Northwest Valley Communities
Glendale Peoria The Sun Cities Surprise
NORTHWEST VALLEY
The sprawling and vast area that is encompassed by the West Valley includes the northwest cities and communities of Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Sun City Grand, and El Mirage.
West Valley also refers to the southern “Western Gateway” cities like Avondale, Goodyear, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, and Buckeye. Distinctive in their personalities, West Valley communities offer a virtually unlimited selection of environments and lifestyles, from the upscale retirement amenities and emerald golf courses of the Sun Cities to the Pima cotton fields and rural atmosphere of Buckeye.
Offering open space, room to grow, and more home for the dollar, most of the West Valley cities rank among Arizona’s fastest growing. Northwestern Phoenix blends seamlessly into the cities of Glendale and Peoria, mixing established neighborhoods of well-kept older homes with fine new subdivisions and sprawling master-planned developments. Yesterday’s agricultural fields, along with sleepy small towns like El Mirage, are growing a modern crop of new homes as well as commercial centers, first-rate services, and unique attractions. One development after another, the West Valley communities are transforming into convenient, desirable suburbs.
Services
While the leading cities of Glendale and Peoria were both founded upon a strongly agricultural economy, these communities are quickly diversifying their economic bases to include industry and commerce. Distinguished as the largest of the West Valley communities, these leading cities have accommodated rapid growth in recent decades. Peoria has managed to retain a larger segment of its original agricultural activity, offering the potential for a semi-rural lifestyle.
Throughout the West Valley, progressive local governments encourage and manage quality development. Avondale, Buckeye, and Tolleson are Southwest communities that have sprung up around the farm fields of the past. Although Buckeye still relies heavily upon its agricultural production, the town is home to a cross-section of leading employers. Avondale and Tolleson have increasingly moved from dependency on agriculture to a diversified economic base of light industry and commerce. Today’s suburban communities of Goodyear and Litchfield Park began as residential havens for Goodyear Aircraft employees. Now, the massive operations of Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station and Luke Air Force Base add significant employment opportunities to area residents.
Transportation efficiencies in the region include Metro bus service, Dial-A Ride, and easy access to Interstates 10 and 17. These major arteries not only provide rapid and efficient movement from the West Valley area to other connections and destinations throughout the Valley, they link this region to the rest of the state and beyond. The new Loop 101 enhances travel from Interstate 10 through the Northeast communities, circling the Valley to offer exits in northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the East Valley. The Glendale Municipal Airport provides local air service, although Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 10 to 15 miles away from most communities.
Excellent public and private schools, a number of institutions of higher education, extensive healthcare facilities, ample retail resources, and an expanding economic base characterize the communities of the West Valley. The city of Glendale is the undisputed hub of higher education for the West Valley, boasting a well-respected community college with a special high-tech center as well as Arizona State University’s West campus with graduated courses in a variety of career fields. Phoenix University offers degree programs for working adults from an extension in Goodyear. The Arizona Automotive Institute and Thunderbird, the Garvin School of International Management are both located in Glendale.
Regional medical facilities include several full-service hospitals, highly specialized service centers, and emergency care centers. Support facilities meet specific health needs, including home health care, skilled nursing, occupational therapy, behavioral health, outpatient clinics, family practice clinics, same-day surgery centers, sports medicine, dialysis, and women’s health. Important hospitals that serve West Valley residents are Glendale’s Arrowhead Community Hospital and Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, John C. Lincoln Hospital in northwestern Phoenix, and Walter O. Boswell Memorial Hospital and Del Webb Memorial Hospital in the Sun Cities.
Lifestyle
Abundant and affordable housing continues to influence growth throughout the West Valley, from the Phoenix-oriented cities of Glendale and Peoria to the far Northwest and Southwest communities. Large ranch-like residential developments in this area are reminiscent of those that spurred earlier population booms in the East Valley. Master-planned communities like Estrella Mountain Ranch, Estrella Vista, Hidden Valley, Pebble Creek, and Palm Valley are ideal for tracts of open space surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. Palm Valley alone covers almost 9,000 acres, reaching into the thriving communities of Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and Avondale.
Modern conveniences and attractive new construction blend with historic homes, established neighborhoods, and vintage shopping districts in many of the West Valley communities. The Catlin Court Shops in Glendale’s downtown historic district offer art galleries, antiques, and quaint eateries in a charming atmosphere. The famous Saturday Market in Murphy Park ensures a tranquil setting for local artisans and vendors to tempt visitors with displays of fine arts and crafts. Both the Thunderbird Paseo Park and the idyllic Saguaro Ranch Park speak of the area’s commitment to preserve its natural beauty. Recreational amenities in the West Valley are outstanding, from regional mountain preserves to the Peoria Sports Complex. Residents can choose from a kaleidoscope of leisure activities, including horseback riding, swimming, sports leagues, tennis, cycling, roller skating, bowling, and golfing. The friendly and welcoming Sun Cities retirement communities garner the number one position as a golfer’s dream. Jobing.comArena, acclaimed for its superior acoustics and concert-friendly atmosphere, complements Cricket Pavilion in southwest Phoenix in presenting the biggest names in entertainment. The latest feather in Glendale’s cap is the spectacular new Cardinal’s Stadium, leading the nation with its innovative design.
The Base Meridian/Amator Wildlife Area, where the Gila and Salt Rivers are shaded by cedars, willows, and cottonwood trees, is popular with anglers and wildlife enthusiasts. Estrella Mountain Regional Park offers an oasis of grass and trees, spring wildflowers, an 18-hole golf course, an equestrian center, riding/hiking trails, picnic areas, camp sites, playgrounds, an amphitheater, sports fields, and a self-guided nature trail. Lake Pleasant Regional Park on the Agua Fria River offers a 10,000-acre lake for boating and water sports. White Tanks Regional Mountain Park sprawls over 26,000 pristine acres to offer opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
Waterworld Safari in Glendale encourages families to enjoy cool waterslides and other water attractions on hot summer days, while the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park presents a close encounter with Arizona’s largest collection of exotic animals in natural habitats. Colorful festivals and celebrations, arts and craft fairs, galleries, museums, symphonies, outdoor concerts, and local spectator sports can all be found in the West Valley, where “the good life” arrives in a surprisingly affordable package.
MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITIES
Throughout the Valley of the Sun, welcoming neighborhoods nestled in fine master-planned communities reflect the warm hospitality and casual elegance of the Southwest. The variety of architectural styles and community settings can accommodate every imaginable taste, lifestyle, and budget. Newcomers are able to select from a wide array of patio homes, charming villas, luxury townhouses, posh condominiums, elaborate estates, or ranch-style single-family homes. Many homes feature archways that lead into charming courtyards or privacy walls that ensure seclusion for artfully landscaped yards, covered patios and ramadas, sports courts, and pristine pools.
Some of the metropolitan region’s larger master-planned communities such as Sun City and Sun City West, Estrella Mountain Ranch, Arrowhead Ranch, Anthem, DC Ranch, and McDowell Mountain Ranch can provide all the amenities and conveniences of a small town. Schools, libraries, churches, shopping and services, recreational facilities, lush local parks, and connecting pathways create a true “community” atmosphere.
The following is just a small sample of the increasing number of residential villages, subdivisions, and planned communities that are available throughout the Northwest Valley.
Arrowhead Ranch, Union Hills Road, Glendale. http://www.arrowheadranchbuzz.com/modules/wfchannel/index.php?pagenum=15 Encompassing diverse residential villages and new subdivisions, sprawling Arrowhead Ranch offers a community of family- oriented neighborhoods in the affordable Northwest Valley.
Arizona Traditions, Bell Road & Cotton, Surprise. http://azthoa.com/ This active-adult golf community enjoys a panoramic location at the base of the scenic White Tank Mountains.
Sun City & Sun City West, Sun Cities. http://suncity.arizona.com/ Remaining unincorporated under Maricopa County jurisdiction, the original Sun City and neighboring Sun City West are world famous as ground-breaking models for successful active-adult communities.
Sun City Grand, North Remington Drive, Surprise. http://www.grandinfo.com/ Active-adult living at its finest is available within the Surprise city limits in this new Del Webb development that surrounds attractive homes with fine golf courses and recreational amenities.
West Wing Mountain, Happy Valley Road, Peoria. http://www.westwingmountainhoa.com/ Pristine land, trail systems, and mountain preservation are the signature features of this expansive new residential development carved from former open space.
Vistancia, Peoria. http://www.myvistancia.com/home.asp Pristine views surround this expansive new residential development.
