Palm Springs, CA, located approximately 107 miles east of Los Angeles, has a history full of Hollywood pizzazz. The city’s first claim to fame happened in 1909, when Dr. Harry and Nellie Coffman opened The Desert Inn. The inn actually started out as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients, but later became a world class resort hotel that attracted wealthy clients such as the Vanderbilt and Hearst families. As early as 1919, Palm Springs became a setting for many Hollywood silent films, and eventually the town became famous for its celebrity visitors, such as Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, Lucille Ball, and Shirley Temple. The city was once referred to as “The Playground of the Stars” due to the large number of celebrities that visited or lived there at that time.

Possibly the feature of Palm Springs that attracts millions of visitors and potential residents every year is its weather and natural beauty. Palm Springs, situated in the Colorado Desert, has nearly 350 days of sunshine a year, which allows its residents to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities all year round. Mt. San Jacinto, rising at 10,831 feet, serves as the backdrop to the city. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway allows you to travel 8,500 ft. up the mountain, giving you breathtaking views of the city and surrounding area.

Although Palm Springs still has a reputation as a getaway spot for the stars, many regular citizens--allured by the recreational atmosphere and big-city amenities--choose to make Palm Springs their home. Real estate in Palm Springs is most well-known for its motif of mid-century modern design, which utilizes glass, deep overhangs, natural and manmade materials, and indoor/outdoor spaces. But if mid-century modern isn’t your style, Palm Spring’s real estate market offers a wide variety of single family homes, town homes and condominiums to suit your tastes.

Condominiums, lofts and town homes have become increasingly popular in Palm Springs because they let their residents enjoy maintenance-free living and make great second homes. And since many of these types of homes are located within cultural and commercial centers, homebuyers have easy access to the best attractions, shopping, dining and entertainment. Downtown Palm Springs, along Palm Canyon Drive, is an area that has seen recent residential development. Owners of condominiums and lofts in downtown Palm Springs enjoy the city’s most eclectic collection of shops and restaurants within walking distance. A big feature of Palm Canyon Drive is the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, which pays tribute to all the celebrities who contributed to the charm and recognition of the city. This area typically features higher priced real estate, but very affordable condominiums, lofts and town homes can be found not far from Palm Springs’ main drag. In November 2007, the median price for a condo in Palm Springs was $340,000, while the median price for a single family home was $400,000.

The city of Palm Springs has calculated that approximately 53 people move to the greater area of Palm Springs every day. With such a growing population, purchasing a home in Palm Springs is not only a step toward a greater lifestyle, but a step toward a great investment.

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