Cuernavaca, Mountain View

Newcomers to Cuernavaca, at the south end of Mountain View, often mistake it for a resort.

It could be the tall palm trees, the well-groomed landscaping or the central pool, clubhouse and tennis courts. All of the 170 Spanish-style homes in the planned unit community, which were completed between 1986 and 1989, are painted the same salmon bisque.

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In this community, the residents own their homes and the land underneath, but the homeowners' association is responsible for maintaining the shared facilities, as well as the landscaping in front of each home. Even the shape and colors of stepping stones are regulated by the association.

Located on a 30-acre parcel that was originally a cherry orchard, then the Cherry Chase Golf Course, the three-bedroom homes range from 1,524 to 2,478 square feet.

What drew Matthew Duncan and his wife Monique Rossman in 2003 was the location and the amenities.

"We really liked the fact that you could buy a home with access to tennis courts, gymnasium, pool and spa without having to maintain it all by yourself," Duncan said.

Duncan takes a morning run along the Stevens Creek Trail, which is being extended to just a few hundred feet from the complex. "It's all green space to the Bay," he added.

Cuernavaca facts: CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS (NEARBY): Western Montessori Day School, 323 Moorpark Way; St. Timothy's Nursery School, 2094 Grant Road; YMCA -- Huff Kids' Place, 253 Martens Ave. FIRE STATION: No. 2, 160 Cuesta Drive NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Vicki Gilfix, president, Cuernavaca Homeowners Association, 650-961-5480; PML Management, 650-349-9113 PARKS: Green belt on the property POST OFFICE: Blossom Valley, 1768 Miramonte Ave. PRIVATE SCHOOLS (NEARBY): St. Stephen Lutheran School, 320 Moorpark Way PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mtn. View-Whisman School District -- Huff Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District -- Mountain View High School SHOPPING: Americana Shopping Center -- Albertsons MEDIAN 2007 HOME PRICE: $1,060,000 # HOMES SOLD: 1 MEDIAN 2007 CONDO PRICE: $1,065,000 ($915,000-$1,150,000) # CONDOS SOLD: 9

He also finds it "extremely convenient" to highways 85 and 237, and "El Camino Real is just around the corner," he said.

Another draw is the range of people. About one-third, he estimates, have downsized from larger homes in Los Altos. Another third could be in their first homes. And, they come from all over. A native of Australia, Duncan is pleased to meet neighbors from France or The Netherlands. "It's quite a multicultural community, actually," he said.

Bill Lewis, a resident since 2001 and president of the Cuernavaca Homeowners Association, was also drawn by the amenities. In addition to the pool, tennis courts, library and tot lot, the clubhouse can be rented out for parties for a nominal fee. The dues to maintain common areas are $190 per month.

"For the price, you get a very nice-sized house. Because they were built 20 years ago, there's a lot of light and nice features in the house," Lewis said.

Recently the location was enhanced by the opening of the Camino Medical Group's new facility on the old Emporium site, both Duncan and Lewis agreed.

Neighbors get to know each other through socials at the clubhouse, including at least one annual children's event. This year 30 children showed up at a Dora the Explorer-themed party before Halloween, Duncan said.

An informal e-mail community offers a "bulletin board" for sharing unofficial recommendations for everything from babysitters to gardeners, roofing experts or handymen.

"If you walk around at night, you know every third person," he said, adding "you feel safe in the community. People refer to it like an old American town, where people know everybody."

"It's a fantastic place, especially for people with kids. It's quiet and safe. If you're in there you're there to see somebody," Lewis said.

-- Carol Blitzer