Located on the western most side of Phoenix, Maryvale offers a serene atmosphere surrounded by the beautiful desert landscape. There are many people who refer to the area of Maryvale as West Phoenix, due to its location. It is considered to be the most populous of the 15 different urban villages in Phoenix, being bigger than the suburbs of Avondale and Goodyear combined. Maryvale, along with the rest of Phoenix, is considered the sunniest metro-area in the US. It is a city that basks in sunshine for 85 percent of daytime hours and is surrounded on all sides by saguaro-studded mountains. Maryvale offers the ability to experience culture, being as much known for its tasty street tacos as it is for baseball and dining on the patio. Perhaps what sets Maryvale apart from all the other suburban areas across America is the spectacular view of the Sonoran Desert. This is picturesque scenery that is not offered anywhere else in the US. While the rest of Phoenix also has these views, as well, it is the unique location and diverse population that really work to set this community apart.
Maryvale currently has a population of just over 210,000 living in an area that encompasses about 32 square miles, which provides a population density of about 6,500 people per square mile. While there are no racial majorities present in the area, Caucasians make up a significant amount of the population, with the third largest group being African Americans. About 76 percent of the population associates with Hispanic or Latino, giving them the largest race makeup for the area. Many of these families are immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries due to the appeal of low cost living that Maryvale has to offer.
First established during the 1950s and the 1960s by a real estate developer – John F. Long – the neighbors of Maryvale include homes that are largely inexpensive due to the need for affordable housin during this time. Like a number of the other interior suburbs in the U.S., there has been some decline over the decades in regard to urban development; however, the modern addition of Maryvale Mall and Desert Sky Mall are spurring more growth than in the past. The HomeStore Pavilion is the biggest outdoor venue and located on the western side of Maryvale. This venue serves the entire Phoenix area and accounts for some of the tourist income that the city of Maryvale Phoenix sees. Due to the affordable housing in the region, the area has become attractive to a number of immigrants and families from regions all over the world, especially from Latin American countries and Mexico. This influx of these families has led to a huge diversity in the population of the community.
Quality of life for Maryvale residents is good. With more than 65,000 housing units and over 85 percent of these being owner occupied, the possibility of owning a home in Maryvale is much better than other regions in Arizona. While the median income in this area is slightly lower than the national average, the housing and other living expenses is also lower, making it a comfortable living for the average resident. Also, there is a Maryvale community revitalization program in effect that is helping to enhance the relationships between the residents of the community, as well as educators, businesses, faith based organizations and non-profits. The goal is to create renewed pride, a better physical appearance for the city and values that will work together to help and create a much better place to raise families, play, work and live.
Just like a number of the other desert towns outside of the Greater Phoenix area, there are some who have a misconception about what the town of Maryvale has to offer. While it is the typical desert community, and temperatures in the summer months can reach well-over 100 degrees, there is much more to this community than what meets the eye. If you stay a while, witness the gold and red of the sunset or visit one of the small, ethnic restaurants in the area, you will see the rich flavor and diversification that this area has to offer.
The Maryale neighborhood has much more to offer than sunshine and dust. In fact, when you are thinking of moving to or buying a home in Maryvale, you should consider the following:
When western Phoenix was first established, it was dotted with homes and small filling stations. However, modern Maryvale offers access to all the amenities that are wanted by residents. Regardless of if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a larger metropolitan area – which is located nearby – you will quickly discover that in terms of livability, shopping, entertainment and culture, Maryvale really has it all.
