Scottsdale

Less than 20 miles north of downtown Scottsdale in the desert foothills of McDowell Mountain, the master-planned community of DC Ranch provides private, luxury living with proximity to popular hiking trails, local country clubs and shopping and dining. DC Ranch is made up of 26 subdivisions across four residential villages, most of which are gated. “There’s a real sense of security here, which a lot of people like,” says longtime DC Ranch resident Deborah Beardsley, an associate broker with Silverleaf Realty. “There are multiple man-guarded and transponder gates.” The neighborhood HOA is at the forefront of the community, hosting regular events at the community center, maintaining recreational facilities and keeping the community aesthetically up-to-par. “The HOA is very important and does a good job of maintaining the value of the homes and keeping everybody proud of the neighborhood they live in,” Beardsley says. “There’s a lot that goes into maintaining the design and the look of the community and that’s important to them. You’re not going to see homes in disarray. They make sure that the homes are maintained and well landscaped, and they care a lot about the authenticity of the landscaping. It respects the desert and what is native to the desert, but it has a sense of lushness.” While new construction can be found in several subdivisions throughout the community, homes began construction around 1990, and many of the oldest properties have since been fully renovated — though Beardsley notes that a design review committee must review exterior renovations. “There’s an expectation of what you build, and design guidelines are given to make sure what is being built is what is expected in the Arizona desert,” she says. “People drive through and say, ‘these are really beautiful homes,’ and I’m not just talking about the more expensive ones. I’m also talking about the townhomes. They’re all very thoughtfully designed and maintained.” Like most in the desert, homes here have southwestern architecture with stucco walls and clay tile roofs, though some take on more of a Tuscan appearance, and many custom mansions were built with contemporary architecture. Buyers can find modest townhomes for less than $500,000 ranging to as much as $3 million. Single-family detached homes start at around $700,000, while sprawling custom estates with acreage at the base of the mountains can go for over $25 million. “It’s a highly desirable place to live and you can see that in the appreciation of the home values,” Beardsley says. While some with lush grass, most embrace the desert and use a combination of rocks and plants that do well in the dry heat. Locals can enjoy over 225 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails through McDowell Mountain at McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which spans over 30,000 acres on the community’s east side. At Gateway Trailhead, hikers can access popular trails like the 4.5-mile Gateway Loop, rated as moderately difficult. For a flat, smooth hike without a change in elevation that is accessible for all ages and abilities, the Bajeda Nature Trail is a short half-mile journey. Residents of DC ranch have access to dozens of small, private pocket parks with greenspace that are distributed throughout each of the community’s subdivisions. The parks are interconnected by over 50 miles of paved walking and biking paths that run through DC Ranch. Market Street Park in the commercial hub is a popular spot for community gathering and picnicking and has a small children’s play area and a community fire pit. DC Ranch residents can also enjoy indoor and outdoor recreation at the neighborhood’s two community centers, where residents can shoot hoops or use the playgrounds; Homestead Community Center has a splash pad, while Desert Camp Community Center offers an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor fitness center, and tennis and pickleball courts. The Country Club at DC Ranch and Silverleaf Country Club are both frequented by many golfers in the DC Ranch community. Shopping and dining can be found right within the community at Market Street, a walkable commercial district at the intersection of Pima Road and Thompson Peak Parkway that was designed to resemble the center of a small, rustic town. Here, residents can pick up grocery essentials at Safeway or stop into several boutiques including Betsy and Tracy for women’s clothing and accessories and Baby Lux for stylish fashions for the little one. An array of restaurants can also be found at Market Street, including The Living Room Wine Cafe & Lounge, a chic hangout with a wide offering of wines and signature cocktails with handhelds, shareables and creative desserts like donuts with DIY syringe-injectable filling. Eggstasy is a go-to for breakfast and brunch, popular for creative takes on pancakes and French toast, while All-American Modern Sports Grill is a favorite for classic bar bites alongside craft brews and a whiskey bar. DC Ranch is zoned for Scottsdale Unified School District, where public school students can attend Copper Ridge School from prekindergarten through eighth grade, which earns an A-rating from Niche. At the B-plus-rated Chapparal High, students who achieve proficiency in English plus one other additional language can earn a Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma and transcripts. The school also has a robust fine arts program, with successful band, theatre, choir and orchestra ensembles. Several private schools are also located nearby, including the A-rated Notre Dame Prep. Residents can catch live performances from a variety of cover bands during the spring Starlight Concert Series at Market Street Park. The two community centers regularly host special events for residents of all ages and interests, including weekly food trucks, dive-in movies at the pool, concerts, family game nights and more. Homestead Community Center also hosts the Homestead Playhouse Community Theatre, staging talent from local children and adults. DC Ranch is home to several resident-led clubs that regularly meet at the community centers, like book club, women’s club, pickleball club and more. DC Ranch is just northeast of Loop 101, which encircles the Valley and provides connecting access to downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and other destinations throughout the metro area. For emergency and specialized medical care, Phoenix’s outpost of the Mayo Clinic Hospital is less than 10 miles west, and for air travel, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 25 miles southwest. DC Ranch scores low on the CAP Index, with a score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national score of 4 out of 10. While the community scores low on the CAP Index for property crime, the scores for violent crime are especially low.

Just down the road from Taliesin West, a Spanish-influenced midcentury modern villa once the personal winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, McDowell Mountain Ranch honors its prominent neighbor with similar motifs of organic grandeur and meticulous design. Sitting in the rolling foothills of McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the arid 30,000-acre landscape steadily lifts a neighborhood of many subdivisions up with it as the cacti-laden hills gradually increase into desert mountains. Buyers come here seeking many things and find them all and more in the master-planned communities surrounding a wealth of amenities. Community spaces interconnected by paved and rugged trails that lead to top-notch schools and shopping centers all come together in these scenic foothills to deliver one of Scottsdale's most enticing suburban oases. Though townhomes and condos can be found in select subdivisions, the area primarily consists of detached single-family homes. They offer a choice between classic Spanish-style villas and sleek international-style modern homes with a hint of Spanish influence. The neighborhood's architecture blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, whether it means beige stucco exteriors leading to terracotta roofing or stacked stone foundations supporting floor-to-ceiling windows. Wooden pergola carports often sit at the end of long driveways, cutting through xeriscaped front yards filled with tall saguaro cacti and other native desert flora. Students can easily walk to school from their homes in cul-de-sacs with paved cut-throughs leading to shaded sidewalks. Paved trails meander through the desert brush, safely passing underneath major roads with illuminated tunnel underpasses. Being one of Scottsdale's most master-planned neighborhoods, these homes come with price tags to match their curb appeal, usually beginning at around $600,000 and frequently reaching as high as $4 million or more. Most students attend grades K-8 at Desert Canyon Elementary and Desert Canyon Middle, which both have Niche scores of A. Once they reach high school age, students can get a head start for college at the A-minus-rated Desert Mountain High, which offers an International Baccalaureate program. Desert Mountain High is also a member of Arizona's Seal of Biliteracy Program, offering proficiency courses in Spanish, French, Russian, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese languages. Students north of Bell Road attend the A-rated Copper Ridge School for grades K-8, then finish 9 miles south in Scottsdale at the B-plus-rated Chaparral High. McDowell Mountain Ranch rests quietly at the foothills of sprawling acres of arid mountains in a protected natural preserve. Miles of rugged trail meander upward through the neighborhood, beginning at trailhead parking lots next to local schools. These afford those brave enough to travel them with lookout points far above the neighborhood, offering some of the best views of Scottsdale around. Just look out for the occasional rattlesnake and other wildlife to be avoided. Non-outdoorsy residents have their fair share of amenities, like the aquatic center with waterslides, a lazy river, diving boards, lap lanes, a separate zero-entry pool, and a skatepark and soccer field next door. Less than a mile east, the McDowell Mountain Ranch Recreation Center offers another pool, basketball courts and two hard surface tennis courts. To the south, the McDowell Mountain Golf Club links are ideal for business meetings and casual Saturday outings. On Paradise Lane sits yet another park, this one featuring a community center that hosts frequent events. A farmers market happens there on the first Sunday of every month, where residents peruse local produce and artisan trinkets. A public library branch in the neighborhood also offers frequent events such as group book discussions or computer classes. Two shopping centers accommodate the neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and weekly amenities, such as a Bashas' Grocery Store, medical practitioner offices and some pharmacies. Locals head north to McDowell Mountain Marketplace on weekends for brunch at The Vig, cob salads and smoothies from Freshbox, or a meat and cheese plate from the Whining Pig. Just over a mile south, Thompson 105's wood-fired rotisserie chickens offer an upscale dining experience at Desert Canyon Shopping Mall. There is no public transportation servicing the area, so residents own cars. It's about a 3-mile drive to the 101 Freeway, the closest major commuter route. High walkability offers safety to students, cyclists, and pedestrians visiting neighborhood attractions.

“Even if people don’t know Scottsdale, they know about Grayhawk,” says Jennifer Marsh, a Valley native and sales professional with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. “The community has a great reputation and it’s been around for a while. People love the amenities and the community feel and that usually keeps them there for a while.” Since its opening in 1996, the exclusive and master-planned Grayhawk has been known as one of the most popular communities in Arizona and has won numerous awards, including the top spot on Arizona’s best master-planned communities by Arizona Business Magazine. The community serves residents a unique lifestyle that blends residential amenities with a mix of retail, businesses, golf and a country club. Sitting at a slightly higher altitude than the Phoenix metropolitan area, Grayhawk’s city views are stunning day and night. The Grayhawk Community Association is highly active in hosting regular and seasonal events, classes and clubs to connect residents. Signature events include an Easter egg hunt, barbecue and movie nights, a pumpkin patch, Christmas at Grayhawk and Sunday in the Park. The association also hosts regular get-togethers like painting classes, yoga, trivia and food truck nights. Book a tee time at Grayhawk Golf Club, which is home to two par-72 golf courses. When residents aren’t on the greens, they can take their children or just spend the day outdoors at Grayhawk Park or Thompson Peak Park. The Grayhawk neighborhood features a landscape and architectural palette that was thoughtfully designed to complement the natural look and feel of the surrounding desert. Home values are much higher than the surrounding area. Several different homebuilders contributed to the Grayhawk community. Prospective residents can find homes, ranging from new builds to spacious luxury properties, that range from $600,000 up to $2.2 million for luxury properties. “I’ve noticed that people love the neighborhood so much that if they do move, they’ll stay within the community,” Marsh says. “There’s a lot of flexibility of housing options with all of the subdivisions in the community. It has everything from starter homes to condos to luxury options and more.” Some of the most popular destinations are Market Street at DC Ranch and Desert Ridge, both of which have several well-established restaurants, shops and strolling areas. A short 20 minute drive leads to the heart of Downtown Scottsdale, a premier destination for high-end shopping, world-class resorts and, most famously, golf. Grayhawk is home to several public and private schools close by. Young learners can walk to class at Grayhawk Elementary School, part of the Paradise Valley Unified District with an A Niche grade. After that, students might attend Explorer Middle School, followed by Horizon High School which has an A-minus Niche grade. Grayhawk is about a 15 minute drive to Arizona State Route 101, which circles the Phoenix Valley and offers a direct route to the other central suburbs. The drive to Downtown Phoenix is about 45 minutes, depending on traffic, while Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about a one hour drive. Several other major business hubs are slightly closer to Grayhawk, including North Scottsdale, Downtown Scottsdale, the Biltmore and the West Valley.

With scenic McDowell Mountain views and a central Scottsdale location, Horizons boasts convenience and proximity to modern-day amenities in a breathtaking setting. The neighborhood is an amalgam of subdivisions, offering a broad range of housing options. “Horizons is overall a quiet neighborhood at the base of the McDowell Mountains,” says associate broker Morgan Hodges of Realty One Group specializing in the Scottsdale area. “It’s just east of 101 but still very close to great schools, exceptional shopping and everything in Scottsdale.” Homebuyers can take their pick from contemporary condos and townhouses to multi-million estates. “Horizons has a great range in homes,” Hodges says. “It’s a good cross-section of what Scottsdale offers.” Gated communities feature custom architectural styles and newly built Mission Revival homes to luxury properties on roomier acreage. Many townhouses parsed throughout the subdivisions may feature private garage space and renovated interiors, while gated condominium complexes like Villages North and Ladera Vista come with amenities such as expansive patios, community pools, and clubhouses, as well as designated parking. Plus, Hodges notes that most homes here boast stunning mountain views. Though the median price for real estate hovers at $606,550, prices run the gamut. “You have a number of neighborhoods with $500,000 to $600,000 price tags, high-end homes up to $5 million and all home types in between,” Hodges adds. Close to home, residents can shop and dine at the Scottsdale Horizon strip mall, which houses fast-food options like Jack in the Box and Panda Express, as well as gourmet grocery store AJ’s Fine Foods. Hash Kitchen is a popular breakfast and brunch destination known for its build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and extensive food menu. “There are a number of grocery stores dotted throughout,” Hodges says. “But you have everything off the 101, plus proximity to Scottsdale Quarter.” Scottsdale Quarter, a hip open-air shopping mall, features specialty retailers and brand names like Crate & Barrell, Warby Parker and more. WestWorld of Scottsdale is located just outside the Horizons neighborhood and is an expansive event space where several car auctions, along with horse and car shows, take place. “From the Arabian Horse Show to polo tournaments, there’s a lot of different events happening every week,” Hodges notes. Horizons kids attend schools within the Scottsdale Unified School District, which is ranked the second-best school district in the Phoenix area by Niche. Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students attend Cheyenne Traditional School before advancing to Desert Mountain High School. Here, high schoolers can earn an International Baccalaureate diploma through the high-achieving program, and ninth and tenth graders can get early exposure to the IB program through the school’s IB Middle Years program. Both Cheyenne Traditional and Desert Mountain High receive an A-minus overall score from Niche or higher. From the McDowell Mountains to several nearby parks, recreation is plentiful here. Horizon Park is a 24-acre outdoor space featuring several softball fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and 10 lighted pickleball courts. Residents take their canine companions to the fenced-in dog run inside the park, which includes water fountains and shaded areas for the hotter days. Nearby Thunderbird Park and Aztec Park provide additional sporting facilities and playgrounds. Avid golfers head to McDowell Mountain Golf Club and other country clubs and golf courses to practice their swing. There are several entrances to Arizona State Route 101, which hugs the western side of the neighborhood. The major thoroughfare provides quick and easy access to neighboring communities, attractions and more. Residents get to Downtown Phoenix in just over 30 minutes and to the Scottsdale Airport in only 10 minutes. Hodges emphasizes that Horizons’ convenience is a key point for residents: “You’re right in the heart of central Scottsdale.” Horizons receives a 3 out of 10 crime score, according to the CAP Index. This score is lower than the US national average crime score of 4.

During the 1970s and 1980s, McCormick Ranch transformed from dusty ranch land to one of Scottsdale’s first and most sought-after master-planned communities. “People really want to live here,” says Associate Broker Cathy Ellington of McCormick Ranch with more than twenty years of experience. “It’s a great, established location with quality properties.” With multiple communities and subdivisions, locals enjoy the greenest streets of the entire valley, with lush, mature trees and miles of interconnected parks and green spaces. Even with palm trees and mountain backdrops, folks sometimes forget they're in the desert. The McCormick Ranch Golf Club is a big draw, offering four different membership options. Enthusiasts will also love Topgolf, a state-of-the-art entertainment complex with three stories of climate-controlled hitting bays on the other side of the 101 Freeway. Access to nearby amenities and spacious floor plans make for lofty home prices, but buyers get what they pay for in this luxury area. A patchwork of well-planned subdivisions and gated communities, McCormick Ranch offers a wide range of upscale residences, from single-family ranch-style homes on large lots to townhomes overlooking golf courses. “Those buying homes here are families, but it’s also popular with retirees and second home buyers,” explains Ellington. Million-dollar listings are not uncommon in this neighborhood, although cozier condominiums are also available. Generally, homes fall within the range of $550,000 to $1.1 million. The lower end of the range fetches buyers a two or three-bedroom home featuring Pueblo or Spanish eclectic inspiration; the higher end features an extra bedroom here, or a pool there, with custom aesthetic tweaks. Various parks and trails wind throughout McCormick Ranch, which is the heart of the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt—so the neighborhood often feels like one massive park. Among the local favorites, however, is the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, which is a train-themed area complete with a real locomotive, a kiddie train that circles the park, a working carousel and a Model Railroad Building with wall-to-wall, operating train sets. Residents can also spend the weekend at the nearby Great Wolf Lodge. Their massive indoor water park is a must-see. Of all the local annual events, the Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in December wins as the most magical and nostalgic. Nearby Salt River Fields at Talking Stick hosts other major events throughout the year, such as the Uncorked Wine Festival in May or the Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival in October. As a win for baseball fans, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies host games at Salt River Fields during Major League Baseball’s Cactus League Spring Training every February through March, when several other teams also train in the valley. McCormick Ranch offers various educational opportunities in the Scottsdale Unified School District. Pueblo Elementary earns an impressive A from Niche. Mohave Middle School also boasts an A and an award-winning robotics program. Rounding out the list with yet another A grade is Saguaro High, a Cognia-accredited school. For higher learning, Scottsdale Community College is only minutes away on the opposite side of the 101 Freeway. Residents will find some of the neighborhood’s most popular restaurants and shops at Paseo Village Shopping Center. Those looking to get in shape can check out the area’s LA Fitness. The shopping center is also home to various salons and The Vig, a sit-down restaurant with southwest cuisine and a full bar. Residents are also 15 minutes away from luxury shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square. Vaulted glass ceilings host recognizable brand outlets like David Yurman, Louis Vuitton and Zara. Set between Scottsdale Road and the 101 Freeway, McCormick Ranch is 15 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and 20 miles from Downtown Phoenix. The neighborhood also has plenty of public bus routes and interconnected bike paths.