2023 Best Suburbs to Live in Maricopa County

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  978 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in chandler almost 14 years and I love it! Chandler is such a caring community and truly does for the people. The lifestyle, environment, and citizens in Chandler really build onto the strong city in our community. Not only are a schools A+ and #1 for Football (Go Wolves 4-Peat), but so much support and love from the community truly makes it happen. I honestly am going to live in Arizona my whole life and I wouldn't want to live in any other city than Chandler. Uptown and Downtown Chandler have some of the best hot-spots like restaurants, bars, and awesome hangout places. Chandler is such a pretty city that I love living in!... Read 978 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 272,439

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.21 out of 5  1,201 reviews

Current Resident: My husband and I grew up here. Gilbert is a clean city with clean people. I have read comments about a lack of diversity and complaints about those that are Mormon. Gilbert is known for being a wonderful place to live. That obviously has to do with the residents! Why not get to know the people that live here instead of judging everyone? FYI, there are double the amount of Catholics in Gilbert than Mormons, and other Christian religions are a higher percentage than Mormons too. The Mormons are just actively involved in their religion and their communities. That is a great thing for a city! The reason I did not give my rating five stars is because Gilbert has changed too much! There used to be open space and beautiful farm fields. Now there are ugly apartment complexes on every corner and too many people have moved here from other states. We do not want our community inundated with Californians. The reason why Gilbert was so special is being changed by outsiders.... Read 1,201 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 262,249

• City in Arizona

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  Rating 4.46 out of 5  378 reviews

Current Resident: Scottsdale has been a great place to live overall. It is well maintained and has great shopping and dining choices offering a range of cuisine. It also is pretty low on crime and feels safe wherever you go. There are also lots of opportunities to be outside with parks and green belts and lots of community members made good use of them. It is nice to see so many people out walking, running, biking, etc. and does being in a sense of community which can be harder to find nowadays. Traveling through the city is also fairly convenience as the city runs more North to South which allows people to make use of the 101 freeway fairly easily. Main arteries also run along the city to make side streets a viable option when commuting. Although they can get busy during high commute times and street lights do add delay. There are some challenges though. Compared to other areas in the greater Phoenix area, Scottsdale has expensive real estate. More diversity is also needed!... Read 378 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 238,685

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.3 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: Live here, and love the environment. Not just a desert but, an oasis. Wonderful quiet neighborhoods with great education opportunities and restaurants. A perfect town if you love to golf, are an avid spa goer, or an art connoisseur.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 12,666

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.36 out of 5  77 reviews

Current Resident: Litchfield Park has been my home since the age of 4. In my time here I have noticed that most neighborhoods are close to one another and there are several grocery stores and fast food restaurants nearby- which makes everything you could ever want very easy to access. In general, the civilians here are kind and helpful and the city overall is an easygoing place to be. I recommend people to move here because of the positive atmosphere with lots of parks for family friendly fun!... Read 77 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 6,656

• City in Arizona

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  920 reviews

Current Resident: Tempe, Arizona is a fast-paced, metropolitan city with plenty to offer. It is a very lively and youthful place filled with food and entertainment. The job market is tremendous as well with jobs ranging from business to construction to tattooing. Not to mention, Arizona State University is also in the vicinity for those looking to work towards a degree. It is a great place for young people who are getting their start in the world, and also for established adults who are just looking for a good time. Tempe, Arizona is just an all-around fun environment to be a part of!... Read 920 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 178,862

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  235 reviews

Current Resident: Queen Creek is an amazing town full of wonderful country community. This area is a great combination of rising small town businesses and old town fields and farming. It has a great access to the San Tan Mountains for hiking, but also connections to the busier towns like Gilbert and Chandler. If someone is looking for a place to settle in Arizona, Queen Creek is definitely the place to go!... Read 235 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 57,728

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  644 reviews

Current Resident: Peoria is a peaceful and quiet suburb just north of Phoenix. Peoria is an excellent place to raise a family and the education in Peoria is one of the best in Arizona! Outside of that, Peoria also has a lot of things to do and amazing restaurants to try out! Some of the note worthy places to check out in Peoria would have to be Lake Pleasent and Rio Vista park, which is located just off of Thunderbird and the 101 on the West side of town. Peoria is not too far away from central Phoenix and is a great place for those to get property in a safe suburban neighborhood without being too far away from work!... Read 644 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 187,733

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  56 reviews

Current Resident: Fountain Hills is an absolutely splendid place to live! With soft rolling hills, stunning sunsets, and a centerpiece to behold. Located just east of Scottsdale Arizona, fountain hills is a smaller relaxed town with 15,000 inhabitants. Not only is fountain hills is a relaxing and sleepy town, but it also has stunning features such as the fountain hills park. Here you’ll find a massive fountain that rockets water more than 560 feet into the air! Surrounding the 100 million gallon lake that the fountain sits in is a lively park full of greenery. Just outside of that on Fountain Hills Boulevard you’ll find a variety of small shops, restaurants and condominiums with stunning views. At night, the park lights up and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch the stunning sunset with the soft and smooth mixing of orange, purple and red hues in the sky. Fountain Hills is perfect for anyone who wants a sleepy, relaxing and overall fun and stunning place to live.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 23,639

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.89 out of 5  102 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Anthem as it is a very family oriented and child friendly community and environment. There a lots of pocket parks easily accessible from just about any neighborhood, walking and biking trails, community center with exercise area, rock wall, pool and kids water park, splash pads in the community and a lot of local resources that make it easy to live, work and play without having to travel far. It is a well maintained community that is very aesthetically pleasing as well. We love living here!... Read 102 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 22,750

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.36 out of 5  44 reviews

Nearby Resident: I am a current resident near Cave Creek, Arizona. I have been living in the area for the past eight years and I absolutely love it! There are many activities and options to explore in town, relating to history of the location to beautiful views toward the mountains. From off-roading and horse-back riding to enjoying the sunset, this town has incredible opportunities for anyone interested in appreciating nature and the beauty of Arizona. I really have nothing to improve or complain about since I feel blessed to be living near a friendly area that incorporates the interest of every individual. It is a wonderful area to raise a family or to settle down. Needless to say, Cave Creek is the place to be!... Read 44 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 4,933

• City in Arizona

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  1,608 reviews

Current Resident: Mesa is a large suburb outside the central city of Phoenix. However, unlike most suburbs it’s not just housing there is more entertainment spots than you would think. Mesa has been previously ranked as one of the most boring places to live but after living in other places like Aurora, Colorado I cannot understand that how that is true. Mesa offers a lot of nice housing, although there are some not so nice parts, for the most part it offers some really nice homes. Mesa also has multiple malls, small hikes, a water park, multiple entertainment places like fat cats, dog parks, mini-golf, and many other entertainment places to keep the city fun. Mesa also has downtown Tempe (mill avenue), downtown Scottsdale and downtown Gilbert, within a 20 minute drive. All these places offer a great night out. I believe Mesa is reasonably priced relative to other areas in Arizona, has everything you need as far as grocery stores and is more fun than most suburbs.... Read 1,608 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 497,752

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  334 reviews

Current Resident: I would say that neighborhood is important to me since I will be living in the area. I live in a wonderful neighborhood. All the neighbors are peaceful, friendly, and lively. With the many parks nearby they attract friendly people all the time and they make a great place to gather around and enjoy the air. A benefit in the Goodyear area would be the local grocery stores and supermarkets. They are nearby and it is easy for residents to stop by. The neighbors are incredibly friendly and always helping each other out. You will see kids and family outside having a great time. I can’t forget to mention how clean it is! It is very clean with beautiful sceneries. Waking up everyday to a peaceful morning and fresh air. I have never once experienced a bad situation. I enjoy living here in Goodyear rather than where I used to live. It wasn’t safe or friendly at all. The streets were always dirty and had people with bad intentions. Overall, I wouldn’t change a thing. I love where I am now!... Read 334 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 93,651

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: A quiet, cute town with lots of older people and small shops. The neighborhoods feature staggered housing because of the natural desert terrain. I think most of the town consists of snow-birds because I frequently do not see my neighbors and have not met most of them. This is a good thing if you are antisocial or need a quiet lifestyle. My neighborhood at least does not have an HOA which is good if you want your house to stand out. The sundial is a great place with restaurants such as the English Rose Tea Room. This spot constantly hosts local events that are good for families. The local post office does not deliver directly to your house and you must acquire a PO box which is why I had to take off a star.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 3,642

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: New River is a great area with plenty of open space. It is far away from major roads, so there is not loud street noise. Neighbors are friendly but large areas of land mean that you aren't exactly close to them. The downside about living in New River is the commute. Because the area is so secluded, it is a bit of a drive to any area of significance. If you like being out of the hustle and bustle of the city and like your privacy or seclusion then New River might be right for you. As long as you can live with commuting to work, and wherever else you may need to go than living in New Rivers quite, safe and open area is perfect for you.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 17,731

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  515 reviews

Current Resident: Since living in surprise since 2004, I have seen this city grow and develop before my eyes. There has been constant improvements and new developments everywhere. There are public and charter schools and they have great programs. Surprise is a great place for you to raise your family because there are many things to do and nothing is too far away!... Read 515 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 141,875

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  840 reviews

Current Resident: I love that Glendale is a good location in between vibrant cities like Phoenix and Peoria. I love the beautiful mountainous views that can be seen from all different angles! I would like to see Glendale host more activities for the communities. Some activities could include sports challenges, picnics, and hiking. I love how the state fair brings people all over the state together and I would love for small events to be held in Glendale as well! Glendale should also promote recycling, as the world needs to become more eco-friendly!... Read 840 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 245,685

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 1 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Population 13,912

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in nearby Litchfield Park in the 80's/90's and had a few friends from the Clearwater Farms neighborhood in Citrus Park. I absolutely fell in love with the area and the rural lifestyle so when it came time to buy a place of my own and raise a family this is where we laid our roots. The homes are all unique and the streets are pedestrian and horse friendly. Our neighbors are true friends, supportive and vigilant. It's more than community it's a bond, like family we really watch out for each other out here. It has been amazing to raise children and teach them to grown their own food and raise their own livestock. The irrigation makes for big trees and green grass so it just has a different feel out here. The area around us is starting to grow rapidly. Developers have bought out the farm lands and are building high density tracts that are in stark contrast to the existing area, the orchards are all but disappeared but overall my experience here has been excellent.... Read 7 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 5,640

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: Affordable, peaceful, very safe. No kids! Yes. Adult community; very well kept. Not so much conservative as one thought. Diversity is starting to flow into town. Great to relax, play some golf, swim.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 26,354

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  320 reviews

Current Resident: I love Buckeye! I moved here a few years ago, so I'm still relatively new, but I enjoyed the farm life, the greenery, the quietness, and the overall rural vibe of it all. Recently, though, the land has been replaced by houses and such, and that's fine and dandy (though I will miss the fields), but I think they should be plotting stores instead. They should also be working on widening the roads. They have so many homes being built, and are keeping the roads narrow? That won't do. Overall, Buckeye is fantastic, but I enjoyed it better before the pandemic.... Read 320 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 89,711

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 4 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: It's a great place to live and raise a family! It's a quickly growing area with many lovely restaurants and shopping nearby, and a wonderful community of people. Parks with splash pads and fishing ponds are close, and Lake Pleasant is just a short drive away.... Read 15 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 37,693

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  337 reviews

Former Resident: Avondale is a fantastic city if you desire some peace. With a mix of farmland and sprawling neighborhoods, Avondale has provided me a safe place to live. There are also seasonal events that are a blast to go to! Such as the city fair or Nascar season when it takes place at Phoenix International Raceway (yes, the name says Phoenix, but it is technically within Avondale's boundaries.... Read 337 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 88,065

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3.63 out of 5  110 reviews

Current Resident: It’s becoming very urban, I think if there was more HOA or guidelines on people’s property it would look very uniformed but that’s what makes it nice in diversity. Some people have red or blue houses while others have tan and brown.... Read 110 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 35,410

• Suburb of Phoenix, AZ

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  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B minus

• grade B

• Population 5,334