Hidden Creeks
I had the opportunity yesterday to drive out to the new Hidden Creeks Rural Cluster East of Storm Lake. We had been out there earlier but the front gate was closed; yesterday the gate was open. It turned out there was a reason why: they are trying to sell houses! They have a lot built but a lot that aren't sold. It seems that in the middle of the Snohomish County housing shortage, there appears to also be a money shortage. I picked up a couple of property sheets: one was asking $520,000 and the other was around $620,000. This is for houses clustered into lots smaller than 3/4 acre and next to one another on a single street.
The Rural Cluster justification for this is to save the rural landscape and preserve the surrounding natural vegetation. In this case, by making a big clear hole in the forest, cutting back on the required buffers along part of the north side, and cramming all these house into a small space. An example of what Panther Lake Ridge will turn out to be.
I suspect part of the reason that it is not selling well is that it is too far out. Three Lakes is about 10 minutes from Snohomish and the benefits of civilization; when I used to live in Seattle I was about 2 minutes plus the search for a parking space from the restaurants and entertainment of lower Queen Anne. But Hidden Creeks is about 20 minutes from Snohomish or Lake Stevens and a little more to Monroe. Yes, they have the Storm Lake Store, but it's not much.
My commute to work from Three Lakes is about the same as it was from Seattle, but driving down River Road is a lot more relaxing than I-5. If I were at Hidden Creeks I'd add another 10 minutes minimum. That's me, of course. I used to do an hour minimum from Seattle to Frederickson.
But I digress. I didn't have my camera yesterday, but as soon as I get a chance to get back out there with it, I'll post some examples of why Rural Clusters should definitely include the F-word in their name.
The Rural Cluster justification for this is to save the rural landscape and preserve the surrounding natural vegetation. In this case, by making a big clear hole in the forest, cutting back on the required buffers along part of the north side, and cramming all these house into a small space. An example of what Panther Lake Ridge will turn out to be.
I suspect part of the reason that it is not selling well is that it is too far out. Three Lakes is about 10 minutes from Snohomish and the benefits of civilization; when I used to live in Seattle I was about 2 minutes plus the search for a parking space from the restaurants and entertainment of lower Queen Anne. But Hidden Creeks is about 20 minutes from Snohomish or Lake Stevens and a little more to Monroe. Yes, they have the Storm Lake Store, but it's not much.
My commute to work from Three Lakes is about the same as it was from Seattle, but driving down River Road is a lot more relaxing than I-5. If I were at Hidden Creeks I'd add another 10 minutes minimum. That's me, of course. I used to do an hour minimum from Seattle to Frederickson.
But I digress. I didn't have my camera yesterday, but as soon as I get a chance to get back out there with it, I'll post some examples of why Rural Clusters should definitely include the F-word in their name.
posted by Earwicker @ 10:09 PM
4 Comments:
At 6:14 AM,
Anonymous said…
as a builder in Hidden Creeks I am amazed at the stupidity of some of the people that write about the development. The homes are not selling? My father and I sold 3 of our 4 homes in Hidden Creeks before they even had paint on them. But I guess this guy knows more than the people actually selling the homes.
I am glad that the county is having developments happen in a "cluster" lay out. If you really cared about protecting and saving central snohomish county, you would want all new homes to be in one. Did you know that while they are built on smaller lots there is property around the edge of the cluster that can not be slod or built on? In the case of hidden creeks, there are more than 50 acres of trees, streams, walking paths, and there was even a community park built into the middle of it.
I really hope people would wake up and figure out that there is more to building than what you see and read on the back of a sheet of paper. If you don't think people are interested in living that far from seattle, you are wrong. Just take a look at some of the builder's checking accounts, people want to live there.
At 5:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
My husband and I visited Hidden Creeks a few months ago and we thought it was just gorgeous!!
It took us only 15 minutes from the town of Snohomish and the same amount of time to go to Monroe. It can not be better located. There is no other place compared to that beautiful development.
We did not have to think twice before making a decision to buy a house there. We love the country side and hate the buzzle and huzzle of the big city.
I dont know what type of taste the person who wrote the original comment has, but it makes me think that it is really BAD!!!
At 5:50 PM,
Anonymous said…
I love the comments from the builder. I too am a builder in Hidden Creeks and I think it is a wonderful development. No doubt, it is a unique setting and a niche market in Snohomish county, and higher priced homes in this market do tend to take longer to sell.
It seems obvious to me that the negative comments of the earlier writer indicate that Hidden Creeks may have peaked his interest, but unfortunately the homes are out of his price range. Why else would this former Seattle snob have such a problem with rural cluster development? And what is rural cluster development anyway? Isn't all rural developent done in a cluster?
Regarding the comment about 3/4 acre lots being small; has anyone had to mow 3/4 of an acre with a push mower? For a 14 year old it was not much fun. But enough about me. The lot sizes in Hidden Creeks offer prenty of privacy, stunning views, and many are backed by NGPA forested land, which will never be developed.
Regarding cummute times, I drive from the University District to my site at Hidden Creeks in about 45 minutes. I use State Rt 2 from Everett, exit at State Rt 9 and take the frontage road to S Machias. From Machias I take Dubuque Road. All in all it is a lovely drive. My lot is 8 miles to Snohomish, 7 miles to Monroe and 15 miles from downtown Everett. In my view it is remarkable close in depending on which direction you chose.
And as far as scerenity, Hidden Creeks is hard to beat. Sure it is not your typical development, close to shopping, schools etc. But that is exactly what our buyers are looking for, the best of all worlds, for those who can afford it.
At 8:44 AM,
visayan1 said…
Our family has visited Hidden Creeks several times and toured about 6 of the homes. Our visits were during late Fall and Winter and the environs seem pretty wet. We are wondering about mosquitoes out there. Can any of the current residents speak to the bugs in their neighborhood? We also noticed that the exterior of some of the homes (particularly around the windows) showed a lot of wear, water accumulation or spotting from mositure. What is up with that? It is a nice development but we are just wondering about these little things.
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