Every year, thousands of people flock to Arizona. In 2021, Arizona was the No. 5  U-Haul growth state in the United States for the second year in a row. It’s no wonder Scottsdale real estate is becoming more popular, with our hot summers, mild winters, and lots of beautiful outdoors.

If you’re considering moving to Arizona, but you’re not sure what neighborhood is right for you, keep reading! From Cave Creek homes for sale to Mesa condos, this list should help you decide where to start your home search.

Just northeast of downtown Phoenix sits Scottsdale real estate. With a growing population of over 250,000 people in Scottsdale, you have a thriving community surrounding you. In the past ten years, Scottsdale real estate has become incredibly desirable due to a number of factors. Generally, the town is known for its tidiness and easy access to lots of outdoor activities. Among other towns, Scottsdale ranked number one for millennial remote workers to relocate to.

Scottsdale real estate also boasts some of the best schools in the entire state, with a heavy emphasis on high schools. According to Niche, BSIS Scottsdale is the second-best public high school in Arizona, and BASIS Scottsdale Primary is the ninth-best public elementary school.

Scottsdale ranks highly as one of the best places to raise a family as well as one of the best places to live in general within the US. It’s hard to get a better recommendation than that.

This is also a great place to live if you like history — a lot of it. Scottsdale real estate might be new, but the town itself dates back to 300 B.C. when it was originally inhabited by the Hohokam, who created some of the most advanced irrigation canals at that time.

Is Scottsdale real estate a little too built up and busy for you? Then Cave Creek homes for sale may appeal to you, especially if you have a family. This is still part of the Phoenix metro area, but farther from downtown, with less than 5,000 residents at the time of the 2020 census.

Cave Creek homes for sale tend to have more land to spread out on simply because of how far away it is from the downtown area. If you’re fine with a 40-minute commute to downtown Phoenix, you can end up with more value for your money.

According to residents, the biggest downside of living in Cave Creek is the cost of living. The median home price is relatively higher than that of some of our later neighborhoods, and there are a few rental options in general. If you’re looking at Cave Creek homes for sale, the rental concern isn’t a problem for you!

The thriving city of Mesa sits east of most Scottsdale real estate and south of the best Cave Creek homes for sale. Sporting over 500,000 residents at the time of the 2020 census, Mesa is one of the largest neighborhoods in Arizona.

Because Mesa is so large, it contains a number of schools, most of which may not rank quite as high as those serving Scottsdale real estate. However, you'll find some of the better schools in the state, such as Red Mountain High School and Mountain View High School. As with any research you do on a new neighborhood, conduct due diligence using resources like the Arizona Department of Education.

Mesa is considered a great city to retire in, not just because of the great weather all of Arizona enjoys but also because it offers lots of outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, and golfing. Additionally, it's close to the major medical facilities in Phoenix, and there are plenty of employment options for both old and new residents, with  Google and Apple investing in data centers in and around Mesa.

Glendale is just northwest of downtown Phoenix and is about the size of Scottsdale. As of the 2020 census, Glendale had a population of just over 250,000 people. Unlike Scottsdale real estate, which has its roots in history but is still very much a modern city, Glendale has worked hard to appreciate and maintain its history and culture. Residents love the downtown antique shopping and the Annual Glendale Jazz and Blues Festival.

Despite its reputation for history, Glendale has spent a lot of time and money working to improve its downtown and nightlife in general. The VAI Resort is the latest addition set to open in 2023. It brings to Glendale a massive concert venue and 13 new luxury fine dining restaurants — something you’ll be hard-pressed to find among Cave Creek homes for sale. State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, hosts concerts and niche sports events when the NFL team isn’t playing. There are also several museums, a gorgeous botanical garden, and live musical theater.

Just like with Mesa and Scottsdale real estate, Glendale’s schools are considered some of the best in the state. Several school districts operate hundreds of public schools in Glendale — ask your real estate agent to help find the best schools and verify your independent research.

Are you torn between Scottsdale real estate and Mesa homes? There’s no need to make a hasty decision right now. If you’re on the fence or want to look at several homes in Phoenix, reach out to The Schrand Team today. The Schrand team specializes in Phoenix metro and Scottsdale real estate. They have over 13 years of experience in helping new, returning, and relocating residents find their dream homes in Arizona.

If you’re ready to take the next step and enjoy the beautiful weather in Arizona, reach out to one of the experienced local agents on The Schrand Team. We’re the experts in Arizona real estate and want to help you in all phases of your journey, from neighborhood search to close.