Magazine for retirees praises Ardiente

Where to Retire magazine, which covers U.S. retirement relocation communities, has added Centex Homes' Ardiente community to its 2007 list of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities. Located in North Las Vegas, Ardiente is a guard-gated age-qualified community for people age 55 or older.

The 100 Best selections list appears in the July/August issue of Where to Retire and includes a diverse lineup of master-planned communities spread across 31 states, from the Sun Belt to Wisconsin, Minnesota to Montana to Wyoming.

Last published in 2005, the updated list features communities developed by major home builders such as Centex Homes and ones built by families who have been stewards of the land for several generations.

According to Where to Retire, communities on the list, for all their variety, share neighborly ambiance. Other common threads include dog parks and walking trails -- just a few of Ardiente's highlights, according to Scott Worrall, vice president of sales for Centex Homes, Las Vegas Division.

"Ardiente offers six unique parks, everything from a dog park to a rose park to a park designed with a dry river bed," he said. "They all have seating and gathering spaces, plus they're interconnected and lead to a 13,000-square-foot clubhouse, the community focal point."

Each of Ardiente's 788 home sites is within four blocks of a park, a community design Worrall said allows residents to incorporate a walk into their fitness, social or recreational plans.

"Everyone walks to the clubhouse, whether they're going to shoot pool, play bunko or take aquasize or Pilates. Along the way, many people take advantage of the fitness stations on our trails," he said. "The community layout promotes interaction, a feature that helped put Ardiente on the Where to Retire list."

That neighborly atmosphere thrives at the clubhouse, a facility that Worrall said "feels comfortable, like a neighborhood recreation center." Features include two outdoor swimming pools, card and billiards rooms, fireside reading areas and a complete fitness center. Sports courts, putting and chipping greens encircle the facility.

"This prestigious honor from Where to Retire shows that a master plan's quality isn't necessarily defined by its acreage and number of home sites," Worrall said. "Ardiente offers an impressive eight plans for just 788 home sites. The guard-gated entry provides a sense of arrival and security. The lifestyle amenities are intimate and inviting. It all adds up to a community worthy of national recognition."

Eight single-story floor plans are available at Ardiente. Homes range from 1,235 to 2,813 square feet and offer as many as three bedrooms and three baths. Some plans feature a kitchen nook, office, courtyard, studio, gallery or music room. Based on floor plan, buyers can opt for a sunroom instead of a patio, and a guest suite in lieu of a studio.

Every floor plan includes a kitchen pantry and laundry room cabinets for ample storage space.

Upgraded baseboards, raised-panel interior doors, levered chrome hardware, ceiling fans in select areas and a barbecue gas stub-out are among the standard features. Owner's baths include twin sinks with cultured marble vanities, a Roman tub and separate shower stall.

Homes are prewired for a security alarm and cable in all rooms. CAT-5 wiring allows for telephone connections in all rooms. Homes come with a soft-water loop and low-emittance windows.

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

Prices start in the $250,000s. Incentives may apply on homes available for immediate move-ins.

Centex Homes also offers incentive programs to educators, health care providers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel as well as active, reserve, retired and veteran military members.

Model homes are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

To visit, take Interstate 15 north, exit Craig Road west and turn left. Take a right on Losee Road, turn right on Washburn Road, then take a left on Pecos Road. Make a right on Carla Ann, then take a left on Walnut Road to the sales office.

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