining.

Troon Village

Troon Village.
The desert golf course that is the centerpiece of the member-owned Troon Country Club in Scottsdale is an internationally ranked course. Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed the course, which was created to seamlessly fit into its desert surroundings. There are no ownership requirements to join the club, though many of the club’s members live in surrounding Troon Village, a 1,400-acre private golf community. Membership provides access to the club’s elite amenities. Renovated in 2003, the 50,000-square-foot clubhouse reflects the grand style of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and provides residents with an elegant space for entertaining guests. At the fitness center, personal trainers provide classes as well as private training sessions, and even though a beautiful golf course is the heart of the club, three clay tennis courts and a full-time tennis pro might also lure you. The club also arranges hiking activities, speaker forums, theater outings and more.



MOUNTAIN HOMES
Silverleaf.
Sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains and the city lights of Downtown Phoenix are just a couple of reasons to call this north Scottsdale community home. Others include its classically designed Tom Weiskopf golf course and the 50,000-square-foot, Mediterranean-style Silverleaf Club & Spa, which offers both fine and casual dining, spa facilities and fully appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms. Surrounded by the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Silverleaf features 700 total home sites on 2,000 acres and is part of the DC Ranch community. Homes in Silverleaf range in size from 2,600 square feet to 20,000. Homes in the Park neighborhood average about 5,000 square feet, while the average home on an Estate lot is about 9,000 square feet. Prices range from about $1 million up to $12 million.

Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain.
Residents and tourists alike rave about views of this red-rock icon, but few enjoy the mountain’s majestic beauty like those who live on it. Camelback’s southern slope provides a backdrop to original architectural designs; you won’t find boring tract homes here, but you will find Asian- and Spanish-inspired homes. Even a medieval castle is perched upon the slopes. These upscale mountain enclaves typically reside within the boundaries of Paradise Valley, the wealthiest ZIP code in the Valley, where homes can range from $1.5 million to $15 million and typically start around 4,000 square feet, not including their generous lot sizes. And though you’ll probably have all the amenities of a home you’ll never want to leave – a private pool, gaming room, spacious patios – you’ll also have the best of nature right outside your front door, including Echo Canyon Recreational Area, which boasts the best hiking trails in the Valley.

Foothills Club West.
Southeast of Phoenix South Mountain Preserve, Foothills Club West residents enjoy panoramic mountain views and luxurious, high-end homes. Custom homes here are reportedly decked out with game rooms, fitness rooms, media centers and more. However, there are also more affordable homes in the area. Either way, the views can’t be beat, and the mountain offers ample opportunities for hiking, jogging, horseback riding and mountain biking. And don’t forget the easy access to the 18-hole course at the Club West Golf Club.

Lone Mountain.
Located at 60th Street and Lone Mountain Road in Cave Creek, Lone Mountain held its grand opening in February and intends to welcome its first residents by May. The 600-acre community is the first new master-planned development to open in the Phoenix-metro area in several years. The one- and two-story homes range from 2,878 square feet to 3,811 square feet and were priced from the mid-$400s at press time. Trails, parks, playgrounds, desert gardens and a basketball court are among the expected amenities. All home sites back up to open space; the community will include nearly 300 acres of it.