INCREDIBLE Single-Level Luxury Home Near Phoenix

If you're relocating to the Phoenix Valley and you want easy access to the Scottsdale job corridor, there's a big question you need to ask:

Do you really want to live on the west side of the Valley just because that's where the new construction is?

Because while areas like Surprise, Peoria, and North Phoenix can offer plenty of new homes, the commute into Scottsdale can become a very different story during rush hour.

There’s another option I think relocation buyers should know about.

This newer gated community in Mesa, Arizona, puts you much closer to Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Downtown Phoenix, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining, and major employment corridors—while offering luxury homes with base prices in the low $900,000s.

And the floor plans are impressive.

But as always, there are trade-offs.

Let's take a closer look.

A LUXURY MESA HOME WITH A VERY DIFFERENT FLOOR PLAN

The home featured in this tour immediately stands out from a lot of new construction.

For starters, it has a farmhouse-style exterior, although the builder also offers a modern elevation if that's more your style.

One of the things I really like is the separate third-car garage. Instead of simply being an extension of the main garage, it can provide additional storage or another flexible use.

There's also a private courtyard at the front of the home, which creates a little separation between the front entrance and the street.

For buyers with pets or young children, that enclosed courtyard could also become a useful outdoor space.

And then you walk inside.

The entry doesn't give you a straight shot through the entire house, which can actually be a nice feature for privacy.

THE KITCHEN IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS

Once you get into the main living area, the kitchen is hard to miss.

This is a large luxury kitchen with tall ceilings, extensive cabinetry, a large center island, farmhouse sink, decorative lighting, and a very substantial pantry.

The cabinetry extends unusually high, with glass-front cabinets near the ceiling. They look beautiful, especially when they're illuminated, but there's an important practical consideration:

You're going to need a ladder to reach them.

That's one of those details that looks fantastic in a model home but is worth thinking about from a day-to-day perspective.

The kitchen also includes a pot filler, KitchenAid appliances, a microwave, a large refrigerator/freezer setup, additional storage drawers, and a separate beverage refrigerator.

And then there's the pantry.

This isn't just a pantry tucked behind a cabinet door.

It's a true walk-in pantry.

For anyone who likes to entertain—or simply wants plenty of storage—this is one of the features that makes the floor plan feel much more luxurious.

The builder also allows buyers building from scratch to make certain selections and changes, including gas versus electric options and other upgrades depending on the home. 

MULTIPLE LIVING SPACES GIVE YOU FLEXIBILITY

One thing I really like about this floor plan is that it doesn't feel like everything is happening in one giant room.

You have a large dining area that could easily accommodate a substantial dining table.

There's also a separate living/conversation space and another family room with tall ceilings, large windows, and decorative beams.

Those windows bring in a lot of natural light, and some of them can open to bring fresh air into the home.

The result is a floor plan that gives you several different spaces to use throughout the day.

You could have one area for formal entertaining, another for everyday family living, and additional rooms that can adapt as your needs change. 

THE BACKYARD HAS PLENTY OF POTENTIAL

Step outside and the backyard gives you another blank canvas.

There's a covered outdoor area, substantial side-yard space, and enough depth to create different outdoor zones.

You could potentially add landscaping, a dog run, additional seating, or other outdoor features depending on the lot and community guidelines.

One important detail is the view fencing along the back.

You generally can't simply remove or alter that fencing, but landscaping can be used to create additional privacy.

And there's an interesting reason for the open space behind the home.

The area behind the property is a wash, designed to help handle water when significant rainfall moves through the area.

That doesn't automatically mean the home is in a flood zone, but it's something buyers should understand when evaluating a lot.

That's exactly why lot selection matters so much with new construction.

A GUEST SUITE, FLEX SPACES AND LOTS OF OPTIONS

As you move through the home, the floor plan continues to surprise you.

There's a private guest suite with its own bathroom, along with another flexible room that could function as an office, game room, playroom, or potentially additional living space depending on your needs.

That flexibility could also be useful for multigenerational living.

For example, one section of the home could potentially work well for a parent or extended family member, giving them a degree of separation from the rest of the household.

There's also a laundry room with plenty of vertical space and storage potential.

And throughout the home, the builder uses a lot of architectural details such as shiplap, beams, decorative tile, crown molding, and custom-looking finishes.

Whether you love that style or think it's a little too trendy is really going to come down to personal taste.

That's another reason I always tell buyers to think beyond what looks great in a model today.

Ask yourself whether you'll still love it 10 or 15 years from now.

THE PRIMARY SUITE IS HUGE

The primary bedroom is one of the biggest spaces in the home.

There's plenty of room for a king-sized bed, large nightstands, a dresser, chairs, and additional furniture without making the room feel cramped.

The tall ceilings and ceiling beams add even more visual impact.

Then you get into the primary bathroom.

There are separated vanities, a large shower with decorative tile, a private water closet, substantial linen storage, and two separate closet areas.

And this is something I really appreciate about the design:

The builder has made use of spaces that could easily have become dead space.

There are opportunities for additional shelving and storage, which can make a major difference once you actually live in the home.

This is one of those floor plans that could work particularly well for empty nesters or buyers who want a lot of space without needing every bedroom to function as a traditional bedroom.

WHAT DOES THIS MESA LUXURY HOME COST?

Here's where this gets interesting.

The featured home has a base price in the low $900,000s, depending on the elevation.

There is also a finished spec home advertised around $1.1 million, although the actual negotiated price can depend on timing, inventory, incentives, and representation.

And this is important:

Base price is not the same thing as the final price.

Your final number can change based on elevation, structural options, design selections, lot premiums, and upgrades.

That's why comparing builders strictly by the advertised starting price can be misleading.

The home that looks like the better deal on paper may not be the better value once you configure it the way you actually want to live.

THIS ISN'T REALLY A TRADITIONAL MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY

The community itself is another interesting part of this story.

The video refers to it as an intimate luxury gated community, rather than a massive master-planned development.

And that's an important distinction.

You're not getting a huge list of resort amenities.

Instead, the community has a more intimate feel, with a pickleball court, playground, covered gathering area, and some walking paths.

The HOA is approximately $189 per month according to the tour.

So if you're looking for a massive master-planned community with multiple pools, elaborate clubhouses, fitness centers, restaurants, and miles of amenities, this may feel different.

But if you care more about the location, gated setting, home design, and proximity to everything, that's where this community becomes much more interesting. 

THE LOCATION IS THE REAL STORY

This is where I think relocation buyers need to pay attention.

The appeal isn't simply the house.

It's where this community sits within the Valley.

If you're working near Kierland, Scottsdale Quarter, or the broader Scottsdale employment corridor, the location can make a significant difference compared with living farther west.

The tour estimates roughly 30 minutes to the Kierland/Scottsdale Quarter area, depending on traffic, with Old Town Scottsdale potentially around 20 minutes.

And you're also positioned to access other major employment centers, including Tempe, Chandler, and Downtown Phoenix.

That gives you more flexibility if your job changes in the future.

TEMPE MARKETPLACE IS CLOSE

One of the major lifestyle advantages here is access to Tempe Marketplace.

The tour places it roughly 12 to 15 minutes away.

And this isn't just a shopping center with a few stores.

Tempe Marketplace offers a huge mix of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, events, and outdoor gathering spaces.

The area regularly hosts events and live entertainment, which gives residents plenty of options without having to drive all the way into Scottsdale.

Downtown Chandler is also within the broader area, while Downtown Gilbert and Downtown Mesa provide even more options for dining, shopping, art, and entertainment.

DOWNTOWN MESA IS CHANGING

If you've never spent much time in Downtown Mesa, this is another part of the Valley worth exploring.

The area has developed into a destination for restaurants, art, events, and local businesses.

There are art walks, events, galleries, shops, and other community activities.

And there's another transportation advantage that many relocation buyers don't initially think about:

Mesa is connected to the Valley's light rail system.

The light rail provides access between parts of Mesa, Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, and the airport corridor.

That's unusual in the Phoenix Valley, where most residents rely heavily on their vehicles.

OUTDOOR RECREATION IS ANOTHER HUGE ADVANTAGE

If shopping and restaurants aren't your thing, this location still has something going for it.

Outdoor recreation.

You're close to the Salt River, where you can find activities such as paddleboarding and opportunities to see the area's wild horses.

You also have access to the Tonto National Forest, hiking, biking, camping, and the Superstition Mountains.

Saguaro Lake is another major recreational destination, with boating, paddleboarding, jet skiing, water skiing, and other water activities.

And then there's golf.

The tour estimates more than 20 golf courses within roughly 20 minutes of the area.

For golfers, that's a pretty significant lifestyle advantage.

SHOPPING, CHANDLER JOBS AND EVERYDAY CONVENIENCE

The location also gives you relatively easy access to the Chandler employment corridor.

Take the 101 toward Chandler and you're moving toward the Price Corridor, Chandler Fashion Center, and other major employment and retail destinations.

Mesa and Chandler also offer a significant selection of Asian restaurants, markets, grocery stores, and other businesses.

For buyers who want access to a wider range of international food and shopping options, that can be a meaningful benefit.

The tour also points to nearby Mesa Riverview, Bass Pro Shops, restaurants, large retailers, and Sloan Park, home of Chicago Cubs Spring Training.

WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS?

Now here's the part I always want relocation buyers to understand.

There is no perfect area in the Phoenix Valley.

Every location comes with trade-offs.

And that's especially true when you're comparing different parts of the Valley.

THE PROS

• Luxury new construction without automatically moving into the multimillion-dollar price range
• Gated community
• High-end architectural finishes
• Large, flexible floor plans
• Excellent access to multiple employment corridors
• Relatively close to Scottsdale
• Convenient access to Tempe and Chandler
• Shopping and dining nearby
• Light rail access in Mesa
• Extensive outdoor recreation
• Golf courses throughout the area
• Proximity to major Valley freeways

THE THINGS TO CONSIDER

• The community has fewer amenities than a large master-planned development
• HOA fees are approximately $189 per month
• Some of the design choices are trendy and may not appeal to everyone long-term
• Large homes can mean more maintenance and higher ongoing costs
• Lot selection can significantly affect the experience
• Traffic can still be an issue throughout the Valley
• The right location depends heavily on where you work and how you spend your time

And that's why I don't recommend choosing a Phoenix-area home based solely on the house.

You have to choose the location and the lifestyle at the same time.

WHY RELOCATION BUYERS NEED TO LOOK BEYOND SCOTTSDALE

If you're moving to Arizona because of a job near Scottsdale, it can be tempting to search only in Scottsdale.

But that's where you can miss some opportunities.

There are communities throughout the East Valley that give you access to Scottsdale while also putting you closer to other employment centers, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining, and entertainment.

And this particular Mesa community is a great example.

You get a luxury home, a gated setting, impressive floor plans, and a location that puts much of the East Valley within reach.

The bigger question isn't simply:

"Can I afford this house?"

It's:

"Does this location work for my life?"

That's the question that matters.

MOVING TO MESA OR THE PHOENIX VALLEY?

If you're relocating to Arizona, especially from out of state, buying a home here is very different from simply picking a house you like online.

You need to understand the commute.

The neighborhoods.

The future development.

The lifestyle.

The trade-offs.

The builder.

The lot.

The upgrades.

And the differences between new construction and resale.

And you don't want to walk into a builder's sales office without your own representation.

If you're considering Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert, or anywhere else in the Phoenix Valley, our team can help you understand how the different areas compare and what actually makes sense for your situation.

Because relocation isn't just about buying a house.

It's about finding the right place to live.

If you're thinking about relocating to Arizona, give us a call, send us a text, shoot us an email, or schedule a Zoom consultation. We'd love to help you navigate the Valley and find the right fit for your next move.