Mesa, Arizona

Seriously Red

Looklyloo Score: 80

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The Area

Mesa sits in the Phoenix Metro Area also known as the Valley of the Sun. While Phoenix definitely carries the most gravitational weight of the cities in the Metro, that include Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale, the growth in the other cities and suburbs is balancing things out right quick. Mesa sits on the southeast corner of the Metro and just an hour from the foothills of the Tonto National Forest. The Valley is of course a valley in the desert and as such is scorching hot in the summer months(and increasingly the spring and fall) but you aren’t far from cooler climes in the national forests that run along the eastern side of the state.

Downtown

Young Professionals

The lack of a vibrant downtown has held Mesa back from drawing large community of youngsters. New development in Downtown is changing that as the housing options for rentals and condo purchases have taken off. New businesses are bringing those who want to walk to work and even Covid didn’t seem to slow things down. The historical district, adjacent to downtown is also drawing in some of the young professionals. A light rail system gets you downtown and different ‘hoods in the district are emerging as nice options. Check out Temple Historic District, West Second Street District and Wilbur Street Districts if you’re looking to get in on the revivals before it’s too late!

  • Downtown
  • Historic Districts

Temple Historic District

DINKs/SINKs

Mesa is more family and retiree friendly than Young Professionals or couples or singles with no kiddos who want a quieter scene than the typical downtown pub crawl. The Historic Districts of Mesa are really the ideal choice for these communities. Great homes and neighborhoods that fell into disrepair but are on their way back and not only have their own commercial district but border the downtown area and have a recent light rail addition to whisk them down to the growing commercial spots should they get the hankering. You can buy a home for cheap here and renovate it for a nice start on city living.

  • Temple Historic District
  • West Second Street District
  • Wilbur Street Historic District

Eastmark

Families

Mesa is known for great planned communities for families and a good place to start your search is Eastmark. This master-planned community has over 40 parks, tons of biking/walking trails, shopping and some of the best schools in Mesa. Alta Mesa is another nice, reasonably priced option. Built around Alta Mesa Golf Club it also has great schools and a beautiful Greenbelt Park and runs through the center of the neighborhood. Ideal for the kiddos and the grownups to recreate. If you need something fancier checkout Las Sendas. 5,000 sq ft+ luxury homes will all the plush amenities an upscale development offers.

  • Eastmark
  • Alta Mesa
  • Las Sendas
  • Dobson Ranch

Sunland Springs Village

Retirees

Mesa and the entire Phoenix metro are huge draws for retirees. Warm weather, low cost of living, great healthcare and a friendly outdoor lifestyle make it perfect if you’re ready to enjoy living large. Mesa and the Phoenix Metro are notable for the variety of 55+ communities available to empty nesters, snowbirds and retirees. The big communities include: Sunland Springs and Villages, Dreamland Villa, Leisure World and Fountain of the Sun. Prices across these communities range from $100k all the way up to $700k at Sunland Springs. Plenty of retirees also choose the golf-friendly neighborhoods of Alta Mesa and Las Sendas if they prefer to be outside of the 55+ community experience.

  • Sunland Springs Villages
  • Dreamland Villa
  • Leisure World
  • Fountain of the Sun
  • Alta Mesa
  • Las Senda