Maricopa

Located in the city of Maricopa, Glennwilde Groves is part of a bedroom community located just over 30 miles south of downtown Phoenix. A master planned community, Glennwilde has appealed to those seeking both suburban comforts and access to the myriad of amenities and activities that typically accompany such developments. “It’s just a nice community. It has two community pools, with one of them being heated year-round,” says Steven Murray, broker and owner of the Maricopa Real Estate Co., who’s made a dozen sales in the city and another 30 in Pinal County. “One of the city parks is right there, too, Pacana Park, which is nice. It’s also closer to the shopping and where our city is going.” While there is a dense shopping and dining district just west along North John Wayne Parkway, more retail development is coming even closer to Glennwilde. A new Home Depot is being built at West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and Stonegate Road, a project that will add another anchor to a shopping center that's currently home to Walmart. This ongoing work adds to the city hall building built just east several years ago. The impressive contemporary structure melded materials like ground-face masonry, concrete, steel and glass to reflect both the city’s past and future. “It’s the perfect community for whatever point you are at in your life. From first-time homebuyers to families sizing up and to retirees. This community has something for everyone,” says Tena Dugan, an agent with Berkshire Hathway HomeServices Arizona Properties and the Glennwilde Homeowners’ Association board president. With most of the more than 2,000 or homes here built in the 2000s, Glennwilde has many modern homes with the Spanish Revival touches — or “Arizona” style, as locals would say — seen across much of the metro Phoenix area. The community is comprised of distinctively named subdivisions where narrow sidewalks with gentle curbs and neatly-manicured gravel lots can be seen lining suburban roads. While there's easy walkability between homes, the greater community accommodates those seeking longer trips with extensive sidewalks buffered by gravel verges along larger and busier roadways like Alan Stephens Parkway. Price points for many single- and two-story homes here can run between $320,000 and $400,000, depending on overall size. And even larger houses with additional features like backyard pools can run up to the upper $400,000s. While there are a few small green spaces in Glennwilde, its main one is the 28-acre Pacana Park on North Porter Road. Residents can go for strolls around the park’s scenic 2-acre lake or — presuming they have a license — go fishing. The waterbody is stocked with fish that include catfish, trout and bass. There are, however, limits on how many fish of each type can be caught at a time. Additionally, the park is a destination for local youth athletes as it also includes a pair of baseball diamonds, as well as two tennis courts. The city’s recreational gem can be found just a short distance west of Glennwilde. Located right along North John Wayne Parkway — or North Maricopa Road — is the nearly 100-acre, multipurpose Copper Sky Regional Park. It also features a lake that can be fished, as well as other attractions like an amphitheater and a dog park split into two separate areas for both active and timid dogs. A lighted baseball field complete with two enclosed batting cages and multi-purpose fields are just some of the outdoor sports amenities. Even more amenities can be found at the park’s Multigenerational Center, including an aquatic center, multiuse gym and indoor track for those who want to get their miles in away from the Arizona heat. Traveling north on North John Wayne Parkway leads past a dense mix of shops and restaurants. The chains here include a Fry’s Marketplace, a Sprouts Farmers Market for natural and organic produce and a Bashas. Dining choices along this thoroughfare include bites and brews on the breezy patio at the Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers sports bar, vegan dishes at Roots Eatery and a cup of Joe on-the-go at Dutch Bros Coffee. The Copper Sky park is more than just a recreational destination as it’s also known to host community wide events. A recent one — and the first year for it — was the Wild West Music Fest, which also celebrated the city’s 20th anniversary. Much of the community also turns out to the venue for events like the July 4 celebration and the Christmas Tree Lighting. Some strongly rated schools serve the community. They include Saddleback Elementary School, Desert Wind Middle School and the sixth through 12th grade Maricopa High School, all of which received grades of B-minus or higher from ratings site Niche. The Maricopa Unified School District partners with Central Arizona College to provide dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students. CAC has a Maricopa campus located just southeast of Glennwilde off West Bowlin Road. There’s also kindergarten through eighth grade charter school option with the Leading Edge Academy Maricopa, which received a B grade from Niche. The school emphasizes smaller classrooms and has activities like the Leading Edge Academy Network Poetry Contest and Spelling Bee. Located near the intersection of Honeycutt Road and North John Wayne Parkway is Amtrak’s Maricopa station. Those taking passenger rail here can take the Sunset Limited train to connect to Tuscon nearly 90 miles south of Maricopa. Sitting just outside Maricopa’s eastern bounds is the Ak-Chin Regional Airport, which serves as a gateway to destinations in central and southern Arizona. Medical facilities near Glennwilde include the Exceptional Community Hospital – Maricopa right along North John Wayne Parkway.

Just 35 miles south of Phoenix, this mountain desert oasis offers a suburban respite with proximity to city amenities. Centered around a golf course and surrounded by several parks, Rancho El Dorado is an active community with a focus on outdoor recreation. “My clients love the golf course,” says Stephanie Peters, a Realtor with nine years of experience selling in the West Valley. “Housing is reasonably priced too, especially considering the amenities. Plus, you’re out of the congestion of the city but within a growing community.” With several lakes that'll make one forget that the community is in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, Rancho El Dorado is a northern Maricopa neighborhood offering new homes and plenty of amenities. The master-planned community of Rancho El Dorado comprises several subdivisions within a grid-style layout. Palm trees dot the landscape, parted by broad streets and narrow sidewalks. Lawns often feature gravel landscaping along with decorative desert shrubs and lavender bushes. Homes sit on spacious plots of land that tend to range between 5,000 and 10,500 square feet, allowing for ample front and backyard space. Most homes have hints of Spanish-style architecture with tiled roofs paired with unique additions like arched entryways or three-car garages. Plenty of waterfront homes in The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado subdivision offer unmatched lake views. “it’s like a community within a community,” says Peters. “When you pull in, you get the view of the lake and park — it’s beautiful. It's peaceful and quiet.” Many of the subdivisions are still expanding, with new construction ongoing. Despite all of the community amenities and spacious floor plans, homes in the area are priced only slightly higher than those in surrounding communities, typically between $300,000 to $600,000, with the average price falling around $400,000. Serving as the community's centerpiece is The Duke at Rancho El Dorado. This 18-hole public golf course offers scenic mountain views and well-paced greens along the Par-72 course. The Duke also offers a player development program and a pro shop. Residents can also visit Rio Bravo or Red River parks, which both have a playground and shaded ramadas. Just 2 miles south of the neighborhood is the expansive Copper Sky Regional Park, which features a public pool, a disc golf course, several athletic fields, and a fenced-in dog run. Children in the community will likely be able to walk to school, with several public schools in the Maricopa Unified School District located right in the neighborhood. Students can begin their education at Butterfield Elementary School which scores a B on Niche and boasts a curriculum focused on STEM concepts while also offering free after-school tutoring. Students can finish their education at Maricopa High School, which earns a B-Minus on Niche and serves grades 6-12. Shops and restaurants dot along North Maricopa Road, which serves as the main thoroughfare in the area. Residents can start their morning at the locally owned Honeycutt Coffee, which serves house-brewed coffee and pastries made in-house. Though there are plenty of fast-food options around for a quick meal on the go, many locals enjoy The Roost Sports Bar and Cafe, which offers pub fare and daily drink specials. Residents can get fresh produce and groceries from Fry's or nearby Sprouts. For household tools, home decor and garden supplies, residents can stop by Karsten's Ace Hardware, just off Summer Lane. Bordered by the major throughway of State Route 347, Rancho El Dorado residents have direct access to the larger metropolises of Phoenix and Tempe. Though most locals use a car to get around, public transportation is available through the MET Maricopa Express Transit, which offers a fixed bus route service and curb-to-curb transportation for people with disabilities. For longer-distance travel, Rancho El Dorado is 10 miles northwest of the Ak-Chin Regional Airport and 31 miles south of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.