The best Phoenix neighborhoods offer top-notch schools, safe streets, beautiful playgrounds, and plenty of entertainment opportunities. Known for its warm weather, Phoenix’s sunny climate is popular among families, retirees, and young professionals. It is also known for its world-class golf courses, luxury spa resorts, and happening nightclubs.
Within these new or up-and-coming neighborhoods in Phoenix, you can find a lifestyle for your unique needs and interests. Before you buy a new home, you should also look for a neighborhood with home prices in your budget. With a little effort, you can quickly find the right home for your family across the many local Phoenix communities.
1. Desert View – Safest Neighborhood in Phoenix
- Population: 42,857
- Median Household Income: $98,695
- Median Home Price: $607,990
- Homes for sale in Desert View
If you are trying to figure out which Phoenix neighborhoods are the best for your family, you can start by checking out Desert View. Known as one of the best neighborhoods in Phoenix, Desert View is a kid-friendly neighborhood with easy access to Whole Foods, high-end shops, yoga studios, and other fun things to do. Within the neighborhood’s vicinity, you can easily find walkable streets, nightlife options, and beautiful parks.
While this is decidedly not one of the most affordable suburbs in Phoenix, Desert View makes up for its higher prices with its many amenities. Families are drawn here because of the walkable neighborhood’s low crime rate, which is 68% lower than the Phoenix average. Some of the best schools in the area include Sandpiper Elementary School, Black Elementary School, Desert Mountain Middle School, Desert Shadows Middle School, and Pinnacle High School.
At local parks and playgrounds, you can find off-leash areas for pets, picnic tables, and walking trails. This gated community also features top-rated restaurants, like the White Chocolate Grill, El Barrio Queen, and Persian Room.
2. Ahwatukee Foothills – Family-friendly Community in Phoenix
- Population: 77,288
- Median Household Income: $95,279
- Median Home Price: $495,000
- Homes for sale in Ahwatukee Foothills
While people have lived in this neighborhood for thousands of years, the modern suburb of Ahwatukee Foothills didn’t develop until the 1970s. It has quickly become one of the most popular neighborhoods in Phoenix. Although these homes are still more expensive than houses located in rural areas, they are some of the most affordable properties in all of Phoenix.
In Ahwatukee Foothills, children can go to top public schools like Desert Vista High School and Mountain Pointe High School. For private schools, parents can check out the Summit School of Ahwatukee. This school is regularly ranked as one of the best, but also most expensive, options for private schools in all of Phoenix.
Known for its fairly low crime rate, this community is home to lovely parks and green spaces. It is often ranked among the best neighborhoods to live in, raise a family, and buy a house in Phoenix.
3. Rio Vista – Best Sense of Community
- Population: 3,343
- Median Household Income: $116,094
- Median Home Price: $583,450
- Homes for sale in Rio Vista
Recognized as one of the Phoenix neighborhoods with the best schools, Rio Vista is a family-friendly area with safe, quiet streets. Unlike some regions, Rio Vista truly embodies the word community. With a little over 3,000 residents, the close-knit neighborhood is small enough for neighbors to get to know each other.
As one of the best places to live in Phoenix, this community boasts well-kept yards and brightly lit streets. While it is one of the safest places to walk around at night, it isn’t known for having the best walkability due to how spread out it is. You will most likely need a car to get around or for a work commute.
Along with the Musical Theater of Anthem, you can check out local arts and entertainment venues, like the Banzerini House or the Havana Cigar Bar. Afterward, you can dine at one of the area’s many Mexican restaurants, pizzerias, Asian restaurants, and cafes. Locals can also enjoy working out at top martial art centers, yoga studios, and gyms.
4. Laveen – An Affordable Place to Call Home
- Population: 48,021
- Median Household Income: $66,983
- Median Home Price: $339,380
- Homes for sale in Laveen
In addition to having some of the most walkable streets, Laveen is known as one of the most dog-friendly Phoenix neighborhoods. Locals love the sheer number of parks in Laveen as well as the friendliness of their neighbors. Once you move to the area, you can make friends by going to local events, working out at the nearby gyms, or visiting one of the area’s entertainment options.
Within Laveen, you can find reasonably priced homes to fit any lifestyle. Because of the affordable home prices, this community is particularly popular among up-and-coming young professionals and their families. It offers safe streets, low crime rates, and good schools.
5. North Gateway – A Safe, Quiet Neighborhood
- Population: 15,471
- Median Household Income: $81,262
- Median Home Price: $550,000
- Homes for sale in North Gateway
If you are searching for where to live in Phoenix, North Gateway is a cool neighborhood to consider. This community has a low crime rate, which is one of the reasons why families are drawn to the area. In addition to families, the area is also popular among young professionals.
Many of the people who live in this top Phoenix neighborhood own their own homes. While Plaza Bonita is the place to go for nightlife, Desert Donuts is a local favorite if you’re craving a sweet treat. Throughout the year, you can check out family Easter Egg hunts, holiday fairs, and other community events.
6. Paradise Valley – Arizona’s Wealthiest Municipality
- Population: 166,927
- Median Household Income: $173,487
- Median Home Price: $429,950
- Homes for sale in Paradise Valley
Famous as one of the hip Phoenix neighborhoods with the best schools, Paradise Valley is also one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in the city. As one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city, the community truly lives up to its name. It is also known for being the wealthiest municipality in the entire state of Arizona.
When you live in Paradise Valley, you can easily reach all of the best things to do in Phoenix. You can go grocery shopping at Costco or hit a high-end boutique. While you can take your dog for a walk on the area’s many sidewalks, you’ll generally need a car to reach all of Paradise Valley’s excellent shopping, restaurant, and entertainment venues.
7. Deer Valley – Best for Outdoor Activities
- Population: 165,720
- Median Household Income: $60,600
- Median Home Price: $390,000
- Homes for sale in Deer Valley
If you are passionate about hiking or working out, Deer Valley is one of the top Phoenix neighborhoods for you. Known for its amazing outdoor spaces, this charming community is home to the Hurricane Harbor Phoenix waterpark, Adobe Mountain Train Museum, and the Adobe Dam Regional Park. It is especially popular among mountain bikers and hikers because of the Cave Buttes and Deem Hills.
For a more relaxing day, you can always head to the Shops at Norterra. This Phoenix suburb also offers excellent sports bars, clothing stores, and Mexican restaurants on many of its streets. Meanwhile, younger residents can enroll at top-notch schools, like Park Meadows Elementary School, Lookout Mountain School, Desert Sky Middle School, Thunderbird High School, and Greenway High School.
8. Encanto – Excellent Place to Go for Career Options
- Population: 54,523
- Median Household Income: $38,098
- Median Home Price: $425,000
- Homes for sale in Encanto
Encanto encompasses the city’s midtown and uptown districts, so it includes many of Phoenix’s top restaurants and nightlife options. Throughout the year, you can check out local amenities, like the Arizona State Fair, the Park Central Mall, Heard Museum, and the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Recognized as one of the most reasonably priced downtown neighborhoods in Phoenix, this community features an impressive list of desirable amenities.
Today, the community is one of the largest centers of employment for the entire state of Arizona. Because of this, it is incredibly popular among young professionals who want a lot of new career options. As one of the best places to live in the city, it is also a gay-friendly neighborhood in Phoenix.
9. Garden Lakes – Easy Commute
- Population: 5,525
- Median Household Income: $80,767
- Median Home Price: $399,900
- Homes for sale in Garden Lakes
If you are trying to determine which Phoenix neighborhoods are the best, you should take some time to visit this popular suburb in Phoenix. Because of its proximity to major highways, Garden Lakes is one of the most convenient neighborhoods for commuters. Plus, the neighborhood offers food truck Fridays, holiday fairs, movies in the park, and other community events.
To enjoy this community, take some time to get outside and wander along the spacious, shaded streets. Thanks to its fairly small size, Garden Lakes has a community-like atmosphere and a neighborly spirit. Residents can enjoy having access to top schools for their children.
If you want to enjoy some time outdoors, you can also check out the area’s green spaces. Kimberly Park at Garden Lakes is popular among residents because of its quiet ambiance and lovely trails. Within the park, you can feed the ducks, play a game of croquet, or dine in one of the park’s many ramadas.
Map of Neighborhoods in Phoenix, AZ
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The best neighborhoods in Phoenix are home to thriving communities, excellent schools, and plenty of employment options. By finding out where to live in Phoenix, you can get the lifestyle and amenities you deserve.
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