Although 74% of all new homes purchased in the Valley are in masterplanned communities, Paradise Valley, for example, has virtually none. Being one of the first affluent areas to develop, it has most of its homes on larger parcels, one acre or more. Some of its areas, though, are smaller lots and these are in subdivisions.

Most of the communities in the Valley have subdivisions. These are smaller parcels, perhaps 100 acres or more that were subdivided and neighborhoods created. The developer then gave a name to the subdivision, such as Saddleback, or Rancho Montana.

The difference between a subdivision and a masterplanned community is size and scope. Masterplanned communities, being larger, can and will put in schools, golf courses, shopping, trails, lakes, etc. Subdivisions will be smaller neighborhoods, perhaps with a park or a greenbelt. Because most run alongside each other, they almost give the image of a masterplanned community. There will be shopping on (it seems) every intersection of the main roads, with schools nearby, thereby giving a sense of a masterplanned community.

Both masterplanned communities and subdivisions are too large for any one developer to build out, so there are groups of builders that buy a plot and build in the masterplanned community or subdivision. This provides a variety of styles, floorplans, prices and competition. There will be CC & Rs (Codes, Covenants and Restrictions) that monitor the architecture and designs as well as the infrastructure to make sure it is aesthetically pleasing.

We also have subdivisions that have an acre or more that are zoned for horses. Many do not have horses, but people like the space this provides. There are also "mini-ranches" on which the homeowners have corrals and complete horse set-ups. These are not necessarily "further out" but because most of the communities surrounding Phoenix feel like suburbs, you will get a "country-feeling".

Which is Right for You?

If you think of Phoenix as the center and largest metropolitan city, with the communities surrounding it, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Ahwatukee, then all of them feel like suburbs.

Each of these communities have areas that are "close-in". People who like that feeling like to walk to schools, shopping and amenities. They don't want to feel "too far" from things that are happening. A little "further out" feeling is for those that don't want to be that close. They want a suburb or a bedroom community feeling.

Then there are those that like to be still a little further (mind you, these are still not "far" or more than 20-30 minutes) so they can be closer to the mountains or foothills. (We are a valley, you know!) These subdivisions or masterplanned communities can be very beautiful and have a very different feel because of the native growth and vegetation.

Closer in communities have mature vegetation, more green lawns, lakes, etc. Here in the foothills, you have hiking trails out your back door, so to speak, and magnificent desert and mountains, the green coming from the golf course meandering through or nearby them!

Each community has its personality and its beauty.
There WILL be a right neighborhood or feel for you!

Let me help you find your dream home!