Your Guide to Buying a Home in Cave Creek, AZ

Buying a Home in Cave Creek, Arizona

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Cave Creek is located in Maricopa County

Population: 3,728 Cave Creek has a unique and colorful history, having been settled in the 1870s but not becoming incorporated as a municipality until 1986. Much of that history is still reflected in the theme of our special events and unique retail shops that dot our streets.

Cave Creek's fiercely independent spirit has been nurtured for more than 100 years as miners, ranchers and others looking to get away from it all settled in relative seclusion near Black Mountain. Although increased urban growth throughout the Valley has changed Cave Creek a bit, our residents are still down-to-earth folks who are civic-minded and active in the community.

Cave Creek Unified School District No. 93 offers an excellent education to children living within the boundaries of our 144-square-mile school district. Located in northern Maricopa County, the District includes the town of Carefree, most of the town of Cave Creek, portions of the cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix, and areas under county jurisdiction. As of May 23, 1997, we had 720 students in grade 12-9; 706 in 8-6; and 1,371 students grades 5 through pre-kindergarten, for a total student enrollment of 2,797. High quality educational experiences are available to all of them. The District's serene, rural atmosphere is the background for personalized attention designed to develop the potential of each student. Carefree and  Cave Creek each have their own distinct personality, although both are located in the same remarkable Sonoran Desert overlooking the Valley of the Sun. Cave Creek has retained most of it's old west pioneer character, whereas Carefree represents pure urban sophistication.

Carefree and Cave Creek both offer unique shopping and dining opportunities, as well as accommodations ranging from beautiful resorts to quaint bed & breakfast inns. 

Situated approximately 20 miles north of Phoenix at an elevation of 2,500 feet, the temps range from 8-10 degrees cooler than the valley. Low humidity and cooler temperatures encourage a wide range of activities, including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, golfing, tennis and jeep touring. The serene, saguaro-studded countryside, decorated with natural outcroppings of massive sand-colored boulders and alive with jackrabbits and other desert dwellers, are great attractions for new residents.

Homes in Cave Creek, Arizona range from $300,000 to over a million dollars. The average home (under one million dollars) is approximately 2721 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and is priced at $648,000.

People seeking solace in nature, with only the city lights far in the distance to remind them of civilization, will want to call Carefree/Cave Creek home.

Diamond in the Rough
A Review of Ranch Manana Golf Club
By Derek Langham

From Desert Paradise magazine November – December 2004

Tucked away in Cave Creek lies a golf course that many local golfers have known about but tourists sometimes overlook. Although it doesn’t carry the name recognition that some of the more famous Valley courses do, Rancho Manana Golf Club offers an 18-hole course that is both beautiful and challenging.

1. Setting & Scenery Rating:4 Stars
Rancho Manana is a unique combination of desert and mountain golf, with seven holes built into a mountainside and providing some spectacular views. From the 4th and 6th holes (the highest elevation points of the course), there are great views of the whole course and the surrounding mountains.

2. Practice Facilities Rating: 3 Stars
A short drive from the clubhouse will find the main practice facility, complete with driving range, and a chipping/bunker area. Range balls are included with greens fees. The practice green borders the water feature of the 18th green and makes for a nice setting to putt while waiting to be called for the first tee.

3. Course Condition Rating: 4 Stars
Rancho Manana uses Bermuda grass during the warmer months and overseeds with Rye during the fall. Greens are Bentgrass all year.

4. The Par 4s Rating: 3 Stars
The par 4s at Rancho Manana are typically between 250 and 400 yards from the blue tees, and between 300 and 270 yards from the white tees. Many feature fairly narrow fairways and small greens.

5. The Par 3s Rating: 4 Stars
When descending from the higher mountain holes, Rancho Manana brings you back to ground level with two terrific downhill par 3’s, each requiring an accurate check of the wind and a careful club selection.

6. The Par 5s Rating: 4 Stars
Although short at only 465 yards from the blue tees, the par 5 6th hole is easily one of the course’s best. An accurate tee shot will set up a chance to hit the green in two, provided you keep your ball in the center of the landing area and give yourself a clear view of the hole from a dogleg left fairway.

7. Playability and Challenge Rating: 4 Stars
Because of its short length (6,016 yards from the blue tees and 5,407 yards from the whites) this par 70 course is ideal for those who aren’t the longest off the tee but like to play a course with a variety of elevation changes and approach shots.

8. Food and Beverage Rating: 4 Stars
A standard snack bar is placed right outside the clubhouse, and can be visited after you finish the 10th hole. The beverage cart makes its rounds frequently. For anyone looking for a full meal after their round, the adjacent Tonto Bar & Grill is excellent, offers a full menu, and is open until 9:00 PM.

9. Affordability Rating: 3 Stars
Rancho Manana’s greens fees range from a weekend rate of $45 during the summer months, to $135 during its peak time of late January to mid April. Afternoon and twilight rates are also offered year-round. With the rising cost of playing golf, these rates are pretty much on par with most of the Valley’s medium to upscale course