North Central Phoenix

North Central Phoenix draws home buyers to more than just its scenery, parks and location close to Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale. It tends to draw sports enthusiasts. “If you’re a golfer, you’ll think you’ve landed in Heaven,” says James Balko, Realtor with Century 21 Arizona Foothills, and long-time resident of Phoenix. “For example, The Waste Management Phoenix Open, is held annually at nearby TPC Scottsdale. It’s one of the most well-attended golf tournaments in the world and it’s a huge draw to this area. There are also public and private golf clubs in every direction, all with spectacular views, of course.” Hikers, bicyclists, boaters and fishing enthusiasts will devour venues at numerous local parks. Phoenix is also one of only a few cities in the U.S. to host MLB, NHL, NFL, and NBA teams.

North Central Phoenix is a well-designed and carefully landscaped suburban neighborhood. Homes feature stucco siding and Mediterranean-influenced roofs. Yards may have grass or neutral-colored rocks with topiary trees. With state route 101 to the north and Interstate 17 to the west, it will take less than 15 minutes to get to downtown Phoenix and Glendale, and just a bit longer to get to Scottsdale. Parks, lakes and mountains are all within five miles of home, so your ability to enjoy their benefits might not be limited to weekends. Homeseekers will find move-in ready homes with an in-ground pool for around $500,000. You can find two-bedroom townhomes for around $320,000. With so much to pull buyers to the area, it’s worth noting that one thing you won’t find here are brand-new homes. Says realtor Balko, “Affordability is a key driver in North Central Phoenix. Smart sellers update or renovate homes nicely before they hit the market. But there are very few completely new homes here.”

Students in North Central Phoenix can attend Deer Valley Unified public schools; the district is the fifth largest in the state. Constitution Elementary offers pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has a B-plus grade from Niche. Deer Valley Middle teaches students in seventh and eighth grades and has a B-plus rating from Niche. Barry Goldwater High offers seventh through twelfth grades and is named after the state senator and presidential candidate from Arizona. The school has a B-plus grade from Niche and offers Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses.

Deer Valley Park also includes Deer Valley Dog Park, Deer Valley Pool and Deer Valley Community Center under its umbrella of amenities. The parks offers basketball courts, picnic areas, soccer fields and lighted tennis courts. Telephone Pioneers of America Park is an adaptive recreation park serving the needs of physically disabled persons. On the rare occasion of rain, or if you just want to work out indoors, FLC Fitness offers one of the broadest variety of amenities in North Central Phoenix. Weekends are a great time to visit Lookout Mountain, one of the most scenic sites in Phoenix, if not Arizona.

If you’re in a hurry but you want food that’s healthy and fresh, try Krua Thai Cuisine. They offer only take-out or online orders. You are welcome to eat on-site. They do not offer table service – but that seems to work for its customers. Their menu offers curries, stir fry and specialty dishes. A word to the wise: as their online instructions warn, “Dishes ordered too spicy cannot be sent back to the kitchen – HOT IS HOT!” Cave Creek Cantina is located onsite at Cave Creek Golf Course and features an all-day menu of burgers, hot dogs, and tacos. When you’re ready to stock your new home, head out to Bell Road, where you’ll find Aldi, Hobby Lobby, WinCo Foods and Sam’s Club. For a unique fashion destination, check out Alphonsinia. They offer alterations, curated fashions, and accessories.

Buying a home takes time, but when you’re busy with work, family and fitness or sports fan commitments, you don’t want to belabor the process. As realtor Balko concludes, “If they’re priced right homes sell pretty quickly in North Central Phoenix. As of fall 2023, that’s about 60 days. Homes here are in great condition most of the time and that helps both the seller and the buyer get what they want.”

Written By

Sarah Albiston

Photography Contributed By

Alex Medina

Video By

Zack Kojoyian