the truth about this desert community
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6/19/2009
I agree with C in Indio. I have lived in Palm Desert (next community over) and now West Indio, right next to La Quinta and Rancho Mirage. If you like golf, we have more than anywhere. It is hot from April to November... there are no seasons except hot and warm. they don't tell you that in the brochures, but the A/c is on for all those months. I read a review of Palm Desert and how snobby locals are... I agree overall. Many are self centered, to themselves, vain and looking to 'look good' and there is no friendly neighborhood communities. Garage goes up and down with not much conversations-there is the occasional kind neighbor, but rare. You won't find old fashioned kids lemonade stands in the summer because it's too dang hot.. the kids are stuck inside unless you have a pool which ends up being a warm bath mid-summer. My utilities were between 700-1,000 in the summer (EACH MONTH!) and even the "winter" it was in the $400's approx. (2,800 sq ft house ) If you move EAST of WAshington street (La Quinta, INdio) then utilities are a little cheaper.
We seriously want to move- there is awful schools, overcrowded and largely hispanic which is fine except the teachers have to take a lot of time to help the non english speaking students. Recent Ca. budget cuts hit the already deprived education system. MY high school son had 50 in his algebra class and this one "the best" high school (Palm Desert High) in the whole area. Local people are crazy to think it is so great. We've had to pull our kids out to go to private school which is killing our finances. This is a negative, but honest, review from someone who's lived in this area for 20 years. (Scottsdale beat this for snobby rich people however). The only beauty is the man made golf courses and nicely landscaped streets or gated communities (tons of those here), but otherwise very ugly sandy desert.
Yes, our winters are nice if you hate snow, but our streets are crowded with 'snow birds' who like that too.
seriously think hard if you want to move here.
Debbie | Palm Desert, CA