March 24, 2005

STREET SCENEMonteval Place

Homes on Monteval Place range from 2,400 to 2,700 square feet situated on 10,000 square foot lots and sell for $900,000 to $1 million.

On family-friendly Monteval Place, off of Monteval Lane, children safely play outside while neighbors chat and residents realize that there’s no place like home.

When the Sexton family moved here in 1998, they knew they were home. After relocating from the Midwest, and searching all over the Bay Area, they chose Almaden Valley and specifically Monteval Place for its family atmosphere—and they’ve been happy ever since.

“When we were looking in Almaden Valley, out of the blue this home came on the market,” says Jeff Sexton. “We took a look and said, ‘We have to have this one. It’s the one we want.’”

The Sextons are friendly with their neighbors, especially those with children of similar ages, and go out for dinner together, as well as on ski trips. The children have made good friends in the area as well, and really enjoy having a safe place to ride their bikes and rollerblade. On Saturdays, it isn’t unusual for the men, out working in their garages, to get together for an impromptu pizza party as they watch the children play.

And, as the Sextons were used to having an annual Fourth of July block party in Ohio, they introduced the idea to their new neighbors, and it’s become an annual tradition ever since. “The first year we put up barbeques in our front yard,” says Sexton. “We had kids games and water balloon fights.”

The residents of Monteval Place enjoyed the Oak Canyon development’s end of the summer party so much last year, that they volunteered to host it this year, and hope it becomes an annual neighborhood tradition as well.

However, it is at Christmastime that the court truly shines. On Monteval Place, residents celebrate a white Christmas, with all their trees and homes sparkling with white lights. On Christmas Eve, luminaries add their glow to the court’s sidewalks, just as they do to every street within the Oak Canyon neighborhood. Visitors to the court, as well as neighbors, appreciate the Winter Wonderland, strolling or slowly driving by to see it.

Over time, the Sextons have considered moving to a new home with a larger backyard, but they’ve gotten so attached to their friends and Guadalupe Elementary School that they don’t think they could ever move.
The Haidet family has lived on Monteval Place for eight years. Originally attracted by the Union School District and the area, they too fell in love with their home at first sight.

“When we were looking for houses in the Almaden Valley and saw this house, we liked it immediately,” says Mike Haidet. “It probably has the largest backyard in the development.” His wife, Diane, did her research, as well, walking around the cul-de-sac and knocking on doors to see if any families with school-age children were in residence. “She went to every house and realized there were at least three or four families with kids,” says Haidet happily. As an added bonus, they are situated on a wide curve, created to show off their model home. “We have a wonderful view of the Santa Cruz Mountains,” adds Haidet.

The Voltie family, who has also lived on Monteval Place for eight years, also enjoys the neighborhood feel of the cul-de-sac.

“We watch out for one another,” says Debbie Voltie, “and if anyone needs anything, we can call each other.” Voltie treasures the experience of watching the children grow up together. “They play together all the time,” she says.

“It’s safe for them to play basketball, kickball, baseball, soccer and even volleyball, and sometimes the parents join in. At times, there will be 10 of them on their bikes or rollerblading, following each other around the circle.”

She also enjoys catching up with neighbors at the Fourth of July block party. “We close off the street, and have games and food and everyone comes,” she says. “It’s fun.”

Sexton appreciates life in Almaden Valley. “Almaden’s a hidden gem,” he says. “I’m involved in the children’s sports activities, and I see a really good community with a lot of great families, and people who want to create a happy place to live.”

—By Lorraine Gabbert