Dobson Ranch, and why the houses are here

The lakes

Seven artificial lakes run through the neighborhood, covering roughly 78 acres of the community's 100 acres of common area. They were built as much for drainage as for looks, which is a very practical Arizona thing to do, and the result is a suburb with herons in it.

They are open for catch and release fishing and boating. Both need a licence from the Dobson Ranch Recreation Department at La Casita. Feeding the fish, ducks, turtles and cats is not allowed anywhere on the common areas, which is worth telling the children before they arrive with a bag of bread.

Walking and running

Paths follow the water through most of the neighborhood. It is flat and it is quiet. Early morning and the hour before sunset are when everyone is out, for the obvious reason.

What is nearby

• Baseball. Two Cactus League ballparks in Mesa, Sloan Park and Hohokam Stadium. More on the spring training page.
• Golf. Dobson Ranch Golf Course is inside the neighborhood, a municipal course you can walk to from several of the houses.
• Parks. Dobson Ranch Park sits in the middle of it with ball fields and ramadas.
• The airport. Sky Harbor is a straightforward drive west.

What it is like to stay here

It is a residential neighborhood, not a resort strip. Quiet streets, mature trees, people walking dogs. That cuts both ways: it is a good place to sleep and a bad place to throw a party, which is why our houses have quiet hours and a no events rule and why we are still welcome here after years of hosting.

The homes on these lakes

Five of the six sit on the water and come with a boat. The lake and boats page has which home has which, and the homes page has all six side by side.