You may find this odd, but Paradise Valley, Arizona and the Napa Valley, California have a lot in common. However, at first glance, most people would be hard pressed to identify the similarities.
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After all, Paradise Valley is smack dab in the middle of a desert where temperatures often soar well above 100-degrees and residents take no notice of it. Read More...
In Napa Valley, on the other hand, the weather is very temperate, rarely hitting 100 degrees. Moreover, Napa Valley’s landscape is quite the opposite of a desert with rolling hills filled with vineyards and large oak trees.
So where are the similarities?
Both areas started out as agricultural centers with cattle grazing being among the largest. There were probably more cows than people in both places between the 1890’s – 1930’s.
And in the past both Napa Valley and Paradise Valley were decidedly down-scale. Napa was a place where people from San Francisco went to retire because, well, they had no money. In addition, it had a real rough around the edges, run-down feel about it as well.
Paradise Valley before WWII was no sight to behold, and it was pretty poor too. Many of the homes were small adobe structures scattered about vast stretches of barren desert sand.
Moving Up the Social Ladder
Today, things couldn’t be more different. Paradise Valley is among the most affluent towns in Arizona, if not the U.S and a place thousands flock to each year. Napa Valley has turned into the playground of the rich and famous – some call it the adult Disneyland - where tiny houses run into the millions.
Both areas are now among the most desirable places to live in America. This change from being down-and-out to becoming a “hot” real estate market took place at around the same time in both areas, although Paradise Valley got a bit of a jump on Napa when the first resort – Camelback – was built in the 1930’s.
Napa’s rise can be specifically identified to when Napa Valley wine makers participated in The Paris Wine Tasting in 1976. They cleaned France’s clock, winning a blind taste tests in almost all categories. The French were, to put it mildly, stunned because prior to the competition America wine was considered barely drinkable (it was pretty horrible).
From that point on, Napa slowly became the “go to” place for the affluent who had refined tastes or who wanted others to think they did.
Paradise in Paradise Valley
There are few places more desirable to live than Paradise Valley. It has everything from open spaces, beautiful scenery, to some of the best resorts, parks, shopping, and restaurants in the Southwest.
With a population of just about 15,000 in 2020, Paradise Valley is dominated by the Mummy Mountain range. You also have a view of Camelback Mountain and the amazing desert landscapes that are sprinkled with giant cacti.
Paradise Valley wasn’t even a city until the early 1960’s when it incorporated because residents feared the larger cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale would gobble them up and alter their one acre lot zoning regulations.
The one thing there are a lot of in Paradise Valley are luxury five-star hotels, golf courses, and resorts. Few places in the nation have such a collection of these gems. They attract people from across the world who want to experience the best in life.
Paradise Valley is nothing if not sophisticated. Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes are the preferred vehicles among the locals. If shopping and fine restaurants are the things that tickle your fancy, you’ve come to the right place.
For those epicureans who savor a fine meal, the place to go in Paradise Valley is Elements at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort. Samantha Sanz, a two-time James Beard nominee – which is another way of saying she’s amazing in the kitchen – has partnered-up with head chef Beau MacMillan to make this restaurant among the best in the area and a place where you can satisfy your craving for soy caramelized escargot.
If you want to shop or stroll among upscale specialty retailers, there are plenty of options in and around Paradise Valley; Kierland Commons, Biltmore Fashion Park, and Scottsdale Fashion Square to name a few. You can easily leave with beautiful designer clothes, handbags, and a much lighter wallet.
One thing that makes Paradise Valley unique is the number of top-drawer resorts, golf courses, and spas located in town. There are so many, that the list is much too long to put here. U.S. News & World Report ranks Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and spa as among the best in the state. Others say that the Paradise Valley Country Club has the best golf course in town.
Real Estate in Paradise Valley
You’re going to need deep pockets if you want to buy a home in Paradise Valley. The Average sold price (per ARMLS) in Paradise Valley during the 1st quarter of 2022 is $4.1 million. By comparison, the national median home price is about $360,000. It’s hard to believe, but Paradise Valley makes San Francisco look like a bargain.
If you are planning on spending this kind of money on a home, you really need a trusted advisor to help you, just as you need a professional financial advisor to help you manage your portfolio. Almost nobody does this on their own, and for good reason. A little mistake can be quite costly. At Arizona Network Realty their local agents and network of Preferred Referral Agents specializing in Arizona mansions and luxury properties can help you find and acquire the "right" executive estate.
We are honored to help you with all your real estate needs and look forward to speaking with you when you're ready to make your Paradise Valley move. Whether buying or selling give us a call today, you'll be glad you did. Arizona Network Realty - Local Agents, Local Expertise, Exceptional Service. Show Less...