Arizona Relocation Guide

Understand the local real estate market, and find the home and location that make sense for the way you want to live.

If you're considering a move to Arizona and want something a little different from traditional Phoenix-area living, the communities surrounding Cave Creek, Carefree, North Scottsdale, and the Desert Foothills deserve a closer look.

This part of Arizona has a personality all its own. You'll find beautiful Sonoran Desert landscapes, mountain views, incredible sunsets, horse properties, luxury homes, golf communities, custom homes on larger lots, and neighborhoods tucked against miles of open desert.

I'm Steve Valkenaar, and I'd love to help you discover what makes this area such a special place to call home.

Three Areas. Three Different Personalities.  One of the things I can help you understand when relocating here is that these areas may look close together on a map, but they don't all offer the same experience.

If you're drawn to character, open desert, mountain views, larger properties, horses, trails and a less traditional suburban atmosphere, start your search in Cave Creek.

You'll find everything from established homes and Southwestern architecture to custom desert estates and luxury properties. Some areas feel surprisingly rural considering you're still within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

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Just east of Cave Creek is Carefree, a smaller community surrounded by spectacular Sonoran Desert scenery.

Downtown Carefree has a completely different feel, with restaurants, galleries, shops, the famous Sundial and the Carefree Desert Gardens. If you like the desert setting of Cave Creek but are looking for another distinctive community to compare, Carefree should absolutely be on your list.

Search Carefree Homes

Head south toward Scottsdale and the environment gradually changes.

North Scottsdale offers many luxury communities, golf-oriented neighborhoods and upscale amenities while still keeping you close to the mountains and Sonoran Desert.

For buyers who want desert scenery but prefer a more planned residential community or want convenient access to Scottsdale's broader shopping, dining and amenities, North Scottsdale may be a better fit.

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Getting to Know Local Schools - School boundaries are an important part of the relocation process for families.

The Cave Creek Unified School District serves portions of the area and includes elementary, middle and high school options. Because school boundaries and enrollment information can change, I always recommend that buyers verify the school assignment for a specific property directly with the appropriate school district before making a purchasing decision.

Explore Cave Creek Unified School District

View CCUSD Schools

Arizona Real Estate Can Be Different From What You're Used To - Moving from another state means learning more than a new neighborhood. Homes in the Sonoran Desert come with considerations you may not encounter where you currently live.

Don't assume every property is serviced exactly the same way.

The Town of Cave Creek provides water to most residences and businesses within the town and also operates the Desert Hills Water System. Sewer service is available in portions of Cave Creek, so the utility setup of an individual property is something you'll want to understand during your home search.

Cave Creek Utilities
Cave Creek Residential Services

Welcome to a place where a beautiful yard might include saguaros, palo verde trees, native desert plants, boulders and decomposed granite instead of a large green lawn.

Desert landscaping can be beautiful and lower-maintenance, but buyers coming from another climate should take time to understand irrigation systems, native vegetation and maintaining property in a desert environment.

Pools are common throughout the Valley, but don't automatically make one a requirement before you begin your search.

We'll talk about how you actually plan to use your Arizona home and whether having your own pool makes sense for you.

Your air-conditioning system matters in Arizona.

When evaluating a home, we'll pay attention to the age and condition of the HVAC equipment along with the other major systems of the property.

You'll see plenty of Arizona homes with solar panels. If you're considering one, it's important to understand whether the system is owned, financed or leased and what obligations may be associated with it.

Depending on the property and location, particularly when looking at larger or more rural lots, you may encounter homes with septic systems rather than municipal sewer service.

This is another reason why I don't recommend choosing a property based solely on what you see in an online listing.

Moving involves a lot more than buying a house. Here are a few resources you'll likely need as you prepare for your move.

LOCAL
Town of Cave Creek
Town of Carefree
Visit Carefree
Cave Creek Unified School District
Cave Creek Parks & Trails
Cave Creek Utilities
Cave Creek Residential Services

OUTDOOR RECREATION
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
Cave Creek Regional Park
Maricopa County Parks
Tonto National Forest

MOVING TO ARIZONA
Arizona Department of Transportation
Arizona MVD Services
Maricopa County
Maricopa County Assessor
Arizona Department of Revenue

Whether Cave Creek is already at the top of your list or you don't know where to begin, I'd be happy to help you explore your options. Relocating isn't just about finding a house. It's about finding the community, property and lifestyle that feel right when you get here.  Let's start there!

Steve Valkenaar
REMAX Associates
480-440-8933
Steve@ValkenaarGroup.com