If you’re moving to Greater Phoenix, searching by city name is a good start; but it won’t show you every kind of neighborhood or property available.

These five areas are easy to miss in a broad search:

They are established places, but the names do not all work the same way in a home search. One is an unincorporated county island. One is an informal local nickname. Melrose is a corridor with residential pockets around it. Even Moon Valley can mean the proper neighborhood or a much broader part of North Phoenix, depending on who is using the name.

The name is only the beginning of the search.

The five
  1. 91st Street county island
  2. Maple-Ash
  3. The Sheaborhood
  4. Moon Valley
  5. Melrose District
At a glance

The quick answer

AreaWhere to startWhat makes it differentHousing you may find
91st Street county islandSouth of Elliot Road near 91st Street in West ChandlerAcre-plus properties in a central East Valley locationRanch-era detached homes and custom builds, sometimes with horse setups, RV storage or large workshops
Maple-AshWest of Mill Avenue between University Drive and Hudson Lane in TempeMature landscaping, walkability and older residential streets beside downtown Tempe1900’s-era historic cottages, craftsman homes, southwestern homes, ranches, infill and a small number of townhomes
The SheaborhoodThe Shea Boulevard corridor around 85028 between SR 51 and Tatum BoulevardAn informal local name with mountain and preserve contextRanch and midcentury homes, condos, townhomes, remodeled homes and mountain-adjacent custom builds
Moon ValleyAround Moon Valley Country Club in North PhoenixAn established golf-centered neighborhood with mountain contextRanch homes, townhomes, golf-course properties and larger custom homes
Melrose DistrictSeventh Avenue between Indian School and Camelback roadsA commercial and cultural corridor with residential neighborhoods around itCottages, bungalows, ranches, midcentury homes, condos, townhomes and newer infill
01West Chandler

The 91st Street county island in West Chandler

The easiest way I can describe this pocket is that it feels like living in the country, but in the middle of the city.

Start around 91st Street, south of Elliot Road, between Loop 101 and Dobson Road. Buyers can find acre-plus properties here with much more land than the surrounding conventional subdivisions. Some properties are already set up for horses or other animals. Others have RV storage, a large workshop or room for equipment.

You can have a larger property without moving to the far edge of Greater Phoenix, then drive a few minutes and be back near the freeway, shopping and restaurants.

A county island is unincorporated land surrounded by a city. A mailing address may say Chandler, but Maricopa County zoning and different service arrangements can apply instead of City of Chandler rules.

County-island status does not automatically give every property the same animal rights or permission for a large garage, shop or RV structure. Zoning, permits, setbacks, utilities, emergency services and deed restrictions must be checked for the exact parcel. A Chandler mailing address also does not guarantee that the property is in Chandler Unified School District.

Buyers look here for the land and unusual property type. Do not assume it is a discounted version of Chandler as homes run from a minimum of $900K for a 1970’s interior to over $2Million for a remodeled home. The housing is mostly detached, with older ranch-era homes from the late 1960s through the 1980s and some newer custom construction.

Personal story: One of the homes that backed to Elliott Road used to have goats, and people would stop to pet and feed them. Then one day, I noticed roses covering the gate. The goats had passed away, and it felt like the whole community was mourning. They brought so much happiness to everyone who drove by over the years. If my husband and I could live anywhere we would purchase an acre lot home here in a heartbeat! 

02Tempe

Maple-Ash in Tempe

Maple-Ash is a small Tempe area just west of Mill Avenue. The City of Tempe states the exact area runs roughly from the south side of University Drive to the north side of Hudson Lane, between Mill Avenue and the west side of Ash Avenue.

You are close to ASU, downtown Tempe and the activity around Mill Avenue. Turn onto the residential streets and the setting changes. There are mature trees, older homes, flood irrigation, historic character and different kinds of infill mixed together.

I personally love this area, but I am biased toward Tempe!

The housing can include early 1900s cottages, Craftsman homes, Southwestern-style houses, midcentury ranches, newer traditional infill and a small number of townhomes. Some properties have flood-irrigated lots and a historic status. Renovation questions and parking can change from one address or block to the next so always do your due diligence.

ASU and Mill Avenue sit right next to Maple-Ash, but they are only part of the picture. Someone searching only for Tempe may assume the city is mostly college housing and newer apartments, and miss older residential pockets like this one. Prices run roughly from a teardown at $500K to a rebuilt or remodeled home well over $1M.

Tip: Don’t forget to stop by Casey Moore’s! This historic Tempe home was converted into a restaurant and is now known for its haunted history, great people-watching, and some of the best oysters and seafood in Tempe.

03North Phoenix

The Sheaborhood in North Phoenix

Yes, people really call it The Sheaborhood. Shea Boulevard plus neighborhood equals Sheaborhood!

It is a local nickname. There is no official City of Phoenix boundary for it. For a practical starting point, look around the 85028 Shea Boulevard corridor between SR 51 and Tatum Boulevard.

This part of North Phoenix has multiple mountains mixed with easy freeway access and local neighborhood businesses along Shea that locals love to relax at. Some properties have mountain views, and hiking is nearby at the Phoenix Mountains Preserve and Dreamy Draw. The exact view and the route to the freeway depend on the address.

One of my best friends growing up lived here in a home built into the mountains. It is still one of the coolest homes I’ve ever seen!

The housing is 1960s through 1980s ranch and midcentury homes, Pueblo and Spanish-influenced houses, condos and townhomes, remodeled contemporary properties and newer custom homes near the mountains.

Use the nickname to begin the search. Then compare the exact street, property type, condition, mountain exposure and route to the places you use regularly. ZIP code 85028 is a working proxy, not a formal Sheaborhood boundary.

Home prices range here, a lot. You can find starter homes around $550K, to beautifully remodeled homes up to $3M. Know your budget then get to shopping! 

04North Phoenix

Moon Valley in North Phoenix

Moon Valley proper is centered around Moon Valley Country Club. The neighborhood association describes the core area as Seventh Street on the east, Thunderbird Road on the south and Coral Gables Drive wrapping around the west and north.

The name is often used more broadly in listings and conversation. A home described as Moon Valley may be in the proper neighborhood or in a nearby North Phoenix area. Check the specific address before assuming which one you are looking at.

Moon Valley stands out for its mountain setting, mature streets and golf-centered layout. Depending on the address, residents can reach SR 51, Loop 101 and I-17 without relying on one route for every trip. The Moon Valley Neighborhood Association also maintains an interactive Christmas light map for participating homes.

The homes come in more than one era and style. Much of the neighborhood dates to the 1970s and 1980s, with ranch homes and Mediterranean or Spanish influences. You can also find townhomes, golf-course properties and larger Territorial, Spanish Revival or contemporary custom homes.

I grew up just east of this area and still have friends here. I like the mountains, the streets and the way the neighborhood feels tucked into Phoenix without feeling cut off from the rest of the city. Some homes have large lots and golf course views that I’ve always loved as well. Prices depend on your exact location but start around $400K and go into the $1M+ range. 

05Central Phoenix

The Melrose District in central Phoenix

The Melrose District follows Seventh Avenue between Indian School Road and Camelback Road. You may also hear it called The Curve because Seventh Avenue bends through this part of the Phoenix street grid.

Melrose has always felt eclectic and arty to me. The corridor has local coffee, restaurants, antique and vintage shops, murals and nightlife. Copper Star Coffee and Valentine are two current places to know along the corridor.

Melrose is a commercial and cultural corridor with residential neighborhoods and historic pockets around it, rather than one subdivision with a single housing boundary. Keep that in mind when a listing uses the Melrose name.

Nearby housing can include 1920s through 1950s cottages and bungalows, Minimal Traditional homes, ranches, understated midcentury homes, low-rise condos and townhomes, and newer infill.

How close do you want to be to the businesses and nightlife? Do you want an older home, and if so, what has been updated? What is parking like on that block? The answer can change from one property to the next. Prices vary here but it is considered a more affordable area vs other parts of Central Phoenix. Prices start about $350K for an older home up to about $750K for a remodeled home. 

 

Current price context

These figures are dated orientation, not direct comparisons. Each row uses the narrowest supportable geography and states what the number measures. A ZIP code, a radius sample and a named neighborhood do not contain the same mix of homes.

AreaRecent figureWhat it measures
91st Street county island$950,000 to $1,637,500Six closed detached sales from August 27, 2024 through August 27, 2026, within one mile of the working pocket, on lots of at least 0.9 acre. This is a small radius sample, not the legal county-island boundary.
Maple-Ash$632,450 median sale priceHomes.com’s trailing-12-month result for all home types, based on six sales. The small sample and mix of detached homes and townhomes limit what the median can tell you about one house.
The Sheaborhood$679,849 median sale priceRedfin’s July 2026 result for all home types in ZIP code 85028. The ZIP code is a disclosed working proxy, not an official Sheaborhood boundary.
Moon Valley$660,000 median sale priceHomes.com’s trailing-12-month result for all home types, based on 201 sales. Its detached-home and townhouse results differ substantially.
Melrose DistrictNo single honest district-wide numberMelrose is a corridor surrounded by several residential pockets, not one subdivision or stable MLS boundary. Compare the exact property type and adjacent neighborhood instead.

The reporting periods and property mixes differ, so do not use this table to rank the five areas by affordability. It is here to show the approximate scale of each search and where a broad median would be misleading.

Before you decide

How to use this list during a home search

Before adding one of these areas to your list:

  • Check the exact boundary instead of relying only on the listing description.
  • Look at current inventory and compare the same property types.
  • Drive the streets at the times you would normally be on the road.
  • Verify zoning, permits, utilities, historic status, HOA documents, insurance and allowed uses when they apply.
  • Confirm the current school assignment directly for the exact address. Arizona open enrollment may provide other options, but acceptance depends on capacity and transportation may be the family’s responsibility.

Match the neighborhood and the house separately. Getting one right does not mean you have gotten the other right.

If you are moving to Greater Phoenix and trying to narrow down the areas, contact me. I’m a Phoenix native and a full-time, award-winning Phoenix REALTOR, and I’ll help you compare the exact places and properties that fit what you are looking for.

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Useful definitions

Frequently asked questions

What is a county island in Arizona?

A county island is an unincorporated area surrounded by a municipality. A property can have a city mailing address while county zoning, services and other rules apply. Check every parcel individually because county-island status does not create the same animal, building or land-use rights for every property.

Is The Sheaborhood an official Phoenix neighborhood?

No. The Sheaborhood is an informal local nickname used around the Shea Boulevard corridor in 85028. It is a helpful search term, but it does not have one official City of Phoenix boundary.

Where is Moon Valley proper?

Moon Valley proper is the country-club-centered area generally bounded by Seventh Street, Thunderbird Road and Coral Gables Drive. The Moon Valley name is also used more broadly, so verify the exact address.

Is Melrose a residential neighborhood?

Melrose is primarily a commercial and cultural corridor along Seventh Avenue between Indian School and Camelback roads. Residential neighborhoods and historic pockets sit around it, but they do not form one single Melrose subdivision.

Why do some Greater Phoenix neighborhood names not appear in home searches?

Some names are informal, some describe a corridor, and some are used differently by residents, listing agents and mapping services. Start with the local name, then confirm the actual boundary, municipality, property type and rules for the address.