Sterlingshire, El Dorado Hills, CA - Recently featured in the Sacramento Magazine for "Great Neighborhoods" was El Dorado Hills very own Sterlingshire. So what really makes a great neighborhood? For me that would be its beauty- the homes, the landscapes, the setting, its amenities, and the feeling when driving through the streets that the residents care about where they live. In this case I'm probably a little biased having had the privilege to live there myself for eight years, but first hand knowledge is also a benefit and Sterlingshire definitely fits the criteria. The subdivision began in 1990 among majestic native oaks and the Allegheny Creek which meanders through the greenbelt many of the homes back up to. All of the homes are custom and sit on .5 acre or more.

One of the things I admire about Sterlingshire is the involvement of the residents. They work together for the good of the neighborhood and when you look around it's evident the residents care. With its own homeowners association run by a board and several subcommittees which handle such things as hospitality, the social events, landscape approval and improvement, etc., they are always looking for good men and women to jump in with help and ideas. They play together as well. There are four big social events planned every year where you really get a chance to meet and know your neighbors. The Holiday Party in December and the Annual Home Owners Meeting/Party in the summer are both adult only and are held in a gracious resident's home. So as not to leave the kids out there is also the Easter Egg Hunt and October-fest where the whole family can attend.

Some other things you'll find in Sterlingshire include a walking trail that runs along the creek and greenbelt; and during Christmas-time if you drive through the streets you'll find some of the best decked out homes around. There's a book club. And then there's the Bodacious Biking Babes, a biking club started by a Sterlingshire resident who's idea was to get a small group of moms together for a 3-day bike ride charity fundraiser that benefits the American Lung Association called Breathe California. The club has grown to 51 mom's (not all from Sterlingshire) who participate in two annual rides as a group - Breathe California as well as a ride they put on every August to benefit Parkinson disease and the Lance Armstrong Foundation called Ride for a Reason, and several other charity rides on a whoever-can-go basis.

While we lived there I felt a sense of belonging and always a sense of pride to be part of the neighborhood. We moved from Sterlingshire three years ago, taking with us fond memories of those yearly events and the great neighbors we were fortunate to get to know.

One extra benefit for this neighborhood- there are no Mello Roos and home owners association dues are minimal!

I encourage Sterlingshire homeowners to submit their comments on what they thing make Sterlingshire a "Best Neighborhood".