Former North Dakotans settle in at Mountain Falls

After living for more than 30 years in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Joe and Nancy Ogden decided to leave behind the frigid and snow-filled winters and move to the desert climate of Southern Nevada to be closer to family. In December, 2006, the couple discovered the Mountain Falls golf course community in Pahrump which they now call home.

"My wife, Nancy, and I moved to Southern Nevada for two reasons. We moved for family first and the weather second," Joe Ogden said, explaining that three of their four children live in Southern Nevada and two of their daughters live in Pahrump. There were other factors that led to their decision to purchase a new home in Pahrump, which is located about 50 miles west of Las Vegas off of State Highway 160. "The second reason is the town itself. Pahrump is similar to the size of the town where we had lived. The atmosphere is similar. The business climate is a little slower here than in Grand Forks, but we are only about a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas. We are out of the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas, but we can enjoy all that Las Vegas offers."

Joe Ogden is a Pahrump Valley High School employee and Nancy Ogden works for the Clark County School District. "Pahrump is an excellent hub to live outside of Las Vegas and with McCarran Airport there we can easily visit other places across the country," he said.

After narrowing down their home search to the Nye County township, they visited Mountain Falls at their Realtor's suggestion. The Ogdens soon discovered a single-story home that met their needs at William Lyon Homes' Entrata neighborhood.

"We were impressed by the size of the Entrata neighborhood and the pricing," Joe Ogden said of his single-story home with two bedrooms, a den and three-car garage. It's a very quiet, friendly neighborhood. I also liked the fact that there is a golf course a short distance from our home."

The Mountain Falls' 18-hole public course offers annual, six-month, three-month and monthly golf passes, as well as daily greens fees. Residents and nonresidents alike also may dine at the Mountain Falls Grill Room, overlooking the course.

Residents have access to the community's private clubhouse, fitness center and outdoor aquatic center.

Entrata features three single-story homes of 1,157 to 1,571 square feet, priced from the high $100,000s.

William Lyon Homes is also constructing the Cascata Ancora, Bella Sera and Tramonto neighborhoods, where homes measure from 1,429 to 2,897 square feet and are priced from the high $100,000s.

Classic Homes' Paradiso neighborhood features five single- and two-story floor plans measuring up to 4,300 square feet and priced from the $400,000s.

Desert Wind Homes offers Tivoli, a single-story neighborhood with homes measuring from 1,938 to 2,097 square feet and priced from the $200,000s.

To visit Mountain Falls from Las Vegas, travel about 45 miles west on State Route 160, Blue Diamond Road, past Interstate 15. Before reaching Pahrump, turn left on Manse Road. Proceed to Hafen Ranch and turn right.

Sales offices are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Monday, when model homes open at noon.

For more information, visit mountainfalls.com or call 866-468-3255.