Desert Mountain, an exclusive gated community in the Continental Mountains of North Scottsdale, is known for its natural beauty and members-only amenities. “Desert Mountain isn’t just a golf community. It’s a lifestyle,” says Laura Pentecost, broker and team lead at 5 Star Property Brokers at Homesmart who’s sold homes here for 27 years. “You aren’t just buying a house; you're buying into all the restaurants, the tennis club, golf courses, the dog park and 45 different social clubs. It’s a very tightly knit community.” The neighborhood is divided into several “villages” that have their own security gate and character, collectively set around seven golf courses that have their own clubhouses and restaurants. The overall CAP Crime Index Score here is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
The community was designed by Taliesin Associated Architects, which was founded by Frank Lloyd Wright and created homes that take full advantage of the surrounding landscape. “The elevation high up above the rest of Scottsdale allows for not only city views but also mountain views, and it backs up to wide open desert,” Pentecost says. “The mountain views are unbelievable, and the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler because of the altitude.” While residents have everything they need within the community, Carefree is 3 miles away, and downtown Scottsdale is a 25-mile trip.
With exclusive amenities & natural beauty, Desert Mountain offers a resort lifestyle.
This custom Desert Mountain homes features a pool overlooking the desert sagebrush.
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Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired homes with mountain views
The custom homes here sit far apart along hilly terrain at the foot of the mountains, blending Southwestern style with a Frank Lloyd Wright aesthetic that emphasizes outdoor spaces. Lots range from a quarter-acre to 10 acres and home layouts range from 2,300 to 9,400 square feet. Prices range from $1.3 million to $11 million; homes set at higher elevations tend to be the most expensive.
Townhouses and condos range in price from $1.6 million to $3 million, depending on views and updates. Buyers can also find undeveloped lots that range from a half-acre to over 2 acres and cost between $450,000 to $1.3 million.
While most new residents join a waitlist to purchase a membership to Desert Mountain’s amenities, some homes come with the privilege of purchasing a golf or lifestyle membership, immediately at closing. “Homes with membership privileges sell the quickest but don’t necessarily cost more,” Pentecost says. Initiation fees of $100,000 to $200,000 aren't included in a home’s price, and members pay additional monthly dues of $1,100 to $2,300. All residents, regardless of membership, pay monthly homeowners association dues of $270 to $740 that cover the community's security and maintenance.
Many homes in Desert Mountain feature pools in the backyard in order to escape the heat.
Desert Mountain homes are typically covered in stucco with brick and stone accents.
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Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses
“Desert Mountain has the best amenities of all the North Scottsdale golf clubs,” says Connie Edelman, an associate broker with Compass who’s sold homes in the area for 30 years. The community's seven golf courses include six designed by Jack Nicklaus, and each has its own clubhouse and restaurant. Each course has a different character, from the traditional Scottish links-style play of the Outlaw course to the varying elevations and city views of the Chiricahua course. Residents can work on their skills at the Jim Flick Golf Performance Center, which has technological tools and PGA-certified teachers to help develop every element of their game.
The community also tennis and pickleball courts, and indoor fitness center and a full-service spa. Hikers can explore the community’s mountainous desert landscape on over 20 miles of private trails, or head to the nearby trails in the Tonto National Forest. Located 17 miles away, Bartlett Lake is a popular getaway for boating, camping and fishing.
Desert Mountain features homes near private golf courses in a beautiful desert setting.
Desert Mountain residents love the proximity to many trails and outdoor spaces.
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Apache, Constantino’s and eight other members-only restaurants
There are 10 members-only restaurants in Desert Mountain. At Constantino’s, diners can enjoy Italian cuisine, while the Arizona Grill at Outlaw focuses on Southwestern flavors. Steaks and seafood come with nightly live music at Apache, and The Hideout at Renegade serves burgers and other comfort food. “The restaurants are top-notch,” Pentecost says. “When you go to dinner, you tend to run into people you know, and that creates a greater sense of community.”
Outside of Desert Mountain, Edelman recommends Raven’s View, a wine bar serving shareable dishes like charcuterie boards. “It’s packed all the time,” Edelman says. “It’s tiny, but it’s got great food, and you’re sitting in the middle of the mountains.” Carefree has more dining options, plus locally owned shops and a Bashas’ grocery store, 3 miles west. Other grocery stores are a roughly 6-mile drive from the neighborhood’s main gate and include options like Target and AJ’s Fine Foods.
The English Rose Tea Room has been serving tea to Desert Mountain locals for over 20 years.
Members pay $100-200k to enjoy the 6 clubhouses located throughout Desert Mountain.
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The Young Entrepreneur’s Society at Cactus Shadows High
Local kids can attend Black Mountain Elementary, Sonoran Trails Middle and Cactus Shadows High; all three earn an A-minus from Niche, and are within 11 miles of Desert Mountain’s main gate. Students at Cactus Shadows High can choose from 30 after-school clubs, including the Young Entrepreneur’s Society and the Environmental Science Club.
Black Mountain Elementary School fosters an appreciation for learning and the natural world.
Sonoran Trails Middle School earn an A-minus from Niche.
Kids can attend Cactus Shadows High, which earns earn an A-minus from Niche.
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About 13 miles from the 101 freeway
Interstate 17 is about 22 miles from Desert Mountain, but locals rely more on the 101 freeway, which is about 13 miles away. According to Edelman, it can take about 20 minutes for residents in Desert Mountain’s north to drive to the neighborhood’s main gate, then an additional 20 minutes to get to the 101. The 101 leads roughly 25 miles to Scottsdale, and 23 miles to State Route 51, which leads about 2 miles to downtown Phoenix; ultimately, downtown Phoenix is 38 miles away.
With no public transportation, few bike lanes and no sidewalks, Desert Mountain residents rely on their cars to get around North Scottsdale, and many use golf carts to get around within the community. HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center is roughly 13 miles, and Mayo Clinic Hospital is around 17 miles. Sky Ranch at Carefree, a private general aviation airport, is just over a mile away, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 34-mile trip.
The Italian Street Festival and other gatherings
Membership gives residents access to Desert Mountain’s six clubhouses and regular community events. Social mixers, concerts and golf tournaments take place regularly, and some of the larger annual events include the Italian Street Festival in June, which features live music and a large selection of Italian foods, and the Monster Mash Fall Bash in October, where residents don Halloween costumes and dance the night away at an outdoor concert.
High wildfire risk
Since Desert Mountain has so much open space and is near undeveloped areas in the Continental Mountains, homes here are at a high risk for wildfire. Fires are common to the east, but residents are more likely to experience smoke from these nearby fires than any direct effects. “There are extra alerts and caution around wildfires here,” Pentecost says, “but because it’s so high up on the mountain, I don’t think there's been a wildfire that’s threatened the community in a very long time.” There are two fire stations nearby, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s app can help locals 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 Mountain neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Desert Mountain
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
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Desert Mountain Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Desert Mountain, Scottsdale sell after 119 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Desert Mountain, Scottsdale over the last 12 months is $3,175,000, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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