Everyone is always looking for what will be the ultimate retirement place. We had certain criteria that had to be met:
1. No danger of coastal storms and hurricanes.
2. Warm climate.
3. Mountains in the area.
4. A college town nearby.
5. A decent bookstore within walking distance of good coffee shops.
6. A really good supermarket with lots of fresh produce.
7. A few interesting restaurants.
8. Affordable land that is not too isolated.
If we could find all of these somewhere, then, that would be the spot for us. The South of France and Prescott, Arizona both came very close to being ideal. Then, on a whim, we took a trip to the Alpine area this past February and realized that we had serendipitously found the place that met all of our needs. It has all of the above and more. We then decided to look at Sierra La Rana. Gil Bartee met us in Alpine on a Saturday morning and by that evening, we were putting a deposit down on Tract 95.
We have moved quite a bit over the years and have gone through many real estate transactions that, at times, were a real ordeal. Dealing with Gil was never less than a pleasure. This was the easiest and least painful transaction we have ever had. Gil was always available to answer our questions and to guide us along. There were no glitches on our way from being Okies to becoming Texans.
John and Evonna Wilke
My wife, Evonna, and I had a very demanding list of priorities and specifications when we started looking for a property. Sierra la Rana filled the bill on all counts. Living in Colorado, we are very familiar with beautiful scenery, but we don't feel like we are giving up anything with SLR! Every time we've been out on the property we are struck with its beauty; the abundance of wildlife on the ranch is absolutely staggering. Gil Bartee was very attentive to every detail, and our buying experience was very enjoyable!
Rick, Amy and Hannah Vandiver
Upon visiting the CF Ranch and Alpine recently, Amy and I had no intention of purchasing property, even though we were beginning to formulate plans for our retirement in a few years. We are quite familiar with the Davis Mountains and the Big Bend Area, as we have traveled and stayed in places from Lajitas to Ft. Davis during the past several years.
Sierra la Rana was exactly what we had in mind for our future life: a well-conceived and formulated ranch development backed by people with local ties, who have a real stake in SLR's success. As we say in Texas, "This ain't their first rodeo," and that is quite important to fellow Texans. When Amy and I retire we will remain under Texas skies, and we are very appreciative that Mr. Micallef, ably represented by Gil Bartee, is committed to a first class operation in the Big Bend Area.
Marty and Hilda Stango
When my wife and I first came to Big Bend country we fell in love with it. We looked around the area for a home, but did not find any development that was of interest until we found Sierra La Rana. Here were sites with magnificent views, with tracts large enough to give you elbow room, as much as you want, and yet retain a community perspective.
The amenities along with the covenants provide for a growing community oriented toward country living with an equestrian flavor. Our independent research supported and reinforced the values and benefits of living in the Alpine area. The cultural advantages of a near by university, the vistas offered by one of the largest national parks, great sunrises and sunsets, wonderful bird watching, nature camping, hiking and relaxing combined with multiple hunting opportunities make this an ideal place for a vacation or retirement home or the evolution from one to the other as we are planning on doing.
The Sierra La Rana personnel could not be more helpful and supportive. Gil Bartee has been wonderful to work with and goes more than the extra mile. This place and these people have more than earned our highest recommendation.
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The Carver Family
