Deer Valley, Phoenix: Growing Strong

Breathtaking views, sunny days and endless rock formations that inspire masterpieces, Deer Valley Phoenix looks to be something straight out of a storybook. While parts of Arizona are only known for their heat – and dust – Deer Valley offers something a bit more – something different. Take some time to explore this oasis perched in the Northern part of Phoenix and there’s a good chance you will get lost in the many beauties of nature and man-made creations held within. Or perhaps, you will be taken in by the culturally diverse population that is dedicated to preserving the ‘community’ feel, offering a number of mom-and-pop restaurants and shops that offer more personality and substance than all the large, chain businesses in the area combined. It is these little markers of defiance which let residents and visitors alike know that there is more substance here than what first meets the eye. Also, with more than 300 days of white-out sunshine each year, this small, Northern portion of the ‘Valley of the Sun’ is quite agreeable overall (except maybe June through August where the mercury can top out at over 100 degrees).

The Development of Modern Deer Valley

Modern Deer Valley was not established until the 1990s, when the remnants of a long-abandoned ghost town were finally bulldozed into oblivion. What started out as a mining town in North Phoenix, referred to as Union, today’s Deer Valley has been transformed into a vibrant, culturally rich community that is continuing to grow and expand. However, in the 1970s, the area was still somewhat of a desert wasteland with few homes scattered throughout the now thriving area. In fact, the most fun for residents of this area prior to 1990 was throwing a party in the middle of nowhere and seeing who would show up. Now home to over 171,000 residents, Deer Valley Phoenix offers numerous educational and professional opportunities, which has continued to grow and develop in the past years. There is no question that the community has definitely come a long way from the humble beginnings of the 1800s and even the 1970s. While the community is relatively young in terms of development, when compared to the remainder of the Phoenix area, it offers quite a bit of promise in terms of development in coming years.

Entertainment and Shopping

The regional shopping mall in Deer Valley can be found at the intersection of I-17 and Route 101, anchored by an AMC movie theater complex and Target store. Other shopping malls serving Deer Valley residents include the Paradise Valley Mall and Kierland Commons, which is a master-planned and upscale shopping, resort and residential community. For kids, activities such as The Play Factory and Victory Lanes offer fun and entertainment when the heat is simply too much to bear. On cooler days, you can consider paying a visit to Foothills Park, which is especially designed for fun for your furry friends.

Demographics of Deer Valley

Many of the residents in Deer Valley have graduated from college and own their own property. The majority of the population is between the ages of 20 and 29 with the top job positions being in construction, sales executives and administration. However, Deer Valley is also home to a number of customer service call centers, including Best Western, Discover Card, and American Express. These businesses offer several thousand jobs for the residents of Deer Valley. Pets are a big part of life in Deer Valley Phoenix, hence the creation of several pet parks and the fact that 71 percent of all apartments and rental houses are pet friendly.

Culture

For your daily dose of culture in Deer Valley visit the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve. This archaeology museum and Sonoran Desert preserve spanning 47 acres is the largest concentration of petroglyphs from Native Americans in all of Arizona. This museum is considered a “Phoenix Point of Pride" and highlights the rich culture of the land. For music lovers, the Musical Instrument Museum offers a hands on experience including a room where you can try out various instrument. Also, take a peek at John Lennon’s upright piano and a guitar that belonged to Eric Clapton as well as other pieces of rock and roll history during your visit. Even if you aren’t big on music, these are pieces music history that almost anyone will be impressed by – at least slightly.

Best Known for…

While Deer Valley may be best known for dust and heat, there is much more to this town than initially meets the eye. The younger population has led to a surge in the development of entertainment venues in the local neighborhood, including a hot air balloon company, giving those brave enough a bird’s eye view of all Deer Valley has to offer. It is also a fairly young community, which means development has just begun. The boundaries of the neighborhood continue to expand as a more diverse population move in, which helps to provide a bright and unique future for this once abandoned part of Arizona.

A Snapshot of Deer Valley

The Deer Valley neighborhood offers much more than just dust and sun – in fact, when you consider moving or living here – consider this:

• Deer Valley offers numerous local amenities for fun, shopping and numerous dining options
• Provides a low cost of living compared to the national average
• Over 300 days of sunshine
• High level of graduates

Deer Valley, while it is a smaller community within the Northern Phoenix area, is still nearby a number of larger metropolitan areas. It is only 17 miles away from Scottsdale and nine miles away from Peoria. Regardless of if you are seeking the hustle and bustle of one of these larger metropolitan areas, or decide to keep with those you know in the Deer Valley community, you will quickly discover it offers everything you could need or want in terms of affordability, livability, culture, shopping and entertainment.