$1,702,924Average Value$539Average Price per Sq Ft31Homes For Sale
Spacious lots near north Scottsdale amenities
Desert Foothills is a neighborhood 21 miles north of Scottsdale with proximity to golf courses, parks and restaurants. “People are drawn here for the larger lots and mountain views,” says William Lewis, who’s sold homes here since 2001 and is the CEO of Williams Luxury Homes. “You still have all the conveniences of city life, you’re just on the outskirts.” There are plenty of ways to get outside near Desert Foothills, from manicured golf courses to the wild Sonoran Desert. The overall CAP Crime Index Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Popular north Scottsdale restaurants are just to the south, along with shopping including Scottsdale Quarter, an outdoor shopping mall. Nearby houses of worship include Congregation Kehillah, Desert Foothills Lutheran Church and Scottsdale Bible Church North Ridge. The nearby Loop 101 provides convenient access to the rest of the Phoenix metro area.
Luxury homes in Desert Foothills blend elegance with stunning desert views.
Desert Ridge Marketplace combines shopping, dining, and entertainment near Desert Foothills.
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Custom Southwestern-style homes on large lots
The custom Southwestern-style homes here sit far apart along narrow, sidewalk-less streets and blend into the surrounding desert landscape, with xeriscaped yards filled with tall saguaros and backyard pools to cool off from the desert heat. These were built from the late 1970s through the 2020s, and some are located in gated communities. Most have earth-toned stucco exteriors and clay-tiled roofs, and some have modern elements like floor-to-ceiling windows and exterior stone accents. Layouts can range from 1,600 to 6,600 square feet, with most starting at 3,000 square feet. Lot sizes range from a quarter-acre to 5 acres, and some use the extra space for recreational vehicle garages, private sport courts and horse stables. “Some of the properties are on septic and not sewer,” Lewis says. “Usually with the larger lots here you see more septic, so you definitely want to get a septic inspection and make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced.” Prices vary widely depending on square footage and updates, starting around $825,000 and going up to $4.5 million. Not all residents are required to pay homeowners association fees, but those who do can expect monthly fees between $100 and $400, covering ground maintenance.
Large homes in Desert Foothills offer space, luxury, and breathtaking desert views.
esert Foothills is known for its private homes set against stunning desert views.
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The International Baccalaureate Diploma at Cactus Shadows High
Local kids can attend school at Desert Sun Academy and then go to Sonoran Trails Middle; both earn an A-minus from Niche. At the B-rated Cactus Shadows High, students can earn an International Baccalaureate Diploma and take career and technical education courses in six topics, including culinary arts and digital communications. Nearby private schools include the unrated Dynamite Montessori for pre-kindergarten through Grade 5.
Sonoran Trails Middle School is located in Pinnacle Peak.
Desert Sun Academy is located in Pinnacle Peak.
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Golf at Troon North and hiking at Pinnacle Peak Park
North Scottsdale is known for its golf, and Desert Foothills is surrounded by some of the area’s most popular courses. To the east, the public Troon North Golf Club has two 18-hole courses that have views of Pinnacle Peak, and the private Estancia Club was ranked by Golf Digest as the No. 1 course in Arizona in 2023. The invitation-only Whisper Rock Golf Club and the public Grayhawk Golf Club, which hosted the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships in 2023, are also nearby.
“The nice thing about Desert Foothills is that it's not just about golf,” says Brian Chisholm, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway who’s sold homes here for 7 years. “Obviously, there are lots of courses, but there are also lots of parks. If you want to go hiking, you have tons of options. It’s a really outdoorsy community.” To the east, the 150-acre Pinnacle Peak Park is home to the popular Pinnacle Peak Trail, a 4-mile out-and-back hike with panoramic city views. There’s also the over 30,000-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a wildland area with trails through the desert landscape, including Tom’s Thumb Trail and Brown’s Ranch Trail. Chisholm says that both pickleball and road biking are other popular pastimes; many of the golf clubs have pickleball leagues, and there are several road bike clubs who plan rides around the area. According to Lewis, water sports are also popular, since residents have more space to store boats here and both Lake Pleasant and Bartlett Lake are within 27 miles. “Arizona actually has more boats per capita than California,” Lewis says.
Desert Foothills encourages a lifestyle full of motion, wellness, and connection.
The Estancia Club offers luxury living and world-class golf in Desert Foothills.
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House-made pasta at Spiga Cucina Italiana
Locally owned restaurants are just to the south, including Preston’s Steakhouse, serving USDA Prime Black Angus beef in an upscale atmosphere. Spiga Cucina Italiana is another fine dining option, serving Italian favorites like house-made pasta. “Soul Café is really revered,” Chisholm says; this casual spot is known for its American cuisine and hearty brunch dishes. At Scottsdale Quarter, an outdoor shopping mall about 9 miles south, residents can shop at national retailers like West Elm and Sephora. Nearby grocery stores include Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market and AJ’s Fine Foods.
Lunch at Soul Café is where comfort food meets creative flair in Desert Foothills.
Spiga is where Desert Foothills locals gather for good food and great company.
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Roughly 6 miles from Loop 101
Loop 101 is about 6 miles south, leading roughly 21 miles to Scottsdale; it also connects to state Route 51, which locals can take to get to downtown Phoenix, 30 miles away. There’s no public transportation or sidewalks here, so most residents rely on their cars to get around, though bike lanes on Scottsdale and Pima Roads provide a route for cyclists. HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center is about 6 miles south, and Mayo Clinic Hospital is roughly 9 miles away. Scottsdale Airport, a general aviation airport with no commercial flights, is 9 miles south, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 28-mile trip.
The annual Waste Management Phoenix Open
Each February, golf pros and fans descend on TPC Scottsdale, located 8 miles south, for the Waste Management Phoenix Open, a golf tournament that’s part of the PGA Tour. The 16th hole has the reputation as the loudest hole in golf; some dedicated fans, known as The Breakfast Club, line up as early as 4:30 a.m. to snag a seat in the grandstands overlooking the famous hole.
Moderate wildfire risk
Desert Foothills has a moderate risk for wildfire since it’s close to undeveloped land. However, residents are more likely to experience smoke from nearby fires in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve than any direct effects. There are three fire stations within 3 miles of the neighborhood, and residents can download the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s app to stay informed.
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
Are you familiar with the Desert Foothills neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Desert Foothills
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Desert Foothills Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Desert Foothills, Scottsdale sell after 85 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Desert Foothills, Scottsdale over the last 12 months is $1,617,500, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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