Hidden Springs Review!
I finally finished the Hidden Springs review! It's mostly informative, but that's what some of the visitors asked for so, I hope you enjoy it! Click read more below to start reading!
Recently I got the new Hidden Springs world and I was eager to install and play this new addition to my game! EA had asked me to write a little something about Francesca Vanderburg, so I did! But, there's so much more to write about. That's why I decided to write a (mostly informative) review about the new world! I'll show you all the new families and households, their homes and community lots!
Families & Households
Let's start with the Vanderburg family. Catarina Vanderburg comes from a long line of rich Sims. She married Renauld. Catarina has two children; Sebastian and Francesca. But they are not Renauld's kids. When looking at the family tree, we cannot seem to find the real father. Catarina and Renauld live in a large home. Their home is called Vanderburg Palace. Both Catarina and Renauld have reached the top of the politics career. Son Sebastian who still lives at home, has a job in Law Enforcement. The story in the game is that Catarina wants her kids to live up to the Vanderburg name. However son Sebastian won't move out and won't get a serious relationship, while daughter Francesca "the princess" has run away from home.
Francesca Vanderburg seems to be having some issues with her mom, she has moved out to The Hideout, a small cabin home near the edge of Hidden Springs. Francesca can enjoy her rustic and nature friendly life out there. She is active in the Journalism career.
Across the Vanderburg family lives the Cho family. Their estate is called Seaside Mansion and it's bright yellow. Happy colors! Simon Cho is the head of the household. He has a job in the Business career. His wife is called Alisha and she works in the music industry. They have two children. Davy is the oldest, a boy (child) and then there's Minzi, a (toddler) girl.
Near the edge of Hidden Springs lives Louis Swete in his Solitary Haven. Louis works in the Law Enforcement career. He doesn't look so healthy... A bit green and he has a lot of issues, especially with Emmaline Rhoen, one of the neighbors.
Emmaline Rhoen works in the Medicine career. Emmaline Rhoen is also green and lives in the Rustic Living home. She's a bit crazy, but then, aren't we all?
It seems being green is a common thing in a certain area of Hidden Springs, because the Shue family also lives here, and some of these family members are green as well. The Shue family consists of Granny, an elder woman with green skin and grey hair. According to the bio, she never got children of her own, so she adopted a bunch of them; Dany, Carlotta, Star and Gary. They are a happy family at the Shue Place, which is what their house is called. Granny works in the Culinary career.
You'll be able to find the Free Spirit household somewhat up the hill. The Free Spirit household consists of Nicholas Riverhawk, Cassidy Earthsong and Jessica Willow. Nicholas is active in the Journalism career, Cassidy works at the hospital and Willow is in the army. Their home is called Sustainable Oasis. It's a lovely home.
Ryan Anderson is one of the many singles in Hidden Springs. He lives in a nice house up the hill. He works in the journalism career and his place is called Cozy Cabin!
Madeline Moore also lives up the hill. She inherited a lot of money from her grandma, however she already spent most of it. Madeline works in the Science career and she lives in her Naturally Simplistic home. Quite a lovely home too!
Hector Mendoza was a child star once. Now he has moved up the hill to live a quiet life in the Woodsmen's Getaway. Hector is active in the Music industry.
Anna Menon is a true style guru, you can spot her a mile away, with her bright outfit. She same goes for her house, which is called the Style Center. Her house is pink. Really pink. Despite the fact that she looks like she's a stylist, she's actually active in the Journalism career.
Laila Al Fahad has a career in Medicine. She seems like a strong independent woman. She is the personal doctor to the wealthy Sims. Her home is called Classically Lovely.
The Ruiz family has a strange story. Carly Ruiz, the nanny, was with the children one day and the parents just never returned. It doesn't say who these supposed parents are. Also, when you take a look at the family tree, you will see that Carly Ruiz is actually the mom of kids Emmit Preston (teen boy) and Jake Preston (child boy). Either way, the parents have left them a lovely home called the Perfect Family Home. Carly Ruiz works in the Athletics career.
Pierce Shawkti and his daughter Sidney Shawkti live in the Comfort Central home. Mom's missing, but the two seem to get along without mom just fine. Pierce has an Athletics career and Sidney is still in school.
Liam O'Dourke moved from Sunset Valley to Hidden Springs. He looks like a true geek. Or perhaps *dork* is a better term here. 
Liam works at the Science facility. And he lives in his Just Enough Bungalow.
The Winterly family is another rich family. Peter Winterly is a Business man, Adele Winterly works in the army and Charles, their son, is still a teen. They supposedly moved to Hidden Springs hoping their sick Charles would recover here. I think moving did the trick. The family lives at Ponderosa Place.
Gabriella Ornales is a widow, and she works as a politician. Her place is called Traditional Chic.
The Song family seems a bit odd to me. Andrew Song looks like your average doctor, so nothing weird there. But his wife Jewel... I don't see the match here. Jewel looks so evil! And she has a job in the Crime career. They do seem happy though, in The Treasure Trove.
Bert Alto reminded me of the Alto family from Sunset Valley. I'm pretty sure he's related to them! Bert has a criminal career. And he lives in the Charming in Blue home.
Ian Nali loves sports, and he also has an athletic career. He's looking sassy and sporty with his striped track suit pants. Ian lives at the Bachelor's Paradise. He's still single. Will you find him the perfect partner?
The girls in the Debutante household have moved in The Fun House. They are frenemies, whatever that means. They have been friends for a long time. Will their friendship survive their choice to move in together? Jenny Lho is in the army. Blake Grayson has a bit of a criminal record...
The Chesterfield family consists of only men. Dad Bruce is a responsible man and works in the Law Enforcement career. His two teen sons Dennis and Scott are both still in school. They live in the Ultimate Family Retreat.
The Colby family are hard working Sims. Christoff Colby is a Business man and Genevieve Colby works as a Politician. They live in their Newly Arrived Domicile.
The family living in the Craftsman Dream mansion is the Abbot family. Carl Abbot works in the Law Enforcement career. And Maya Abbot is a Business woman.
The final and perhaps also the funniest family is the Pertridge family. I didn't realize this before I had Hidden Springs, but the Pertridge family is pretty much a fairytale in a modern family. The mother, Lonnie, loves her own children. Astrid and Eunice also love their mother. However Lonnie seems to hate her stepdaughter Ella Carlisle. And lovely daughter Eunice is like her mom, she hates her step sister Ella. Fortunately for Ella, there is one person in that home who likes her, which is Astrid. Astrid doesn't seem to have a problem with anyone. Let's hope for Ella she grows up fast enough so she can move out. Living in a closet isn't that comfortable. In Pristine and Pretty there doesn't seem to be enough room for Cinderella, oops I meant Ella. Lonnie has a Culinary career, as does Ella. I wonder how that's working for them. Astrid is in the Music industry and Eunice is a Criminal Sim.
Maybe it's just me. And I don't mean to say anything bad about Hidden Springs, because personally, I love it! But it looks like there are a lot of broken families in Hidden Springs. I just wonder why that is. Anyway, if this bothers you, you could always couple some of the families together, because there are plenty of singles in Hidden Springs! Or you could just add your own families! How will you play? Will you play with the premade families, or would you rather have your own?
Empty Houses
I found 10 empty homes. Some cheap, some expensive. Here is a list of those homes.
- §15.814 - Handcrafted Masterpiece - 9 Cottonwood Courtyard
- §16.065 - Gypsy Hideaway - 19 Willow Lane
- §16.100 - Little Cottage Getaway - 3 Ash Drive
- §37.376 - Country Dream Cottage - 13 Meadow Beach Drive
- §43.318 - Woodland Cabin with Inlaw Unit - 12 Meadow Beach Drive
- §79.375 - Lakeside Villa - 16 Poplar Drive
- §88.199 - Sweet Chateau - 29 Bristecone Way
- §93.581 - Lemon Chateau - 15 Poplar Drive
- §215.027 - Abundant Luxury - 2 Ponderosa Courtyard
- §341.629 - Modern Mansion - 10 Alder Street
Empty Lots
I searched and I think there are 14 empty lots in Hidden Springs. These lots can be turned into homes or community lots. Of course, you could always add more empty lots with the World Editor tool. 
- §1800 - 52 Bristlecone Way
- §1800 - 6 Subalpine Circle
- §1800 - 22 Subalpine Circle
- §2400 - 4 Beryl Courtyard
- §2400 - 11 Meadow Beach Drive
- §2400 - 9 Azure Lake Drive
- §2400 - 7 Ponderosa Avenue
- §3200 - 5 Spruce Street
- §3200 - 65 Subalpine Boulevard
- §3200 - 77 Subalpine Boulevard
- §3200 - 19 Alpine Drive
- §3200 - 47 Ruby Courtyard
- §3200 - 9 Sunstone Courtyard
- §8192 - 7 Meadow Beach Drive
Community Lots
There are so many community lots in Hidden Springs! Where to start... I'll do the career buildings first.
- Hidden Springs Town Hall (Politics/Self-Employment)
- Hidden Springs Coliseum (Athletics)
- Center for Naturally Scientific Studies (Science)
- H.S. Center of Defense (Military)
- Fountain Corporation (Business/Journalism)
- Sulis Theater of the Arts (Music)
- Rudolph Vanderburg Memorial Hospital (Medical)
- Honorable Citizens Trading Post (Criminal)
- Hidden Springs Police Department (Law Enforcement/Investigator)
- Angela's Bistro (Culinary)
- The Enchanted Grill (Culinary)
- Alpine Community School (Education)
Here is the most beautiful building in Hidden Springs, the Silver Zephyr Health Spa! Right next door is the Silver Zephyr Poolside Retreat.
More community lots, some with part time jobs. Some are Profession buildings.
- Tuata de Books (Book Store)
- Alvetta's Fresh Produce (Groceries)
- Community Fire Department (Firefighter Profession)
- Barney's Salon and Tattoo (Stylist Profession)
- Whole Body Fitness (Gym)
- Crystal Solarium Rejuvenating Waters (Pool)
- Subalpine Square (Big Park)
- Shady Pines Historical Cemetary
- Eloise C. Vanderburg's Home for Books (Library)
- Landgraab Sell n Swap (Consignment Store)
- Paul A. Wilkes Natural Museum (Art Gallery)
- Grady's Junkstop (Junkyard)
- Han's Tavern & Café (Hangout)
- Redwood Heights Luxury Lodge (Hangout)
- Redwood Peak Viewing Area (Hangout)
- Lars' Disco Tech (Hangout)
- Shoreline Cabin (Hangout)
- Louie Falls (Fishing Spot)
- Meadow Beach (Fishing Spot)
- Beryl Lane Picnic Spot (Big Park)
- Hidden Gardens (Small Park)
- Fairy Folk Park (Small Park)
Hidden Springs
To conclude this review, I just want to show you some screenshots of Hidden Springs itself. Because it really is a beautiful new world!
I would like to thank EA for the opportunity to play with Hidden Springs. This definitely got me playing The Sims 3 again haha. Anyway, I hope this review helps our visitors see what a wonderful new world Hidden Springs is. You can buy Hidden Springs in The Sims 3 Store!