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Mary and Chuck Ripple left California behind for a new home at Stillwater Canyon, and have become the first residents to move in at the neighborhood in the southwestern valley.

While Chuck Ripple is retired, Mary Ripple continues to commute to her job as an adult education and special education teacher in Southern California.

"I will be commuting until the end of the school year, but we decided to plan ahead and make the move now," Mary Ripple said. "At Stillwater Canyon, we found exactly the location we wanted and a floor plan we both love."

The neighborhood, which is being developed by U.S. Home, proved a good value, according to Chuck Ripple.

"When we compared the home designs and amenities offered within the price range, U.S. Home simply gave us more in every way, including a larger home site," he said.

The couple chose the 2,594-square-foot Cherryhill II model, a single-story home that can be built with three to five bedrooms. The Ripples chose the three-bedroom option, which expands the owner suite to include a retreat.

Their home also features a kitchen with nook, breakfast bar and pantry; a covered porch; a formal dining room and living room; and a three-car garage.

Nine single- and two-story floor plans are offered, ranging from 2,567 to 4,500 square feet with as many as seven bedrooms. Prices start from $227,990.

All homes include granite counter tops, oak cabinets, pot shelves and media niches. Owner suites provide tile accents, separate tubs and showers, cultured-marble vanities, and walk-in closets.

To visit, take Tropicana Avenue to Fort Apache Road, turn south and drive to Mesa Vista Avenue. Turn right and follow the signs. The sales office is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except Monday, when it opens at 11 a.m.

The builder is also selling homes in the northwestern valley at Copperfield. It can be reached by taking U.S. Highway 95 to Ann Road, heading east to Jones Boulevard, then going north to Azure Drive.

Wellington Estates in the southern valley offers homes priced from the $230,000s. To visit, take Las Vegas Boulevard south, past Wigwam Avenue, to Silverado Ranch Boulevard and go east.

Palm Hills has homes available priced from the $140,000s in Henderson. To visit, take Interstate 515 to Horizon Drive then head west to Horizon Ridge Parkway.

Through Oct. 29, visitors at any of the builder's neighborhoods can register to win a seven-day trip to London.

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