Are Desert Preserves becoming Phoenix's beachfront property?

We've seen it happen in California and other coastal states. Generally, property values are significantly higher the closer you get to the beach. Arizona doesn't have the coast, but we have the desert preserves, which offers amenities, recreation, and aesthetic beauty, just like the ocean. Now obviously this can't be an "apples to apples" comparison, but with our temperate climate and year round recreation, desirability comparisons can be made.

In my opinion, living near a preserve has many benefits. Miles and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, nature in your backyard, and the aesthetic beauty of the mountain scenery are just a few. The good news is developers in Phoenix are now required to keep 60% of the preserve's 150 miles of boundaries, or about 90 miles, open to public access. This means that they cannot put up miles of homes and block walls limiting access to the public. That is exactly what happened in Ahwatukee Foothills, where 11 miles of walls cut off access to South Mountain Park.
This is going to have a big impact on the new communities surrounding the preserves. Take Fireside at Norterra, by Del Webb for example. They are embracing the fact that their 1800 homes are located within a half mile of the new Sonoran Preserve of Phoenix. Most of the culdesacs and streets follow the new requirements, and the community center directly backs up to the preserve. The developer is landscaping the bordering areas and building a trail system that will link into the existing preserve trails. Even the promotional material says the community has "an intelligent land plan that welcomes the surrounding desert."

As our city continues to develop, there will be an increased demand for these areas...rural suburbs, so to speak. Imagine the convenience of nearby shopping, restaurants, and easy freeway access surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran desert. The desire for these neighborhoods will continue to increase as the retail continues to fill in, turning these subdivisions into a "convenient desert oasis". With our market currently geared towards the buyer, it is a great time to purchase in these areas, both for ownership and future investment benefits.