La Quinta Real Estate | Home Search, Buying Guide

The city features 3 large neighborhoods that host the majority of single-family detached homes with a traditional yard and no or low HOA fees. These housing communities have appreciated the most within La Quinta’s perimeters due to supply and demand. In recent years (2016-2022), homes in this area have appreciated in price by around 60-80%.

La Quinta Cove: With roughly 5,000 single-family detached homes built, the Cove hosts a variety of construction styles from Modern, Spanish, and even large Hacienda double lots. Most homes were built from the late 1970s moving forward but some were built during the early days of the city dating back to 1935 when the original casitas were built at the bottom of the cove.

Located only a short golf cart ride to Old Town La Quinta, Fritz Burns Park, La Quinta Resort & Spa, La Quinta Museum, Civic Center Park, and sophisticated Hiking Trails. La Quinta Cove is one of the most affordable places to live in the city for single-family homes offering traditional yards to throw a ball for your dog.

North La Quinta: Featured North of Highway 111, split off by a hand full of separate small subdivisions of homes. There are a few HOA subdivisions that charge a low monthly HOA and will maybe have a gate, but most of the subdivisions are Non-Gated. The location is great for children and parents due to the short drive to nearby schools. Close to Highway 111 and Fred Waring, which are main streets that run parallel through the Coachella Valley all the way to Palm Springs.

Desert Club Estates: Situated across the street from the La Quinta Civic Center Park and only a short walk (3 blocks) from Old Town La Quinta. Most homes have large lots, large floor plans, and a pool. No HOAs. Hosting a lot of opportunities for large families.

Demographics: Full-time residents total around 70% of the population. Snowbirds (second homes) total around 30%. Short-term renting (less than 30 days) is not allowed for most subdivisions in La Quinta including all of La Quinta Cove and North La Quinta. During the season ".

Starting with the historic La Quinta Resort built by Walter H. Morgan in 1926, the city of La Quinta has continued to grow its population of clubhouse HOA communities with or without golf courses. The city of La Quinta's largest industry is golf, hosting 25 courses. For the large HOA communities, there is a good variety of subdivisions to choose from.

Clubhouse Lifestyle

Communities on the list below host a clubhouse, social events, sports courts, and resort pools. Some include all amenities within their monthly HOA price. Some offer separate pricing packages to allow access to amenities. 

$$$ | The highest and most prominent gated communities are names like The Madison Club, The Quarry, Tradition Golf Club, Griffin Ranch, Andalusia at Coral Mountain, and The Hideaway.

$$ | Middle of the pack you will find subdivisions like Mountain View CC, Rancho La Quinta, The Citrus, Trilogy La Quinta, La Quinta Country Club, Legacy Villas, La Quinta Resort, and PGA West. 

$ | More affordably you can find a great resort home to live at Palm Royale, Puerta Azul, or Laguna De La Paz.

Miscellaneous Gated Communities

Below is a list of misc gated communities, some offer amenities, and some offer only a gate. Nonetheless, they deserve a mention on this list of places to call home within the city of La Quinta.

Palmilla, Lake La Quinta, Hidden Canyon, The Palms, Duna La Quinta, La Quinta Fairways, Codorniz., Renaissance.

Demographics: In recent years 2015-2022 a lot of full-time residents have moved to La Quinta from nearby beach towns capitalizing on large equity growth over their years of home ownership by the ocean. Full-timers move to La Quinta for the full-time “Vacation Lifestyle” offered at most of these large clubhouse communities and because it is generally a more affordable place to live in California. The homeowners living in Large-HOA communities are typically 50 years of age and older, moving out to the desert for retirement. Full-timers dominate the pool of homeowners for Large-HOA’s at about 60%. Snowbirds and second homeowners who live by the nearby coastal area, represent a smaller portion of homeowners and total about 40% of the population of homeowners.

Renting for less than 30 days is the definition of short-term rental "STR" property. The city of La Quinta in 2021 banned short-term renting in a large majority of its housing zones. The subdivisions below have been approved for STR by the city of La Quinta.

Embassy Suites (Casitas Las Rosas): A very short walk to Old Town La Quinta. Total Condo units built are around 145. All units are 1 bed, 1 bath with a kitchen-living room area of around 682 SQFT in total. Plenty of parking, adjacent to the Embassy Suites Hotel. Centrally located within the City.

Homewood Suites (La Quinta Desert Villas – Center Pointe): 40 Condos within walking distance to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. 2 bedrooms, the second bedroom has an ensuite and there is a powder room. Low HOA includes a heated pool/spa and a small clubhouse that hosts a fitness center. There are no garages, only covered parking. There are ground-level units and two stories. Adjacent to the Homewood Suites by Hilton La Quinta.

La Quinta Resort (Spa and Tennis Villas): Onsite at the famous La Quinta Resort are two subdivisions of condos available to purchase and rent out. Learn more HERE.

Signature at PGA West: A 150-unit condo subdivision most units are 2 stories, and some are 1 level. 2-3 Bedrooms ranging in SQFT from 1,222 to 2,530. Homeowners and renters have access to a Private Clubhouse and the Tournament Clubhouse. Homes built on the North and South section of the community have views of the golf course. A great purchase for renters who are attending the American Express Golf Tournament, some homes even have views of the concert venue.

Legacy Villas: Adjacent to the La Quinta Resort. Offering a clubhouse, multiple pools, a resort pool, and a fitness center, tucked right up against the Santa Rosa Mountains. Learn more HERE.

*Pending Approval: The subdivisions below have been approved by the city and are pending approval from their HOA. I predict these communities will soon allow short-term renting, but it is not for sure yet.

Puerta Azul: Featured in South La Quinta, a quiet community of 127 single-family homes. Built-in 2 or 3 bedroom variations, smaller yards, most do not have a private pool. 2 resort-like pools, tennis courts, a clubhouse with a fitness center, and bocce ball. Most have 1 car garage but there is plenty of parking around the community.

Codorniz: A RJT development of 142 single-family homes with small patio yards most homes sharing no common wall. Centrally located within the city walking distance from Talus, La Quinta Park. Visually, the community astonishing and maintained by the HOA. Distinct Spanish Villa Style homes with rich paint colors and sophisticated, contemporary, landscape fashion. SQFT ranges from 1,254 to 1,731, with 3 beds, 3 baths, and 2 car garages, all are two stories. Resident amenities included a small indoor fitness center, a resort pool, tennis courts, and a small greenbelt park.