Near downtown Phoenix and South Mountain Park and Preserve
Stretching between the Salt River and South Mountain Park and Preserve, the community of South Mountain offers a variety of housing with mountain views, around 6 miles from downtown Phoenix. “It’s a straight shot to downtown on Central Avenue,” says Tony C. Doan, a Realtor with West USA Realty who’s sold homes here since 2003. A new section of the Valley Metro’s light rail is under construction on Central Avenue, and its completion in 2025 will make getting downtown even more convenient. “Living here offers city amenities without city traffic,” says Nathaniel Swartz, a Realtor with Stewardship Realty and a lifelong Phoenix resident. “If you want to live near the Arizona mountains, most buyers can find a home here.” The South Mountain Park and Preserve offers over 100 miles of hiking, and the neighborhood is also filled with city parks and shopping centers.
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A wide variety of homes at various price points
“The variety of homes here is quite broad,” Swartz says. “From cottages and mobile homes to gated communities with amenities, buyers have plenty of choices.” While the homes vary widely in style and price, most maintain a Southwestern feel, with clay-tiled roofs and stucco exteriors, as well as desert-friendly plantings like cacti and palo verde trees. Ranch-style houses were generally built between the 1920s and 1970s, and two-story new traditional homes have been built throughout the 21st-century; both styles go for $250,000 to $700,000, depending on renovations. Gated communities are mostly concentrated near South Mountain Park and Preserve and filled with custom homes that range from $700,000 to $1.7 million, depending on amenities like recreational vehicle storage and backyard pools.
Manufactured homes here cost between $30,000 and $160,000, based on their updates. Townhouses in the neighborhood have layouts between 800 to 1,800 square feet, and prices for these range from $160,000 to $415,000, depending on size; monthly homeowners association fees of $50 to $350 cover exterior maintenance. Low- and mid-rise condos with layouts between 600 and 1,400 square feet have prices ranging from $200,000 to $375,000, depending on size, plus monthly HOA fees of around $260 that cover insurance. Renters can find apartments and single-family homes throughout the neighborhood.
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Picnic lunches from The Farm at South Mountain
South Mountain has many options for shopping and dining. T-Bone Steak House has served mesquite broiled steaks here since the 1940s; its rustic interior with gingham-draped picnic tables overlooks the city lights below. The working Farm at South Mountain has three restaurants where diners can sit under the shade of pecan trees while enjoying sandwiches and salads. Several shopping centers can be found throughout the neighborhood, with big-box retailers like Target and grocery stores like Fry’s and Safeway. The Arizona Mills shopping mall has over 150 stores nearby, and downtown Phoenix is about 6 miles away.
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Stargazing at the Arizona Science Center’s Dorrance Planetarium
Downtown Phoenix offers plenty to do. Kids can explore the interactive exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and learn about the universe at the Arizona Science Center’s Dorrance Planetarium. Sports fans can cheer on Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field and the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Arizona Financial Theatre hosts concerts and comedians, and Symphony Hall has regular performances from the Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona.
Explore captivating shows and events at the Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix, AZ.
Ignite your curiosity at the Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, AZ.
Explore the best of concerts and sports at Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ.
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Nurturing leaders at South Mountain High School, Phoenix, AZ.
Career academies at South Mountain High
There are several public elementary schools in the neighborhood, including the T.G. Barr Academy of Global Studies, which serves kindergarten through Grade 8 and earns a C-minus from Niche. The Academies at South Mountain, formerly called South Mountain High, earns a C; students can join career academies like the Media, Arts & Design Academy and the Science, Technology and Aerospace Academy.
Nearby private schools include the A-plus-rated Arizona Cultural Academy, an Islamic school for pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, which earns a 3 from GreatSchools and serves pre-kindergarten through Grade 8. South Mountain Community College offers over 60 degree programs supported by campus amenities like an engineering lab and the Community Entrepreneurship Center.
City views from South Mountain Park and Preserve
The over 16,000-acre South Mountain Park and Preserve, one of the largest city parks in the United States, borders the neighborhood, giving residents nearby access to over 100 miles of trails across three mountain ranges. “People come from all parts of the country to hike South Mountain Park,” Doan says. Dobbins Lookout, the park’s highest point, features a stone building at its summit that has views of the city and surrounding mountains. Hikers can get here on the Holbert Trail, where they pass petroglyphs on their journey to the Dobbins Lookout Extension Trail to the summit; drivers and bikers can take the scenic, paved Summit Road. While most come to the park to be in nature, Doan says the Mystery Castle is another big draw. Built by a dying father for his daughter in the 1930s, the 18-room castle is made from stone and found materials; while tours of the eccentric home have been suspended, visitors can still stop by to check out its funky architecture.
Several smaller green spaces exist in the neighborhood, like the 66-acre Esteban Park, known for its baseball fields and dog park. The South Mountain Community Center in El Reposo Park has an outdoor swimming pool where kids can swim for free, fitness memberships and summer camps. Golfers can play 18 holes at the public Raven Golf Club, which has lush landscaping that differs from most of Phoenix’s desert courses.
Capture lasting memories at Dobbins Lookout, South Mountain, AZ.
Unleash your swing at Raven Golf Club in South Mountain, AZ.
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Downtown Phoenix via Central Avenue
Interstate 10 passes through the neighborhood, making it easy to access the Phoenix metro area. Locals can get to downtown Phoenix, 6 miles north, via Central Avenue, which has Valley Metro bus stops, bike lanes and sidewalks. Valley Metro is building a new light rail route down Central Avenue to Baseline Road, with completion planned for 2025. Phoenix Memorial Center hospital is about 4 miles north, and Dignity Health Arizona General Hospital Laveen is about 6 miles away. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 7-mile trip.
Wildfire risk south of Baseline Road
Homes south of Baseline Road have a high risk for wildfire because they’re close to the wild lands of South Mountain Park and Preserve. However, Doan says, “There’s not much to catch fire because of the landscaping. There’s not enough fuel.” Brush fires occurred in the preserve in 2024, but no houses were threatened. There are six fire stations in the neighborhood, and locals can download the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s app to receive alerts.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Quiet neighborhoods, great shopping locations, and beautiful sunsets and mountains for hiking exploring.
5.0Current Resident
10/17/2017Niche Review
My experience at south mountain, Arizona is that it's a great living area full of diversity peers. May have there ups and down about a safety environment but overall can honestly say that I feel very comfortable with no judgement.
5.0Former Resident
10/20/2017Niche Review
Beautiful place to raise your children.. nice and quiet surroundings. The only problem is that it's right next to laveen which makes south mountain seem less desirable. South mountain used to have a bad reputation but it's now come a long way from that.
3.0Current Resident
8/11/2020Niche Review
Big adjustment coming from the Midwest. Very diverse population and higher cost of living. In general, friendly helpful people . Good location in reference to services.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
South Mountain
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
South Mountain Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in South Mountain, Phoenix sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in South Mountain, Phoenix over the last 12 months is $390,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Freshly Remodeled 4-bed, 2-bath home with a desirable split floor plan, a spacious great room and open-concept kitchen. The interior features New wood-look luxury vinyl plank floors, fresh carpet, New primary bath cabinet and guest bath vanity updated plumbing and light fixtures, new black doorknobs . The kitchen boasts Bright and airy Kitchenn with New cabinets, new quartz counters a center
Welcome to Ravenswood Patio Homes, a gated community at the base of South Mountain offering stunning views and resort-style amenities including a lush greenbelt, pool, and spa.This beautifully refreshed 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on the 16th fairway of Raven Golf Club with direct views of the course. Recent updates include fresh interior paint, all-new lighting, and enhanced
Welcome to Addison Park, a gated community with 94 homes & a central park. Built in 2020, this 4 bed, 2 bath home sits on a private lot with no behind neighbors and park views. The open layout features tile floors in main living areas, carpeted bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a gourmet kitchen with quartz counters, stylish backsplash, walk-in pantry, and stainless steel appliances including
This inviting GATED 4/2 home offers 1,385 sq ft of living space. Enjoy mountain views, a welcoming covered porch. Inside, find wood‑look flooring, fresh paint and a bright, open great room. The kitchen shines with white shaker cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. Retreat to the primary suite with dual sinks and walk‑in closet. Outside
Fremont Rd = South Mountain glow-up. Super clean 3 bed, 2 bath with upgraded flooring, fresh designer paint, and on-trend fixtures. Bright, open living flows into a cook-friendly kitchen; split bedroom layout keeps the primary suite quiet. Out back, the low-maintenance turf yard + covered patio are ready for sunrise coffee, pet zoomies, and string-light evenings. Two-car garage for your gear,
Stunning Phoenix gem! Gated Community!! This well-maintained 3 bed, 2 bath home showcases its open concept interior floor plan. Keep any chef happy in the kitchen with the long countertops, ample cabinet space, and plenty of storage for pantry items. Large bedrooms with 2 primary options. Notes from builder state 3rd bedroom can be split to make the home a 4 bedroom. Tile in the high traffic
REDUCED! Step into 2,524 sq ft of comfort and style in this fully furnished 6-bedroom, 3-bathroom dream home. Designed for both elegance and practicality, the main level features a spacious master suite plus a convenient downstairs bedroom with a full bath. Upstairs, you'll find five additional bedrooms and two full bathrooms—perfect for family, guests, or a home office.Inside, enjoy
Beautiful Home in Gated Community - Fully Upgraded & Move-In Ready!Welcome to 2730 E Ellis St, Phoenix, AZ 85042 a beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offering 1,958 sq. ft. of modern living in the secure Mountain Grove gated community.
This large open floor plan Two bedroom Phoenix apartment is ready for move-in. Has laminate flooring, new paint on the inside, new fans and light fixtures, new kitchen cabinets with quartz countertops, bathroom has a tub and shower combo with tile shower walls New Vanity,AC Unit everything is new. The second bedroom is smaller then the 1st.
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