Phoenix Arizona Waterfront Homes

 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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.
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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.

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 Something for Everyone at Freestone Park

Val Vista Lake, Stonebridge Lakes and Wind Drift, three waterfront communities in the heart of Gilbert are conveniently located within minutes of the flagship of all Gilbert Parks, Freestone Park. This facility packed, 65 acre park has something for everyone as shown in the park layout.  It also features Gilbert’s only skate park.

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 It’s not a question I’m asked very often, but it is the start of the discussion regarding natural disasters and weather concerns from those considering relocating to the Phoenix area.

Our biggest climate concern? THE HEAT, followed by monsoon storms that can generate occasional high winds, dust storms and intense localized rainfall. The closest we get to a tornado are microbursts which accompany the monsoon storms.  The monsoon season runs from July through August.

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Tournament Waterski Lake in Gilbert

Strategically located in Gilbert is Crystal Point Estates, a waterskier’s paradise featuring a tournament water ski lake community for the 20 lakefront lots that surround the lake.  The typical lot size is 165′ of waterfront by 120′ deep, with custom luxury homes that range in size from 2,900 to over 6,500 square feet of resort style living.  The lake is approximately 200′ wide and 2,250′ long.  Currently, 18 luxury waterfront homes share the lake, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy your  private ski lake. To get an idea of the how you could unwind after returning home, watch the following video:

Waterskiing at Crystal Point Estates Video

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