Couple find retirement lifestyle at Ardiente in North Las Vegas

Peaceful, relaxed and comfortable are three words Barb McLaughlin said come to mind when she thinks about life with her husband, Jack McLaughlin, at Centex Homes' Ardiente, an age-qualified community in North Las Vegas.

"There's an incredibly warm community atmosphere here," said Barb McLaughlin, who likened the close-knit community to places in Kentucky and Colorado where she formerly lived.

"People from across the United States and even some from Canada and Australia live here. It's a wonderful group of people who wave, stop to chat and take a genuine interest in their neighbors," she said.

The McLaughlins are frequent visitors to the hub of social life at Ardiente, a 13,000-square-foot clubhouse that anchors the community. In addition to two swimming pools, a fitness center, card and billiards rooms, it's the setting for Friday evening social hours, potluck dinners and resident activities.

"I feel like I'm at the Hyatt Regency when we use the pool. There's even a book exchange that allows me to trade in a whole pile," Barb McLaughlin said. "They offer exercise classes, themed trips and activities to get residents involved. It's like being at a destination resort."

A putting green, chipping green, tennis courts, six unique parks and walking trails with fitness stations are other amenities. A 24-hour roving patrol oversees the grounds.

"Even though we have a beautiful yard, we enjoy sipping wine in the park gazebo while admiring the mountain views," Barb McLaughlin said. The couple selected the Cordoba Plan, a 1,596-square-foot home design with two bedrooms and as many full baths. The layout includes a great room, dining room, island kitchen and den, which can be built as a third bedroom. Dual walk-in closets separate the owner's suite from the owner's bath. A sunroom is optional.

"We were perfectly happy where we were living and had no plans to move," Barb McLaughlin said.

"As soon as we walked into Cordoba we looked at each other and Jack said, 'Uh oh, I'm in trouble.' He immediately knew I wanted the home," she said.

Less than a month later, the McLaughlins closed escrow on a home inspired by the Cordoba floor plan. "The flow of the entire home is absolutely perfect," said Barb McLaughlin, who has worked in the building industry since 1980. "The interior finishes are very impressive. It's bright, cheery and the price was phenomenal. We couldn't turn it down."

The McLaughlins said they are also impressed with their home site.

"Our yard is the ideal size -- an outdoor escape that's just large enough to handle," she said. "We put in trees, 55 plants and a fire pit so we can enjoy it year round. No matter where we go at Ardiente, beauty surrounds us."

Ardiente offers eight single-story floor plans measuring 1,400 to 2,813 square feet with up to three bedrooms and three baths. Structural highlights, based on home design, include an eating nook, courtyard, studio, gallery, music room and a pair of walk-in closets off the owner's suite. Home buyers can opt for an office, guest suite or second floor on some floor plans. Prices start in the $250,000s.

Homes come with kitchen pantries, laundry room cabinets, upgraded baseboards, raised-panel interior doors and ceiling fans in select areas. Master bath highlights include cultured marble vanity tops, a contoured Roman tub, separate shower stall and chrome fixtures. Homes are prewired for a security alarm system and cable in all rooms. Other standard features include a soft-water loop, low-e windows and an energy-saver insulated gas water heater.

Homes are Energy Star-certified and come with Centex Homes' Two-Year Fit and Finish Warranty, which extends the normal one-year coverage to two years at no extra cost.

The home builder also offers incentive programs to educators, healthcare providers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel as well as active, reserve, retired and veteran military members.

Home buyers can tour model homes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

To visit, take Interstate 15 north and exit Craig Road west. Turn right on Losee Road, then right on Ann Road, which turns into Tropical Parkway. Turn right on Walnut Road to the sales office. From Interstate, the Las Vegas Beltway, exit south on Losee, turn left on Tropical, then right on Walnut to the sales office.

For more information, call 651-1051 or visit activeadultcentex.com.