Castlegate Community

Hi all

I looked at a house in castlegate in March and put an offer in and now it is going through escrow and looks like we will have a place in castlegate.  I just found this link yesterday and have been reading the posts, when I looked at the property I kind of fell in love with the area (away from the hussle and bustle of the big city), but all those good vibes I got from the area are starting to fade with reading the posts, so much negativity.  Crime, vandalism, people not looking after their yards, landscaping, HOA problems.  I'm almost ready to try and cancel the contract,  is all the negativity just a way for people to vent or is the problems actually as bad as almost everyone makes it sound.  I don't want a place that is going to keep decreasing in value because of the area.  Are all these problems from a certain area in castlegate or is through out the whole subdivision?  Any opinions would be muchly appreciated. It is going to be a winter residence so I don't want to be in a community where I will be worrying about my home when I'm not there.  I know we aren't immune to crime but some areas are worse than others and I want to stay away form those areas.  Thanks 

Welcome to Castlegate! :)

I am one of the whiners, so I can answer with honesty. :)

To put your mind at ease, this subdivision is fairly safe and quiet compared to the surrounding communities. I am happy to live here and find there is a certain peace of mind, especially travelling to other areas around Phoenix and Mesa. I think that most of the complaints you are reading regarding Castlegate have to do with issues with the HOA, but this is due to problems that are a work in progress. A lot of areas are faces with foreclosures, weeds, increased crime- due to the economy and lack of funding in different aspects. On a positive note, even though our monthly dues have increased  a couple of times in the past few years, we are still a bit cheaper than some areas around here.

Also, the other major concern with vandalism etc., typically has to do with a select few that neglect to pay attention to their kids. I have kids- I understand, but actually pay attention to mine and they are not trouble-makers. Most is harmless, but again, costly and as these kids grow, it will get worse inevitably. I do not know of much more detail with other vandalism problems, but contact the Blockwatch email in this site and you will find an open communication exists with our new BW president. He can call you to tell you "realities" of the area.

Best of luck and ask for tips on here if you need them. We are actually a pretty good bunch of people. I tend to think we get on as a way to vent, since most of us know who each other are (even though we don't admit it). LOL :)

Happy unpacking! :)

This blog is just that....a blog.  A place for all to come and complain, vent, and comment on good stuff.  If you attend the HOA meetings, you will see that our neighborhood is in rather good standing...for the most part, and the HOA is slowly but diligently working on certain issues to improve.  I've lived here for 5 years now and still think it is a nice place to live.  It's growing up too, so that is good.  The hospital should be open this winter, a Mc D's is going in on the corner, and eventually the drug store and Market Fresh will be opening...all close by.

Think you mean Fresh and Easy LoL.  But yes, I agree, we've been here 5 years and have an 8 1/2 year old son and he enjoys playing with some of the kids on the street (which all seem to be good kids), and in all honesty the problems that we do have, weeds, petty crime, etc is similar to what you're going to find everywhere due to lack of money, funds, and everything else with the economy right now.

I think all in all you will be happy.  Also the PCSO has a house watch program, not sure if it would apply to you since you're not going on vacation but you could call them and ask them.  They stop by if you go on vacation and such, free of charge, and check on your place to make sure there's no suspicious activity going on.  Just call their main line and ask to speak to their House Watch program coordinator (that tends to change, sometimes it's just an employee and sometimes it's an actual officer).