Moving to the Phoenix metro? The Valley of the Sun has many great suburbs that offer affordable housing, top-rated schools, fantastic outdoor recreation spots, and nationally renowned golf courses. Check out this list of the five best suburbs in the Phoenix area!
Fountain Hills
- Home Price: $408,600 median purchase price; $1,444 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 69% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Fountain Hills—a small suburb 40 minutes from Phoenix—is a vibrant, growing community with many trendy dining spots, art galleries, outdoor parks, and more! Its laid-back atmosphere, excellent golfing spots, and amazing schools like McDowell Mountain Elementary School, Fountain Hills Middle School, and Fountain Hills High School make this neighborhood perfect for retirees and families alike. On top of that, the adobe-style houses, Spanish-style ranches, and townhomes offer stunning mountain views!
Things to Do in Fountain Hills
See the neighborhood’s fountain spray, have a family picnic, or play a round of disc golf at Fountain Park. Walk the trails and check out native Sonoran Desert plants at the free Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden. Explore the Lower Verde River Valley with an Exploration Center Tour or experience 150 pieces of beautifully crafted sculpture art at the River of Time Museum. Schedule a tee time at Sunridge Canyon Golf Club, recognized as one of Arizona’s top golf courses. Fill up on Italian dishes like the Linguine Pescatore, Chef’s Sampler, La Lasagna, and more at Sapori D’Italia. Make a reservation at one of the many unique tea rooms inspired by different nations and historical periods at Crowning Glory Tea Room. Indulge in classic Americana in a 50s-style setting with dishes like the gourmet Big Texan burger, the Fisherman’s Platter, or the Hot Prime Rib sandwich at Phil’s Filling Station. Or schedule a date night and try Latin-inspired dishes like Spinach Garbanzo Sopa, Firehouse Fish Tacos, or Seafood Paella at SOFRITA Fountain Hills.
Gilbert
- Home Price: $348,000 median purchase price; $1,580 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
The Phoenix suburb of Gilbert isn’t just one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona—it’s also one of the 15 fastest growing cities in the country! This town near Phoenix is ideal for families and retirees because of its proximity to incredible golf courses and quality schools like Gilbert Elementary School and Desert Hills High School. Young professionals can take advantage of major employers in Gilbert like GoDaddy and Northrop Grumman, or commute just 30 minutes to Downtown Phoenix. The local dining and nightlife scenes are perfect for young adults or couples enjoying date night—and this Arizona suburb’s many bike-friendly streets make seeing the town a breeze.
Things to Do in Gilbert
Take a guided family bird walk, go fishing, or attend a public star party to learn more about the vast night skies at the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory, located on the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. Attend plays and musicals like Little Women and Finding Neverland at the Hale Centre Theatre. Play all 18 holes or work on your swing at Western Skies Golf Club. Spend your Saturday mornings shopping for fresh produce, tea, and artisan crafts from over 100 vendors at the Gilbert Farmers Market. Start your day with a Nitro Cold Brew or Chai Latte with a Churro Donut at Mythical Coffee. Reserve a table to enjoy a rotating menu of items like Shrimp Alfredo or the American Smash Burger with a specialty cocktail like the Cucumber Lemonade at Slate Bistro & Bar. Try the Jumbo Sandwich, Meat Plate, and Cheesy Potatoes at Joe’s Real BBQ. Or relax while drinking craft brews like the Empire Strikes Bitter, TropiKolsch, or Red Wedding Lager at Desert Monks Brewing Co.
Mesa
- Home Price: $245,500 median purchase price; $1,105 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 33% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Want to live in a larger Phoenix suburb? Check out Mesa, located just under 30 minutes outside of Phoenix! Mesa residents can find affordable homes ranging from single-story Spanish bungalows to spacious Mid-Century Modern-style homes. This suburb also boasts amazing outdoor recreation opportunities, with over 40 miles of bike lanes and Usery Mountain Regional Park nearby. Families in Mesa can send their kids to great schools like Franklin Accelerated Academy – Downtown Campus and Red Mountain High School. Plus, Downtown Mesa is a hot spot for shopping, dining, and entertainment. It also offers free public transportation on the Downtown BUZZ, access to the Valley Metro’s 26-mile light rail system, and unique sculptures and murals to see!
Things to Do in Mesa
Set up a picnic, play a game of horseshoes, or go fishing at Greenfield Park. Play a traditional round of golf or give Glow Ball a try at Augusta Ranch Golf Club. Explore exhibits like Dinosaur Mountain and Arizona Through Time at the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Attend an outdoor concert at the Mesa Amphitheatre, where you can see performances by popular artists like Maren Morris and Orville Peck. Try the Rocky Point Omelette, Steel Cut Oats, or Berry Crepes for a hearty and delicious breakfast at Sunnyside Breakfast Lounge. Sample tasty Mediterranean cuisine like Chicken Shawarma, the Falafel Plate, and Tabouleh Salad at Green Corner Restaurant. Treat your taste buds to savory and sweet empanadas like the Mushroom Chicken, Pernil, Guava & Cheese, and Dizzy Fig at República Empanada. Or order local brews like the Scottish Red, Oatmeal Stout, or Fusilier Lager at Lochiel Brewing.
Queen Creek
- Home Price: $363,800 median purchase price; $1,640 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 73% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Tucked away to the southeast of Phoenix proper, the suburb of Queen Creek possesses a quiet, small-town feel without sacrificing access to the big city amenities available in “Arizona’s Urban Heart.” This Phoenix suburb offers affordable homes with spacious lots, as well as access to the gorgeous Southwestern outdoors with parks like Mansel Carter Oasis Park and Queen Creek Botanical Gardens. Families will appreciate Queen Creek’s abundance of activities at places like The Barney Family Sports Complex, as well as its excellent schools like Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary—one of the best elementary schools in Arizona. Retirees also love this suburb, given its slower pace of life and access to amenities like Las Colinas Golf Club. Queen Creek residents also enjoy access to a variety of things to do, including shops, museums, restaurants, and more.
Things to Do in Queen Creek
Immerse yourself in local history with a tour or in the library at the San Tan Historical Society Museum. Catch family-friendly shows like the The Lightning Thief and The Spongebob Musical at Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, or enroll your kids in youth acting camps, theater programs, and workshops. Go camping, hike or bike the trails, or take a horseback ride through breathtaking scenery at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. Pick the perfect peaches or vegetables, or participate in some Phoenix glamping at Schnepf Farms. Start your morning on the garden patio with a Breakfast Pizza, Lox Board, or Bistro Frittata from The Bistro Queen Creek. Snack on popular Mexican dishes like Birria Fries, Super Nachos, or a Carne Asada Quesadilla at Rili-B’s Taco Shop. Enjoy date night with live music, views of the San Tan mountains, and a variety of dishes ranging from Chilean Sea Bass Miso to Vegetable Curry at Social Birdie. Order Azteca Enchiladas—or skip straight to dessert with items like Churros or Tres Leches—from Barrio Queen.
Scottsdale
- Home Price: $493,200 median purchase price; $1,452 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 59% of Arizona cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Scottsdale is a great Phoenix suburb for people of all ages thanks to its beautiful weather, abundance of outdoor activities at places like Pinnacle Peak Park, and top-notch education at schools like Sonoran Sky Elementary School and Chaparral High School. It’s also one of the best U.S. cities for jobs! This suburb has three distinct districts—North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, and Old Town Scottsdale—all of which offer a range of housing options, from budget-friendly starter homes to luxury abodes. In addition, there are tons of things to do and places to go in Scottsdale, including golf courses, cultural museums, exciting nightlife spots, and more!
Things to Do in Scottsdale
Purchase an annual pass to TPC Scottsdale—home of the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open—to play both award-winning 18-hole courses. Shop fashion brands like Coach, Gucci, Lacoste, and more at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Take a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning winter home turned architecture museum at Taliesin West. See paintings, photos, and historical artifacts from the American West at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Start your day with breakfast bites like the Peach French Toast Casserole, Potato Frittata, and the Short Rib Beef Hash at Arcadia Farms Cafe. Try farm-to-table eats like the Spit Fire Chicken, Sea Smoke & Orzo Salad, or Smoked Brisket Sandwich at Grassroots Kitchen & Tap. Savor delicious smoky flavors like the Smoked Chicken Wings, Bootlegger Burger, or the Chopped Brisket at Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse. Or kick back on the patio with cocktails like the Summer Solstice Martini, Paloma Perfecta, and Berry Bramble at AZ/88.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
