Out in suburbs, pair finds solitude amid vacant lots

Roy and Lisa Hoskins live on the outskirts of town and right in the heart of the housing free-fall. In normal times their three-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot home really wouldn't stand out. But then again, in normal times the Hoskins would have neighbors. Head out to Marana, past the farm fields and dirt lot remnants of sprawl, and you will find the Hoskins' casa standing tall in a Meritage Homes development called Solara. It's hard to miss because it's the only home on the block. All around the Hoskins' home is dirt. Dirt to the left. Dirt to the right. Dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt. "It's a little odd," Lisa Hoskins said. "I mean, I came from suburbia, so it's different. But at the same time, it's nice not to have neighbors to annoy or be annoyed by them." Of course, the Hoskins are in suburbia, just without the homes. They are suburban pioneers, so to speak, and to some degree they chose this situation.

Click here to view this article from its source.