$399,789Average Value$286Average Price per Sq Ft33Homes For Sale
Frontier living at the desert's edge
Named for a limestone sinkhole and indigenous settlement listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Lake Montezuma retains its wealth of natural beauty nine centuries after its first settlement. Realtor Dyanna Nichols with Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert Sedona, who has sold several homes in the area, says , “Lake Montezuma is also known as Rimrock, but I call it the ‘last frontier of the Verde Valley’ because it’s the least developed, and you can get the most bang for your buck .” Unlike densely populated Phoenix or even nearby Cottonwood, Lake Montezuma’s community of more than 5,000 residents is both sprawling and sparsely populated, as many home have acres of desert between them. With direct access to Interstate 17, residents of Lake Montezuma have expedient journeys to the urban hub of Cottonwood and the entertainment that Camp Verde offers, all while living in scenic seclusion on the edge of the desert.
Most people think Arizona is flat, but Lake Montezuma is anything but.
Visitors of Lake Montezuma’s Montezuma Well are greeted with a dramatic first view.
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Homes with the desert as a back yard
Lake Montezuma was first developed in the 1950s, but a settlement called Rimrock existed three decades before them; today, both names are commonly used. Homes dating to the mid-20th century mingle with recently built ranch-style, Pueblo and New Traditional residences. Ranch-style homes typically cost between $170,000 and $405,000, while newer homes can cost between $500,000 and $1.23 million. All of these homes tend to be situated along quiet streets, some of them with vast stretches of undeveloped land between them. “It doesn’t really have community amenities like a grocery store, but it does have that rural, ‘Wild, Wild West’ feel because it’s the least-developed community in our area,” Nichols says. “It’s got the lowest price per square foot anywhere in the Verde Valley.”
A few new builds can be found throughout Lake Montezuma.
Colorful homes are not uncommon in Lake Montezuma.
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Hiking and heritage sites in Lake Montezuma
Lake Montezuma is surrounded by opportunities for outdoor recreation, including trips to historic natural features. Beaver Creek runs through the heart of the neighborhood and towards the Montezuma Well, a large sinkhole named for an Aztec god and the site of ruins from the ancient Sinagua people. Hikers can walk around the sinkhole and view dwellings cut into the cliffsides around 800 years ago; at the southern end of Lake Montezuma, the related Montezuma Castle National Monument offers a similar experience. Adventurous residents can make their own desert adventures in the wealth of wildlands that surround this community. “Rimrock and Lake Montezuma also border national forest land, meaning that, if you have the luxury of owning horse property, you can take your horses out on the trails that are deemed ridable,” Nichols says. “Some trails are just for feet only, for biking or motorized vehicles, and some allow horses.” Hiking trails branch off from Lake Montezuma’s rural roads, leading through desert scrubland in the shadow of the Mogollon Rim’s towering mountains. “The hiking trail accessibility is nice, and the terrain is more barren, so you don’t have as much thick shrubbery or as many taller juniper trees like Sedona. It’s a more open, rugged feel,” Nichols adds. More relaxed recreation can be had at places like Sycamore Park, which has a small playground, or at Lake Montezuma, a popular destination for picnics and duck-watching.
Beaver Creek runs through Lake Montezuma’s Sycamore Park.
Montezuma Castle National Monument in Camp Verde is a unique hidden treasure.
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Career readiness at Cottonwood's high school
Students can start their education at the Beaver Creek School, a K-8 school which Niche gives a B-minus rating. High schoolers can choose to attend Camp Verde, Mingus Union or Red Rock High Schools, with Cottonwood’s Mingus Union High School having the highest grade among them, a B, and the C-rated Camp Verde High School being closest in proximity. Mingus Union has a wealth of extracurricular activities that build career readiness, including Auto Club, Debate Club and Future Farmers of America.
Lake Montezuma’s Beaver Creek School is rated a B- from Niche.com.
Football is popular at Cottonwood’s Mingus Union High School.
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Commuting into Cottonwood
Lake Montezuma’s remote location means that there are no public transport options, but Interstate 17 carries travelers into Camp Verde within an 11-mile journey and the urban and healthcare hub of Cottonwood within 18 miles.
Lake Montezuma resident use I-17 to travel south to Phoenix and north to Flagstaff.
Lake Montezuma residents looking for a burger can head to Cottonwood’s Bing’s Burger Station.
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Grabbing a bite from small, local businesses
As a deeply rural community, Lake Montezuma doesn’t have access to many brand-name retailers; however, this shapes part of this neighborhood’s charm. “People trying to get away from the big, big city think it’s quaint to support a local business, and, in, Lake Montezuma and other areas in the Verde Valley, there’s a big emphasis on family-owned and little businesses like mom-and-pop restaurants and shops,” Nichols says. “Peach Tree Café is a sweet little place, baking from scratch. Robbie’s is a little, local dive bar and pizza place, and a lot of my friends who live over in Rimrock really like it.” A local Dollar General keeps residents’ shelves stocked, while neighboring Camp Verde has a Bashas’ supermarket.
Find unique items at Cattle Guard Antiques and Gifts near Lake Montezuma, by the cattle guard.
Grab a tasty lunch and a milkshake at Robbie’s in Lake Montezuma.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kris Anderson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sycamore Park
Rollins Park
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lake Montezuma
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Lake Montezuma Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lake Montezuma, Camp Verde sell after 81 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake Montezuma, Camp Verde over the last 12 months is $392,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Enjoy a more rural setting along with modern luxuries! Located in the gated community of Beaver Creek Preserve which includes access to clubhouse, pool, tennis court, and walking paths. With 0.31 acres and subdivision land buffering adjacent lots, this location affords the owner more privacy. This lot sits above road level, offering the future home builder more expansive views while the steeper
Charming Updated Home on Half an Acre - Room for All Your Toys!Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac, this beautifully cared-for 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and convenience. Sitting on a generous 0.51-acre lot, this 1,296 sq ft gem boasts numerous updates, including brand-new windows, solar panels for energy efficiency, and all new appliances included--ready
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kris Anderson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,729
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,874
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$67,241
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92%
College Graduates
18.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.9%
% Population in Labor Force
46.8%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
19''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
3/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
18/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
