Paradise Valley: The Scottsdale Periphery
Paradise Valley unveils its distinctive charm the instant you catch sight of Camelback Mountain from above. Nestled in the foothills of Camelback and Mummy Mountains, this affluent residential enclave boasts a modest population of just 12,000 residents. Surrounded by Scottsdale and Phoenix, Paradise Valley stands out for its breathtaking landscapes, sweeping desert panoramas, and luxury resorts. Renowned for its exclusive neighborhoods, sprawling estates, and generous lot sizes, the township epitomizes sophistication and elegance. Its close proximity to Phoenix, the nation's fifth-largest metropolitan area, adds to its allure. Residents relish in a lifestyle abundant with outdoor pursuits such as hiking and golfing, available year-round amidst the region's stunning natural backdrop.
Over the past four decades of growth, the region has admirably managed traffic and building development, preserving its unique character. It's a testament to the community's foresight and planning. Education is highly valued here, with excellent schools spanning from elementary to higher education, encompassing both public and private institutions.
Sports enthusiasts will find no shortage of excitement, with championship teams in various sports calling this area home. Every March, the Valley hosts half of the MLB's baseball teams for training, while nearby Scottsdale boasts world-class equestrian events and breeding facilities.
For leisure and indulgence, Scottsdale shines with its unparalleled shopping, luxurious resort spas, diverse dining options, and vibrant arts scene. Not to mention, it consistently ranks among the top destinations for hiking, offering boundless opportunities to explore nature's wonders.
As a great lakes girl, I cherished the ability to wet-slip my ski boat just 45 minutes away from my home in Paradise Valley. Within three years of moving to the Valley of the Sun, I made the decision to settle in Paradise Valley, purchasing my first home here—and where I continue to call home nearly 40 years later.
It is so nice to see the Wall Street Journal has finally discovered PV:
The recent article in The Wall Street Journal characterizes Paradise Valley as being transformed into 'a Different World' by millionaire home buyers. However, it's important to recognize the rich historical tapestry of Paradise Valley. For instance, the Casa Blanca neighborhood, once a haven for the affluent and renowned, now comprises gated communities of private casita homes. Notably, I recently facilitated the sale of a casita that served as a honeymoon suite, and next door is the iconic Grande Piano lobby home. Additionally, the neighboring guard-gated single-family residences were formerly part of a private landing strip frequented by stars like Marilyn Monroe for discreet getaways. Original Frank Lloyd Wright designs still grace the landscape here. Moreover, Paradise Valley boasts an extensive roster of celebrities who have called it home, while the PV Country Club has long been a gathering place for prominent figures from the worlds of business, sports, entertainment, and politics.
During Covid, the WSJ published this article: Where is this small unknown town all the millionaires are moving to?
Link to: Wall Street Journal February 2022
In March of 2024, the WSJ did a follow up piece: Millionaire Home Buyers Have Turned Paradise Valley Into 'a Different World'
LINK TO: Wall Street Journal March 2024
LIVE IN PARADISE VALLEY
RITZ-CARLTON PARADISE VALLEY RESORT & RESIDENCES
The Ritz-Carlton resort and private residences are under construction on the last large undeveloped parcel in Paradise Valley. This 120 acre property is at the gateway to PV from Scottsdale at Lincoln and Scottsdale Roads. A small piece of the property is owned by Scottsdale and is expected to be the most high end shopping experience in North America.
Privately gated estate for sale across from the Ritz development $5,950,000, Large 3 Bedroom estate with additional 3 poolside guest casitas. Video Tour Here. Digital Brochure here.
PARADISE VALLEY'S MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD?
On the Scottsdale Periphery, directly across from Shops at Gainey and Hilton Village lies neighborhoods that include those surrounding the two 18 hole championship golf courses of the Camelback Country Club and Camelback Inn: Camelback Country Estates.
PARADISE VALLEY, ARIZONA
PARADISE VALLEY is a mature 16 square mile residential community with 6,442 homes and 12,650 residents (2020) surrounding Camelback Mountain, the Phoenix Valley’s most recognizable landmark. Camelback is visible as you descend into Sky Harbor International Airport. The Invergordon trailhead up Camelback is walking distance from Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. You will pass through PV as you travel north up Tatum Blvd at a speed not to exceed a heavily policed 40 miles per hour. Although there are beautiful homes throughout the Valley of the Sun, you pay a premium to live on such a large private lot so conveniently located to everything Phoenix and Scottsdale are known for. Find a home here
The Town was developed with a one-acre minimum lot size, and many estates are much
larger. Most of the homes were custom designed and there are very few small master planned tract home projects. The streets embrace a natural hilly terrain provided by the foothills of Camelback, Mummy and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. There is a dark sky ordinance for peaceful evenings and gorgeous sunrise and sunsets. The Town has its own Police force and city services. There are also premium resorts which were grandfathered in at incorporation. To have access to all of this in such close proximity to the biggest attractions in the State comes with a price tag, which is why Paradise Valley 85253 is the wealthiest zip code in Arizona.
The biggest appeal of Paradise Valley is its proximity to the city centers of Scottsdale and Phoenix, as well as Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). It is also close to Scottsdale’s Airport (SDL) which is at capacity during the peak season that begins around the winter holidays and lasts through the March spring training season.
Homes here range from elevated estates with breathtaking views winding high on the hillside, to privately gated compounds, custom infills, and gated communities. There are two Golf Country Clubs, Paradise Valley Country Club with one 18 hole course; and the Camelback Golf Club north of the Camelback Inn & Spa, featuring two 18 hole Championship Golf courses. Both clubs currently have a lengthy wait list. The neighborhoods which surround these 54 holes are aggregately called Camelback Country Estates.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
PV is conveniently just 10-15 minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport, the Phoenix Art & Theatre District, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns Basketball arenas, Old Town Scottsdale and Arizona State University. The eastern border is Scottsdale Road, across from Gainey Ranch and the Shops at Gainey, the McCormick Ranch Golf courses and communities all the way south to Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall at Old Town.
Quick access to the 101 and 51 makes PV convenient to Casinos, Lakes, 15 Cactus League S
pring Training games, the occasional Superbowl, the Fiesta Bowl and Arizona Cardinal Stadium, the Arizona Coyotes Hockey Arena, Phoenix Rising Soccer, numerous Collector Car Auctions, the PGA Phoenix Open and more. A PV resident typically lives within a 5 mile drive circle of all their favorite restaurants, groceries, Spa resorts, salons and shopping.
SNOW SKI AND GOLF THE SAME WEEKEND
A short 2 hour drive north takes you to Sedona or Forrest Highlands in the cool pines, or to Ski Flagstaff with elevation of 12,000 feet. A 5 hour drive northeast takes you to the four corners intersecting Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, or to the Grand Canyon. Driving 4-5 hours west you can visit the beaches of Mexico or Southern California.
WHAT YOU WILL LOVE ABOUT LIVING HERE
I bought my first home in PV in 1985 and have lived and sold real estate here now for nearly 40 years. I love PV's character, convenience, safety, and the ability to walk, jog or bike for hours without leaving the neighborhood. On the north side near Camelback Country Estates, we can take a golf cart to PVCC or the world class spa at Camelback Inn, where there are also great coffee and wine bars and restaurants. We are on the Scottsdale periphery near Shops at Gainey and Hilton Village for restaurants, coffee, Pilates, Yoga, nails, hair salons, boutique shops and m
ore.
There is no Paradise Valley town property tax, thanks to the amazing resorts, and we have some of the best public and private schools. The town police are extremely accommodating and efficient in providing security to residents, from block watches to vacation check-ins and Cops & Coffee are regular events. There is a very active Town of Paradise Valley Woman's Association with activities ranging from paddleboarding and pickleball, to bridge and book clubs, with plenty of dining, movie and happy hour events to name a few.
SCHOOLS
Cherokee Elementary and Chaparral High School are located in the Camelback Cou
ntry Estates quadrant of PV. These nationally recognized schools are part of the '3-C' schools in Scottsdale Unified. What other elementary schools do you know that find members of the police shooting hoots with the kids at lunch time? TPV Police have a substation on premise. Private schools include Phoenix Country Day, and Charter includes Tesseract.
REAL ESTATE VALUES
Real estate here has always provided steady appreciation. The home prices now start around $5 Million and $900 per square foot. New builds are available from $1,800 to $2,400/square foot. A one acre buildable lot starts at around $2.9 Million and liveable homes under $4M are rare. These values have continued to rise steadily over the years. Here is the latest national Luxury Home Market report (year end recap of 2024, published March 2025).
HILLSIDE LIVING
There are many mountainside homes and large multi-acre estates on elevated grades in Par
adise Valley. Many hillside homes view breathtaking Sonoran Desert sunsets,gorgeous surrounding mountain peaks, snow covered a few times each winter. Other homes also view the Scottsdale and/or Phoenix skylines. There is a no-dynamite policy in PV, which requires years to build a pad and driveway, and these costs are usually reflected in the price of the home. Of course, with the views are sometimes trade-offs including steps, steep driveways, and small usable yards. Due to the hillside terrain, biking and walking on incline are popular with residents.
HISTO
RY
Settlement in Paradise Valley began here just after World War II. The homes were modest in size and style and they usually occupied 1 to 5 acres. In the late 1950s, Phoenix and Scottsdale were looking to expand their respective boundaries, so residents formed a "Citizens Committee for the Incorporation of the Town of Paradise Valley, Arizona" with the main goals to keep zoning to a one house per acre minimum; to keep the area entirely residential; and to keep government regulation to a minimum. The town became a reality in 1961. Many of the original homes included incredible estates of some of this Country and State's founding families, vacationing politicians, dignitaries and celebrities. Several have been preserved and are now resorts and/or residences.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
Known for its celebrity appeal, you will see framed dated photos line the walls of many of our Resorts. Marilyn Monroe regularly landed at the private landing strip at the former Casa Blanca Resort, now a historic neighborhood. Emma Stone grew up here, swimmer Michael Phelps wed here and they are now raising their family here, as well as many athletes due to the long list of championship and professional sports teams based in the area. Once you live in the area, it’s a great place to stay, plant roots, and retire.
NATIONAL ATTENTION
Paradise Valley is in the heart of Phoenix, the fifth largest metropolitan in the United States. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, low incidences of natural climatic disasters, and mild traffic congestion, the Phoenix Valley is continually considered oneof the fastest growing areas of the nation. The Paradise Valley Ritz Carlton 110 acre development well under way is the first project undertaken by the Ritz in over 2 decades and will include some of the best shopping in the country.
PHOTO: Patrick & Denise van den Bossche
Having relocated to the metro-Phoenix area as a newly graduated 21 year old ready to launch into adulthood, I was drawn to its dynamic energy, abundant career opportunities, and convenient access to an International Airport, pine forests with snow skiing and picturesque coastlines. Admittedly, the region's consistent sunshine sealed the deal for me. What's truly remarkable about this area is its low-key, friendly culture, deeply ingrained with a commitment to health and wellness.
One thing remains constant and is even more true than ever: Your Home Equity is a significant asset in your portfolio and you deserve expert guidance. Don't Discount Your Net Worth, Put Tenure in Your Transition. Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell a Home? Call Denise 602-980-0737, celebrating 40 years in Arizona Real Estate. For the Latest Housing Market Trends, Updated Monthly, go to: www.HotFromPhoenix.com
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