Before buying their Monterra PGA WEST home in La Quinta, Larry and Kathy Robinson had lived for 12 years in Rancho Santa Fe. Both loved the San Diego areas beauty, culture and amenities. Yet both also spoke of many good reasons to consider a change.

We were looking for less traffic, less density and more sun, said Larry. We were also ready to downsize, and we started by researching active adult communities in Southern California.

An initially wide geographic area narrowed fast to inland markets. We quickly saw that the closer to water, the costlier the homes, said Kathy. In Southern California, anything new and attainable was inland, so we began to explore options in the desert.

My client base meant staying in California, and we initially thought our search would lead us to many good choices, added Larry. Self-employed, Larry is an executive compensation consultant in the human resources area.

Surprisingly, the Robinsons learned that new home choices that would fill their wish list were not as abundant as they had expected. Various communities they reviewed did not quite fill the bill. With some, they learned that when the price was right, everything extra cost extra. Some communities had far more homes than they preferred.Some had designs that did not really appeal.

Then we saw a sign for Monterra, said Larry. We drove over, looked at Residence One and fell in love with itwith a pool in front, a great layout and space for my baby grand piano!

They then considered every Monterra design, with Residence Three their final choice. It offered the spaces they wanted for everyday living, for entertaining and for visitors who include friends, children and grandchildren. Its the house people like us are looking for today, said Kathy. Its a generous but manageable size, has a fresh, clean-lined look and really great guest spaces, like the casita our kids take when they come to visit!

We have lived in Connecticut, Miami, Boston, Texas, Colorado and more, and this is the best move weve made, added Larry. Everyone lives here because they want to, because thats our stage of lifewere not living to fulfill family obligations or to be in a particular place for work. Were all here because these homes and PGA WEST are great!

Monterras enclave setting and its limited number of homes were additional pluses. Not being right on the golf course is actually a positive, said Larry. We are minutes away from any of PGA WESTs six 18-hole courses, yet tucked away, in a beautiful and serene setting.

Quality helped confirm their decision to buy with Woodbridge Pacific Group. The Robinsons have built four custom homes, and are knowledgeable and particular about designs, features and finishes. Monterra fulfilled expectations for the Robinsonswithout their having to do a custom build.

The architectural detail here surpasses what we had with our custom homes, both in terms of the thought behind it, and the quality you find in the systems and finish details, said Larry. We have lived here nearly a year, and find the quality just extraordinary.

As for life at PGA WEST, the Robinsons report all positives. We call it adult summer camp, because there are so many choices for terrific things to do, said Kathy. We play golf at least once or twice a week. We swim, we take water aerobics, were into fitness workouts, we play pickleball and can dine at one of the three onsite Club at PGA WEST facilitiesthe list goes on!

The Robinsons have fully embraced their new neighborhood. Larry is an HOA delegate for the community and he and Kathy are plugged into the Monterra resident website.We all keep in touch and see each other regularly, in part because more people live here full time than you might expect, said Larry. La Quinta is part of thisit has so much to offer, with its arts festival, international tennis and golf tournaments, shopping and dining. There is a big and interesting mix of people who love being here year around.

Woodbridge Pacific Group Senior Sales Counselor Barbara Anderson said the Robinsons have contributed much to the Monterra neighborhood. We all enjoy an exceptional quality of life here, thanks to people like Larry and Kathy, said Anderson, who moved from Orange County to purchase her Monterra home. We are delighted they have made Monterra their home and we look forward to showing new shoppers why this neighborhood is such a great choice!

Priced from the mid $700,000s and offered with a 4% Broker referral, all Monterra homes are single-level, with approximately 3,180 to 3,370 square feet of living space. Cul-de-sac streets, homesites of up to 15,000 square feet and a mountain backdrop emphasize Monterras enclave ambience. As PGA WEST residents, Monterra buyers are part of a 2,200-acre lifestyle community that features The Club at PGA WEST.

Please call the Sales Gallery at 760-771-2100 to speak with Barbara Anderson and to register your interest. Also see www.MonterraPGAWEST.com.