There’s an enchanted feel about Fountain Hills. “We’re a small town community, even though we’re close to a major metropolitan area. We’re considered like Mayberry,” says Bo Larsen, the town of Fountain Hills’ community relations director. “We’re separated from the Phoenix metro by the mountains, but again that’s part of the fabric of the area. We have some of the best views of the mountains, and the scenery is really what drives people here to Fountain Hills.” Founded in 1970 and located about 30 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix, this planned community built on former ranch land was the creative brainchild of C.V. Wood — Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood Jr. A renowned theme park and planned communities developer, Wood developed Disneyland in California. The community’s centerpiece is the fountain located in the middle of the man-made lake at Fountain Park. Capable of reaching 560 feet under ideal conditions, the fountain is the fourth tallest of its kind in the world. The town, on special occasions, will shine LED lights on the fountain to give it different colors. It has, for example, been turned red on International Firefighters Day and orange and purple in support of the Phoenix Suns when the NBA team has been on playoff runs. Fountain Hills, some years ago, also became the 17th International Dark Sky Community, and the town is the only urban Dark Sky community in the country. The efforts to control light pollution have led to nighttime conditions that have helped residents often catch glimpses of the Milky Way.
Witness the iconic World Famous Fountain dance to life in Fountain Hills.
Find your place in the welcoming community of Fountain Hills and make lasting connections.
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Pueblo Revivals on the desert hillside
Those traveling up the hillsides will find some modern and affluent Southwest-themed neighborhoods populated by homes with Spanish and Pueblo Revival touches. The houses, which can also be blended with ranch-style and custom features, visibly stand out with their tiled or flat roofs and stucco or adobe sidings. Additionally gravel or small rocks fill front yards and flower beds, complementing other desert landscaping features that can include varieties of cacti. Palms, among other trees, occasionally overlook the roads and the properties. With many homes being at least a few thousand square feet and dating only as far back as the late 1980s and 1990s, price points here can run between $800,000 and $1 million. There also some newer homes running between $1 million and $2 million.
Step into history with the iconic Pueblo Revival homes of Fountain Hills.
From condos to luxury estates, Fountain Hills offers diverse home options.
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Adventure at McDowell Mountain Regional Park
The iconic fountain is located in Fountain Park, a 64-acre outdoor space on the eastern end of Fountain Hills. Between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., the fountain runs every hour for about 15 minutes — except on days with windy conditions. Additionally, visitors here can challenge themselves on the 18-hole championship disc golf course or simply stroll through the space to admire the town’s 36-piece public art collection on display. Children can also have fun in the splash pad or playground. More sports can be found at the SunRidge Canyon and Desert Canyon golf clubs. Trails on the western end of town allow hikers to go up the rugged terrain to take in scenic views of the desert landscape. The town also sits just south of McDowell Mountain Regional Park, which is ideal for even more activities like biking, camping and horseback riding.
Embrace the competitive spirit of the Disc Golf community in Fountain Hills.
SunRidge Canyon Golf Course is situated along the picturesque McDowell Mountains.
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Dining and shopping between Fountain Hills and Saguaro boulevards
The town’s main shopping and dining area is located between North Fountain Hills and North Saguaro boulevards, where grocery store options like Safeway and Bashas’ Supermarket exist. For dining, there’s the award-winning community institution Euro Pizza Cafe with its brick-oven pizzas. There are also a few choices for those seeking Italian meals, including Arrivederci Cucina Italiana where patrons can get a clear view of the fountain. Those interested in a mix of Latin American cuisine can go to Sofrita, which is located north of the Euro Pizza Cafe. Sofrita patrons can also enjoy live entertainment that often includes Spanish guitarists and singers, as well as Flamenco shows.
Dine in a cozy and inviting atmosphere at Sofrita in Fountain Hills.
Indulge in mouthwatering dishes at Euro Pizza Cafe in Fountain Hills.
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Painting the fountain green and the Stroll in the Glow
Every year on Saint Patrick’s Day, the town puts dye in the fountain to turn it green. The annual tradition, which dates back to the 1970s and has a quirky origin story, can normally draw up to 5,000 spectators. The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce puts on the spring and fall editions of the Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts. The events, which can draw up to tens of thousands of people, features hundreds of vendors and live music. The Chamber also puts on the Stroll in the Glow, another major community event that occurs on the first Saturday in December on the Avenue of the Fountains. For this festivity, residents can go on a nearly mile-long walk down the roadway to see many lighted trees and Holiday decorations. The event is further spruced by the glowing of just under a dozen hot air balloons. “It just makes for a really impressive scene. Then you have the four peaks in the background,” Larsen says. “I think it sets us apart from any other community in the Phoenix metro by far.”
Strongly rated Fountain Hills schools and the Gifted Education Program
Some strongly rated schools are located within the town. They are McDowell Mountain Elementary School, Fountain Hills Middle School and Fountain Hills High School, all of which received grades of B or higher from ratings site Niche. The Fountain Hills Unified School District offers a specialized Gifted Education program, which requires testing to enter. The program involves activities demanding higher-level skills. Fountain Hills High has also had several successful sports teams over the years, garnering the school recognition from the Arizona Interscholastic Association on several occasions over the past decade.
Fountain Hills High School had its first graduating class in 1994.
McDowell Mountain Elementary School in Fountain Hills is rated an A- from Niche.com.
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Route 87 connection to neighboring suburbs
Arizona State Route 87 runs just southeast of the town and helps provide a connection to several Phoenix suburbs like Scottsdale and Mesa. The town also sits about 11 miles east of the HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center.
Dive into the heart of Fountain Hills and become part of its welcoming community.
Explore a range of housing choices, including condos and single-family homes.
Braden has over 16 years of experience dedicated to helping customers buy and sell real estate. He was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. He specializes in the Southeast Valley. He is a graduate of ASU W.P. Carey School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Real Estate. He has experience with lending, credit repair, insurance, and investments. He can help explain the entire process and make it stress free when selling a client’s home. He also knows what it takes to prepare and qualify for their next home. Clients can feel free to reach out with any questions. He is always available!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
