Paradise Valley in Arizona is so rich in natural beauty its early visitors simply had to call it paradise. It boasts stunning views and enviable amenities – two reasons it is known as one of the most luxurious and exclusive communities in The Grand Canyon State.
In this elegant town bordered by Phoenix and Scottsdale, you’ll find multimillion-dollar properties tucked into the hills and mountains that make up the terrain. Surrounded by stunning desert landscape and vast open spaces, Paradise Valley is home to luxury golf clubs, high end shopping and dining, and other leisure activities and amenities that make up the year-round resort lifestyle you richly deserve.
Learn more about this Arizona suburb and why more and more high net worth individuals are setting their sights on luxury homes for sale in Paradise Valley, AZ.
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ABOUT PARADISE VALLEY
After WWII, when the Scottsdale and Phoenix economies were booming, Paradise Valley residents decided they wanted to keep the pristine beauty of the area and minimize the impact of commercial development. They incorporated Paradise Valley in 1961, making it a separate entity. Today, single-family homes in the town are required to be built on at least one acre lot, and commercial developments are limited to resort hotels.
Paradise Valley stays true to its name: it’s a paradise-like location known for its luxury living options and amenities of the highest quality. Our neighborhood is considered the most affluent Phoenix suburb, offering a unique combination of small-town charm and big-city convenience.
LUXURY LIVING IN PARADISE VALLEY
As of June 2023, Paradise Valley home prices were up by 21.9% compared to the previous year. The median selling price was $4.5 million, with many homes selling for over $10 million.
Prices of real estate in the area have skyrocketed, and yet more affluent buyers continue to make the move to the town. Experts say the post-pandemic remote work setup is driving buyers from New York, California, and elsewhere to my slice of paradise, drawn by Arizona’s warm weather and low taxes, as well as the level of privacy that my spacious residential properties offer. Easy access to the vibrant urban amenities of Phoenix and Scottsdale mixed in with endless outdoor activities add to the community’s desirability.
WHAT MAKES LUXURY HOMES FOR SALE IN PARADISE VALLEY, AZ WORTH THEIR PRICE TAG?
- The outdoors
Outdoor enthusiasts will love what Paradise Valley and the surrounding area have to offer. Rimmed by McDowell Mountain, Camelback Mountain, and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the community boasts magnificent mountain and desert views, plus a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation.
- Golfing. When it comes to a luxury golfing experience, Paradise Valley is second to none with golf clubs that are considered among the best in the country and are frequented by seasoned players and newbies alike.
- Paradise Valley Golf Club. The highly rated Paradise Valley Golf Club features an 18 hole golf course that appeals to players of all skill levels. If you’re a busy executive who may not have time for a full day of golfing, this golf club is right up your alley. It includes a driving range where you can practice your swing as well as lessons offered by a PGA professional.
- Stonecreek Golf Club. Recognized by Golf Channel as one of Arizona’s “Best Kept Secrets”, Stonecreek Golf Club is open to the public 52 weeks a year and features an Arthur Hills & Associates-designed championship course that offers a “fair but challenging” link-style layout.
The area around Paradise Valley also offers an excellent array of golf courses that appeal to players of all skill levels. Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, you’ll feel right at home at these golf courses:
- The Camelback Golf Club. One of the most prestigious golf clubs in Scottsdale, the Camelback Golf Club features 36 holes of championship golf in a parkland setting. The 6,903-yard, par 72 Arthur Hills-designed Padre Course features various lakes, towering trees, subtle landform changes, and strategic bunkering to elevate your game.
The 7,014-yard, par 72 Ambiente Course designed by Jason Straka also offers a different kind of challenge. The course pushes golfers to pursue both accuracy and a good strategy, as it’s designed to force even the best players to focus on every shot.
The golf club also includes a 36,000 square-foot pueblo-style clubhouse equipped with an expansive golf shop, the Acacia restaurant, and a meeting and banquet space.
- The Short Course. If you’re looking for a fun and fast round of golf for the day, tee off at The Short Course at Mountain Shadows. The Short Course was originally designed in 1961 by Arthur Jack Snyder, and was then redesigned by Forrest Richardson, his mentee. The updated layout is designed with distinct holes, rugged slopes, and challenging greens, paying homage to the original layout.
- Hiking. One of the best things to do in Paradise Valley is to explore its scenic hiking trails and conquer the beautiful desert terrain, one trail at a time.
Start off at these places:
- Mohave Trail. Pet-friendly and can be easily completed in a single outing, the Mohave Trail is a relatively easy hike especially if you love observing different flora and fauna. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the best views in Paradise Valley. Catch seasonal wildflowers at their best, and say hi to the harmless chuckwalla lizards you’ll meet along the way. With its beginner-friendly hiking trail and gorgeous views, the Mohave Trail is one of the top ways to experience nature in Paradise Valley.
- Mummy Mountain. Take a break from the bustle of life and enjoy a view of the world at the Mummy Mountain. Boasting 320 acres of wilderness ready to be explored, Mummy Mountain provides a complete recreational experience. There are a wide variety of ways to ascend to the mountain’s peak, so each time you choose to hike Mummy Mountain, you can still get the same level of excitement as the first time. The mountain has a peak elevation of 2,260 feet, with a view from the top you won’t ever forget.
- Indulgent spas and resorts
One of the great things about luxury homes for sale in Paradise Valley, AZ is their proximity to world-class resorts and recreational facilities. Escape the daily grind without actually leaving home at these places:
- Joya Spa. If you’re looking for unprecedented relaxation, Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa is the getaway for you. This center focuses on rejuvenation and purification treatments/services that allow you to take life at your own pace. With amenities like a pool, sauna, and steam room, it isn’t difficult to watch your worries drift away at the Joya Spa.
- Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. A luxury resort and spa you also should include in your must-do list is the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. This award-winning resort near Camelback Mountain makes you feel at home with their attentive service and deluxe amenities, such as heated outdoor pools and garden terraces. The resort also boasts desert trails with impeccable views of the Sonoran Desert. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage in their day spa or spend the day lounging in their resort’s large casitas.
- Franciscan Renewal Center. Another charming and peaceful retreat center nearby is the Franciscan Renewal Center. The center offers workshops and programs that help those seeking spiritual healing. Guests can spend the whole day at the center or book a room for an overnight stay. Aside from accommodations, Franciscan Renewal Center is equipped with other facilities and amenities such as a church, a healing garden, a spa, on-site dining, and a desert walk for the full spiritual rejuvenation experience.
- Vibrant shopping, entertainment, and food scene
If you prefer the indoors over outdoors, don’t worry. Paradise Valley offers the best of both worlds. With its high-end shopping establishments, eclectic galleries and museums, and world-class restaurants, you’ll never run out of things to do and discover.
- Go for retail therapy. With tons of options for a shopping spree, one can say that Paradise Valley is a shopaholic’s dream come true.
- Scottsdale Marketplace. For a Paradise Valley retail experience that’s one for the books, make sure to visit the Scottsdale Marketplace. You will love the eclectic homegrown shopping the place offers. It’s a great place to discover amazing finds, including jewelry, fashion, boutique items, and more. It’s also my go-to place for the widest range of home items, antiques, and gifts of all kinds.
- Scottsdale Fashion Square. Home to Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and other luxury shops and boutiques, Scottsdale Fashion Square is my favorite retail destination in the Paradise Valley area. In addition to world renowned brands, you’ll also find some of the best local finds in fashion, jewelry, and houseware, as well as numerous fine and casual dining restaurants and coffee shops.
- Cosanti Originals. Cosanti Originals is the perfect place to spend a chill afternoon. It’s the home and sculpture studio of Paolo Soleri, the legendary Italian-American architect, visionary, and author who’s best known for Arcosanti, a small experimental project that serves as the model for “Arcology,” or architecture coherent with ecology. Soleri’s home and studio in Paradise Valley is open to the public so you’re free to browse around the place and admire the unique visionary spaces, and perhaps score a masterpiece by one of the artisans exhibiting in the gallery.
- Indulge in culinary finds. Paradise Valley and the surrounding area offer some of the best dining experiences in the Greater Phoenix area. I highly recommend these restaurants:
- Elements at the Sanctuary. One of my absolute favorite restaurants, Elements at the Sanctuary serves up a unique take on farm to table cuisine with classic American dishes infused with an Asian twist. I love the changing seasonal menus and always look forward to what they have to offer every time I visit. The dishes are widely diverse – you’ll find sustainable seafood, curry, vegetarian fare, and more – all using local organic ingredients.
- Buck & Rider. If you’re a seafood and steak lover, Buck & Rider is the place to go. Dine al fresco on their patio while indulging in their LGO reserve beef or hand-rolled sushi amid stunning views of the Camelback Mountains.
- Cafe Monarch. Planning a romantic dinner for two? Reserve a table at Cafe Monarch. This restaurant offers a private European-themed dining atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner or other special occasion. Patrons here love the pork belly salad, Maine lobster ravioli and chocolate flourless cake, all made from fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
- Lon’s. Another restaurant you shouldn’t miss is Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn. Located right in Paradise Valley, Lon’s is known for using fresh, regional ingredients partnered with roasting, smoking, and wood-grilled techniques to create inspired dishes that scream Arizona. Wine aficionados will also enjoy their award-winning wine selection which includes almost 700 wines from across the globe.
- El Chorro Lodge. Established in1937, El Chorro Lodge is an Arizona icon. Their Schreiner’s Sausage Trio, the famed El Chorro Sticky Buns, and all the classic Southwestern fare on the menu are not to be missed. But the best part about coming here is the wonderful ambiance. You get treated to amazing views of Camelback Mountain and relive the place’s prestigious history as the watering hole of some of Arizona’s most distinguished residents and guests, including Clark Gable and Milton Berle!
- Steak 44. Steak 44 is the latest go-to place in Paradise Valley for succulent steaks, and is certainly a must visit for fans of Mastros. The ambiance is both luxurious and cozy, and the steaks are nothing short of legendary. In addition to the fantastic USDA Prime steaks, my favorite dishes here include the Maine lobster and the Alaskan king crab.
Other must-visit restaurants in Paradise Valley are:
- Go for retail therapy. With tons of options for a shopping spree, one can say that Paradise Valley is a shopaholic’s dream come true.
- The community
In Paradise Valley, people come for the views but stay for the community. Residents actively participate in coursing the future of the community and ensuring a high quality of life for all.
- Commitment to sustainability. Paradise Valley residents and government are committed to preserving the area’s natural beauty. The town is governed by a special use permit (SUP) which regulates housing density and mandates that each house must sit on at least an acre of land. So, no matter where you search for luxury homes for sale in Paradise Valley, AZ, you’ll get to have an acre or more to call your own.
- Highly rated schools. Families with kids will be happy to know that Paradise Valley is home to many top-performing schools. The Paradise Valley Unified School District has a total 31 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and five high schools, all of which are recognized yearly for their performance and academic excellence. The school system also takes pride in the fact that it has produced the largest number of college graduates anywhere in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
- Accessible healthcare. Paradise Valley and nearby areas are home to world-class medical institutions where you can get quality medical care and prompt assistance in case of a medical emergency. Major hospitals include HonorHealth Scottsdale Medical Center, Oasis Hospital in Phoenix, Paradise Valley Hospital, and Mayo Clinic Hospital also in Phoenix.
OWN A SLICE OF PARADISE IN PARADISE VALLEY
Find the finest luxury homes for sale in Paradise Valley, AZ with me, Julie Pelle. As a long time resident of the North Scottsdale area and with more than 20 years of experience in high-end homes, land sales, and golf course properties, I can help you own the home of your dreams in this highly desirable community. I put a premium on providing personalized service and establishing relationships with clients to ensure your needs and preferences are met in every real estate transaction.
I am a partner with Launch Powered by Compass, and have received several prestigious sales awards throughout my career including Top Woman in Real Estate several times over, #1 Top Sales Agent Scottsdale office, Top National Sales Agent, Phoenix Business Journal’s Top Selling Agents, and more. When you work with me, you can rest assured I will go above and beyond to give you a seamless home buying or selling experience.
Start your way to owning a piece of paradise in Paradise Valley. Contact me today at 847.452.2628 or send a message to set up a consultation.
