Home to the second-largest tennis stadium and one of the best-attended tennis tournaments in the world, Indian Wells features outdoor recreation and community in a laidback desert environment. “It’s a relaxed neighborhood, but people are very involved in the community. And there are plenty of outdoor recreational activities and events,” says Sue Ellen Ross, a Realtor with Grand Luxury Properties who has lived in Indian Wells for 25 years. Situated in the Coachella Valley, the neighborhood offers a luxury lifestyle with tennis and golf facilities, stylish restaurants, gated communities and a highly-rated school system. Planned communities populate Indian Wells, so homes are organized on gridded streets lined with palm trees. Small front yards are usually decorated with drought-resistant landscaping, and backyards often have resort-style patios with in-ground pools. Housing in Indian Wells is divided between residential country clubs, private estates and condos, and predominately appears in Spanish Revival and mid-century modern designs. The location and high demand keep the housing market competitive; prices for a two-bedroom condo built in 1980 and located in a gated community start at $670,000. Single-family homes built in the last 20 years start at $800,000 and rise to $2 million, depending on size and modern finishings. Mansions in country club communities cost $8 million. About half a million people travel to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open, an annual tennis tournament held at Indian Wells Tennis Garden that hosts the best players in the world. The tournament has evolved into a showcase of culture, as live music, retail pop-ups and culinary demonstrations by celebrity chefs accompany the tournament. At community events like the Indian Wells Winterfest, residents can roller skate and golf while illuminated by holiday lights and enjoy seasonal treats. In spring, the Indian Wells Arts Festival showcases fine art from artists around the world. In Indian Wells, country clubs act as both community centers and sources of outdoor leisure. “Everyone loves outdoor sports. Indian Wells is all about tennis, golf and pickleball,” says Ross, noting that residents can access city-sponsored events and discounts at golf courses and resorts. Nearby Palm Desert is home to Civic Center Park, which features tennis courts, walking trails, playgrounds and an aquatic center. On the western border of the neighborhood is the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, where residents can find desert walking trails and interactive attractions. Restaurant offerings run the gamut from Mediterranean-inspired spots like The Pink Cabana to Eureka!, a burger and craft beer joint. For drinks and live music on weekends, there’s The Nest. For groceries and essentials, Indian Wells has an Albertsons and a Sprouts supermarket. Department stores can be found at The Shops at Palm Desert, located four miles west of the neighborhood. Luxury fashion stores and art galleries are in the El Paseo Shopping District, three miles west of Indian Wells. Children can start school at Gerald R. Ford Elementary, which has an A-minus rating from Niche. Students move on to B-rated La Quinta Middle and advance to A-rated Palm Desert High. The high school offers Career Technical Education pathways, which combine work-based learning with academics to prepare students for future careers. Programs include film and broadcasting, engineering and health careers. Private religious and Montessori school options are also available. Many homes are within walking distance of country clubs, so residents can easily walk to amenities; some even choose to drive golf carts locally. However, locals depend on personal vehicles to go to work and run errands. California State Route 111 goes through the northern part of the neighborhood and rarely sees traffic, so residents can drive to the nearby towns of Palm Desert and La Quinta or connect to major Interstate 10. SunLine Transit Agency services the Palm Springs area. Bus route 1EV runs from Coachella to Palm Desert; stops in Indian Wells are located along CA-111. While they live in a desirable destination, residents don’t live in a community of short-term rentals. To maintain Indian Wells as a resident-occupied community, the city regulates rentals. A 29-night minimum is required for all rentals, and exceptions are only made during the tennis tournament when a seven-night minimum is allowed. Learn more on the Indian Wells city guide.