Best Places to Live in Mesa

Are you considering a move to Mesa, AZ? Learn about these best places to live in Mesa!

If you are wondering where you should live in Mesa, you are certainly in the right place. Home to many unique and safe neighborhoods, Mesa is a great place to live in Maricopa County, where most residents own their own homes.

Offering its residents a dense suburban feel, many families and young professionals are moving to the area in search of an affordable place to live just east of Phoenix.

Whether you are on the hunt for new construction single-family homes in Mesa in a quiet community or townhomes for sale in Mesa near the hustle-and-bustle of downtown, there is no shortage of great places to live in this famous Arizona city.

Mesa might be described as an affluent area, home to some of the region's wealthiest residents, with household incomes ranging between $149,000 to $180,000 a year. Still, plenty of housing styles are available that range in price and size to meet the needs of all income levels.

Keep reading for more information about the best places to live in Mesa and homes for sale in Mesa!

This is where you should live in Mesa, AZ!

Red Mountain Ranch

Sitting on over 800 acres, the master-planned community of Red Mountain Ranch is conveniently located near the Red Mountain Freeway in northeast Mesa. Providing its residents with serene and picturesque views of Red Mountain throughout the year, Red Mountain Ranch is the perfect destination for families who want to live in an excellent school district or for snowbirds who are looking to play golf every day.

Currently comprised of 1,630 single-family homes, most of which have an average size of 2,411 square feet, Red Mountain Ranch offers an immediate sense of community for an affordable price. Red Mountain Ranch is a true desert oasis, home to a Pete-Dye-designed golf course featuring resort-style amenities that residents and guests alike will enjoy.

Local Favorites:

• Red White and Brew: Dine on brick-oven pizza and American favorites in this relaxed restaurant that has been open since 2002.
• Red Mountain Cafe: Located in the Greenfield Plaza, this homestyle family restaurant is known for its great food, large portions, and reasonable prices.
• D'Bine Bistro and Wine Bar: Enjoy New American small plates, live music, and nightly wine tastings at this neighborhood comfy bistro.

Dobson Ranch

Considered to be one of Arizona's first planned communities, Dobson Ranch is an excellent place to live in Mesa that has a mixture of single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes to choose from centered around a lake. Home to several schools, a lakeside park, and a branch of the city library, Dobson Ranch prioritizes its resident's needs which is why it is one of the best places to live, work, and play in Mesa.

Dobson Ranch provides easy freeway access, and the neighborhood is only located just minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the Banner Desert Hospital, and the Cardon Children's Hospital. Offering its residents classic neighborhood charm in a lively atmosphere, Dobson Ranch is a one-of-a-kind sustainable community found in the East Valley.

Local Favorites:

• Golfland Sunsplash: This family amusement center features over 30 exciting rides and attractions, including a water park and a world-famous miniature golf course that are all included in admission.
• Dobson Ranch Park: Equipped with a playground, zip line, and jumbo musical instruments, this urban park allows children to play and socialize outdoors.
• Dobson Ranch Golf Course: Suitable for ages and abilities, this municipal golf center features a lighted driving range, pro shop, and 18 holes of tree-lined fairways.

Eastmark

Found in the heart of Mesa, the neighborhood of Eastmark is home to award-winning schools, innovative amenities, and beautiful floor plans that will appeal to virtually all lifestyles. Ranked as one of the top-selling communities in Arizona and considered the only East Valley community ranking among the top 50 in the state, Eastmark should be one of the first neighborhoods you conduct your home search.

Local Favorites:

• Mesa Market Place Swap Meet: Spend the day shopping at this sizeable outdoor marketplace with more than 1,500 vendors selling an unbelievable range of merchandise.
• Eastmark Great Park: A playground, a dog park, walking trails, picnic tables, a lake, a basketball court, an exercise course, a reversible shaded amphitheater, and a shaded splash pad make up this popular park.
• Usery Mountain Regional Park: A great place for hiking, biking, and camping since this 3,648-acre park has up to 29 miles of multi-use trails and scenic wind caves.

Parkwood Ranch

The neighborhood of Parkwood Ranch is located at the intersection of Crimson Road and Southern Road in Mesa and is the perfect community for families and young professionals. Comprised of 1,402 beautiful homes and featuring over 40 acres of public parks, Parkwood Ranch is a great place to call home.

Home to approximately 4,361 residents with an average age of 42, this younger community has a very active HOA that hosts neighborhood events such as yard sales and a fall festival. In our opinion - Parkwood Ranch is one of the best places to live in Mesa.

Local Favorites:

• Thai Kitchen: Serving authentic Thai stir-fries, rice, noodle dishes, and curries in a warm and inviting space.
• Mr. Brews Taphouse - Mesa: With more than 60 draft beers on tap and several mouthwatering signature dishes on the menu, this family-friendly restaurant is best known for its fantastic burgers and fried cheese curds.
• Sassy's Cafe and Bakery: Offering a variety of tasty sandwiches, salads, custom cakes, cupcakes, and freshly baked pastries for all sorts of occasions and celebrations.

Superstition Springs

Home to the Superstition Springs Golf Club and the Superstition Springs Center, a premier shopping center in the community, the neighborhood of Superstition Springs is a fun and exciting place to live in Mesa. Described as a family-friendly, safe, and welcoming neighborhood, this neighborhood is an ideal place to live for families who are raising children and for seniors.

Not only is Superstition Springs dog-friendly, but the streets are well-lit at night, and it is always easy to find parking when driving around town. Some of the best schools in the area for those moving with school-aged children include Franklin Elementary School, Fremont Junior High School, and Highland High School.

Local Favorites:

• Superstition Springs Golf Club: This premier golf course is one of Arizona's most testing layouts, with a slope rating of 130 and measuring over 7,000 yards.
• Superstition Springs Center: This famous shopping mall is home to a large variety of national retailers and is anchored by Macy's, Dillard's, and JCPenny.
• Oregano's: Enjoy large portions of delicious Chicago-style pizza and Italian fare in this beloved neighborhood family restaurant.

Sunland Village East

Sunland Village East is a 55+ active adult community offering pristine views of Mesa's Superstition Mountains. The community has a total of 2,437 homes, 1,657 of which are single-family residences and 780 of which are condo units. Providing its residents with various highly-rated amenities, including a pool, golf course, fitness center, and a large auditorium where residents can enjoy performances, there is always something to do when living in this neighborhood.

Local Favorites:

• Crave Pizza: Located at The Shops At Sossaman, this pizza joint serves Chicago-style pizza, Italian sandwiches, craft beer, and wine and offers dine-in and takeout options.
• Rudy's Mexican Grill: Enjoy classic Mexican favorite dishes and frozen margaritas in this laid-back, colorful atmosphere.
• Uncle Bear's Grill and Tap: Providing a good selection of beer, great food, and service in this casual eatery with a patio.

Northgrove

The neighborhood of Northgrove is a great place to live in Mesa, mainly featuring mid-size homes that are all reasonably priced. Considered a well-established community, most property types in Northgrove include single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. Most houses in this neighborhood were built between 1983 to 1986 and range from 1,133 to 1,718 square feet.

Some top schools that feed into this neighborhood include Franklin at Brimhall Elementary School, Stapley Junior High School, and Mountain View High School.

Local Favorites:

• Sloan Park: Opened in 2014, this American baseball park is the spring training home for the Chicago Cubs, the Arizona League Cubs, and the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.
• Mesa Amphitheatre: Opened in 1979, this outdoor concert venue can fit a maximum capacity of 4,950 people and has become a popular destination for festivals and community events.
• Pioneer Park: Considered to be one of the oldest parks in Mesa, this 18-acre community park features a volleyball court, basketball court, covered picnic areas, and a playground.

Mesa Grande

With a population of 3,566 residents, the neighborhood of Mesa Grande is primarily made up of small to medium-sized single-family homes. This suburban neighborhood has homes built between 1970 and 1999 and is considered a well-established community with a median real estate price of $319,372. Mesa Grande is considered to be one of the top neighborhoods to live in Mesa for families and young professionals.

Local Favorites:

• Arizona Museum of Natural History: Known as the only natural history museum in the greater Phoenix area in Mesa, this 80,000-square-foot museum features dinosaur displays and has more than 68,000 objects.
• Riverview Park: Opened in 2007, bring the whole family to this park to enjoy miles of accessible sidewalks, shaded play structures, and a spray ground.
• Hohokam Stadium: Found only a few blocks east of Mesa Grande Ruin, this 10,500-seat baseball park is also known as Dwight W. Patterson Field and is the longtime baseball spring training facility for the Oakland A's baseball team.

Rancho Del Mar

Featuring mostly midsize homes that are all reasonably priced, the neighborhood of Rancho Del Mar is a well-established community that has single-family homes, condos, and townhomes to choose from. With a median sale price of $575,000, most homes in Rancho Del Mar have three to five bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and range between 1,558 to 3,518 square feet.

Some of the best schools in the area that feed into the neighborhood include Franklin at Brimhall Elementary School, Franklin at Alma Elementary School, and Dobson High School, which are all part of the Mesa Unified School District.

Local Favorites:

• Wildberries: Offering a variety of healthy and hearty breakfast fare, Greek plates, and beloved daily specials in this casual, lowkey, family-operated Greek restaurant.
• Golden Valley Chineses Restaurant: Found in the Baseline Pavillion, order noodles, fried rice, and other Chinese dishes as dine-in or takeout.
• Sahuaro's Taco Shop: This is the place in town to enjoy quesadillas, tacos, chimichangas, burritos, and other classic Mexican fares in a friendly atmosphere.

Apache Wells

Apache Wells is a 55+ active adult community in Mesa situated just 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Home to 1,823 residences, there is a large selection of condos, single-family homes, and attached homes to choose from that all range in size, style, and price. Offering resort-style amenities to its residents and plenty of clubs, events, and activities that will keep residents busy all year long, it is no surprise that Apache Wells is considered such a desirable place to live in Mesa.

Local Favorites:

• Mesa Donuts: This family-owned and operated donut shop in East Mesa offers many donuts, including glazed donuts and donut holes.
• The Fix Coffee Shop: Sip on a hot or iced coffee while meeting with friends or catching up on work at this cozy local coffee shop.
• Cozy Corner Cafe: Enjoy breakfast favorites and delicious home-cooked meals at a fair price.

Best Places to Live in Mesa, AZ - Final Thoughts

While Mesa might best be known for its picturesque desert landscape and outdoor recreational activities, the city is also known for its many beautiful neighborhoods.

Ranked as one of the best places in Arizona to raise a family, there is no right or wrong choice when finding your dream home in Mesa.

When you are ready to start your home-buying journey in Mesa, contact us today and reach out to one of our highly-rated Realty Specialists!