Zip code 85024 covers the elevated high desert of North Phoenix, running roughly from East Union Hills Drive north toward Cave Creek Reservoir and from North 7th Street east to North Cave Creek Road. The terrain here is some of the most dramatic in the city — desert ridges, preserved open space, and established neighborhoods laid out to take in the views. I’m Carl Chapman, a REALTOR® with West USA Realty, and I’ve worked with buyers and sellers across North Phoenix for more than 20 years. Here’s a practical look at living in 85024.
The Cave Buttes Recreation Area anchors the north end of the zip code with preserved Sonoran Desert and an extensive network of hiking and mountain-biking trails. Most Phoenix neighborhoods have to drive to open space like this; here it sits at the back fence. The Trailhead Reach Recreation Area adds maintained trails and viewpoints over the north Valley, and Buffalo Ridge Park brings developed recreation — sports courts, playgrounds, and gathering areas — into the neighborhoods themselves, stepping down naturally into the surrounding desert.
Desert Peak and Mountaingate North include some of the area’s larger custom homes, sited on elevated lots for mountain views and privacy, with desert-contemporary architecture and generous outdoor living space. Crescent Butte and Redhawk take a different approach to the same terrain — homes built around indoor-outdoor living, with materials chosen to match the landscape. For lower-maintenance ownership, The Horizons at Scarlett Canyon and the Las Piedras Townhomes and Condominiums offer lock-and-leave townhome and condominium options without giving up the views.
Chateau Luxe, a large event venue within the zip code, hosts weddings, galas, and corporate events and is one of the better-known venues in North Phoenix. The North Valley Corporate Center adds professional office space to the area, keeping some jobs and services close to home while the surrounding streets stay residential in character.
VETMED, an emergency and specialty veterinary hospital located within the zip code, handles urgent and referral care for pets — the kind of amenity you want to know about before you need it. Routine medical, dental, and professional services are available along the Cave Creek Road corridor.
Housing in 85024 runs from townhomes and condominiums to large-lot custom homes, and pricing varies widely by neighborhood, lot position, and view. Elevated view lots are in genuinely limited supply, which matters whether you’re buying or selling here. Rather than generalize about the market, I’d rather show you real numbers: I can pull current comparables, active listings, and recent sales from the MLS for any community in the zip code — or start with the live market report linked below.
Mission Hills and Merit Estates offer spacious lots, custom homes, mature landscaping, and wide streets — neighborhoods that have had decades to grow into themselves. Buffalo Ridge Estates and Chapparal Heights round out the picture with a range of architectural styles, from traditional Southwest to contemporary desert modern, on well-kept streets close to the parks and trail system.
Mission Hills and Merit Estates showcase thoughtful planning and architectural diversity, offering residents spacious lots and custom homes that take advantage of the area's natural beauty. These communities feature mature landscaping and wide streets that create an atmosphere of established elegance. Buffalo Ridge Estates and Chapparal Heights represent well-maintained neighborhoods that offer a range of architectural styles, from traditional Southwest to contemporary desert modern. These areas attract buyers seeking both community character and architectural distinction.
New construction continues on the remaining parcels in 85024 — generally infill projects designed around the existing terrain rather than large master-planned expansions. If new-build homes interest you, I can flag what’s under construction or coming to market in the area and set up listing alerts so you see options as they appear.
Beyond the trails and parks, the Soccer Mall — an indoor soccer facility in the zip code — hosts leagues and tournaments year-round, and neighborhood events and outdoor gathering spaces keep the area active, especially through the cooler months. This is a part of Phoenix where a good deal of daily life happens outside.
Cave Creek Road and East Union Hills Drive are the main surface routes through 85024, with quick access to Loop 101 connecting the area to Deer Valley, Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, and the rest of the Valley. It’s a location that keeps commutes manageable without giving up the quiet of a high-desert neighborhood. If you’re considering a purchase or sale in 85024 — or just want to understand how a particular community here compares — I’m glad to help, with no pressure and no obligation. Call or text me at (602) 617-4440, email chapman@westusa.com, or use the contact form, whichever is easiest for you.