Desert Architect
Arizona Lifestyle & Relocation Guide
Desert Architect
Arizona Relocation Guide
1. Suburban Family Living
-
Unique Features: Access to good schools, shopping, and community events; safe and welcoming atmosphere
-
Natural Environment: Suburban landscapes with surrounding mountains or desert
-
Built Environment: Single-family homes, parks, and community amenities with family-friendly features
-
Architecture: Mediterranean, Ranch, Craftsman, and Contemporary-style homes with stucco, brick, or stone exteriors
-
Neighborhoods: Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Kachina Village, Doney Park, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley
-
Demographics: Families with young children, professionals, and retirees
-
Lifestyle Activities: Outdoor recreation, community events, shopping, and dining
-
Home Features: 3-5 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, backyard pools, and outdoor living spaces
2. Urban Living
-
Unique Features: Access to cultural attractions, restaurants, and nightlife; vibrant and diverse community
-
Natural Environment: Urban landscapes with surrounding mountains or desert
-
Built Environment: High-rise condos and apartments with modern amenities, starter homes, and walkability
-
Architecture: Modern, Industrial, Art Deco, and Contemporary-style high-rises with glass, steel, and concrete exteriors
-
Neighborhoods: Phoenix (Downtown, Roosevelt Row, Midtown), Tucson (Downtown, 4th Avenue, University area), Flagstaff (Downtown, Historic District), Tempe (Downtown, Mill Avenue)
-
Demographics: Young professionals, artists, and students
-
Lifestyle Activities: Nightlife, cultural events, shopping, and dining
-
Home Features: 1-3 bedrooms, 1-2 bathrooms, modern appliances, and urban views
3. Master-Planned Communities
-
Unique Features: Access to recreational facilities, community events, and luxury amenities; well-manicured landscapes and scenic views
-
Natural Environment: Planned communities with surrounding desert or mountain landscapes
-
Built Environment: Upscale homes, golf courses, parks, and community amenities with resort-style features
-
Architecture: Mediterranean, Tuscan, and Southwestern-style homes with stucco, stone, or brick exteriors; golf course and resort-style architecture
-
Neighborhoods: Anthem, Verrado, DC Ranch, Dove Mountain, Marana, SaddleBrooke, Flagstaff Ranch, Walnut Creek, Prescott Lakes, Granite Dells
-
Demographics: Affluent families, professionals, and retirees
-
Lifestyle Activities: Golfing, outdoor recreation, community events, and luxury shopping
-
Home Features: 3-6 bedrooms, 2-4 bathrooms, private pools, and outdoor living spaces
4. Luxury and Upscale Lifestyle
-
Unique Features: Exclusive amenities, high-end finishes, and breathtaking views; proximity to upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment
-
Natural Environment: Scenic desert landscapes, mountain vistas, and luxurious surroundings
-
Built Environment: Gated communities, luxury estates, and high-end condos with premium materials and craftsmanship
-
Architecture: Mediterranean, Modern, Contemporary, and Southwestern-style homes with high-end finishes and custom designs
-
Neighborhoods: Paradise Valley, North Scottsdale (e.g., DC Ranch, Silverleaf, Troon), Arcadia (e.g., Arcadia Proper, Lower Arcadia), Biltmore (e.g., Biltmore Estates, Biltmore Hillside)
-
Demographics: Affluent professionals, executives, and high-net-worth individuals
-
Lifestyle Activities: Golfing, fine dining, luxury shopping, and cultural events
-
Home Features: 4-8 bedrooms, 3-6 bathrooms, private pools, outdoor living spaces, and high-end finishes
5. Retirement Communities
-
Unique Features: Access to recreational facilities, community events, and healthcare services; relaxed and social atmosphere
-
Natural Environment: Planned communities with surrounding desert or mountain landscapes
-
Built Environment: Age-restricted homes, golf courses, parks, and community amenities with senior-friendly features
-
Architecture: Ranch, Craftsman, and Contemporary-style homes with stucco, brick, or stone exteriors; age-restricted community designs
-
Neighborhoods: Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Green Valley, SaddleBrooke, Quail Creek, Flagstaff Ranch, Walnut Creek, Prescott Lakes, Granite Dells
-
Demographics: Retirees and seniors
-
Lifestyle Activities: Golfing, outdoor recreation, community events, and social activities
-
Home Features: 2-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, private patios, and senior-friendly designs
6. Rural Town Living
-
Unique Features: Access to artistic communities, outdoor recreation, and local events; relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
-
Natural Environment: Quaint rural towns with surrounding mountains or desert landscapes
-
Built Environment: Historic homes, shops, and restaurants with small-town charm
-
Architecture: Victorian, Craftsman, and Adobe-style homes with wood, brick, or stone exteriors; historic downtown areas
-
Neighborhoods: Bisbee (Downtown, Warren, San Pedro), Jerome (Downtown, Upper Jerome), Sedona (Downtown, Oak Creek Canyon), Prescott (Downtown, Courthouse Plaza)
-
Demographics: Artists, writers, and small business owners
-
Lifestyle Activities: Outdoor recreation, local events, art galleries, and shopping
-
Home Features: 2-4 bedrooms, 1-3 bathrooms, historic charm, and small-town character
7. Mountain Living
-
Unique Features: Access to ski resorts, hiking trails, and scenic drives; cooler temperatures and four distinct seasons
-
Natural Environment: Towering mountain peaks, forests, and scenic valleys
-
Built Environment: Cozy cabins, lodges, and mountain-style homes with natural materials and rustic charm
-
Architecture: Log cabins, Chalet-style homes, and Rustic Contemporary designs with wood, stone, and metal exteriors
-
Neighborhoods: Flagstaff (Downtown, Cheshire, Kachina Village), Prescott (Downtown, Granite Dells, Prescott Valley), Payson (Downtown, Star Valley, Pine), Show Low (Downtown, Linden, Pinetop-Lakeside)
8. Desert Homesteading
-
Unique Features: Opportunities for stargazing, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation; proximity to national forests and wilderness areas
-
Natural Environment: Expansive desert landscapes, rugged terrain, and vast skies
-
Built Environment: Off-grid homes, ranches, and rural properties with renewable energy and self-sufficiency features
-
Architecture: Adobe, Earthship, and Off-Grid-style homes with natural and recycled materials; solar panels and wind turbines
-
Neighborhoods: Tonopah, Wickenburg, Congress, Benson, Huachuca City, Patagonia, Quartzsite, Parker, Ehrenberg, Valle, Williams, Ash Fork
9. Riverine Living
-
Unique Features: Opportunities for boating, fishing, and water recreation; scenic views and tranquil atmosphere
-
Natural Environment: Scenic rivers, lakes, and waterways with surrounding desert or mountain landscapes
-
Built Environment: Waterfront homes, condos, and resorts with boat docks and water sports facilities
-
Architecture: Modern, Contemporary, and Resort-style homes with glass, steel, and stone exteriors; waterfront and dockside designs
-
Neighborhoods: Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Parker, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa (Riverfront areas), Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Sedona
10. Exurban Living
-
Unique Features: Access to outdoor recreation, scenic views, and rural amenities; relaxed and private atmosphere
-
Natural Environment: Transitional areas between urban and rural landscapes
-
Built Environment: Upscale homes, ranches, and rural properties with natural surroundings
-
Architecture: Southwestern, Mediterranean, and Ranch-style homes with stucco, stone, or brick exteriors; large acreage and horse properties
-
Neighborhoods: Carefree, Cave Creek, Rio Verde, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Kachina Village, Doney Park, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley
11. Agritourism
-
Unique Features: Opportunities for farm tours, wine tastings, and rural recreation; educational and interactive experiences
-
Natural Environment: Rural areas with surrounding mountains or desert landscapes
-
Built Environment: Farms, ranches, and agritourism facilities with rustic charm
-
Architecture: Rustic, Farmhouse-style homes and barns with wood, metal, and stone exteriors; agricultural and equestrian facilities
-
Neighborhoods: Sonoita Vineyards, Elgin Winery, Duncan, Thatcher, Safford, Flagstaff (near Walnut Creek), Williams, Kingman, Golden Valley, Bullhead City
12. Eco-Friendly Living
-
Unique Features: Opportunities for sustainable living, organic gardening, and environmental education; like-minded community
-
Natural Environment: Unique and sustainable environments with surrounding desert or mountain landscapes
-
Built Environment: Eco-friendly homes, green buildings, and sustainable communities with innovative features
-
Architecture: Earthship, Green Building, and Sustainable-style homes with natural and recycled materials; solar panels and wind turbines
-
Neighborhoods: Arcosanti, Biosphere 2, Twin Oaks
13. Off-Grid Living
-
Unique Features: Opportunities for solitude, stargazing, and wilderness exploration; independence and self-reliance
-
Natural Environment: Remote areas with surrounding desert or mountain landscapes
-
Built Environment: Off-grid homes, cabins, and rural properties with renewable energy and self-sufficiency features
-
Architecture: Off-Grid, Earthship, and Survival-style homes with natural and recycled materials; solar panels and wind turbines
-
Neighborhoods: Tonopah, Wickenburg, Congress, Benson, Huachuca City, Patagonia, Quartzsite, Parker, Ehrenberg, Valle, Williams, Ash Fork

Architectural Services
Learn about our 5 stage process to help you design and build your dream home.
Site Selection Services
Learn about our process to help you select the best property for your future home.
Architectural Style Guide
See our homes in all the desert architectural styles you can choose from for your home.
Arizona Climate Guide
Learn about the 4 different desert climates of Arizona to help you select which is right for you.
Ready to start your Journey
The Desert Architect team is here to help you with your project.