If you’re considering buying your first home, we’d recommend looking into a cozy suburb within Mesa, AZ. With its sunny weather, stunning scenery, and friendly community, it’s easy to see why so many people are choosing to settle down here.
Mesa, AZ, is near Scottsdale and Phoenix and offers countless outdoor activities, fine dining, culture, and plentiful job opportunities. It can be stressful figuring out all the details of purchasing a home, let alone deciding what neighborhood might suit you best.
Fortunately, we’ve done the due diligence to find the best locales within Mesa. From the wealthy retirement community in Rancho Del Mar to the bustling Dobson Ranch, there are options to suit every possible preference in Mesa!
12 Best Mesa, AZ Neighborhoods
Let’s check out the best Mesa neighborhoods for those considering relocating to this perpetually sunny and warm state!
Alta Mesa
Population: 6,000
Median Income: $69K
Median Home Price: $490K
Alta Mesa is a central northeast Mesa neighborhood featuring many amenities and local attractions. These include Alessia’s Restaurant, Alta Mesa Golf Club (expansive golf course), tennis courts, and the main library branch.
Residents in Alta Mesa enjoy a low crime rate, gorgeously constructed Mesa homes for sale, clean neighborhood streets, excellent schools, plenty of parks, and localized amenities.
The average home price in Alta Mesa is around $490K, with a noticeable division between $225K on the low and $1.7M on the high end. Most homes here are owner-occupied, with only 35% of homes rented.
Las Sendas
Population: 7,246
Median Income: $125,806
Median Home Price: $580K
Las Sendas is a visually stunning neighborhood in Mesa, AZ, that features a higher population density. The neighborhood is predominantly new families with young children, while the remainder tends to skew toward young couples.
Las Sendas can be perceived as a more family-oriented neighborhood geared toward those looking to settle down. Some local highlights include the golf courses at Las Sendas Golf Club, Boulder Mountain Park (scenic views), Sonoran Heights Park, and Maricopa County (perfect for hiking).
The area features the award-winning schools Pathfinder Academy and Las Sendas Elementary School, both highly recommended by local parents.
This neighborhood is among the highest ranking within Mesa, AZ, in terms of growth within the last few years. The housing market in Las Sendas showed a house value increase of nearly 15% in the last two years. However, the housing market competition is low in Las Sendas, with homes regularly selling more than 5% below the asking price.
Dobson Ranch
Population: 38,663
Median Income: $72,501
Median Home Price: $489K
Dobson Ranch is a bustling neighborhood and master-planned community in Mesa, AZ, located near Mesa Community College and Dobson Ranch Park. It features a concentrated Mesa population of nearly 40,000 residents and is among the more popular neighborhoods.
Residents in Dobson Ranch enjoy access to innovative amenities through community centers and fitness centers. Most people prefer the suburban feel of Dobson, so if you’re looking for something quaint but loaded with amenities, Dobson Ranch may be the ideal community.
The median home price here is around $489K, with most homes selling in less than two weeks. The median rent is approximately $1,568 for those looking for an apartment or condo, while those looking to buy will be doing business in a seller’s market.
Eastmark
Population: 5,586
Median Income: $57,282
Median Home Price: $636K
Eastmark is a suburban neighborhood in Mesa, AZ, that is mainly single-family homes as a master planned community. Many properties here are newly built. This neighborhood is exceptionally safe compared to other big cities. Crime is non-existent, and this is an ideal community for families with children.
Eastmark is one of the best neighborhoods in Mesa for families, ranking among the top family-friendly neighborhoods in the state. Call it an idyllic neighborhood. Some notable attractions include urban parks like Bell Bank and Inspiration Peak.
The housing market indicates that 96% of real estate here are newer homes built after 2000, making it ideal for families that don’t want the stress of renovations or repairs involved with older homes. The market trends indicate Eastmark has experienced a 16.40% growth in the past year, with the number of homes for sale in the hundreds each year.
Red Mountain Ranch
Population: 2,000
Median Income: $109,251
Median Home Price: $530K
Red Mountain Ranch is a neighborhood in Mesa, AZ, near Route 202, Usery Mountain Regional Park, and the Lost Dutchman Skate Park. This area features the Red Mountain Ranch Country Club and Red Rock Park for those looking to spend more time outdoors.
The schools serving this area are Franklin Elementary School, Franklin West Elementary Public School, and Red Mountain High School. Red Mountain Ranch is a good option for families that want a smaller community and laid-back vibe, especially those with older children – pre-teens or teenagers.
The housing market shows a $273 price per square foot average, with the number of homes for sale significantly decreasing from last year. The housing market here is somewhat competitive, with many homes getting multiple offers, especially those on the lower end of the median list price.
Superstition Springs
Population: 11,000
Median Income: $36,174
Median Home Price: $417K
The median age of residents here is 39 years old, which is reflected in the diverse range of outstanding amenities. The neighborhood offers a lot of walkability and it’s pretty bike-friendly. Some of the main attractions here are the shopping centers along Superstition Freeway and Baseline Road, movie theaters, art galleries, sports bars, and Golden Hills Park –offering stunning views.
The best schools in this neighborhood are Neely Traditional Academy, Gilbert Classical Academy Junior, and Gilbert Classical Academy High School.
The housing market in Superstition Springs indicates that housing prices have increased between 40-45% compared to last year. The total number of homes for sale is 20% higher than last year. Superstition Springs is a neighborhood that has 65% owner-occupied homes and 35% renters.
Parkwood Ranch
Population: 2,000
Median Income: $72,345
Median Home Price: $450K
Parkwood Ranch has proximity to East Mesa Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, and Skyline High School for those with children. Some local attractions include massive community parks like Skyline, Skyline Aquatic Center, shopping centers on Signal Butte Road and Southern Avenue, and cute local markets.
The Parkwood Ranch real estate market indicates the price of a single-family home is 67% higher than last year. The median price per square foot is around $276, with the neighborhood stats indicating it is an up-and-coming area. Most available properties are detached, single-family homes, with limited apartments and condos.
Sunland Village East
Population: 3,000
Median Income: $52,016
Median Home Price: $375K
The main attractions in Sunland Village East include Sunland Village East Golf Course, Mariposa Park, proximity to Route 202, Route 60, Desert Sands Golf Course, and exquisite local restaurants. Residents here enjoy walkability to nearby amenities –grocery stores, cafes, and local retailers.
This neighborhood offers more affordable homes for new families and young professionals looking to save.
Ideal for younger, easy-going families or professionals, the Sunland Village East real estate market shows a 24% decrease in price since last year, with the total number of homes on the market 54% higher than last year. The median sale price is approximately $226 per square foot, although many homes here sell below the list price and market value. These aspects make it a much more affordable option for first-time buyers.
Mesa Grande
Population: 4,000
Median Income: $48K
Median Home Price: $275K
Mesa Grande is a neighborhood in north Mesa. Mesa Grande offers beautiful parks and local amenities. This area features access to:
- The Salt River
- Sloan Park
- Salt River Walking Path
- Riverview Lake.
This area is great for public transportation, as it offers 8 Valley Metro bus stops, with readily accessible highways.
Mesa Grande features top-rated schools, including Franklin Elementary School, East Valley Institute of Technology, and McClintock High School. This is one of the neighborhoods in this list that can easily accommodate any demographic. Many residents enjoy taking the two-hour drive to nearby Sedona Valley as a cute family day trip.
The Mesa Grande real estate market dictates an affordable price of around $241 per square foot on homes and condos. While the number of available homes for sale listed here has decreased, the wide range of options has remained consistent within the last couple of years.
Northgrove
Population: 2,000
Median Income: $136K
Median Home Price: $679K
Northgrove is a neighborhood situated in northeast Mesa that features Cooley Park, Kensington Groves Park, and access to shopping centers by E McKellips Road. Residents here typically require a car to access various urban amenities and recreational activities, rather than commuting via public transit.
Residents seem to like Northgrove for its quiet atmosphere and safe environment. Northgrove is ideal for families or older professionals and is filled with gorgeous homes.
The Northgrove real estate market indicates the number of homes here has been increasing steadily since last year. Homes typically go for around $262 per square foot in Northgrove, and the area tends to be a little bit pricier compared to neighborhoods like Mesa Grande or Sunland Village East.
Apache Wells
Population: 629
Median Income: $47K
Median Home Price: $428K
Apache Wells is a neighborhood in the far northeastern suburbs of Mesa that features Uptown Apache Wells Country Club (tons of community events) and Apache Wells RV Resort, with proximity to Longbow (private golf club). The majority of residents are older adults and Apache Wells is perceived as more of a retirement community.
There’s access to any possible amenity you could think of, including grocery stores, quaint cafes, and fine dining.
Approximately 85% of the properties in Apache Wells are owner-occupied, and only 15% are rented. The Apache Wells real estate market has slowed a bit, with the number of homes sold decreasing from prior years.
Houses here have a price of approximately $225-$270 per square foot. The median price range is $428K across single-family homes and condos. There are usually a high number of active listings in the area for those looking to settle down.
Rancho Del Mar
Population: 2,372
Median Income: $59K
Median Home Price: $548K
Rancho Del Mar offers proximity to Route 87, shopping centers, Rancho Del Mar Park, and Vista Del Mar Hospital. This community is a coveted retirement spot in Mesa with several healthcare providers located nearby, including Banner Desert Medical Center, Dobson Medical Center, and Arizona Clinical Trials.
This neighborhood features high-value, spacious homes priced between $544K and $740K. Rancho Del Mar is comparable to the wealthier gated communities. The median home price for Rancho Del Mar sits at $548K but has decreased by 8.5% since last year.
Rancho Del Mar is an affluent community that is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in central Mesa. This is viewed as a luxury community, which is great for retirees and more established families.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Neighborhoods in Mesa, AZ
There are some commonly asked questions homeowners have about moving or relocating to Mesa and the surrounding suburbs:
What are the best parts of Mesa to live in?
The best neighborhoods in Mesa AZ are routinely identified as Red Mountain Ranch, Dobson Ranch, Eastmark, Superstition Springs, Sunland Village East, Northgrove, and Mesa Grande.
Is Mesa AZ a good area to live in?
Mesa is safe, reasonably priced, and provides and is a good option for retirement. It’s also a perfect relocation option for young professionals who want better access to a blossoming job market.
What is the richest neighborhood in Mesa Arizona?
The wealthiest neighborhood is Northeast Mesa. This area has the highest median income in the city.
Is Mesa cheaper than Phoenix?
The cost of living in Mesa is approximately 0.2% lower than in Phoenix. Homeowners need to make approximately $59K to maintain a quality standard of living in either.
What do I need to know before moving to Mesa Arizona?
Some of the top things to know before relocating to Mesa are the warm weather all year round, the high number of outdoor recreational activities, the bustling job market, the reasonable cost of living, and access to local cities.
What is the coldest month in Mesa AZ?
The coldest month in Mesa is December, which has an average temperature of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or 12.7°C.
What suburb in AZ are millionaires moving to?
Scottsdale is home to nearly 14,000 millionaires.
Final Thoughts
Discovering the best neighborhoods in Mesa, AZ, can help future homeowners figure out which might suit them best. Are you not convinced by any of these areas? There are also beautiful, reasonably-priced suburbs in Mesa, AZ, great for families, outgoing young professionals, and retirees looking to Arizona real estate in a warm spot with a laid-back atmosphere.
Do you need help finding real estate in Mesa, AZ? Sign up to get alerts of new listings as soon as they hit the market. You should also work with a local real estate agent. They’ll bring a wealth of knowledge about the area that simply can’t be replicated with an online search. Additionally, a good real estate agent will have connections with lenders, home inspectors, and other professionals that can make the buying process smoother and less stressful.
