Valley Neighborhood Rankings: The East Valley’s Top 5

What makes a neighborhood awesome? It’s more than home values. It’s also cultural density – nearby restaurants, theaters and museums. And safety. And schools. And, since we’re talking about the Valley of the Sun, hiking and golf. And so much more. We crunched the data to offer you this: our semi-scientific ranking of the Valley’s most desirable ’hoods. See all 25 here.

By Colton Cagle | Original Photography by David Blakeman, Camerawerks, Brian Mecinas, Mirelle Inglefield, Madison Rutherford

1. Maple-Ash, Tempe
Score: 79.2
This dynamic historical neighborhood, west of Arizona State University’s main campus, blends century-old houses with midcentury bungalows and contemporary-cool remodels. Though massively gentrified since its grungy ’90s heyday as a college-kid rental wilderness, it has managed to retain much of its bohemian energy – local artists gather at Cartel Roasting Co. and longtime residents eat at the iconic Caffe Boa. Meanwhile, nearby entertainment and outdoor activity is lavish and varied, from the nightlife on Mill Avenue to weekend floats on Tempe Town Lake. There’s even hiking at fabled “A” Mountain, and Broadway shows at ASU Gammage down the road. One of Tempe’s oldest neighborhoods, it reflects more than a century of change and character. We can’t think of a better place to live in the East Valley.

Highest proportion of walking commuters (15.9%) on our survey.

Spotlight on a Resident

Christy & Jason Kimball with their dog, Meaty
Loving their neighborhood was part of the courtship process for this Maple-Ash couple. “When Christy and I met in 2003, we discovered this mutual love for the neighborhood, and tried for years to buy in without any luck,” Jason says. “We got our chance in 2019, and the rest is history.” Purchasing their Ash Avenue home from the family that originally built it in the 1930s, the couple learned “it was the only house in Tempe that never had a mortgage or was owned by the bank. Not sure if that’s true or not.” What’s certain: The Kimballs love the big lots and active Maple-Ash lifestyle. “It’s pretty hard to get us out of our little bubble, as we pretty much have everything we need within walking and biking distance.”

2. Stratland Estates, Central Gilbert
Score: 77.8
Located southeast of the Heritage District, Stratland is the highest scoring of central Gilbert’s many enticing ’hoods, blending prosperity and safety with access to the town’s thriving core. Stratland boasts high median household income and strong home values, with homes averaging around $1,000,000, but residents praise its non-insulated energy. “The most rewarding aspect of life here is undoubtedly the people,” says Barrett Real Estate broker Michael D. Smith. “There’s a deep sense of community, where neighbors truly have each other’s backs.” Agritopia and its visionary collection of maker-based businesses and restaurants, including Barnone and Joe’s Farm Grill, is just up the street, or explore the Gilbert Farmers Market. Smith also highlights Gilbert’s outdoor appeal: “With 70 parks, six golf courses and soon a surf park with a private beach, there’s something for everyone.” Soon-to-open Cactus Surf Park, just a few miles from Stratland, will add a wave lagoon and sandy beach, bringing a coastal feel to the desert.

High marks for Housing (10/10), Community/Education (8/10) and Health (8/10).

3. Tyson Manor, Downtown Chandler
Score: 74.1
True midcentury homes are few and far between in the Southeast Valley, where growth didn’t really take off until the 1970s – but Tyson Manor is a welcome exception. Here, authentic midcentury ranch homes line quiet streets framed by mature trees, giving the neighborhood a distinctive retro character. Its proximity to downtown Chandler gives the area a definitive edge over pricier, quieter South Chandler and safer, less congested West Chandler. Residents are within walking distance of lively local hangouts like The Perch, a historical rooftop bar known for its craft cocktails and eclectic appetizers, and cultural venues like Chandler Center for the Arts. In Tyson Manor, midcentury homes occupy a niche in a rapidly changing neighborhood that never loses its tranquil nature.

Highly diverse ‘hood includes 4.5% Native American population.

4. Las Sendas, Northeast Mesa
Score: 73
Among the newest communities on our list, this mountainside neighborhood on the cusp of Tonto National Forest has come a long way in the restaurant/culture department since its debut in the early 2000s. Meanwhile, its massive endowments as a safe, nature-lover’s paradise remain unchanged. Showcasing some of the Valley’s most impressive desert views, Las Sendas includes a championship golf course, extensive trails and community amenities that make the most of the surrounding landscape. Homes range from spacious custom builds with city and mountain views to gated areas that offer added privacy. With easy access to Usery Mountain, Salt River tubing and Mesa’s dining scene, it’s a place where outdoor access and everyday convenience come together.

Snowbird central: 8.4% of residents are Canadian.

5. Kirk Estates, Central Mesa
Score: 68.2
East of downtown Mesa, off Brown Road and Stapley Drive, is the quiet pocket of midcentury ranch homes that comprise Kirk Estates. Encircled by the Consolidated Canal, a topographic boundary that gives the neighborhood its tucked-away feel, it’s poised neatly between the bustle of Main Street and the tranquility of East Mesa. Though close to the city center, the neighborhood enjoys remarkably low crime rates and a serene, residential vibe. Expansive lots and mature shade trees frame homes that have aged with charm. While many of Mesa’s newer eastern developments feel removed, Kirk Estates stays connected – just minutes from Mekong Plaza’s top-tier dim sum and local favorites like Hodori and Boba Tree. Pioneer Park and Mesa Arts Center add cultural and recreational value, and with a median home price of around $571,000, the area continues to attract buyers seeking stability, diversity and a strong sense of place.

Strong marks for Entertainment/Culture (9/10) and Health (8/10).

How We Ranked Them

The fastest growing U.S. metro from 1970 to 2000, Greater Phoenix continues to draw residents at an astounding clip, adding 85,000 people in 2024 alone. But the pace of physical expansion has slowed, creating infill pressure that has forced neighborhoods to coalesce around entertainment districts, tech hubs and other hallmarks of a thriving urban community. Whether you wish for the highest rated schools, proximity to outdoor activities or a lively arts scene, this semi-scientific guide attempts to quantify it all. Focusing on seven key criteria drawn from various public data sources, our researchers aggregated the scores and found the highest performing housing regions in each of the Valley’s four distinct quadrants: Phoenix, East Valley, West Valley and Scottsdale, selecting the neighborhoods that scored highest and capping the list at 25. Ultimately, it’s just about discovering that perfect spot where convenience and lifestyle intersect – and why can’t you get a little enjoyment out of it, too?

• Key: Housing (18%): Average real estate value and homeownership rate.
• Community & Education (12%): Number of schools per 1,000 children; public library access within 5 miles; and inclusion in one of the seven top school districts in the Phoenix metro area.
• Health (12%): Proximity to trauma centers, emergency rooms and urgent cares.
• Employment & Income (12%): Unemployment rate and average household income levels.
• Entertainment & Culture (17%): Number of 4-or-more-star Yelp restaurants, live music venues, museums, theaters and major sports facilities within a 5-mile radius.
• Safety (17%): Crime index score based on overall crime rates.
• Nature/Fitness (12%): Number of hiking trails, state/regional parks and public golf courses within 5 miles.
• Rule of 100: All scores represent a weighted aggregate of our seven criteria, with 100 representing a perfect score.