Like most urban-to-rural homeowners, Bette Zerba wanted the quiet and safety of a smaller neighborhood. The Realtor and her partner, Bonnie Burns, picked their Peoria home because it's 25 minutes from downtown Phoenix, and a world away in privacy. With homes going for about $150,000 to $215,000, the price didn't hurt either.

"You feel like you're living in a resort town all the time," says Zerba, 54. "I love the weather, and it's very safe. This is a family-oriented place, with lots of kids, and Halloween is a big deal at our home. We make the kids dance to "Thriller" before they can have candy, and they love it." The Southwestern-style home was built in 1993. As for being gay, "We're called 'The Girls,'" says Zerba. "We have several police officers in the neighborhood and feel very safe."

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