The Groves was thoughtfully developed by Blandford Homes, an established Arizona builder with deep Mesa roots and commitment to preserving the area’s agricultural heritage. The visionary development team acquired this prime parcel of historic citrus groves, breaking ground in the early 2000s with a concept centered around preserving mature citrus trees. Their innovative approach integrated the property’s agricultural legacy with contemporary neighborhood design, creating a distinctive community unlike typical desert developments. Architectural styles throughout The Groves blend modern farmhouse elements with traditional Southwest influences, featuring warm color palettes that complement the preserved citrus trees throughout the neighborhoods. The community comprises approximately 400 homes across 120 meticulously planned acres, with thoughtful placement maximizing green space and maintaining the property’s orchard character. Development occurred primarily between 2003 and 2010, allowing the community to establish additional landscaping while preserving heritage trees. The Groves continues to attract residents seeking a unique neighborhood character with abundant shade and greenery rarely found in Arizona developments.
The Groves offers quality single-family homes ranging from comfortable mid-sized residences to larger family homes with premium lots adjacent to citrus groves and community amenities. Home prices typically range from the mid $400,000s for well-maintained smaller models to the high $700,000s for larger residences with premium locations and luxury upgrades. The average price per square foot falls between $205-$270, representing strong value compared to similar communities while reflecting The Groves' unique character and established landscaping. Properties in The Groves demonstrate impressive market strength, typically selling within 30 days when priced appropriately to current conditions. Many homes feature popular design elements including covered patios, kitchen islands, and architectural details that maximize views of the community's signature citrus trees. Available property types include single-family homes ranging from approximately 1,800 to 4,000 square feet, with diverse floor plans accommodating various family needs. The community maintains limited inventory due to its smaller size and strong demand, creating a seller-friendly market with steady appreciation.
The Groves families benefit from access to the highly-regarded Mesa Public Schools, Arizona's largest district with numerous specialized programs and educational pathways tailored to diverse student needs. Students typically attend Franklin at Brimhall Elementary, an accelerated program offering advanced curriculum and accelerated learning opportunities for elementary students. Older students attend Brimhall Junior High and Mountain View High School, both recognized for strong academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and college preparation. Several highly-rated charter schools operate nearby, including BASIS Mesa and Great Hearts Academies providing additional educational alternatives focused on classical or STEM education. Mesa Community College is conveniently located within a short drive, offering dual enrollment opportunities for high school students and continuing education for adults. Arizona State University's Polytechnic Campus provides additional higher education options within reasonable proximity to the community.
The Groves features signature preserved citrus groves throughout the community, creating distinctive character, abundant shade, and seasonal citrus harvesting opportunities for residents. The family-friendly community pool complex provides refreshing recreation with a main pool, separate children's splash area, and comfortable deck space for relaxation. Tennis and basketball courts offer additional recreational options, maintained to excellent standards by the active homeowners association. The centrally located community park features modern playground equipment, picnic areas, and open green space perfect for family gatherings and neighborhood events. Walking paths wind through the preserved citrus groves, creating scenic routes for morning strolls, evening walks, and connecting different sections of the neighborhood. Community harvest events allow residents to gather seasonal citrus, with excess production donated to local food banks through organized volunteer efforts.
The Groves residents enjoy exceptional convenience to extensive shopping options with Dana Park Village Square just minutes away, featuring upscale retailers and boutique shopping experiences. The nearby Superstition Springs Center provides additional shopping venues with department stores and national retailers addressing diverse shopping needs. Numerous dining options surround the community along Power Road and the US-60 corridor, ranging from casual eateries to upscale restaurants suitable for special occasions. Entertainment options abound with AMC Mesa Grand theatres, Mesa Arts Center, and numerous family entertainment venues all within easy reach. The community's central Mesa location provides convenient access to Sloan Park (Chicago Cubs spring training) and Hohokam Stadium (Oakland Athletics spring training) for baseball enthusiasts. Many residents appreciate quick access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, approximately 20 minutes away, convenient for business travel and visiting family.
The Groves enjoys strategic positioning near major transportation corridors, with exceptional access to US-60 (Superstition Freeway) facilitating convenient travel throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Most residents can reach downtown Phoenix in approximately 25-30 minutes during normal traffic conditions, making the community viable for downtown professionals. The community's central Mesa location provides reasonable commute times to major employment centers, with Tempe accessible within 15-20 minutes and Chandler's Price Road technology corridor within 20-25 minutes. Many residents appreciate the proximity to Banner Health's multiple East Valley facilities, creating convenient commutes for healthcare professionals living in The Groves. The planned expansion of light rail along Main Street will further enhance transportation options, though the terminus remains several miles from the community. Ride-sharing services are readily available throughout the area, providing transportation alternatives when needed for residents and visitors.
The Groves consistently ranks among Mesa's safer neighborhoods, benefiting from its smaller size, limited access points, and strong community vigilance among neighbors. The Mesa Police Department provides excellent service to the area, with the Superstition District substation ensuring prompt response times to the community. The homeowners association maintains well-lit common areas, clear sightlines throughout public spaces, and regular communication about neighborhood security awareness. Many streets organize informal neighborhood watch programs, with residents looking out for one another and reporting any unusual activity. The family-oriented community creates natural security through active use of outdoor spaces, with residents regularly walking, children playing, and families enjoying community amenities. The Groves maintains strong relationships with local law enforcement through community outreach programs and regular updates to residents about area security matters.
The Groves residents enjoy exceptional healthcare access with Banner Desert Medical Center approximately 10 minutes away, offering comprehensive hospital services including emergency care and specialized treatment options. Banner Children's at Desert, located on the same campus, provides dedicated pediatric care including emergency services, creating peace of mind for families with children. Numerous medical office complexes housing primary care physicians and specialists operate along Southern Avenue and Baseline Road, providing convenient routine healthcare services. Emergency response times to The Groves are excellent, with Mesa fire stations strategically located to ensure rapid response when needed. Several urgent care facilities operate within minutes of the community, offering extended-hour care options for non-emergency situations requiring prompt attention. The community's central location ensures residents can quickly reach specialized medical services throughout the metropolitan area when needed.
The Groves was designed for residents who appreciate green spaces and shade, with the preserved citrus trees creating a microclimate significantly cooler than typical desert environments. The community's walking paths provide scenic routes through citrus groves, perfect for morning exercise, evening strolls, or family walks with pets. Nearby Freestone Park offers additional recreation with extensive playgrounds, sports fields, fishing lagoon, and miniature train rides just minutes from The Groves. The community pool becomes a gathering place during warmer months, with families and neighbors enjoying swimming and socializing in the well-maintained facility. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the proximity to Usery Mountain Regional Park, approximately 15 minutes away, offering hiking trails, mountain biking, and nature experiences. The community's central location provides easy access to numerous golf courses within short driving distance, including Longbow Golf Club and Las Sendas Golf Club.
The Groves maintains a distinctive community calendar with citrus-themed events that celebrate the neighborhood's unique character and agricultural heritage. The annual citrus harvest brings neighbors together for community picking events, with residents sharing the abundant seasonal fruit and donating to local food banks. The homeowners association hosts seasonal gatherings including summer pool parties, holiday celebrations, and neighborhood picnics that foster community connections. Many residents participate in community volunteer initiatives, supporting local schools and charitable causes while strengthening neighborhood bonds. The active HOA board comprises resident volunteers who oversee community operations while planning improvements and maintaining The Groves' special character. Neighborhood block parties occur regularly throughout the year, creating opportunities for residents to build friendships while enjoying Arizona's favorable outdoor entertaining climate.
The Groves enjoys the characteristic Sonoran Desert climate with abundant sunshine, though the mature citrus trees create noticeably cooler conditions than typical desert neighborhoods. Winter temperatures typically range from 65-75 degrees during the day, perfect for outdoor activities and enjoying the community's citrus harvest season. Summer brings sustained heat with temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees, though the community's extensive tree canopy can reduce ambient temperatures by 5-10 degrees compared to areas without mature trees. The citrus groves create pleasant humidity microclimates, particularly when trees are being irrigated, softening the desert's characteristic dryness. Spring features spectacular citrus blossoms throughout the community, with fragrant orange blossoms creating a distinctive seasonal experience for residents. The minimal annual rainfall, averaging just eight inches, means few weather disruptions to daily activities or community events.
The Groves operates under a well-established homeowners association with thoughtful guidelines designed to maintain the community's distinctive character while preserving its signature citrus heritage. The community's design guidelines emphasize preservation of citrus trees on private lots, with regulations protecting these valuable landscape elements that define The Groves' character. The homeowners association maintains irrigation systems supporting the citrus groves, an unusual amenity requiring specialized management and agricultural expertise. Building regulations support architectural consistency while allowing personal expression, creating neighborhoods with cohesive appearance while permitting individual home personalization. The community is not located within a flood zone, with its thoughtful engineering providing excellent drainage and minimal flood risk. Future planning includes ongoing citrus grove maintenance, potential replacement of aging trees, and preservation of the agricultural elements that define The Groves' unique identity.
The Groves residents benefit from Mesa's diversified economy, with many professionals commuting to positions throughout the metropolitan area while enjoying the community's distinctive character and central location. Major healthcare employers including Banner Health network operate numerous facilities near The Groves, offering excellent employment opportunities in medical fields. The growing technology sector along the Price Road corridor in nearby Chandler provides high-quality positions within reasonable commuting distance for technology professionals. Mesa's education sector, including Mesa Public Schools and Mesa Community College, employs many residents in teaching and administrative positions. The community's central location with excellent freeway access makes employment throughout the metropolitan area viable, with residents working in diverse industries across Phoenix, Tempe, and Chandler. Boeing's Mesa operations and the aerospace industry cluster around Falcon Field employ thousands within a short drive from the community.
Property ownership in The Groves involves reasonable homeowners association fees ranging from approximately $120-$190 monthly depending on lot size and proximity to preserved citrus groves. These fees cover unique agricultural maintenance including irrigation systems, citrus tree care, and seasonal management rarely found in other communities. Property taxes in Mesa remain moderate compared to national averages, with an effective rate typically around 0.8% of assessed value. The community's distinctive character and limited inventory have contributed to strong appreciation, outperforming many similar-aged developments during market fluctuations. Utility costs benefit from the natural cooling effect of mature trees, potentially reducing summer energy consumption compared to typical desert neighborhoods. The homeowners association maintains conservative financial management with healthy reserves, transparent budgeting, and strategic planning for long-term agricultural preservation. Insurance rates for The Groves properties typically run lower than national averages due to quality construction and Mesa's limited natural disaster risk.
The Groves falls under Mesa's municipal governance, operating under a council-manager form of government with district representation on the city council. The city provides comprehensive services including police, fire protection, parks maintenance, and various community programs with generally high resident satisfaction. Mesa maintains excellent infrastructure throughout The Groves area, with roads, utilities, and public spaces receiving regular maintenance and enhancement. The community enjoys efficient municipal waste management with twice-weekly trash collection, weekly recycling pickup, and quarterly bulk trash removal. The city's water conservation programs align well with The Groves' agricultural heritage, with resources available for efficient irrigation and desert-appropriate landscaping. Mesa's strong financial position and stable property tax base support continued quality services without significant tax increases anticipated in coming years.
Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate services
Copyright © 2025 Arizonan. All rights reserved.