Recreational centers, trails and a community pool are amenities families. Master Planned communities in Phoenix offer brand new homes, golf courses, recreation centers, community pool and a strong sense of community.  If you are looking to build a new home upon moving to Phoenix, researching the up and coming master  planned communities will be your first on your task list.

Living in a master planned community includes many benefits, including golf course, parks, pools, schools and shopping centers close by.  In addition, working with a new home builder will allow you to create your dream home. 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.  

However, each builder will offer different floor plans, options and of course price. 

It’s important to know the difference between a home builder neighborhood and a master planned community.  A home builder neighborhood may not include the amenities such as a pool, recreation center and parks.

To help you research your move to Phoenix, here is a list of the best master planned communities in Phoenix

Power Ranch
The Boulders
Copperwynd
DC Ranch
Dove Valley Ranch
McCormick Ranch
Troon North, Troon Village
Biltmore Estates
Ocotillo
Tramonto

Notable other communities in Phoenix include:

Vistancia
Estrella
Adora Trails
Barrington at Verrado
Encaterra
Heritage Collection at the Rim
Trilogy at Verde River
Rancho Sahuatita
Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch
Mountain Bridge

Northeast Valley

Adero Canyon
13225 North Eagle Ridge Drive
Fountain Hills
https://www.aderoscottsdale.com/
Lavish residences are surrounded by world-class resort amenities that include tennis courts, swimming pools, a health/fitness center, and fine dining. The nearby town of Fountain Hills provides commercial conveniences, community theater, a library, and some of the Valley’s most anticipated special events.

Anthem Community Council
3701 W. Anthem Way, Ste. #201
Phoenix-Maricopa County
https://www.onlineatanthem.com/
Just beyond the lights of Phoenix in the pristine high desert are three communities nestled in an award-winning development: Anthem Country Club, the Anthem active adult community, and comfortable family living at Anthem Parkside.

Bellasera Community Association
7350 E. Ponte Bella Drive Scottsdale
Scottsdale
http://azbellasera.org
The prestigious community of Bellasera covers 290 acres of scenic high desert at the foot of imposing Lone Mountain.

The Boulders
34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive
Carefree
https://www.theboulders.com/
On the edge of Carefree, the award-winning Boulders Resort and golf-course community allows residents to enjoy access to resort amenities. Nearby, El Pedregal Marketplace offers upscale shopping, fine dining, and live entertainment in the open-air courtyard.

Cadence
13985 S. Ellsworth Rd.
Mesa 480-748-4000
https://cadenceaz.com/
Cadence at Gateway is an intimate community of 464 acres in Mesa’s gateway corridor. It’s a community of quaint neighborhoods, parks, a main street parkway with shopping, office and employment centers and a trail system that is designed to connect community. The Square is the center of the community with a visitor’s center, great room and meeting rooms, pools, tennis and bocce courts, a garden area and indoor and outdoor fitness areas.

DC Ranch
Thompson Peak Parkway
Scottsdale
https://dcranch.com/
Sprawling near the foot of the McDowell Mountains, this community of beautiful, family-oriented neighborhoods provides every amenity within walking distance. Designed to offer the intimacy and sense of connection of a small town, DC Ranch has developed a spectacular nine-acre indoor/outdoor recreational complex.

Desert Highlands
10040 East Happy Valley Road
Scottsdale
https://www.deserthighlandsscottsdale.com/
Magnificent custom homes are nestled on pristine, generous high Sonoran desert lots that command breathtaking fairway, city light, and mountain views in this private golf-club community near Carefree.

Desert Mountain
37700 Desert Mountain Parkway
Scottsdale
https://www.desertmountain.com/
Known for its opulent homes and world-renowned Jack Nicklaus golf courses, Desert Mountain is home to a variety of exclusive residential communities.

Desert Ridge
21001 N. Tatum Boulevard
Phoenix
https://shopdesertridge.com/
Planned to cover a complete 5,700 acres, this sprawling community creates a balance of residential villages with resort, shopping, and entertainment development.

Dove Valley Ranch
33750 North Dove Lakes Drive
Cave Creek
https://www.dovevalleyranch.com/
Beautiful homes enjoy an unspoiled high-desert landscape, recreational amenities, and close proximity to the golf course of the same name designed by Robert Trent Jones II.

Eastmark
10100 E. Ray Rd,
Mesa 480-625-3005
https://www.eastmark.com
Designed as a community within a city, Eastmark covers 3200 acres of land. The communities planned neighborhoods include everything from schools and shopping to community centered parks and recreational facilities. Its location is right in the heart of one of the fastest growing areas in the Phoenix metro area, offering its residents the ultimate in convenience and amenities.

The Estancia Club
27998 North 99th Place
Scottsdale
https://www.estanciaclub.com/
Nestled on the northern slope of Pinnacle Peak, this prestigious North Scottsdale community is known for its stunning homes, environmental sensitivity, and Tom Fazio-designed golf course.

Gainey Ranch
7600 Gainey Club Drive
Scottsdale
https://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Gainey-Ranch-Golf-Club
Nestled in a peerless centralized Scottsdale location, Gainey Ranch provides an award-winning 27-hole golf course, lake vistas, fine shopping, and distinctive properties.

Grayhawk
8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway
Scottsdale
http://grayhawk.com/
Nestled between two award-winning golf courses along with a wealth of amenities are upscale homes, villas, townhomes, and condominiums from renowned builders.

Kierland
Greenway & Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale
https://www.kierlandcommons.com/
This elegant, mixed-use development is in a convenient location in the central corridor of North Scottsdale, which combines exclusive shopping, entertainment, and dining with residential development.

Legend Trail
9462 East Legendary Lane
Scottsdale
https://www.legendtrailgc.com/
Spectacular recreational and residential opportunities include 640 unspoiled acres of high desert preserved as open space and the recreational jewel of the Rees Jones-designed golf course.

McCormick Ranch
9248 N. 94th Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale
https://mrpoa.com
Scottsdale’s ground-breaking development transformed 4,300 acres of arid land into one of the Valley’s first and finest resort and residential communities. The collection of fine homes are complemented by bike paths, fine dining, golf courses, tennis courts, and 130 acres of sparkling lakes.

McDowell Mountain Ranch
Thompson Peak Parkway
Scottsdale
www.mmrtrailtalk.com
This family-oriented community features a wealth of amenities including trails, parks, community center, swimming pool/spa, sports courts, and splash fountain.

Scottsdale Mountain
12112 N. 136th Street
Scottsdale
https://www.scottsdalemountain.net/
Set against the foothills of the McDowell Mountain Preserve, the community offers handsome homes that command spectacular landscape views.

Scottsdale Ranch
10585 North 100th Street
Scottsdale
https://www.scottsdaleranch.org/
Waterfront estates, beautiful tennis villas, patio homes, and townhomes surround Lake Serena and recreational amenities.

Stonegate
11551 East Mountain View Road
Scottsdale
https://stonegate-scottsdale.com/
This premier community provides all the seclusion of a gated resort lifestyle with tennis courts, pool/spa, community center, and hiking trails.

Tatum Highlands
1600 W. Broadway Rd. Ste 200
Phoenix
https://www.tatumhighlandsca.org/
This handsome residential development in a variety of architectural styles harmonizes with a 20-acre recreational park in a pristine desert environment just two miles from Tatum Ranch public golf course.

Tatum Ranch
Cave Creek Road & Dixileta
Phoenix
https://www.tatumranchgc.com/
Covering 1,500 acres in the Sonoran desert between northeastern Phoenix and Cave Creek, 30 attractive neighborhoods are filled with beautiful homes.

Terravita
34034 North 69th Way
Scottsdale
https://www.terravita.com/
Nearly 825 pristine acres of high Sonoran desert beauty create the scenic backdrop for lovely homes and recreational amenities that include a golf course, fine dining, and a community center with fitness area.

Tramonto
Carefree Highway at I-17
Phoenix
https://www.tramontocma.org/
Single-family residences and prime sites for custom homes join a retail town center, fine hotel, and abundant recreational amenities for a convenient yet serene lifestyle.

Troon North, Troon Village
25000 North Windy Walk Drive
Scottsdale
https://www.trooncc.com/
Nestled among the boulders just north of Pinnacle Peak, these upscale communities boast highly acclaimed Troon golf courses that are surrounded by neighborhoods filled with luxury homes that command superb views of fairways and landscapes.

The Verdes
25609 N Danny Lane, Rio Verde
Four Peaks Boulevard
Rio Verde
https://www.rioverdearizona.com/public/visit-us/location
These two “sister” active-adult communities surround beautiful homes with golf courses and award-winning clubhouses. The town of Fountain Hills provides nearby amenities.

West Valley

Arrowhead Ranch
Union Hills Road
Glendale
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
https://azthoa.net/
This active-adult golf community enjoys a panoramic location at the base of the scenic White Tank Mountains.

Biltmore Estates
East Arizona Biltmore Circle
Phoenix
https://abeva.com/
One of the most affluent residential enclaves in Phoenix surrounds the world-famous Arizona Biltmore Resort with luxurious homes and villas.

Sun City, Sun City West
Sun Cities
https://suncitywest.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
https://www.suncitygrand.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.

WestWing Mountain
Happy Valley Road
Peoria
Pristine land, trail systems, and mountain preservation are the signature features of this expansive new residential development carved from former open space.

Southeast Valley
Estrella Mountain Ranch
South Estrella Parkway
Goodyear
The jewel of southwestern development offers a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, expansive lakes, mountain views, miles of hiking trails, and a variety of home styles.

Palm Valley
North Litchfield Road
Goodyear
Distinctive residential villages surround the golf course. Amenities include a clubhouse and restaurant as well as walking paths.

PebbleCreek
Clubhouse Drive
Goodyear
https://www.robson.com/communities/pebblecreek/
This premier active-adult golf and tennis resort village in the Palm Valley community features a spectacular multi-million-dollar recreation complex.

East Valley

Ahwatukee Foothills Village
Pecos Road, Interstate 10
Tempe
www.ahwatukeehoa.com
Officially a Phoenix Urban Village, this magnificent master-planned development at the very edge of the city of Tempe boasts upscale residential enclaves. Residents can choose from such neighborhoods as The Foothills, Club West, Lakewood, Mountain Park Ranch, Mountain Ranch Estates, Pecos West, and Pointe South Mountain.

Augusta Ranch
Baseline & Ellsworth Roads
Mesa
www.augustaranch.org
Recreational parks, a lush golf course, and linking pedestrian paths complement the peaceful community environment for single-family and multi-family residences.

Circle G
North Gilbert Road
Queen Creek
www.circleg.com
Set against the rare beauty of the San Tan Mountains, Circle G offers an oasis of lovely homes and recreational amenities.

Dobson Ranch
South Dobson Road
Mesa
https://www.dobsonranchhoa.com/
Waterfront properties crown the diverse home sites surrounded by vast recreational amenities in this established but popular East Valley community.

Gold Canyon
South Kings Ranch Road
Gold Canyon
https://www.gcgr.com/
Beautiful homes nestle at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, surrounded by bike paths, hiking trails, and the velvet fairways of top-rated golf courses.

Las Sendas
Thomas & Power Roads
Mesa
https://www.thetrailhead.org
Set against the scenic foothills of East Mesa, this 4,200-acre community offers upscale properties surrounding the spectacular golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Ocotillo
Queen Creek Road
Chandler
https://theocotillo.nabrnetwork.com/
Featuring 167 acres of sparkling lakes and water features, the mixed-use community of Ocotillo offers exceptional residential, commercial, and business opportunities.

Power Ranch
Power & Queen Creek Roads
Gilbert
https://www.mypowerranch.com/
Creating an intimate small-town atmosphere for family living, residential villages enjoy a large community park, sparkling lake, and elaborate clubhouse.

Red Mountain Ranch
East Teton
Mesa
www.rmrcc.com
Recreational amenities include the country club with 18-hole Pete Dye-designed golf course, tennis courts, Olympic pool, fitness center, and clubhouse.

Sunland Springs Village
South Springwood Boulevard
Mesa
https://sunlandsprings.com/
Active-adult living in a recreational golf-course community that provides Superstition Mountain views includes a wide selection of housing that ranges from single-family to twins and condominiums.

Superstition Mountain
South Ponderosa Drive
Apache Junction
https://www.superstitionmountain.com/
Nestled within the privacy of this guard-gated enclave, 36 holes of a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course complements Tuscan-style residences in a lush desert setting.

Val Vista Lakes
East Lakeside Drive
Gilbert
www.valvistalakes.org
Residents of this family-oriented enclave enjoy exceptional recreational amenities that include spacious sports parks, bicycle paths, lagoon swimming pool with beach, and a multi-million-dollar clubhouse filled with sports facilities.