Goodyear

In addition to transplants from California and other West Coast states like Washington, Palm Valley is home to a diverse makeup of residents. On typical days, the scene here can consist of older couples going on morning or evening strolls, parents walking their dogs and children riding around on their bikes in excitement. “It’s inclusive. There are a lot of different types of families, and everybody pretty much feels at home,” says Charles Barrett, a Realtor with eXp Realty and team leader for Team Kimble who’s made a dozen sales in Palm Valley. “I think it’s the community, man. The feel of the community. The schools are great over there. It is a little higher pricing, but I think they seek it out just because of the feel. They can go walk to the park, they can have their kids walk to school because there’s so many schools in the area. Everything you need is in the community.” Shaped like an upside down U, the entire Palm Valley area in Goodyear is centered around a 9,000-acre master planned community that features much of the desirable amenities usually seen with such developments. Golf, open space leisure and community center games are just some of the activities residents enjoy here. In 2022, the West Valley city moved its heart closer to Palm Valley when it opened the Goodyear Civic Square at GSQ off McDowell Road and 150 Drive — or in the middle of the upside-down U. In addition to the new city hall, plans call for a true walkable urban downtown with a mixture of dining, shopping and entertainment. Comprised of multiple phases, Palm Valley homes are in neatly arranged subdivisions where residents can pass by many houses as they stroll the neighborhoods. Lining roads and sidewalks with gentle curbs many homes fit under the Mediterranean style umbrella, with common features like tiled roofing and stucco exteriors. There are standard single-story Spanish Revival style homes and some more stately ones with Tuscan features like turret roofing. Residents who want to explore the greater community are accommodated by sidewalks found along main roads like Falcon Drive. There, they go on peaceful strolls between neatly-manicured and gravel road verges and garden beds. Price points can go begin at around $450,000 for homes under 2,000 square feet to around $700,000 for larger homes on greater acreage. Then, there are less than 1,000-square-foot condos that can start at around $230,000 and reach the up to the upper $300,000s for larger ones. There's also the age-restricted PebbleCreek luxury retirement community just west of the main master planned community. PebbleCreek has similar style , with price points going from the lower $500,000s for houses at around 1,500 square feet to around $840,000 for even larger and newer ones. Some highly rated public schools serve Palm Valley. They include Palm Valley Elementary School, Western Sky Middle School and Millenium High School, all of which received grades of B-plus or higher from ratings site Niche. The high school is listed among the top 50 and top 100, in the state, respectively, for best high schools for athletes and best college prep public high school. Several developments have occurred at the high school in recent years, including the construction of a roughly $16 million state-of-the-art multipurpose gym featuring three basketball courts and the establishment of a welding program. Although it’s obviously far from the only place with them, some of the fast-food chains are pretty popular here. The Panera Bread at the Goodyear Centerpointe shopping center off the corner of McDowell Road and Pebble Creek Parkway is said to be one of the busiest ones in the nation. Another one often bustling with patrons is BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse a little farther east in the Market at Estrella Falls. The latest blockbusters can be caught here at the Harkins Theatres Estrella Falls 16. For grocery shopping, there’s a Safeway a little farther north in the Palm Valley Marketplace. Located on the eastern end is the Arthur Hills designed Palm Valley Golf Club and its three nine-hole courses. The Eagle’s Nest Golf Course, located just east of Pebble Creek Parkway, has an 18-hole course where players can play among seven lakes with views of the White Tank Mountains. Eagle’s Nest is located at PebbleCreek. Green spaces here include the 4-acre Palm Valley Park just east of the golf club of the same name. Children can hit the playground there, where they can climb or slide down the main structure under the shade of a canopy. Just north of the Palm Valley Golf Club sits Goodyear Community Park. In addition to the ball sports amenities, the space features a splash pad and skate park. There’s also the Palm Valley Community Center just off Palm Valley Boulevard. The amenities the facility’s members have access to include a swimming pool, tennis courts and a game room that includes billiards tables. With the Goodyear Civic Square near the heart of the community, Palm Valley residents have quick access to a number of events put on throughout the year. They include Holiday season festivities, live bands and other events that can involve food trucks and beer gardens. One major community event that takes places at the square is the annual Wag & Tag Festival in January. Other past events there have included the football-themed Game On! Goodyear Block Party. Interstate 10, which runs just of the community’s bounds, provides a nearly direct connection to downtown Phoenix just over 20 miles to the east. Continuing a little farther east on the interstate, residents can reach the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Palm Valley is also located about 6 miles north of the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport, classified as a general aviation reliever airport for Sky Harbor. Medical facilities close to the community include the Abrazo West Campus on McDowell Road, which has a Level 1 Trauma program.

Located on the far outskirts of the Valley of the Sun--known simply as "The Valley" by locals, the Estrella Mountain neighborhood is tucked away from the bustle of Downtown Phoenix and Glendale. The Estrella Parkway takes you into Goodyear, where you will also find access to major highway Interstate 10, connecting you to other locations in the area. Options for outdoor activities are abundant in Estrella, with over 50 miles of paths and trails for walking, hiking, cycling and more. The two lakes in the middle of the Estrella Mountain Ranch master-planned community give residents the opportunity to kayak, paddleboard, have a relaxing canoe ride or take part in any other water activities. Developed in 1988, this community offers a variety of styles of detached, single-family homes. Classic ranchers, Tuscan-style estates and contemporary homes can also be found in other subdivisions around the community. The Estrella Mountain and Westar elementary schools are close by and serve children from kindergarten up to 8th grade. High school students attend Estrella Foothills, where students have a variety of athletic, artistic and academic clubs to choose from. The Estrella Mountain Regional Park encompasses over 20,000 acres and includes mountainous terrain for hiking, baseball fields, a sprawling wetland and 65 acres of picnic space. The 33 miles of trails can be used for mountain biking, hiking, horseback or ATV riding and much more. Start your morning with a breakfast sandwich, bagel or other fresh baked goods at Oasis Bagels, located in the Mountain Ranch Marketplace. For fresh produce, meat and other groceries, head over to Safeway. Located inside Estrella Mountain Ranch, the Golf Club of Estrella is a highly rated 18-hole public course with scenic views of the Sierra Estrella Mountains. After a round of golf, head over to the Player’s Grill & Patio to enjoy tasty food and drinks. Tres Rios Golf Course offers 18-holes and tree-lined fairways to the public. Located along the North Lake in Estrella Mountain Ranch, the Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater is a gathering place for community members and where yearly events like the Goodyear Lakeside Music Festival and Ballet Under the Stars are held. Head up the Estrella Parkway to the Estrella Star Tower for stargazing. This tourist attraction offers scenic mountain views during the day and the opportunity to see clusters of stars and constellations at night. Grab an iced coffee, sweets or a variety of breakfast food options at Café Bebida, located right next to the star tower. Catch some of the best players in the league play during MLB Spring Training at nearby Goodyear Park, home to the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians during the spring training season. Estrella Mountain Ranch also hosts the Goodyear Little League, serving children aged 4 to 14. For racing enthusiasts, the Phoenix Raceway is a 1-mile racetrack that hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends.