Desert suburbs and retirement communities in the Phoenix metro area
Set about 25 miles northwest of Phoenix, the city of El Mirage has a comparatively small-town appeal, with lower-priced homes, a slower pace of life and less urban sprawl. However, El Mirage's roughly 35,000 residents still enjoy easy access to big-city conveniences around the Phoenix metro area. “El Mirage is often overlooked because it’s mostly residential, but the homes are really nice,” says Cindy Freitas, Realtor with West USA Realty, who’s lived in El Mirage for 13 years. Homes here are generally set in planned subdivisions, and the city’s popular with retired folks, offering a handful of 55-plus communities. “It’s great for retirement, but you don’t have to be retired,” says Josiah Miller, a Realtor with Josiah Miller Homes who’s lived in the area for 20 years.
Construction and manufacturing are major local industries, and many locals work at LogistiCenter at Copperwing, a business park with offices for companies like Microsoft, Tippmann Innovation and Cives Steel. Luke Air Force Base is 7 miles away, and residents may hear occasional air traffic. “That’s where they train pilots on the F35,” Miller says. “You’re probably going to hear jets flying over.”
El Mirage is a vibrant area that offers a great quality of life with plenty of amenities.
El Mirage residents travel with ease along the bustling and scenic Highway 60.
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Home prices lower than neighboring cities
“People get more bang for their buck here,” Freitas says. “The same house in Surprise costs less in El Mirage.” The median home price in El Mirage is about $360,000, compared to $430,000 in Surprise and $450,000 in Phoenix. Most homes here were built during the late 20th century through today and are set in planned, sidewalk-lined subdivisions; new traditional Spanish-inspired homes with desert-colored stucco exteriors and clay-tiled roofs are typical. There are also several 55-plus neighborhoods in the city, including Pueblo El Mirage, a golf course community with one- to two-bedroom manufactured and ranch-style homes, as well as shared access to a fitness center, pool and other private amenities.
Experience the low-maintenance living and durability of Spanish homes in El Mirage.
El Mirage offers the perfect balance of modern conveniences and natural beauty.
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Over a dozen local parks and shared spaces
Spread over more than 50 acres of public land, El Mirage offers about a dozen parks and shared spaces, including the El Mirage Community Garden where locals grow veggies and flowers. The 13-acre Gateway Park is the city’s largest park, and it’s a favorite for its playgrounds, playing fields, skate park and dog park. Next door at the Northwest Valley YMCA, locals can cool off in the pool on hot summer days. Golfers can hit the links at the nearby, semi-private, 18-hole Pueblo El Mirage Golf Course, and Pueblo El Mirage residents can enjoy the community’s clubhouse, pools and pickleball courts. For desert mountain views, Estrella Mountain Regional Park is about 20 miles away, with over 30 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.
Discover endless fun for kids of all ages at Gateway Park's playground near El Mirage.
Gateway Park's natural beauty and amenities are a highlight of El Mirage.
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Dysart Unified School District receives high marks from Niche
El Mirage is part of the Dysart Unified School District, which serves about 24,000 students and earns an overall B-plus from Niche. The district partners with Rio Salado College to offer dual-enrollment courses for high school students. At the B-rated Dysart High, students may also take career and technical education courses in fields like graphic design and marketing.
Dysart Middle School in El Mirage is an academic hub of the city.
Dysart High in El Mirage is a top-rated institution that provides academic excellence.
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Lots of authentic Mexican restaurants
The city doesn’t have a traditional downtown, but most of El Mirage’s shopping and dining scene is clustered in the city’s north end. Grocery stores here include Walmart and Food City, and there are a handful of fast-food eateries. Thunderbird Road is lined with locally owned restaurants, including La Bamba Mexican Grill—popular for its homemade tortillas and street tacos. “I would say that’s probably El Mirage’s strongest suit: a lot of Mexican restaurants—the authentic ones, not the chains,” Miller says. Nearby, Humberto’s is known for their rolled tacos, and Mariscos El Sinaloco specializes in authentic Sinaloa-style seafood. “You’re also close to lots of restaurants in surrounding areas, like Surprise, Rio Mirage Cafe, and Sun City,” Miller says.
Experience the warm and inviting ambiance of Rio Mirage Cafe near El Mirage.
Savor the bold and flavorful Mexican cuisine at Humberto's in El Mirage.
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Local events with artisans and musicians
Community events are often held at Bill Gentry Park, found north along Thunderbird Road. The monthly Music in the Park concert series features a wide range of local artists and musical genres, from country to Japanese Taiko drumming. In April, the Spring Faire offers food, games and the Children's Entrepreneur Market, where kids show off their talents and sell their creations, like snacks and stickers. September’s Fiesta de la Gente is a celebration of the community’s Hispanic culture and includes traditions like live mariachi music and Lucha Libre wrestling. Other annual events include the Fall Harvest Festival in October and December’s Winterfest, which includes photo-ops with Santa and a parade.
Getting around from El Mirage
Locals can hop on Highway 60 for a 10-mile drive to Glendale or a 25-mile drive to Phoenix. “Less commuters live out here because it’s kind of a pain during rush hour, but there are people who do it every day,” Miller says. Most streets here are sidewalk-lined and bikeable, though only major thoroughfares, like Thunderbird Road, have dedicated bike lanes; Valley Metro buses also stop in the city and travel the Phoenix metro area. St. Joseph's Westgate Medical Center is about 8 miles away in Glendale, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 30 miles away.
Crime and environmental factors
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, El Mirage's rates of property crime decreased by about 50% between 2013 and 2023. Local rates of both property and violent crime are generally lower than those in Arizona and the nation.
Extreme heat and the risk of wildfires are ongoing environmental concerns here. Summer temperatures regularly top 100 degrees, and community pools are a popular way to beat the heat. There haven’t been any recent wildfires in El Mirage, but the El Mirage Fire Department responds to local emergencies.
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