Deer Valley, Phoenix Neighborhood Guide

As you head north, out of the valley, you start to see the Sonoran desert vistas open up and begin to glimpse the rolling hills and the mountains in the distance. Considered North Phoenix, Deer Valley’s prime location may be the number one reason to own a home here. And many do because of its desert-style living and friendly, close-knit community developments that make it feel like home. There’s also the benefit of convenient access to Scottsdale or downtown Phoenix that gives those choosing this neighborhood towards the north a well-rounded and balanced lifestyle. Deer Valley is bisected by I-17, the major north-south artery in the Phoenix era, which pretty much takes gridlock out of the equation when you want to head north for cooler summer weather or to hit the slopes near Flagstaff in winter. The spectacular red cliffs of Sedona are only an hour and half away. Also, the Loop 101 around Phoenix cuts through Deer Valley heading east and west. Buying a home among Deer Valley real estate also means nature preserves surround you, hiking trails are nearby and there are plenty of other options for year-round recreation, including Lake Pleasant just one half hour away. Here’s an overview of some of the other reasons that make Deer Valley a great place to live.

Local Bars, Restaurants and Shopping in Deer Valley

Concerts, Cardinal’s and Diamondbacks games as well as other big area events are easy to get to from this spot north of the city, but there are plenty of local options too. The main shopping area borders I-17 along Happy Valley Road. There are two new open air shopping centers, The Shops at Norterra and Happy Valley Towne Center and these areas have all the big box stores and restaurants you could wish for, as well as a couple of multi-screen cineplexes. The southern area of the neighborhood also has convenient access to shopping and dining along Bell Road. If you’re into horse racing, Turf Paradise offers thoroughbred and quarter horse racing and simulcasts, as well as dining. You can also have a home-style meal at the Phoenix-Deer Valley Municipal Airport as you watch the light planes come and go.

Recreation and Fitness in Deer Valley

Deer Valley is in an excellent location to experience the beauty of the surrounding desert with some of the best nature preserves in the state. The Deem Hills Recreation Area, in the Northwest quadrant of the neighborhood, offers the 5.75 mile Circumference Trail through 1,000 acres of Arizona upland vegetation and two billion year old volcanic rock fields and formations. Also in the Northwest, Thunderbird Conservation Park has 15 miles of trails for jogging, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Deer Valley also sits on the edge of the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve in the Northeast quadrant. This preserve has 36 miles of trails of varying difficulty, from easy trails that you can take the kids on to difficult scrambles up boulders. Another sports-related amenity to note is the Reach 11 Sports Complex, with 18 regulation-sized fields for soccer, rugby and field hockey, this the largest complex of its kind in Arizona, and one of the largest in all of the Western U.S. The complex has hosted national and international events.

Raising a Family in Deer Valley

Deer Valley, being one of the newer developed areas of the greater Phoenix metro area, offers families all the things that make life easier and make a town feel like home. There are plenty of neighborhood parks to take the younger kids to such as Deer Valley Park and Werner’s Field Park. There are eight schools serving Deer Valley including two high schools and several neighborhood elementary schools. There are also alternative school choices, mostly in the form of charter schools, such as the Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics, Hearn Academy and the unique Brightmont Academy private school, offering one-on-one instruction. For those hot summer days, Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix is located in Deer Valley, making it convenient to keep the kids out of the house and busy. There are even neighborhood Fourth of July Fireworks that make this section of Phoenix feel like you are in your own small town.

Types of Homes in Deer Valley Real Estate

Home listings in Deer Valley range from condominiums to townhouses to single-family estate-like properties. Because Deer Valley runs from the edge of Phoenix proper up to the foothills, there are a wide range of property styles to choose from. Two to three-bedroom homes make up the majority of the market in Deer Valley and you’ll find your neighbors are mostly homeowners also (70%), rather than renters (30%). In the northern part of the neighborhood, there are the newer developments such as Inspiration in the Stetson Valley area that offers large executive-style homes with mountain views. More traditional neighborhoods in the Southeast quadrant, closer to Phoenix, offer resort-style homes that are often called, Phoenix-style, and are known for their single-level design and outdoor patio space, often with a pool. When you decide to move to Deer Valley, you can choose to be a little bit out there, into the desert but with the necessities nearby, or you can stay closer to the action near I-17. Either way, the Deer Valley real estate market is rising, just like the rest of Phoenix. Homeowners are gravitating to this area north of the city, following the jobs as major employers such as Honeywell, Randstad and UnitedHealth Group have moved to the area. In essence, Deer Valley and its neighbor to the north, Anthem, have become small communities unto themselves as people are more and more attracted to being near the open desert, but not too far from the job opportunities.