Metropolitan, upscale and outdoorsy city in the West Valley
Set about 14 miles northwest of Phoenix, the city of Peoria city offers natural beauty and an array of entertainment options. “Peoria is the most metropolitan and high-end area in the West Valley,” says Aaron Carlson, a Realtor with Weichert, Realtors-Home Pro Realty, who has over 10 years of experience. Originally a 19th-century railroad town, Peoria boomed in the late 20th century as the Phoenix metro area began to sprawl; today, the city's home to more than 190,000 people. Advanced manufacturing and healthcare are major industries here, and top employers include Valleywise Health, TYR Tactical and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
Peoria is locally known for being more outdoorsy than neighboring cities, including Phoenix. “It’s near Lake Pleasant — that’s a big draw. A lot of people like staying home with their families and going outdoors,” Carlson says. Southern Peoria features most of the city’s commercial districts, attractions and residential neighborhoods, while northern Peoria is mostly an open stretch of the Sonoran Desert.
Residents in Mesquite are never too far from shopping destinations.
Arrowhead Mall is the premier shopping destination for Mesquite residents.
Lake Pleasant, near Mesquite, offers a spacious lake perfect for boating.
Camping near Lake Pleasant is a quick and attractive getaway for Mesquite residents.
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Over 30 local parks to explore
“Nature is a big part of the culture here,” says Nicholas Monaco, Realtor with West USA Realty and Peoria local. Peoria has 30 city parks, and the largest is 85-acre Paloma Community Park, with a lighted dog park, a splash pad and sports like pickleball and baseball. At the 52-acre Rio Vista Community Park, locals may play racquetball, hit the gym or take group fitness classes at the park’s rec center.
There are several public pools open in the summer, but Lake Pleasant is the local go-to for a dip. Set within the 23,000-acre Lake Pleasant Regional Park, the lake is a desert oasis, where locals may go boating, scuba diving or fishing for largemouth bass and catfish. The park itself is popular for camping and hiking, offering dirt-packed hiking trails for all skill levels. The city also has several golf courses, but the Blackstone Country Club’s private 18-hole course is ranked among Arizona's best for its well-maintained greens and scenic views.
Paloma Community Park is a peaceful oasis with a lake for fishing enthusiasts.
As a 55+ community, Trilogy in Vistancia caters to active adults.
CrossFit Incendia brings together fitness-minded residents in North Peoria.
Enjoy a perfect day on the green at Trilogy Golf Club in Peoria.
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Spring training at the Peoria Sports Complex
From February through March, the Peoria Sports Complex is the spring training home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, attracting tens of thousands of baseball fans. During the rest of the year, the complex is a major venue for local and touring events, including the Vans Warped Tour in the summer. Seasonal celebrations at the complex include the Dolly Sanchez Easter Celebration, the July 4th All-American Festival and the Halloween Monster Bash, which features a costume parade, trick-or-treating and lots of carnival food and games. The Peoria Center for the Arts is the local hub for arts and entertainment, featuring a year-round schedule of performances and concerts, as well as workshops in topics like tap dance, monologue prep and comedy.
Shopping districts and Old Town Peoria
Commercial plazas with grocery stores, retailers and fast-food restaurants are found throughout the city, especially around Route 101. Set outdoors and lined with palm trees, the Park West district is a one-stop-shop for date night restaurants, family entertainment and department store shopping. Nearby, Old Town Peoria offers a handful of locally owned businesses, including coffee shops and clothing boutiques; this historic area is dotted with Spanish Mission and Gothic Revival buildings from the early 20th century. The P83 Entertainment District offers a large variety of eateries, from boba tea and all-you-can-eat sushi to fancy steakhouses and authentic Mexican cuisine; in 2023, three new restaurants were added here, and there are plans for more in the next few years.
Find affordable groceries at Fry’s Food in Mesquite.
Safeway in Vistancia helps keep your kitchen fully stocked.
Arrowhead Mall is the premier shopping destination for Mesquite residents.
Relax and unwind at Cross Eyed Cricket in Vistancia.
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Single-family homes built from the late 20th century through today
The average home price in Peoria is $600,000, compared to $470,000 in Glendale and $630,000 in Phoenix. “There’s a lot of beautiful homes with mountain views,” Carlson says. Most homes here were built between the late 20th century and today, typically set in master-planned, sidewalk-lined communities. “There are some non-HOA, custom-home neighborhoods, but for the most part, the city’s been developed by builders,” Carlson says.
Most homes in Peoria are 20th- and 21st-century new traditional Spanish-style homes with clay-tiled roofs, but late 20th-century ranch-style homes are also common. In northern Peoria, 21st-century custom homes often have special features like heated spas or pools, roughly 1-acre lots, and gated entrances. “Everybody builds these nice houses with nice backyards and has a permanent staycation," Carlson says. "Peoria is the epitome of that.”
The Vistancia neighborhood is one of a handful that offer shared amenities like pools and tennis courts, and also includes Trilogy at Vistancia, a sought-after 55-plus community. “It’s probably the nicest retirement community in all of Arizona,” Carlson says. “The clubhouse is over 55,000 square feet. There’s an Olympic-sized swimming pool, three championship golf courses and a restaurant with an amazing menu. It’s awesome, honestly.”
Embrace the charm of Vistancia’s Spanish-inspired homes featuring tiled roofs.
Mesquite residents often choose drought-resistant yards.
There are many Spanish-style homes in Mesquite.
Modern architecture defines some of the newer neighborhoods in North Peoria.
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Getting around Peoria
Peoria is crossed by four major highways: Routes 60, 101, 303 and 74. “You use your car to get around here, and traffic is always a bit of a beast,” Carlson says. Route 60 leads 14 miles to the heart of Phoenix; during rush hour, this drive takes 30 to 50 minutes. Route 101 leads 24 miles to Scottsdale and 30 miles to Mesa. Valley Metro buses stop in Peoria, and local streets are generally bikeable and pedestrian friendly. Abrazo Peoria Emergency Center is located within the city, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 18 miles away.
Peoria Unified School District receives high marks
The Peoria Unified School District serves about 36,500 students and receives an overall A rating from Niche. At the B-rated Santa Fe Elementary, students in kindergarten through Grade 8 may enroll in the Spanish Immersion program, where their days are split evenly between Spanish and English-language instruction. High schools in the district offer dual-enrollment courses for college credit at Glendale Community College. There are also several private schools in the city, including Cross of Glory Lutheran School and Primrose School of Arrowhead, which have not yet been rated by Niche or Great Schools.
Play football or join in other sports at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale.
Hillcrest Middle School in Peoria has received an A rating from Niche.
Liberty High School in Peoria receives an A- rating from Niche.
Apache Elementary School in Peoria receives an A- rating from Niche.
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Crime and environmental factors
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, the number of violent and property-related crimes reported in Peoria decreased by 25% between 2013 and 2023. The community gets involved with the Peoria Police Department through programs like Citizens’ Police Academy, where locals learn the ins and outs of day-to-day police operations over a 10-week course.
Extreme heat and wildfires are ongoing environmental concerns in Peoria. Temperatures regularly top 100 degrees from June through August, so air-conditioned days inside and trips to local splash pads are standard summer protocol. In 2024, a brush fire caught flame near 75th and Grand Avenues; no property damage or injuries were reported. There are eight fire stations in Peoria, and locals may sign up for emergency alerts on the city’s website.
Written By
Travis Rocha
Photography Contributed By
John Williams
Video By
Pasha Chichagov
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mike Mendoza,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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