LEGOCreator Limited Edition Set #5771 Hillside House

It’s for my grandson , no comment from me

*Note: This set is retired and while MSRP was 70, prices have subsequently risen. You can check the going rate of retired Lego sets at Bricklink.com*I know, all Lego sets are worth five stars. I love Lego too, but please hear me out.This is Lego's second house from the Creator line for 2011, the first being the Log Cabin (5766) and the third being the Lighthouse (5770). I like just about all the Creator sets because they avoid specialized pieces, often use ingenious building techniques, have multiple build directions, and usually come with a very useful assortment of bricks. Creator sets are closer to how Lego was when I was a kid.This is a two story white house with gray trim, a red roof, beige windows and a blue front door. This set is called the Hillside House because the house and yard are raised one brick (as if on a hill). The house has a lot going on: an electronic sound brick for the doorbell/dog bark, a blue car, carport, cool french doors, solar panel, mini-figure, dog, BBQ, etc. There are three builds, all of them feature a lift-off top for access to the lower floor. The first design also has a hinged roof portion while the second and third designs have a swinging wall that allows for additional access. I like the second design best; Lego calls it a Holiday home but it has nice modern lines and the solar panels have been turned into a small pool.I'm not as keen on this set as the other Creator house sets for 2011. Part of the reason is value. Though this set features an electronic brick and has some interior features, the set shows significant price inflation. Compare, for example with Lego 4954 from 2007, which was at the same price point but featured 1174 bricks versus the Hillside House's 714. The Apple Tree House (5891) from last year is still widely available, is of similar proportions (though no car or sound brick) and is 35% less. Compared to the 2011 sets, I think you get just as much playability, if not more, from the lower priced Log Cabin or Lighthouse (this latter one also includes an electronic light brick).Another reason I recommend the other sets is they are more unique. I believe the 2011 Lighthouse is the first dedicated lighthouse they've offered. The Log Cabin is also an unusual design. By comparison, Lego often has a suburban style home in their lineup. Similarly the other sets have more rare colors and shapes. White bricks and red roof tiles are classic Lego, but they are fairly common. The Log Cabin's rust roof tiles, the Lighthouse's curved corner bricks, and the Apple Tree House's blue roof tiles are more difficult to find and are very useful in making your own unique designs.This is still a great house with many fun features. I just don't think it stacks up as well against Lego's other offerings. And if you are a parent who tires easily of repetitive electronic toy sounds, you will want to hide the doorbell brick.

Great product. Fast shipping.

Beautiful house! My daughter loves it!!