The Pros and Cons of Living in A Master Planned Community

Hi Mike, In this case, within a Master Planned community there could be PUD's. In Carmel Mountain Ranch I am not sure there any in that classification but their are single family homes within the condominium ownership class and they would have both the general community guidelines as well as an HOA ownership and governance.

Hi Jack, Thanks for the comment and you are right, it all depends on how things are maintained and managed. Ours is pretty strict and it benefits the overall continuity of the community.

Hi Ron and Alexandria, Thanks you so much. There is always uncertainty out in the field on how to answer the questions are often raised.

Hi Patricia, Actually these communities have many over riding benefits beyond the visual attractiveness, even with some of the noted drawbacks. I was noticing that even the grocery stores cater to the diversity of cultures and clients with many different foods and products  that might not otherwise be found here. Many different cultures like the stricter guidelines and protections they provide. The schools attract excellent teachers , parents are involved and the facilities are state of the art. Even the local fire and police depts  get involved and support localized community activities. Are we safer and is the quality of life better because of that, I think it is all a factor. 

Woo Hoo, You are so right. It all adds to the security and quality of life for everyone. This community is one of the most attractive. I was so taken with tree lined main streets , not all that common in Ca. I knew from the first time I saw it that it would be a popular place to live.

Hi Morris, That is one of CA's greatest assets is the topography and uneven terrain coupled with the stunning views. Most of the coast is above sea level and that limits some beaches but otherwise the formations of rock and stone make for amazing vistas.

Hi Tni, Once you understand the trade offs it is actually an easy adjustment. I equate it with asking my parents if I could paint my room when I was growing up. It always came with the caveat that yes as long as they could approve the color, LOL. As I recall they always did approve what I was doing. The interest is that no one creates situations that upset the balance and the design integrity with either poor interpretations of what is there or especially homemade additions. But they are all for improvement that enhances any neighborhood. 

Hi Sandi, You are so right. Buyers often don't understand what it was set up for and the benefits which very often is a real plus. A fabulous school for a family is certainly nothing to sneeze at. A fore station that looks more like a library and a recreation center and library open to its it citizens as state of the art centers is really something quite special. 

Ho Cory, I think that sadly you are correct. And they all don't have Mello Roos where the infrastructure might be built into the cost. Either way , it is there and someone had to pay to get it there. 

Hi Rosalie, if not now maybe in the future. These communities serve a great purpose for the tax base as well as shared amenities. 

Hi Diane, You are right, it has to be an informed decision but the case can easily be made that the benefits outweigh most negatives which are more perceived than real anyway. 

Hi Marte, I understand your sentiments totally. But wanting to live near a big city, these communities do provide for a lot of convenience. Yes, you do have give up the rural space and but it is sort a bridge point halfway between urban and suburban. 

Hi Steve, Thank you. I did feel  that some in our business really don't fully get the benefits very well. But then I was also a skeptic at one time so I do understand. I have a new client coming up that wants to leave their home in another master planned community of 4 years because they really want to to live in a real urban setting.  

Hi Dee Dee, Thank you and I appreciate what you have added here. I find that mind set here a lot. And I can understand that if a person has ever lived where they can do or not do as they please, it is a change that requires some clear understanding. Advantages, yes, Disadvantages , yes. But understanding removes most of the negatives. 

We have a master planned community that was devastated as it too was built during the run up of the market time frame. Tons of REO's and now new investor owners of some fabulous homes.