Rio Verde

There’s a saying in Rio Verde: If you’re bored in Rio Verde, it’s your own darn fault. “It’s really a lifestyle community. There are so many activities that are offered,” says Realtor and local resident Cindi Pendergraft. “And you meet people very quickly. When you move into the area, it’s just one of those places where people just take you in.” On top of that, she says, “We have beautiful views, custom homes and fabulous golf courses. It’s just a heavenly place to live.” Beautiful views may be an understatement. The area, located about 30 miles from Scottsdale, is surrounded by Tonto National Forest and McDowell Mountain Regional Park, which means great views and recreation opportunities — including a grand total of five scenic golf courses — are par for the course.

The majority of homes in the neighborhood are in three age-restricted (55+) communities, including Tonto Verde, Trilogy at Verde River and Rio Verde (not to be confused with the name of the neighborhood); a few custom homes outside of these subdivisions also call Rio Verde home. There’s even a ranch equestrian community, Granite Mountain Ranch, with horse trails, two round pens and two arenas. Prices can vary wildly depending on what type of home you’re looking at. A new construction two-bedroom detached home in one of the age-restricted communities starts around $500,000, while a mansion on several acres with sweeping mountain views can sell for $3 million. Townhouses start at $400,000 for a two-bedroom unit and can go as high as $900,000; the higher-end prices are typically built on the most in-demand homesites with the best views and upgraded finishes inside. According to Pendergraft, “We have people who start in a townhouse and move up to a single-family house. We have people who are moving around within the community because they don’t want to leave.”

Schools in Rio Verde — for those who aren’t in one of the age-restricted communities, of course — are in the Cave Creek Unified School District and attend schools like Desert Sun Academy, graded A-minus by Niche, Sonoran Trails Middle School, also graded A-minus by Niche, and Cactus Shadows High School, graded B-plus by Niche. Dessert Sun Academy is a World Language School, and students begin participating in the school’s French Program in second grade.

Golf is pivotal to the community; the Rio Verde community has two courses of its own, Trilogy at Verde River has one course, and Tonte Verde has two courses. In fact, “A lot of people choose which community to move to based on the golf courses,” Pendergraft says. “They’ll go play all the golf courses and then make the decision. Although, golf became so very popular during COVID-19 that we have a waitlist.” Of course, if golf isn’t your game, there are plenty of other ways to take in the beauty of the area. McDowell Mountain Regional Park is just south of the neighborhood, and Tonto National Forest wraps around the north and east boundaries. Between both parks, residents can access millions of acres of land to explore; they often meet up in groups to traverse the hiking and biking trails. And, of course, each community has its own clubhouse with pools and other amenities and activities.

Since Rio Verde is light on commerce, most residents head about half an hour to Scottsdale for retail and restaurants. Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter are two popular shopping malls located next to each other, about 25 miles from home; here, you can shop stores like Apple, Crate and Barrel and Talbots. While it’s always an option to grab a bite at one of the nearby golf course’s restaurants, the Scottsdale area will have the most options to satisfy whatever you’re craving, whether it’s a Southern brunch at Sugar Jam or Culinary Dropout’s famous fried chicken. The closest spot for groceries is about 10 miles from home, at the Safeway in neighboring Fountain Hills.

Other points of interest for the potential homebuyer: The nearest major airport is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about 35 miles away, and the nearest hospital is HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center, about 20 miles away, or the Mayo Clinic Hospital, about 25 miles away.

Written By

Katelin Hill

Photography Contributed By

Ryan Nelson

Video By

Daniel Quattro