My family and I have lived in Cherokee Bay since 2005. It is one of the few areas left in Maple Valley that is affordable yet safe and relaxing. The residents tend to be a more 'down to Earth' crowd which I find comforting at a time when many cities, neighborhoods, and communities are going out of their way to portray a false sense of elegance or exclusivity. Yes, there are some disrespectful pet owners, a few poorly maintained homes, and the occasional ATV or dirt bike riding down the road, but at least this is a place where people can live with some relative freedom. The HOA can be annoying, but is generally not too overbearing. Ridiculously large speed-bumps litter the neighborhood at a rate of 2-3 per block which makes driving anything smaller than a full size truck a chore, but on the plus side pedestrians feel safe walking around as traffic moves slowly by them. I've found the lake access to be a good counterweight to the frustration of the speed-bumps. Egress is an issue at either entry during most times of the day. A dedicated turn lane or traffic light would help, and is presumably in the works based on the last conversation I had with a city official. I'm currently buying a second house in Maple Valley, and after weighing the pros and cons, we've decided to remain in Cherokee Bay. As far as neighborhood endorsements go, you can't get much better than that.
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