Located about 35 miles north of Downtown Phoenix, the unincorporated North Valley community of New River sits right on Interstate 17, within the mountain foothills of the Sonoran Desert and at the edge of Tonto National Forest. Home to fewer than 19,000 people, it's defined by wide-open spaces, a sense of freedom and lower home prices than neighboring Cave Creek. “New River is very rural,” says longtime area resident Jeff Seman, owner and broker at Ironwood Fine Properties. “It’s great for people who want an acre and to be able to keep an RV or some horses on their property and not have any restrictions on the kind of home they can build." Many New River residents commute throughout the Valley, while the sprawling new Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company plant, a major area employer, is just south of the community.
Elevate your lifestyle in New River's mountainscapes.
Navigate the desert landscape and journey down I-17 for a scenic view.
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Homes on acreage without HOA restrictions
In early 2025, New River's median home price is $670,000, up 5% since early 2024, but still lower than the $900,000 median in neighboring Cave Creek. Single-family and manufactured homes sit on parcels of 1 to 5 acres, and there’s no homeowners association to dictate rules and guidelines. "It’s like the wild west," says Seman. "You could have a trailer right next to a million-dollar home. A lot of people want their piece of land with a septic tank and their own wells so they’re not relying on anybody else’s water.” Homes date from the late 20th century to the 2020s, and while styles vary significantly, many are Santa Fe-style, traditional ranch-style or sprawling custom estates. “New River is ideal for people that are not looking for suburban neighborhoods,” says area resident Angela Jacques, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty.
Endless possibilities unfold on these sprawling acres in New River, AZ.
From above, witness the seamless blend of New River's homes and the desert wilderness.
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Access to expansive nearby trail systems
New River doesn’t have any community parks, though its proximity to the sprawling Tonto National Forest provides residents with miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Cave Creek Regional Park spans 3,000 acres, where the popular Go John Trail makes a 6-mile loop through the Sonoran Desert’s mountainous terrain. The 20-acre New River Nature Preserve features a rare willow and cottonwood forest with trails that are especially popular for birdwatching. On the community’s south end, the Desert Hills Trailhead connects hikers to the sprawl.
Bull riding at the local saloon, with grocery, retail and dining options in neighboring Anthem
While New River is limited in shopping and dining options, Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon is a local institution in Western-themed digs, serving hearty American comfort fare with a side of Saturday night entertainment that includes live music and bull riding.
Plenty of additional dining options can be found in neighboring Anthem, which is home to a wide array of locally owned eateries and popular chain restaurants. Anthem’s Safeway, Fry’s and Walmart are the local go-tos for groceries, while Outlets North Phoenix is home to over 50 popular retailers.
Hybrid and career learning options in Deer Valley Unified School District
Students are served by Deer Valley Unified School District, which Niche grades A overall and names among the top ten districts in Arizona. With about 35,000 students across over 40 schools, it’s the fifth largest in the state. Through Aspire, the district’s online learning academy, students of all grade levels have access to flexible hybrid learning options. District high schoolers can also enroll in a variety of hands-on career and technical education courses in their chosen field.
A lack of public transportation and a heavy reliance on personal vehicles
New River is located right on Interstate 17, connecting drivers to destinations throughout the Valley, including Downtown Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about 35 miles away. While New River doesn’t have any medical facilities of its own, HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing Medical Center is just south.
A lower risk of violent and property crime than the national average
New River doesn’t have its own police department and instead contracts service from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. New River has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, compared to the national average score of 4.
Sweltering summer temps
While the North Valley experiences cooler temperatures than Phoenix because of the higher elevation, residents can still experience dangerously hot summer temperatures that exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Written By
Lauren Schott
Photography Contributed By
Alex Medina
Video By
Anne Sheridan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
David Rucker,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in New River, AZ sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in New River, AZ over the last 12 months is $664,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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