The world recognizes Palm Springs for its diverse community, adoration of mid-century modern architecture, and resort-colored desert lifestyle. But Southern California travelers also associate the Coachella Valley with the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm, one of the most iconic wind energy zones in the country. The wind farm is more than a local quirk. Rather, it’s a serious consideration when buying a home in Palm Springs – one you can’t afford to overlook.
Considering Wind When Buying a Home in Palm Springs
A first glimpse of the seemingly countless whirling turbines punctuating the arid hillside along Interstate-10 is truly surreal. It can feel like you accidentally slipped into a sci-fi blockbuster as the looming turbines greet you to the Coachella Valley – larger-than-life sentinels spinning against an alien landscape. But this isn’t an art installation or tourist attraction erected for the simple sake of curiosity, nor is it simply a photo op. It’s an influence on lifestyle that locals recognize, but that others, including the prospective Palm Springs homeowner, may not immediately notice.
The Windiest Coachella Valley Neighborhoods
The first factor to consider when buying a home in Palm Springs is that not all its houses are equally impacted by the colossal wind farm. It should come as no surprise that the communities closest to the San Gorgonio Pass are also the ones that endure the most frequent and strongest winds in the vicinity. These include North Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs.
In these neighborhoods, significant wind doesn’t mean a notable breeze. It means that dust storms kick up, patio furniture gets tossed about, and the languid, leisurely poolside repose so celebrated in the Coachella Valley gets that much more challenging. The wind isn’t constant. But it happens, especially during specific points in the year.
Area Neighborhoods with the Lighter Wind Conditions
Obviously, when buying a home in Palm Springs, people quickly realize that the homes less impacted by the wind farm are often more desirable. Outdoor living is such a strong appeal to buyers across the Coachella Valley that it only makes sense. Because of the regional topography, southern and central Palm Springs, as well as neighboring cities like Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells, enjoy generally lighter wind conditions.
Is Palm Springs Real Estate Near the Wind Farm Generally Worth Less?
That being said, you might jump to the conclusion that the homes closer to the wind farm consistently experience lower property values. When the turbines were initially erected in the 1980s, it was feared that the farm would negatively impact Palm Springs real estate. However, broad research actually supports that homes closer to the turbines don’t suffer declines solely out of proximity to the wind farm. Large studies have even reinforced that there is no consistent, supportable evidence that wind farms reduce home prices.
But individual buyer preferences are another matter. Someone who needs a serene outdoor living experience may very well consider a home near the wind turbines an instant dealbreaker. Others respect the local emphasis on sustainability. And there are even those interested in buying a home in Palm Springs who would consider a front row seat to the view of the wind farm as a selling point in itself.
Local Tips for Those Thinking of Buying Homes Near the Wind Farm
Speak to any Palm Springs local, and you’ll hear the following tips when considering buying a home in Palm Springs near the wind farm.
Vary Your Visits
The wind conditions change not just from season to season but from day to day. Therefore, it’s to the buyer’s benefit to visit during different seasons, different days of the week, and even different times of day. Some homes can have peaceful mornings but turbulent afternoons. Get to know the rhythm of the wind farm!
Location in Relation
The features of a prospective home engage with the wind conditions in different ways. Look to see how sand accumulates on the property, as well as how the direction of the wind can have a varying impact on patios, pools, and landscaping.
Map Your Ideal Exterior Layout
The layout of your yard and exterior living spaces, like pools and patios, relies heavily on compensating for the wind. Therefore, try to determine early on how to best arrange windbreaks and shade with your home’s relation to the wind farm.
Going With the Wind – and Against It
“It’s only the wind” takes on a different meaning to anyone living adjacent to the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm. But careful planning and personal preferences can work to emphasize the clear value still inherent in this distinctive patch of Palm Springs real estate. Some see the turbines as a visual representative of community pride, honoring the valley’s innovation and commitment to a sustainable future. Others simply see a hindrance to the resort-style living they’ve worked so hard to attain. By understanding both sides, buyers and sellers alike can move confidently toward the best solution for everyone involved.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
