Top Neighborhoods in Scottsdale: The Ranches

Scottsdale’s many neighborhoods share the beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape, well-maintained green spaces, and a commitment to a high quality of life. That’s why deciding which ones are the best is so hard. Plus, what is the best Scottsdale neighborhood for you largely depends on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and budget. 

But, some places come up repeatedly in a home search. Among them are the “Ranches,” three exceptional master-planned communities bursting with amenities and beautiful homes of every style and layout. Even if you don’t buy a home in one of these Scottsdale neighborhoods, you’ll hear about them frequently when you live here. Exploring them is worth it.

McCormick Ranch

Welcome to one of the largest master-planned developments in Arizona. The meticulously planned community has led to McCormick Ranch being one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Scottsdale.

The appeal is both for vacation and for living. Some of Scottsdale’s famous resort destinations include the McCormick Scottsdale Resort on Camelback Lake and The Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Hilton. These oases of relaxation have Instagram-perfect pools, world-class dining, and, of course, championship golf.

Speaking of golf, McCormick Ranch is definitely a world-class golfing community. The PGA tour has played at the two golf courses managed by the McCormick Ranch Golf Club. Known as the Palm and the Pine, both are immaculately managed with a blend of desert features, mirror-like ponds, and swaying palms. Camelback and McDowell Mountains form the backdrop of an already exceptional course. Club facilities include a driving range, putting green, and two chipping areas. Best of all, the courses are open to the public every day of the year, but becoming a member adds perks to your experience.

Besides the golf and resort access, why buy a home in McCormick Ranch? Add a central location to this Scottsdale neighborhood’s long list of advantages. It’s in the heart of Scottsdale, making it easy to reach other golf courses, Paradise Valley, or attractions like Butterfly Wonderland. 

McCormick Ranch is so large it could be its own city. It sprawls across 3,100 acres of former ranch land. Over 27,000 people live in the 8,900 homes built across the Ranch’s five villages. The McCormick Ranch Property Owners Association oversees the common areas. It makes sure all new buildings and renovations meet the architectural guidelines. 

However, with so many homes and developments, the local homeowner associations manage subdivision-specific amenities and common areas. Homes in those villages include single-family, mixed-use, and condominium developments. 

Despite being a large and dense development, first-time visitors frequently comment on how green McCormick Ranch is. Think lush tropical with swaying palm trees and green spaces without the stifling humidity. Carefully developed and managed, the modern landscape has seven man-made lakes, acres of parks, and interconnected pedestrian pathways. 

Everything a local needs is within reach, from the daily Starbucks run to picking up groceries. Where to go shopping? In sum, there are seven shopping areas between the plazas and commercial corridors. 

The Pavilions at Talking Stick is an outdoor shopping center with over 50 stores, a movie theater, and restaurants. More up-brand retailers like West Elm and Pottery Barn await at Scottsdale Quarter. 

For fun, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a family-friendly attraction featuring a train ride and playgrounds. Just east are the attractions at the Arizona Boardwalk, like the aquarium and the indoor skydiving facility. Butterfly Wonderland and McDowell Mountain Regional Park are easy drives to spend a day in. Salt River Fields regularly hosts festivals and events. 

The multiple communities in McCormick Ranch include pocket parks with just open spaces or playgrounds for the kids. But there are larger public parks, like Chaparral and Shoshone, with sports facilities, fishing lakes, and more play options for the kids. 

Homes in McCormick Ranch were priced from $297,500 to $2,795,000 as of October 2023.

Gainey Ranch

Next door to McDowell Ranch is the smaller but highly regarded enclave of Gainey Ranch. Like its neighbor, Gainey Ranch residents benefit from living in central Scottsdale, staying connected to the greater Phoenix metro and its perks. 

However, Gainey Ranch is less dense and more intimate than McCormick Ranch, developed on just 640 acres of former Arabian horse land. Most of the community is built around the Gainey Ranch Golf Club, but the various enclaves don’t necessarily connect. Many are gated communities. Add to that the 24/7 manned security force, electronic gates, and cameras, and Gainey Ranch feels exclusive and private. It’s one of the most secure places to live in Scottsdale.  

Back to the stunning features. The lush Gainey Ranch Golf Club features 27 holes of championship golf broken into three nine-hole courses. All three courses are known for their well-manicured fairways and scenic views of the McDowell Mountains. Members and their guests can mix and match for an exciting afternoon of play. 

Other amenities include swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, and walking/biking paths. The community center, the Gainey Ranch Estate Club, is one of the oldest buildings in the community. The club has a fitness room, dining facilities, and social spaces for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Rent for wine parties or cool off in the swimming pool on the hottest summer days.  

The social perks include tennis courts and fitness classes. Another draw is the monthly Gainey Night Lights, a live music event on Wednesdays.

Once you exit the gates of your Gainey Ranch community, find The Shops at Gainey Village for your needs. This destination mixes in juice bars with tattoo parlors. Find fitness centers, hair salons, home goods, and more without heading to Old Town Scottsdale or McCormick Ranch. 

As a place to live, Gainey Ranch is divided into 11 single-family home neighborhoods and seven condominium neighborhoods, each with its unique character and features. Each is gated and walled. Many of the single-family homes in Gainey Ranch sit on half-acre lots with spacious floor plans, upscale finishes, and beautiful landscaping.

Around 2,500 people live in its neighborhoods, which include The Enclave, Arroyo Vista, The Pavilions, The Oasis, and North Meadow. Each neighborhood is governed by a satellite HOA that reports to the Gainey Ranch Community Association. This association promotes the community’s aesthetics and covenants plus publishes a quarterly magazine with upcoming local events and important neighborhood news. 

Gainey Ranch housing list prices spanned from $619,000 to $5,400,000 in October 2023.

DC Ranch

Maybe you’d rather be further away from the central city core. In that case, DC Ranch in northern Scottsdale may be more appealing. The 4,400 acres have been split into four residential villages, each considering the Sonoran Desert’s unique layout and design aspects. And while it’s larger than McDowell Ranch, it’s also less dense, with just 7,000 residents.

 Another master-planned development born out of former ranch land, this one is more focused on creating a high-end lifestyle. DC Ranch borders the McDowell Mountains, meaning residents have stunning desert views. Developers opted to maximize the interior natural landscape, adding 47 parks connected through 50 miles of trails. As a result, locals have easy access to hiking trails and outdoor activities. Plus, the 30,000 acres of the McDowell Mountain nature preserve are practically in the neighborhood’s backyard. 

Love golf? You’re lucky, as this community has two golfing facilities to challenge and elevate your play. Pick from DC Ranch Country Club’s two championship golf courses that Tom Lehman and John Fought designed. These courses are known for their challenging play and picturesque desert landscapes. It’s also for being a family-friendly country club with junior programs and kid-friendly swimming pools. Over at the Mediterranean-styled Silverleaf Country Club, it’s all about the exceptional country club experience with spa facilities, a resort-style pool, and fine dining.

DC Ranch’s vast amenities promote an active lifestyle. Desert Camp Community Center and Homestead Community Center have fitness facilities, swimming pools, tennis courts, and event spaces. Its DC Ranch Village Health Club and Spa runs over 170 wellness classes, from boot camps to yoga, and has MedSpa personalized treatments. 

The multiple HOAs and communities go a step further, planning holiday events, bringing in art classes, and hosting block parties. Then, there are programs for the youth, like a youth theater program and Summer Saturday activities. 

DC Ranch included commercial areas for residents’ wellness and essential needs to further exemplify exceptional living. Market Street, DC Ranch Crossing, and Canyon Village are the community’s shopping, dining, and essential retail areas. Between the three, residents have upscale dining, gourmet markets, pet groomers, salons, and more shopping experiences without leaving the neighborhood.

The villages within DC Ranch are Silverleaf, Desert Parks, Country Club, and Desert Camp. Its four villages further divide into 26 neighborhoods, each with unique character and features. The housing options span from custom-built luxury homes to townhomes, condos, and apartments. In sum, there are just over 2,800 homes, meaning the lots and square footage tend to be larger. 

Architectural styles vary but often incorporate Pueblo styles and farmhouse design elements, giving the area a distinctive character. Golf course community living is available in the Country Club Village and Silverleaf Village, while Desert Camp is closer to the Market Street commercial corridor. 

Home prices started at $395,000 and increased to $29,000,000 in October 2023. 

Finding a home in the Scottsdale ranches

As you can see, these former cattle and horse ranches have been beautifully and lovingly repurposed into exceptional neighborhoods. Each has golf course living you’d expect from living in Scottsdale, but also other surprises in how many other perks are packed into their borders. Why not look closer at the real estate available in the Scottsdale ranch neighborhoods with a local agent?

From the upscale luxury of Gainey Ranch and DC Ranch to the family-friendly atmosphere of McCormick Ranch, there’s a neighborhood in Scottsdale to suit every preference. Explore more Scottsdale real estate.