Five Desert Havens That Aren’t Phoenix

Five Desert Havens That Aren’t Phoenix


When it arrives to luxurious living in the Southwest, Phoenix has extended been the top rated spot of preference. However, other desert cities in the region promise equal attract, together with far more cost-effective home prices.  

Michael Valdes, the chief progress officer and president of the actual estate organization eXp, mentioned that property values in Phoenix are surging mainly because the town proceeds to be an enduringly well-known area to personal a property, both equally as a primary and trip residence. But there are other desert locales that provide the similar interesting life style.

“Home buyers can hope equivalent warm weather, alternatives for heaps of out of doors functions, wonderful food stuff and lovely superior-conclusion houses,” he claimed, all at “significantly lessen rates.” 

In a sample that follows Phoenix, the people in other upscale desert solutions involve an international contingent, whilst to a lesser diploma, Mr. Valdes additional. 

Under, a search at 5 desert towns that are not Phoenix.  

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Santa Fe 

Santa Fe offers an appealing and one of a kind blend of lifestyle and the outdoors. 

The metropolis has more than 200 art galleries, elite art museums and an internationally acclaimed symphony and opera, stated Bruce Adams, an associate broker with the luxury actual estate organization Santa Fe Houses. Pursuits in mother nature consist of mountaineering the dozens of trails in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that border the east facet, and skiing in the winter season at Ski Santa Fe, a resort that’s 20 minutes from town. 


“The heartbeat of Santa Fe is the central square called the Plaza, and it is a bustling region with tons of people today and wonderful places to eat and retailers,” Mr. Adams explained. “The city’s extra than 300 times of sunshine a calendar year and the thoroughly clean air are other gains.”

Santa Fe’s housing stock is predominantly adobe and pueblo type homes that feature rounded corners and insulated partitions, making it possible for them to keep great in the summer season and heat appear wintertime. Nevertheless, modern houses determine into the blend. 

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No make a difference the design and style, Mr. Adams reported that the properties are built to be environmentally sensitive and blend into the landscape. “Many have effective drinking water techniques and just take benefit of passive photo voltaic heating by getting home windows that deal with the sunshine. This generates heat that streams into the property,” he mentioned.

Upscale enclaves consist of Las Campanas, a golfing neighborhood with two Jack Nicklaus-intended programs, and Sierra del Norte, north of downtown and that includes roomy present-day houses with mountain views.

Selling prices for luxury houses start at $900,000 and best out at $4 million. 

“You can get a 1,600-sq.-foot two- or 3-bed room residence in just a mile or two of the Plaza for all around $1 million,” mentioned Mr. Adams. 

He included that the city’s authentic estate market place is potent. Charges have risen steadily in excess of the final a number of a long time but remain inside of access. 

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Sedona, Arizona

Situated about a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, Sedona is recognized for its purple rock mountains juxtaposed with greenery and stretches of desert landscape. 

Cheyenne Rocher, a true estate agent with Re/Max Sedona who specializes in superior-conclude real estate, explained that the town is a popular location for vacationers who check out for the comprehensive hiking and to appreciate the serene environment. Golfing is also a draw: The town has 4 programs like 7 Canyons, spanning 200 acres and established alongside a forest. 


Most of the actual estate is single-family members households, according to Ms. Rocher, and selections for residences are couple of and much concerning.

“Luxury qualities are almost normally in gated developments,” she stated. “Some have features this kind of as swimming pools and clubhouses.” Illustrations include things like The Aerie, a secluded local community in West Sedona Foothills North, which has households on generously sized heaps, lots of of which have swimming swimming pools and views of the crimson rocks and Casa Contenta, that includes a clubhouse with a swimming pool and tennis and pickleball courts. 

Ms. Rocher stated that a three-bedroom house with four loos, substantial-close finishes and sights begins at all-around $1.5 million. Consumers can also splurge on multi-acre homes with 5 or far more bedrooms for $10 million and up. “Home selling prices have inched up slowly and gradually around the a long time and keep their price,” Ms. Rocher explained. “But the greatest attraction to Sedona is the sheer natural beauty of the put.”


Moab, Utah

Located in southeast Utah about a a few-and-a-fifty percent-hour push from Salt Lake City, Moab is a tiny desert city among two prolific nationwide parks: Arches and Canyonlands. “Having the parks as a yard tends to make Moab very international simply because of the quite a few holidaymakers from close to the globe who stop by,” stated Becky Wells, an affiliate broker with Sotheby’s Global Realty in Moab.

Possibilities for outside leisure functions abound in this article: The biggest draws are 4-wheeling through the expanses of desert, rock climbing in the a lot of canyons and valleys (Wall Avenue Climbing Spot is a single of the most famous spots) and white water rafting on the Colorado River. Other pursuits contain mountain biking and hiking.  


The housing inventory includes condominiums, townhouses and single-family members houses, and Ms. Wells said that the most significant-stop homes are set amid the desert and supply spectacular views. “They’re generally created in a up to date style and have flooring-to-ceiling home windows that optimize pure light-weight and the panoramas,” she stated. 

Luxurious residences in gated developments these types of as Navajo Ridge typically span 3,000 sq. feet and have swimming pools, according to Ms. Wells. Selling prices start off at all around $2 million and best out at $3 million. 

Property charges in Moab have appreciated 30{30865861d187b3c2e200beb8a3ec9b8456840e314f1db0709bac7c430cb25d05} or a lot more over the last number of many years but are presently leveling out. “Home customers like to devote in a residence in Moab due to the fact they get a wonderful rate of return by leasing it out to the numerous visitors who arrive to devote time in the national parks,” mentioned Ms. Wells.    


Henderson, Nevada

Established about a 20-moment travel southeast of the Las Vegas Strip, Henderson is a town that is renowned for getting family pleasant and offering an abundance of outdoor recreation. 

Gene Northup, a serious estate agent with Sotheby’s International Realty in Henderson, reported that the city has an substantial network of hiking and biking trails and many parks. A main attraction is the 320-acre Lake Las Vegas exactly where citizens can kayak, boat, swim, fish and paddleboard. There are also 11 swimming swimming pools and a lively downtown with regionally owned restaurants and stores. 


“People are up and out early and stay out following darkish. They adore to be exterior,” Mr. Northup reported.

Prospective buyers will find a range of choices for houses, such as residences in glitzy developments with quite a few amenities, townhouses and one-household properties in gated neighborhoods. Mantova, a condominium complex with features such as a swimming pool and a putting eco-friendly, is just one of the most significant-end alternatives. With respect to prestigious neighborhoods, Caliza at Lake Las Vegas and Shoreline are in substantial demand and have residence rates ranging from $1 million to $3 million.

“Most homes have a tendency to be modern day and have an open up layout with tons of patios and an abundance of light-weight in which the outside practically appear in,” Mr. Northup said. “There’s also a lot of development in Henderson with much more properties in the pipeline.”

Home charges have dipped 3{30865861d187b3c2e200beb8a3ec9b8456840e314f1db0709bac7c430cb25d05} in the very last 6 months soon after several many years of steady increases, but overall, he claimed that Henderson is a stable market the place prices never considerably fluctuate. 

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Todos Santos, Mexico

Located on the Pacific coastline of Mexico, about an hour’s push north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a charming town that combines a desert environment with the ocean.

Saddia Rahaman, a genuine estate adviser with Engel & Volkers in Los Cabos, reported that going to Todos Santos is akin to taking a action back in time. “You’ll find smaller unpaved streets, relatives-run groceries, no traffic and farm-to-table dining establishments,” she explained. “It’s quite considerably a neighborhood where by everybody knows every other.”


Housing possibilities involve condominiums and solitary-relatives households, both in city or on the outskirts. Homes are regular hacienda buildings with thatched roofs and courtyards, or contemporary qualities with clean, present day lines and gentle shades.  The most prestigious residences are on the ocean and have the desert as the yard. “You can go for a bike ride in the desert in the early morning and swim in the sea in the afternoon or even hike by way of the desert to the seaside,” reported Ms. Rahaman. “It’s an unbeatable excellent of existence.”

Real estate in Todos Santos is significantly decrease when compared with Los Cabos, but charges enhanced in the course of the pandemic by at minimum 30{30865861d187b3c2e200beb8a3ec9b8456840e314f1db0709bac7c430cb25d05}, she mentioned. At the moment, upscale properties start at all around US$600,000 and usually have a few or extra bedrooms, a garden and ocean sights.