Phoenix AZ Suburbs: Deep Dive Look at Where to Live in Phoenix Arizona

If you’re moving to Phoenix Arizona and you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you might be interested in the Phoenix, AZ suburbs. These are surrounding cities that have all the amenities of a city (parks, restaurants, movie theaters, etc.) without being in the middle of it all. This post will explain where exactly the Phoenix AZ suburbs are located, give an overview of each one, and then give tips on what it’s like to live there!

Phoenix, AZ Suburbs: Phoenix Area

Arcadia and Central Phoenix

Two great Phoenix AZ  suburbs lie just to east of downtown. Arcadia and Central Phoenix sit within easy driving distance of many job centers and entertainment venues, but offer a much more tranquil living experience than their busy big-city neighbor. If you work in downtown Phoenix but don’t want to deal with traffic, these suburbs may be perfect for you. Both areas have plenty of local shops and dining options (and lots of good golfing) as well as tree-lined streets that feel both residential and serene at once.

To help you figure out which Phoenix suburb is right for you, here are some pros and cons for each area:

For buyers who love an urban environment but crave some extra space, Arcadia may be your best bet. This Phoenix suburb is just east of downtown and has a great mix of tree-lined streets, charming local shops and restaurants, and lovely walkable parks. Plus, it’s close to major transportation hubs like I-10, so getting around is easy. One downside of living in Arcadia is that there aren’t as many large grocery stores or malls nearby; you might have to get used to making a few more trips into town for big shopping excursions. For those who want all of Phoenix’s amenities with a touch more solitude, Central Phoenix could be right up your alley. Just south of downtown, you can enjoy large apartments with plenty of space (if that’s what you prefer) while still having easy access to bus lines and public transportation. If fast access to cultural attractions is important to you, Central Phoenix should fit nicely into your life: The area has tons of museums, libraries, theaters and music venues.

Ahwatukee

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly : Ahwatukee is one of those Phoenix, AZ suburbs that has both a good side and a bad side. This can be seen in nearly every aspect of its daily life, from transportation to education. It’s an interesting place to live. Here’s a breakdown of Ahwatukee, one of the top Phoenix AZ suburbs. From our home base in South Chandler, you can reach Ahwatukee within 20 minutes via Interstate 10. If you’re headed out eastbound on I-10 toward either Loop 101 or Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), you will exit onto South SR 51 just past Dobson Road and head south into South Chandler where it will become West Elliot Road. You could also go west on I-10 for a few miles to Ray Road, then take north at Ray towards SR 51 and make your way over into Ahwatukee. In order to do so during rush hour traffic though, expect at least 40 minutes round trip if coming from South Chandler or Gilbert. Forty minutes may seem like quite a bit of time—but once you arrive in Ahwatukee, you’ll appreciate how much outdoor living is available compared to other Phoenix, AZ suburbs.

There’s more schools, parks and businesses close by as well; which means there is far less crowding than what most people encounter elsewhere around Greater Phoenix because it’s all within the community. Although Phoenix still has its share of natural beauty including mountains, lakes and national parks located nearby–Ahwatukee puts everything else close by. To learn more about real estate living in Ahwatukee, see these Ahwatukee homes for sale . Of course many don’t want to drive long distances from their jobs either. And if that sounds like you–you might want to read up on short commutes in Arizona , since Ahwatukee tends to have plenty of them too!

Estrella Village & South Mountain

This is one of the more well known Phoenix, AZ suburbs, located just a few miles outside of downtown. It’s comprised mostly of single-family homes that were built in an attractive desert style; it also boasts several swimming pools and a few golf courses for residents to enjoy. Once a year, there’s even a large rodeo festival held at one of its parks, bringing residents from across Arizona. Some of the areas over here are quite old, but there are also some revitalization and new construction going in as well. In short, if you want all of Phoenix but prefer more peace and quiet – Estrella Village or South Mountain will be a good option.

The South Mountain area is a great place to consider for those who are looking for a suburb of Phoenix. These Phoenix, AZ suburbs do not offer much in terms of public transportation or dining, but it provides a comfortable environment and plenty of outdoor space that cannot be found anywhere else in Phoenix. Those who choose to live in South Mountain will also have closer access to fantastic shopping at nearby Biltmore Fashion Park and Kierland Commons. In addition, families will enjoy living here because there are many schools close by such as Camelback High School and Agua Fria High School. The median cost of homes here is around $448,5000 and you can expect an average commute time of 16 minutes each way if you work outside your home. It’s easy to find homes here with 2 or 3 bedrooms so if you’re a family on a budget, it’s well worth checking out!

Phoenix, AZ Suburbs: North Phoenix & the Northwest Valley

Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, Litchfield Park, and Waddell

The northwest valley of Phoenix is in Maricopa County and includes many of Phoenix AZ suburbs, including Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City and North Glendale. The northwest valley is a heavily-trafficked area of town but still has its quiet moments. There are plenty of places to live around here, with everything from apartments to large homes that vary significantly in price points. Many residents prefer living here because it’s close enough to Phoenix proper while offering that quieter suburban feel; it’s also one of two areas where you can see wild deer running through your yard (the other being West Valley). It’s an easy place to get around too; you can get into downtown Phoenix or out toward Scottsdale pretty quickly. Traffic will pick up on main roads like Bell Rd, Grand, Happy Valley, and the 101 freeway.

The West Valley used to be a lot of farm land before it’s heavy development. Now, many industrial and commercial companies are bringing jobs to the West Valley along the Loop 303 corridor. With this, new home builders are prioritizing these Phoenix AZ suburbs for new home construction. Future building plans and zoning are in the works for many of these cities such as Peoria, Surprise, and West Glendale!

The northwest valley offers most of what you’d expect from a suburb, though maybe not quite as much as some of its competitors. Right now North Peoria, Glendale, and Surprise are bringing in more shopping and dining opportunities for its growing population. There are plenty of shopping opportunities at places like Arrowhead Fountains, Litchfield Park Town Center, Four Corners in Peoria, Park West, Westgate and Surprise Pavilions; Litchfield Park also has Old West Junction and Old Town Litchfield for entertainment. And Glendale is home to the football stadium for the Arizona Cardinals over by WestGate and the Tanger Outlets.

North Phoenix-Anthem

The Phoenix-Anthem area is a large suburban region on and around Interstate 17, between Phoenix and Prescott. It includes communities like Anthem, New River, Rio Verde, Moon Valley and a number of others. Because it’s near I-17 (the major north-south interstate through Arizona), it’s close to both Sedona and Flagstaff—but also very easy to get into downtown Phoenix.  Great community amenities, beautiful parks and plenty of fun things to do make living in one of these Phoenix AZ suburbs an attractive option for families looking for a good school district but also want easy access to everything Phoenix has to offer. If you’re thinking about making a move soon but aren’t sure which city will suit your family best, start here with your search!

Anthem offers both median to high end housing, along with luxury homes in their gated golf community.  All Anthem residents have access to their community center, schools, parks, and waterpark. This is why Anthem is one of the top Phoenix, AZ suburbs-great amenities and beautiful neighborhoods.

With Rio Verde and New River having larger lots than most other Phoenix AZ suburbs, and each offering a good mix of neighborhood activities and sports teams, they’re another attractive option for families. This area is also known for having beautiful mountain views and easy access to hiking trails. It’s also popular among retirees who want to be close enough to Phoenix but not in it – something these areas are known for!

Phoenix AZ Suburbs: Scottsdale & Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley

Though you’ll be closer to Downtown, you’ll also be much closer to mountains and therefore more prone to summer heat. North Phoenix is home to some of Phoenix’s oldest neighborhoods, as well as Paradise Valley. The former is full of ranch homes and traditional neighborhoods; it’s a great place for families and retirees. Paradise Valley, on the other hand, is among one of Phoenix’s wealthiest communities and has long been known for its upscale shopping options and equestrian culture. It’s arguably Phoenix’s most charming suburb. However, both areas have their drawbacks: like the cost of living is higher to pay for the amenities. If you choose to live here, get ready for a longer commute as traffic tends to be higher in these areas—especially if you work by Arizona State University or downtown Phoenix.

Scottsdale

Just north of Phoenix, Scottsdale is a wealthy desert suburb that’s home to resorts and high-end shops. If you want to live among other well-to-do retirees or business owners, then Scottsdale is a great choice. It’s also just about as close as you can get to true desert life without moving into Tucson. By day, enjoy horseback riding and off-roading; by night, go for dinner at one of many world-class restaurants before heading out to see music or dance at one of Scottsdale’s many clubs. Of course, if nightlife isn’t your thing, you can always head over to Old Town Scottsdale and visit some of America’s most fascinating history. The area has changed so much since its creation in 1865 that exploring it feels like time travel.

Overall, Scottsdale makes an excellent place to call home during retirement – but it can be good for younger people, too! Especially considering all of those shopping opportunities: there’s no better place to find upscale designer clothes than in Scottsdale. Nevertheless, there’s plenty here for everyone—after all, there are loads of museums here, not just art galleries (though there’s definitely plenty of art on display). Many people also consider living near Scottsdale to be one of their retirement goals—and why not? Plus, Scottsdale is known as being one of the Phoenix, AZ suburbs with the best golfing around. Who wouldn’t want to spend their retirement in one of the beautiful Phoenix AZ suburbs with amazing golf and restaurants nearby?!

Phoenix AZ Suburbs: Southeast Valley

Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley

Mesa and Tempe are within a 30-minute drive from downtown Phoenix you’ll find lots of single family homes along with other areas with condos, and townhomes. Tempe is home to Arizona State University, so if you are a college sports fan, or have students attending college soon, this could be one of a few great Phoenix AZ suburbs for you. In addition, there is tons of shopping and nightlife nearby so you don’t have to go far for entertainment. If you need to get around town quickly, both cities offer easy access to interstates 10 and 17. Plus, each has an airport offering domestic flights, although many choose to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with the major airlines.

Chandler and Gilbert are two Phoenix, AZ suburbs that make up a large portion of Phoenix’s population. Chandler is one of Arizona’s oldest cities and has a lot to offer residents, including some of Phoenix’s best restaurants, shopping centers, and schools. Chandler homes tend to be on average slightly more expensive than other communities in Phoenix, but residents don’t complain because they get great bang for their buck. Gilbert was formed through an act by the Arizona State Legislature in 1911; it is now home to around 200,000 people and its size makes it popular with families who want to live close to shopping and entertainment options without moving too far from Phoenix. Families flock to these Phoenix-area suburbs partly because both have easy access to the public school systems, commute for jobs, and beautiful neighborhoods. Both have strong housing markets today, so if you’re thinking about starting a new life in Phoenix these might be areas worth exploring first.

Recently, the Queen Creek & San Tan Valley communities have been labeled the best Phoenix, AZ suburbs by U.S. News and World Report—but is that really true?  City of Scottsdale vs Town of Queen Creek In 2016, Money Magazine rated Queen Creek tops in its list of America’s Best Affordable Suburbs (8/28/16). In more recent news, U.S. News and World Report ranked San Tan Valley No. 15 and Queen Creek No. 22 in its 2017 ranking of best Phoenix Arizona suburbs to live in.

These areas used to be perceived as far away from Phoenix (you’re looking at around an hour plus commute) but they have built up these far southeast cities like crazy over the last decade! With the growth and affordability, we understand why so many new residents are flocking to these Phoenix AZ suburbs.

Phoenix, AZ Suburbs: West Valley

Buckeye, Avondale, and Goodyear

Take an insider’s tour of these Phoenix, Arizona suburbs and see why they may be right for you. And, if you have kids, we’ll tell you where to live in Phoenix with them in mind. First up is Buckeye.  One of our favorite things about it: That classic small-town feel you get from being so close to Phoenix but without all that hustle and bustle. It also boasts more than 350 days of sunshine a year – perfect for those who love their barbecues!  As far as housing options go, there are tons available throughout Buckeye, including family homes, farms, and older cottage style properties (hello, real life fixer upper). The neighborhood market is booming with new developments popping up seemingly every day! But don’t take our word for it – head over there yourself to check out what these Phoenix AZ suburbs can offer you.

Next up is Avondale. What makes Avondale worth checking out? In part, its proximity to Downtown Phoenix…but also its rich history. During its heyday (in the 1920s), Avondale was considered one of Phoenix’s premier neighborhoods; even today, it retains that sense of prestige along with plenty of potential for growth (Avondale has seen some big changes just within the past five years). Whether you want a place in town or farther away, there are plenty of spots in the Phoenix AZ suburbs to choose from – but only one will truly fit your lifestyle.  Start exploring now!

Last but not least is Goodyear. If you’re looking for a suburb outside of Phoenix, do yourself a favor and check out Goodyear.  You’ll find endless opportunities to put down roots here, especially when it comes to finding exactly what you need. There are a lot of amenities, and highly desired communities such as Estrella Mountian Ranch that current Phoenix residents and our relocation clients are seeking out consistently.

Next Steps to Moving to Phoenix, AZ Suburbs

Do you feel like you have a better understanding of the Phoenix, AZ suburbs?! We know this was an in depth look of all of the surrounding areas. Phoenix, Arizona is a major city with rapid growth, especially in the last 5 years. With the Phoenix metro area consisting of several surrounding cities, suburbs, and a range of lifestyles, there’s a lot of information to take in. We hope this blog post was helpful in giving you more in depth information about all of the suburbs in Phoenix AZ. If you’re thinking of moving here, reach out to us for a personalized plan to choose your area and future Phoenix AZ home!