SE Gilbert's premier master-planned community offering large lots, mature landscaping, resort-style backyards, no CFD assessments, and direct access to Highland High School — one of Arizona's top-ranked public high schools. Homes from $625K to $1.6M in an established neighborhood that new construction simply cannot replicate.
Tucked into the southeastern corner of Gilbert, Arizona, Highland Groves occupies one of the most coveted residential corridors in the entire Phoenix metro area. Bounded by Power Road to the west, Lindsay Road to the east, Pecos Road to the north, and Chandler Heights Road to the south, this master-planned community carries ZIP code 85297 and sits squarely within the attendance boundaries of some of Arizona's highest-performing public schools. The combination of location, lot size, community maturity, and school district access makes Highland Groves one of the most consistently in-demand neighborhoods in the East Valley — and one of the most difficult to find a well-priced home in when inventory is tight.
Development of Highland Groves began in earnest around 2004 and continued through approximately 2012, with the bulk of homes constructed between 2005 and 2010. The primary builders — William Lyon Homes and Pulte Homes — were premium-tier builders by the standards of the mid-2000s Arizona market, and their work in Highland Groves reflects that positioning. These were not entry-level production homes built to minimum standards; they were designed and marketed as step-up and move-up properties for families who had already accumulated some equity and were ready to put roots down in a neighborhood they intended to stay in for a decade or more. That original intent continues to define Highland Groves today: it is a neighborhood of long-term residents, established families, and homeowners who take pride in their properties.
The lots in Highland Groves are what most immediately distinguish the community from its competitors and from the broader trajectory of Phoenix metro development. Typical lots range from 8,000 to 15,000 square feet, with a meaningful number of homes on even larger parcels — some estate lots reach 18,000, 20,000, and even 25,000+ square feet. To appreciate what this means in context, consider that the typical new construction lot in the Phoenix metro today runs 4,500 to 6,500 square feet. Highland Groves' standard lot is nearly twice the size of what a buyer would receive in a new development, and its premium lots are three to four times larger. This is not a subtle difference — it translates into dramatically different lifestyles, with Highland Groves residents enjoying the space for resort-style pools, outdoor kitchens, fire features, large covered patios, citrus gardens, RV storage, three-car garages with extended driveways, and in some cases detached casitas or accessory structures.
Home sizes in Highland Groves span a wide range — from approximately 2,200 square feet for the smallest floor plans to 5,500 square feet for the largest estate homes — but the community's sweet spot, where the most inventory concentrates, falls between 2,600 and 3,800 square feet. This is the four-bedroom, three-car garage, formal dining plus great room configuration that defined luxury family housing in the mid-2000s and has proven to hold its desirability remarkably well as those design principles have been validated and refined over the ensuing decades. Pricing in 2025–2026 reflects the premium the market places on these characteristics: entry-level homes start around $625,000, the median falls in the $800,000–$950,000 range, and premium estate homes reach $1.4 to $1.6 million.
The HOA in Highland Groves is managed by a professional association management company and runs approximately $80 to $180 per month depending on the specific sub-community within the broader Highland Groves area. This fee covers common area maintenance, community park upkeep, street lighting, and enforcement of the community's architectural standards and CC&Rs. For the amenity level and maintenance quality provided, this HOA fee is remarkably competitive — indeed, one of the lowest per-dollar-of-value in SE Gilbert. Critically, Highland Groves was developed without a Community Facilities District (CFD) assessment, meaning residents do not face the $500 to $3,000+ per year in additional property tax charges that many newer communities in Gilbert, Queen Creek, Maricopa, and Buckeye carry as a matter of course.
The community's infrastructure reflects thoughtful master planning from the development era: wide, well-maintained streets with sidewalks on both sides; decorative entry monuments that establish a clear sense of arrival; strategically placed community parks with shaded ramadas, turf grass lawn areas, children's play structures, and benches for adults; walking and biking paths that connect the residential sections and loop through the neighborhood; and consistent street lighting that makes evening walks comfortable and safe. The HOA maintains architectural standards that prevent the visual entropy that can affect older communities — homes are consistently well-maintained, yards are kept to a standard, and the overall streetscape projects the well-organized appearance of a neighborhood that takes pride in its collective presentation.
Perhaps most importantly, Highland Groves has had twenty years to grow into itself. The trees that were planted as 6-foot saplings in 2005 are now mature desert willow, mesquite, palo verde, and ironwood specimens that provide genuine shade, visual screening, and the kind of established landscape character that no amount of money can buy for a new development. The oleander hedges that were knee-height in 2007 are now dense, tall privacy barriers between homes. The bougainvillea that climbed pergolas for the first time in 2006 is now thick-trunked and reliably spectacular in its seasonal blooms. Walking the streets of Highland Groves and walking through a newly constructed neighborhood in the same price range are fundamentally different experiences — one feels like a neighborhood, the other feels like a construction site in its early stages. Highland Groves feels like a neighborhood.
There is a particular quality of morning in Highland Groves that residents describe in remarkably consistent terms: quiet, green, and spacious in a way that makes you forget you're in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in North America. By 6:00 a.m., the sidewalks are populated with walkers, joggers, and cyclists taking advantage of the early-morning temperatures before the Arizona sun asserts itself. The wide streets — wide enough for two cars to pass each other comfortably with room to spare, a detail that sounds minor until you've navigated the tight corridors of many newer developments — give the neighborhood an open, unhurried feeling. Dogs are walked on leash; neighbors wave to each other from across the street; the mature tree canopy filters the early light into something genuinely beautiful.
By 7:30 a.m., the school run is underway. One of the great practical advantages of Highland Groves' location is that Highland Elementary is within walking or biking distance for many residents — a reality that matters deeply to families who want their children to have the kind of independent, neighborhood-based childhood that has become increasingly rare in auto-centric suburban environments. Kids on bikes, kids on scooters, clusters of elementary school students walking together: this is a common Highland Groves morning scene from August through May, and it is the kind of neighborhood texture that photographs poorly but enriches daily life enormously.
The late morning and early afternoon hours in Highland Groves shift to the backyard — and the backyards in Highland Groves are where the community's lifestyle proposition becomes most vivid. When you have a 12,000 square foot lot, you have room for a resort-style pool with a baja shelf and spa, a covered patio with ceiling fans and an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit seating area, a putting green or bocce court, a trampoline and play structure for kids, a citrus garden with lemon, orange, and grapefruit trees, and still enough yard left for the family dog to run. This is not a hypothetical — it is a description of how many Highland Groves backyards are actually configured. The standard backyard experience in Highland Groves is qualitatively different from what buyers can achieve on a 5,500 sqft lot in a denser community, and no amount of interior finish upgrades can substitute for the fundamental spatial luxury that a large lot provides.
Evenings in Highland Groves have a distinctly communal character during the cooler months — October through April — when the temperature drops to the 60s and 70s after sunset and the streets fill with residents walking, running, and socializing. This is a neighborhood where people know each other's names, where kids play across property lines, and where the social fabric has had twenty years to weave itself into something genuine. Contrast this with newer, denser developments where turnover is higher and lots don't provide the outdoor space that naturally draws people together, and you begin to understand why Highland Groves residents tend to stay — the typical tenure in the community runs ten to fifteen years, far above the Phoenix metro average of five to seven years.
The contrast with newer, denser developments is worth dwelling on because it captures something important about what Highland Groves offers that money can't easily buy elsewhere. New communities being built in the Phoenix metro today are responding to land costs and developer economics that make large-lot development financially challenging. The result is a steady trend toward smaller lots, narrower streets, homes positioned closer together, and less space between structures. This is not a quality criticism of those communities — many are beautifully executed — but it represents a fundamentally different lifestyle proposition. In Highland Groves, there is space. Real space. Space between houses, space in backyards, space on the streets, space for kids to play and adults to breathe. It is the kind of neighborhood that inspires genuine loyalty in its residents, and that loyalty translates directly into the kind of buyer demand that keeps home values resilient across market cycles.
Approximately 65% of Highland Groves homes have private pools. The large lot sizes — 8,000 to 15,000+ sqft — provide room for pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, covered patios, fire pits, and landscaping that creates genuine resort-style outdoor living. Pool homes sell at a meaningful premium and typically move 40–50% faster than non-pool homes in the same price range.
Unlike new developments where landscaping is measured in months, Highland Groves has two decades of growth. Mature mesquite, palo verde, and desert willow trees provide real shade. Oleander hedges offer genuine privacy. Bougainvillea climbs established structures with thick, woody trunks. This level of landscape maturity cannot be purchased — only waited for.
The single most powerful demand driver for Highland Groves real estate. Highland High School is consistently rated one of the top public high schools in Arizona — strong AP program, dual enrollment with MCC and ASU, state championship athletics, and nationally recognized STEM and performing arts programs. Families plan their move to Gilbert around this school.
Approximately 80% of Highland Groves homes have 3-car garages — a premium feature that makes a decisive difference for families with multiple vehicles, recreational equipment, golf carts, boats, or workshop needs. Many homes also feature RV gates with side yard access, allowing storage of larger recreational vehicles within the property.
Highland Groves homes were built in the mid-2000s by builders whose architectural vocabulary drew from several traditions that were popular in the Arizona premium housing market of that era. The dominant styles you'll encounter are suburban traditional, Tuscan-influenced (characterized by warm earth-tone stucco exteriors, arched entry features, tile roof accents, and wrought iron details), Southwest contemporary (clean lines, flat or low-pitch rooflines, desert-adapted color palettes, native stone veneer accents), and Mediterranean Revival (curved rooflines, terracotta or barrel tile roofing, arched windows, stucco exteriors in warm beige or tan tones, decorative tile work at entry). The result is a streetscape with enough architectural variety to avoid the uniform monotony of purely production-built developments, while maintaining sufficient stylistic cohesion to feel like a planned community rather than a random assortment of houses.
On the exterior, Highland Groves homes share several characteristics that were premium features in 2005–2010 and remain desirable today. Paver driveways — either stamped concrete or genuine brick paver — are common, replacing the standard concrete slabs of earlier construction eras. Three-car garages with carriage-door styling (panels with decorative hardware that mimic traditional barn door aesthetics) are the most prevalent garage configuration, though some larger homes feature four-car garages. Covered front entries — either full porticos or deep overhangs — provide shade and weather protection at the front door, a practical necessity in Arizona. Tile roofing, either clay barrel tile or flat tile, is the standard, providing a finished look and durability that is well-suited to the Phoenix climate.
Landscaping in the front yards of Highland Groves homes ranges from low-water desert landscaping (decomposed granite, native plantings, cactus specimens) to more traditional lawn and garden configurations (where permitted by HOA and water availability), to hybrid approaches that incorporate desert plants alongside lush accent plantings. The key visual element that distinguishes Highland Groves from newer developments is the maturity of the trees: street trees planted by the developer and HOA in the early 2000s are now substantial specimens that provide canopy shade over sidewalks and driveways, and homeowner-planted trees in front and back yards have grown into genuinely impressive landscape features over two decades.
Inside, Highland Groves homes reflect the design sensibilities and builder-standard features of the mid-2000s luxury residential market, with many homes since updated to reflect contemporary preferences. Original floor plans typically featured open-concept great rooms combined with kitchen and informal dining areas — a design approach that was considered somewhat progressive in 2005 and is now the universal standard, meaning Highland Groves homes feel spatially contemporary in their basic layout despite being twenty years old. Formal dining rooms, separate from the great room, are standard in most floor plans — a feature that has experienced a mild renaissance as remote work and entertaining have increased in importance to buyers. Entry foyers with ten-foot or higher ceilings are common, providing that immediate sense of spaciousness that buyers notice within the first fifteen seconds of walking through the front door.
Kitchen configurations in Highland Groves homes typically feature large islands or peninsulas, walk-in pantries, stainless steel appliance packages, and cabinetry that was high-quality by builder standards of the era. Original granite countertops — the universal premium upgrade of the mid-2000s market — are common, and many updated homes have been upgraded to quartz surfaces. Backsplashes have frequently been updated from the original neutral tile to more contemporary designs. The kitchen window or slider opening to the covered patio and pool area is a consistent design feature across multiple floor plans, reflecting the indoor-outdoor lifestyle orientation that has always been central to Arizona residential design.
Master suites in Highland Groves homes are genuinely generous by any standard: many feature sitting rooms or attached retreat spaces, large walk-in closets with custom organizer systems (original or added by homeowners), en-suite bathrooms with dual vanities separated by a dedicated makeup area, soaking tubs (most original; some removed in remodels in favor of larger showers), and separate water closets. The master bath is frequently one of the first remodel targets for buyers who purchase Highland Groves homes, as the original hardware and fixture styles now read as dated, but the spatial configurations themselves remain functional and generous. Secondary bedrooms in 3,000+ sqft Highland Groves homes are typically large enough to serve as true guest suites, with jack-and-jill bathroom configurations serving pairs of bedrooms and private en-suites available in the most premium floor plans.
Bonus rooms, game rooms, lofts, and media rooms are common in Highland Groves' larger floor plans — typically appearing in homes above 3,000 square feet. These flex spaces have been adapted by Highland Groves residents to serve as home offices (increasingly important post-2020), home gyms, teen retreats, craft rooms, and in some cases converted to additional bedrooms. The existence of these spaces is one of the quiet advantages of homes built to mid-2000s move-up market standards, where buyers expected and received spatial variety that went beyond the basic bedroom count.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Highland Groves' housing stock is the volume of homes that have been meaningfully updated over their twenty-year lifespan. Because the community attracted financially capable buyers who tended to stay long-term, a significant percentage of homes have seen kitchen renovations, master bath remodels, flooring upgrades (travertine and hardwood floors have replaced original tile and carpet in many homes), pool additions or renovations, and outdoor living enhancements. This means that buyers shopping Highland Groves today will find a wide range of finish levels — from original 2007 construction to fully updated 2024 showplaces — and can calibrate their purchase accordingly. Original-condition homes offer sweat equity opportunity; fully updated homes allow move-in without the hassle and cost of renovation.
The following table breaks down Highland Groves inventory by tier, providing a detailed framework for buyers evaluating what their budget achieves in the community. All data reflects 2025–2026 market conditions and should be verified with current MLS data from Ryan Moxley's team.
| Home Category | Size Range (sqft) | Lot Size (sqft) | Bedrooms | Garage Bays | Price Range | HOA $/mo | Pool % | Typical Rent $/mo | Est. $/sqft | Days on Market | Ryan's Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (no pool) | 2,200–2,600 | 8,000–10,000 | 3–4 BR | 2.5–3 | $625K–$720K | $80–$120 | 35% | $3,200–$3,800 | $260–$285 | 18–28 days | 3.5/5 |
| Mid-Range Standard Lot | 2,600–3,200 | 9,000–12,000 | 4 BR | 3 | $720K–$875K | $100–$150 | 65% | $3,800–$4,500 | $270–$290 | 12–22 days | 4.5/5 |
| Mid-Range Premium Lot | 3,200–3,800 | 12,000–15,000 | 4–5 BR | 3 | $875K–$1.1M | $120–$165 | 78% | $4,500–$5,500 | $275–$305 | 10–18 days | 5/5 ⭐ |
| Large Home Premium Lot | 3,800–4,500 | 13,000–18,000 | 5 BR | 3–4 | $1.1M–$1.35M | $140–$180 | 85% | $5,500–$6,000 | $280–$310 | 14–25 days | 4.5/5 |
| Estate Home Oversized Lot | 4,500–5,500 | 18,000–25,000+ | 5–6 BR | 3–4 | $1.35M–$1.6M | $150–$180 | 92% | $5,800–$6,500 | $285–$315 | 20–35 days | 4/5 |
| Pool Home Premium (any size) | Any with pool | Varies | Varies | — | $750K–$1.3M | — | 100% | $4,200–$6,200 | +$75K–$125K premium | 8–15 days | 5/5 ⭐ |
| RV Gate Home | Any with RV gate | 11,000+ | Varies | — | $780K–$1.2M | — | 60% | $4,000–$5,800 | +$25K–$50K premium | 10–20 days | 4.5/5 |
Data represents 2025–2026 market conditions. All prices, days on market, and rental figures are estimates based on recent comparable sales and should be verified with current MLS data. Contact Ryan Moxley for an updated market analysis.
If you ask Highland Groves residents why they chose this specific neighborhood over other comparable SE Valley communities, the answer most frequently given is some variation of: "The schools." The Gilbert Unified School District (GUSD) is the primary demand driver for Highland Groves real estate, and its reputation for academic excellence has proven remarkably durable across economic cycles, administrative changes, and shifting state education policy landscapes. GUSD consistently ranks among the top large school districts in Arizona and is routinely cited by state education analysts as one of the highest-performing districts in the Southwest by any metric: AZMERIT scores, graduation rates, AP participation and pass rates, college enrollment rates, and per-pupil academic outcomes.
The feeder pattern for most of Highland Groves — Highland Elementary through Mesquite Junior High to Highland High School — represents a K-12 educational arc that is the envy of much of the Phoenix metro. Families in other parts of the Valley who want access to this specific feeder pattern have limited options: they need to be in this geographic corridor. That geographic specificity creates a persistent, self-reinforcing demand for real estate in Highland Groves that is not easily disrupted by broader market conditions.
GUSD's excellence is not limited to its flagship schools. The district as a whole operates multiple magnet programs, STEM schools, performing arts academies, and dual-language programs that allow families to customize their children's educational experience within the public school framework. The district's dual enrollment partnerships with Mesa Community College and Arizona State University allow Gilbert USD high school students to graduate with significant college credit already accumulated — a meaningful financial advantage for families and an academic credential that enhances college application competitiveness. The breadth of extracurricular options — from nationally competitive robotics teams to state championship athletic programs to regionally recognized performing arts ensembles — means that Gilbert USD students have genuine opportunities for the kind of out-of-classroom achievement that enriches both adolescent experience and college applications.
Highland Elementary consistently achieves AZMERIT scores that place it in the top 20% of Arizona public elementary schools statewide. The school maintains an active parent-teacher organization with strong fundraising capacity, resulting in a well-resourced campus with strong arts programming, technology integration, and STEM enrichment activities at the elementary level. For many Highland Groves families, the walkability of Highland Elementary — within biking or walking distance for a significant portion of the community's residential sections — is a quality-of-life advantage that meaningfully distinguishes Highland Groves from more auto-dependent communities. The school's culture emphasizes both academic achievement and social-emotional development, reflecting Gilbert USD's broader philosophy of educating the whole child. Parent satisfaction ratings are consistently high, and the school's reputation within Gilbert's parent community as a destination elementary school is well-established.
Mesquite Junior High School serves the SE Gilbert corridor and has developed a strong reputation for rigorous academics that prepare students for the demanding coursework they will encounter at Highland High School. The school offers a broad range of elective options — from traditional arts and music to technology, engineering, and health electives — that allow students to explore interests and develop skills beyond the core academic curriculum. Athletics at Mesquite Junior High are competitive within the GUSD middle school framework, providing students with organized sports experience that can translate to varsity-level participation at Highland High. Academic competitions — Science Olympiad, Mathcounts, academic decathlon — are consistently well-represented. Parent and community involvement is high, reflecting the Highland Groves area's general culture of active participation in educational institutions. The transition from Mesquite to Highland High is well-supported by both schools, with alignment programs that help students understand what to expect in the high school environment.
Highland High School is the crown jewel of the Highland Groves educational proposition — arguably the most significant factor in the community's real estate premium relative to otherwise comparable SE Valley neighborhoods. Highland High consistently earns A-letter grades from the Arizona Department of Education and maintains performance metrics that would be impressive for a private school, let alone a large public institution serving thousands of students from a diverse range of academic backgrounds. The school's Advanced Placement program is one of the most comprehensive in the state, offering a wide range of AP course options and achieving pass rates that consistently exceed both state and national averages. The dual enrollment program — operating through partnerships with Mesa Community College and Arizona State University — allows students to complete the equivalent of a full semester or more of college coursework before they graduate, providing both academic preparation and meaningful financial savings for families planning for college costs.
Highland High's athletic programs have earned the school a regional reputation as a competitive powerhouse, with multiple state championship titles across football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, wrestling, and track and field over the past decade. The performing arts program — including orchestra, concert band, jazz ensembles, choir, and theater — has earned regional and national recognition, with Highland ensembles consistently qualifying for state competitions and, on occasion, national festival appearances. The school's STEM and robotics programs have earned recognition at the state and regional competition level. For families who want their children to have access to a genuinely excellent public high school education with the breadth of opportunity typically associated with private school environments, Highland High School is the singular destination in the SE Valley.
While the Gilbert USD public school system is the primary educational driver for Highland Groves buyers, the community's location also provides convenient access to some of the strongest private and charter school options in the Phoenix metro. Notre Dame Preparatory in North Scottsdale (approximately 30–35 minutes) is the leading college-preparatory Catholic high school in Arizona, with consistent national rankings and strong college placement outcomes. Chandler Preparatory Academy, a charter school in Chandler (approximately 15–20 minutes), offers a rigorous classical education model and has developed a strong following among families who want an alternative to traditional public school structure. Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center (AAEC) operates charter school campuses that combine traditional academics with specialized programming in agriculture and equine science — relevant for the growing number of families in SE Gilbert with equestrian interests and access to San Tan mountain riding areas. Several independent religious schools within the SE Gilbert/Chandler corridor also provide strong academic programs for families with faith-community educational preferences.
Highland Groves' location at the Power Road / Williams Field Road intersection in SE Gilbert places residents within practical commuting distance of the Phoenix metro's largest employment centers, while keeping them far enough from urban congestion to enjoy the lifestyle they moved to the suburbs to experience.
The Loop 202 San Tan Freeway is Highland Groves' primary metro connector, accessed via Power Road north to the 202 interchange. This connection provides straightforward access to the broader East Valley employment corridor — Chandler, Mesa, Tempe — as well as connectivity west to downtown Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport via the I-10 interchange. For residents commuting to Intel's Chandler campus (the company's largest Arizona facility with 12,000+ direct employees), the commute runs 18–22 minutes depending on time of day, making Highland Groves one of the most practical locations for Intel professionals who also want access to top-tier SE Gilbert schools.
For TSMC Fab 21 employees and supply chain workers at the North Phoenix campus, Highland Groves represents a longer but manageable commute of 45–55 minutes via Loop 202 west to the I-10 and then north, or via surface streets through Mesa and Scottsdale. Given TSMC's $65 billion investment and the thousands of direct and indirect jobs it has created in the Deer Valley corridor, many of those employees have actively sought SE Gilbert properties for their Gilbert USD school access and established neighborhood character — accepting the longer commute as a worthwhile trade-off.
Daily errands from Highland Groves are equally convenient. The Power Road and Williams Field Road commercial corridor — essentially the community's front door — contains a dense concentration of everyday retail, dining, and services: Fry's Marketplace, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Home Depot, 24-Hour Fitness, multiple medical and dental offices, and a broad range of restaurants from fast casual to sit-down. Banking, dry cleaning, coffee, and pharmacy services are all within a 5-minute drive. For residents who need to travel for work — flying out of Phoenix Sky Harbor or Mesa Gateway — the 20–35 minute drives to those airports are among the most practical in the SE Valley, without the highway complexity that burdens airport access from the West Valley.
Buyers evaluating Highland Groves almost always consider Seville, Fulton Ranch, Power Ranch, Morrison Ranch, Adora Trails, and Ocotillo in the same search. The following comparison table provides a direct, data-driven assessment of where Highland Groves stands relative to each competitor.
| Community | City | ZIP | Built | Typical Lot | Home Size | Price Range | HOA/mo | CFD | Schools | Pool % | 3-Car Gar % | Intel Commute | SanTan Village | Mature Landscape | Ryan's Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Groves | Gilbert | 85297 | 2004–2012 | 8K–15K sqft | 2,200–5,500 | $625K–$1.6M | $80–$180 | No | Gilbert USD | 65% | 80% | 20 min | 12 min | Yes | 5/5 |
| Seville | Gilbert | 85297 | 2001–2008 | 7K–12K sqft | 1,800–4,200 | $575K–$1.2M | $120–$200 | No | Gilbert USD | 70% | 75% | 22 min | 10 min | Yes | 4.5/5 |
| Fulton Ranch | Chandler | 85248 | 2002–2010 | 6K–11K sqft | 1,900–4,500 | $600K–$1.3M | $150–$250 | Partial | Chandler USD | 68% | 72% | 15 min | 8 min | Yes | 4.5/5 |
| Power Ranch | Gilbert | 85297 | 2000–2008 | 6K–10K sqft | 1,600–3,800 | $500K–$950K | $185–$265 | No | Gilbert USD | 55% | 65% | 22 min | 10 min | Yes | 4/5 |
| Morrison Ranch | Gilbert | 85296 | 2005–2018 | 6K–10K sqft | 2,000–4,000 | $580K–$1.1M | $100–$175 | No | Gilbert USD | 52% | 70% | 20 min | 15 min | Partial | 4/5 |
| Adora Trails | Gilbert | 85298 | 2012–2020 | 5K–9K sqft | 1,800–3,600 | $480K–$875K | $130–$210 | Yes | Gilbert USD | 40% | 65% | 25 min | 15 min | No | 3.5/5 |
| Trilogy Power Ranch | Gilbert | 85297 | 2003–2015 | 5K–8K sqft | 1,400–2,800 | $425K–$775K | $210–$320 | No | N/A (55+) | 45% | 60% | 22 min | 10 min | Yes | 4/5 |
| Ocotillo | Chandler | 85248 | 1998–2010 | 7K–15K sqft | 1,800–5,000 | $575K–$1.5M | $180–$320 | No | Chandler USD | 72% | 70% | 12 min | 8 min | Yes | 4.5/5 |
No single competing community offers Highland Groves' combination of large lots (8K–15K sqft standard), no CFD assessments, low HOA ($80–$180), access to the Gilbert USD Highland High feeder, and twenty years of landscape maturity. Seville is the closest comparable — excellent community, Gilbert USD access, mature landscaping — but carries higher HOA fees and slightly smaller lots. Fulton Ranch and Ocotillo are strong alternatives for buyers who prefer Chandler USD and want to be closer to Intel. Power Ranch offers the best entry price point in Gilbert USD territory but at smaller lots and higher HOA costs relative to the home size tier. For buyers whose priority is schools + lot size + long-term value + no CFD, Highland Groves is the clear answer in SE Gilbert.
Highland Groves is a premium community, and buying here requires a buyer who understands the specific due diligence requirements of mid-2000s Arizona construction. Ryan Moxley has guided dozens of families through Highland Groves transactions, and his buyer orientation consistently covers the following topics with the specificity and depth they deserve.
Roof Inspection — The Single Most Important Inspection Item. Virtually all Highland Groves homes were built with concrete or clay tile roofing systems, which have excellent surface durability — the tile itself can last 50+ years — but rely on an underlayment membrane beneath the tile that has a more limited lifespan. Homes built in 2004–2012 have original felt underlayment that was standard construction practice at the time, and that underlayment typically has a functional lifespan of 15–25 years, meaning homes in Highland Groves are entering the window where the underlayment may need replacement even though the tile itself looks perfectly fine from the street. Re-felting a Highland Groves home — removing the tile, installing new underlayment, and re-laying the tile — runs approximately $8,000 to $18,000 depending on the square footage of the roof plane and current roofing labor costs. Ryan always recommends hiring a dedicated roofing inspector (separate from the general home inspector) who specializes in Arizona tile roof systems and can provide a specific, documented assessment of the underlayment condition and estimated remaining useful life. Do not skip this inspection, and do not accept a general home inspector's visual assessment of a tile roof as sufficient due diligence.
Post-Tension Slabs — Critical Awareness for Modifications. The vast majority of Highland Groves homes were built on post-tension concrete slab foundations, which are a standard and structurally superior foundation type for the expansive soils that characterize much of the Phoenix metro area. However, post-tension slabs require specific knowledge and precautions when any penetration of the slab is contemplated: cutting or drilling a post-tension slab without first locating the embedded tension cables can cause catastrophic and expensive damage. This matters for buyers who are considering adding a pool after purchase (pool excavation requires careful slab management at the entry points), adding a gas line through the slab, installing a whole-house water treatment system requiring floor penetrations, or adding a room addition. Ryan ensures his Highland Groves buyers understand this constraint before purchase, and he connects clients with the appropriate engineering resources when modifications are being considered.
HVAC Systems — Large Homes Require Large Systems. Cooling a 3,000–4,500 square foot home in Phoenix requires a high-capacity HVAC system, and Highland Groves homes typically feature dual-zone systems — two separate air handlers and condensers serving different zones of the home — that were properly sized when installed in 2005–2010. HVAC systems have a typical functional lifespan of 12–18 years in the Phoenix climate (the heat and near-constant operation accelerates wear relative to more temperate climates), meaning that many Highland Groves systems are either approaching or past their optimal replacement window. An additional complication: systems installed before 2020 that used R-22 refrigerant are particularly problematic, as R-22 production was phased out in January 2020 and existing supplies are expensive and dwindling. Budget $15,000–$25,000 for dual HVAC system replacement in a typical Highland Groves home, and factor this into your negotiating calculus when the HVAC documentation reveals systems that are 12+ years old.
Pool Inspection — Understand What You're Buying. Approximately 65% of Highland Groves homes have pools, and pool condition varies considerably based on maintenance history, system age, and finish condition. Original Pebble Tec or Pebble Sheen pool finishes from 2005–2008 are now approaching or past the typical 15–20 year resurfacing cycle; resurfacing costs $8,000–$15,000 depending on pool size and finish material selected. Beyond the finish, Ryan's clients obtain pool equipment documentation — age and service history of pump, heater, filter, salt system if present — and budget accordingly. Pool heaters and variable-speed pumps are expensive components ($2,000–$6,000+ each to replace), and knowing the equipment age before closing allows for appropriate negotiation or reserves planning.
HOA Due Diligence Under ARS §33-1806. Arizona law requires sellers to provide HOA disclosure documentation upon request, and Ryan's team obtains the full package as a matter of routine: CC&Rs and architectural guidelines, current financial statements, reserve study and reserve fund balance, meeting minutes for the past 12 months, any pending special assessments, and the HOA management company contact information. For Highland Groves specifically, Ryan pays particular attention to the reserve study — a healthy reserve fund indicates the HOA has been proactively managing deferred maintenance and is unlikely to levy special assessments in the near term; an underfunded reserve suggests the opposite risk.
Caliche Soil — Know Before You Excavate. SE Gilbert, like much of the Phoenix metro's eastern corridor, has caliche deposits at varying depths below grade. Caliche is a calcium carbonate-rich hardpan layer that requires specialized equipment and technique to excavate — you cannot simply dig through it with standard landscape equipment. For buyers planning significant backyard modifications — pool installation, large garden beds, drainage improvements, landscape terracing — getting a soil probe assessment before closing is worthwhile due diligence that can prevent expensive surprises. Pool contractors familiar with SE Gilbert's caliche conditions are essential for any pool project.
ARS §33-422 SPDS — Read It Carefully. Arizona's Seller Property Disclosure Statement is a comprehensive document that covers known conditions affecting the property, and Highland Groves transactions should include careful review of the SPDS responses regarding: roof repair history and permits, HVAC service history and any known deficiencies, pool equipment history, any known foundation issues or cracking, water intrusion or moisture events, and pest activity (termites are endemic in the SE Valley and a known issue that should be disclosed if treated). Ryan reads the SPDS line by line with his clients and flags any disclosures that warrant further investigation during the 10-day BINSR inspection period.
Jumbo Financing Reality. The 2026 conforming loan limit for Maricopa County is $806,500. Many Highland Groves transactions — particularly in the mid-range to premium tiers — involve purchase prices above this threshold, requiring jumbo financing. Jumbo loans carry different underwriting requirements than conforming loans: typically higher credit score thresholds (720+ preferred), lower debt-to-income ratios, larger reserve requirements (typically 6–12 months of PITI in liquid assets), and in some programs more rigorous income documentation. Ryan works with a curated network of local lenders who have deep experience with jumbo residential products and can provide competitive rates and efficient processing for Highland Groves price ranges.
Negotiation Strategy in the Current Market. Highland Groves homes priced accurately for their condition trade quickly — typically 10–20 days to contract for well-presented, appropriately priced inventory. Overpriced homes sit, and when they do, they accumulate days-on-market (DOM) that provides negotiating leverage. Ryan's approach is twofold: move quickly and decisively on well-priced homes (competing with multiple offers in spring markets is reality, not exception), while being patient and strategic on higher-DOM properties where the seller's pricing discipline has broken down and negotiating room exists. Understanding the difference between a well-priced home that deserves a strong offer and an overpriced home that deserves patience and negotiation is a core competency that Ryan brings to every Highland Groves transaction.
CFD Verification — Confirm in Every Transaction. While most Highland Groves homes do not carry CFD assessments, this should be verified — not assumed — for every property. The verification process involves reviewing the Maricopa County Assessor's Office property record (accessible at mcassessor.maricopa.gov) and requesting CFD confirmation at title. Ryan's team makes this a standard step in every transaction in this area, as the presence or absence of a CFD can meaningfully affect the home's true cost of ownership and, therefore, its market value relative to comparable homes.
Whether you're buying to live in or to hold as a rental investment — or both, over time — Highland Groves offers a set of structural investment characteristics that are worth understanding in depth. Here is Ryan's frank assessment of the investment case.
Gilbert's southeastern quadrant has essentially exhausted its supply of large, master-planned residential lots. The land that was available when Highland Groves was developed in 2004–2012 is gone — developed, priced up, or protected. New communities in this part of Gilbert and the surrounding SE Valley are being built on smaller lots because land economics no longer support the 8,000–15,000 sqft lot sizes that define Highland Groves. This creates a structural supply constraint that is essentially permanent: the large-lot inventory in Highland Groves cannot be replicated by new construction. Supply constraints, when paired with sustained demand, create price floors and appreciation tailwinds that persist across market cycles.
The Gilbert Unified School District's reputation is the most durable demand driver in Highland Groves real estate. Families with school-age children represent a large, highly motivated, and financially capable buyer pool that actively targets GUSD properties and is willing to pay a premium to secure them. This demand does not disappear when interest rates rise, when broader market sentiment softens, or when employment conditions shift — families need schools, and families who value academic quality will pay for access to GUSD's Highland feeder pattern. The school district's reputation has been built over decades and is unlikely to deteriorate quickly, providing a reliable demand anchor for the foreseeable planning horizon.
Highland Groves single-family homes command $3,200–$6,500 per month in rental rates depending on size, condition, and amenities. The corporate relocation market — driven by Intel (12,000+ Chandler employees), TSMC supply chain companies, Banner Health system, Mayo Clinic Arizona, and a range of professional services firms in the SE Valley — generates consistent demand for furnished and unfurnished executive rentals in exactly the type of property Highland Groves offers. A 3,200 sqft home with pool and 3-car garage rents for $4,200–$5,000/month in the current market; a larger, fully updated home with premium pool and backyard could command $5,500–$6,500/month for the right corporate tenant. These rental rates, while not generating the positive cash flow metrics of lower-priced rental markets, produce meaningful income that reduces the net carrying cost for investors who are primarily holding for appreciation.
Example analysis: A $950,000 Highland Groves home purchased with 25% down ($237,500 down, $712,500 loan) at a 7.0% DSCR loan rate produces a monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) of approximately $4,740. Comparable rental income for a similar Highland Groves home runs $4,800–$5,200/month, producing a DSCR ratio of approximately 1.0–1.1x. This is a marginally positive DSCR that qualifies for DSCR loan programs with most lenders. Investors who can bring 30–35% down will see meaningfully better DSCR ratios and easier program qualification. The key insight for DSCR investors: the rental income from a Highland Groves property is strong enough to support the acquisition financing — this is not a market where rental income is a theoretical figure that never materializes in practice.
Highland Groves homes appreciated over 52% from 2019 to 2023 — consistent with the broader Phoenix metro boom but at the higher end of the SE Gilbert range, reflecting the community's premium positioning. Since the 2022–2023 peak, Highland Groves has experienced modest price moderation in line with metro-wide trends, but values have held meaningfully better than some newer communities where CFD assessments, smaller lots, and less established school reputations make the pricing proposition more fragile. Forward appreciation expectations of 3–6% annually over the next decade reflect the structural supply constraints and school district demand anchoring described above, balanced against the cyclical reality that no market goes up in a straight line. Highland Groves' appreciation profile has historically been characterized by above-average gains in rising markets and above-average resilience in softening markets.
One of the most underrated investment characteristics of Highland Groves is its exit liquidity — how quickly can you sell when you need or want to? Well-priced Highland Groves homes in the $750K–$1.1M range typically sell within 7–21 days in normal market conditions. This is exceptional liquidity for a premium real estate asset and reflects the deep buyer pool created by Gilbert USD demand, Intel/tech employer concentration, and the community's established reputation. For 1031 exchange investors seeking a reliable replacement property that will hold value, generate income, and sell efficiently when the time comes, Highland Groves satisfies all three criteria. The community is a natural 1031 target for investors exiting equity built in smaller Phoenix metro rental properties and seeking to redeploy into a higher-value, more durable asset class.
Arizona's ARS §9-500.39 preempts local municipality bans on short-term rentals, meaning Gilbert cannot wholesale prohibit STRs within city limits. However, the Highland Groves HOA's CC&Rs may restrict or regulate short-term rental activity within the community — review the CC&Rs carefully during the inspection period. In practice, Highland Groves is not a heavily STR-operated community; its character as a long-term family neighborhood makes it better suited to 30-day minimum furnished rentals targeting the corporate relocation market than to traditional nightly vacation rental operations. For investors interested in the 30-day minimum furnished rental model — which captures Intel and TSMC corporate relocation tenants, medical professionals rotating through Banner/Mayo, and other executive-level temporary residents — Highland Groves is an excellent fit.
One of Highland Groves' great practical strengths is its location at the intersection of two significant commercial corridors — Power Road and Williams Field Road — that have developed into dense, comprehensive service environments over the same two decades that Highland Groves matured as a residential community. The result is a neighborhood that offers the quiet, tree-lined streets and spacious lots of an established residential enclave while placing essentially everything a family needs within a 5–20 minute drive.
SanTan Village Regional Mall (12 minutes via Williams Field Road) is one of the premier retail and dining destinations in the SE Valley. The 1.1 million square foot open-air regional mall anchors the Williams Field and San Tan Village Parkway commercial district and offers a breadth of options that most SE Valley communities have to drive significantly farther to access. Dining options at SanTan Village span from quick casual to full-service: The Keg Steakhouse + Bar (consistently one of the top steakhouses in the SE Valley), North Italia (modern Italian with a strong craft cocktail program), Salut Kitchen Bar (approachable wine-focused dining), Oregano's Pizza Bistro, Yard House (craft beer and American), True Food Kitchen (health-focused menu), and a broad range of additional options including Bonefish Grill, P.F. Chang's, Red Robin, Smashin Crab, and several local independent concepts in the surrounding commercial area. Retail anchors include Nordstrom Rack, REI, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and multiple fashion and lifestyle retailers. Entertainment at SanTan Village includes AMC Theatre (14 screens) and Dave & Buster's — both frequent stops for Highland Groves families.
Gilbert Heritage District (15 minutes) has earned national recognition as one of the country's most successful examples of downtown revitalization in a suburban context. The Heritage District's Water Tower Plaza and surrounding blocks have become one of the Phoenix metro's most vibrant dining and social scenes, built around a collection of independent restaurants and bars that have attracted national attention. Joe's Real BBQ is a Gilbert institution that has been operating since 1997 and consistently wins regional barbecue accolades. Liberty Market — a full-service grocery and café/restaurant hybrid — occupies a historic building and has become a daily neighborhood staple for Gilbert residents. Postino Gilbert brings the beloved Postino wine bar concept to the Heritage District, offering its signature board-and-bruschetta menu in a beautifully converted historic structure. Barrio Queen is one of the Valley's most acclaimed Mexican restaurants, with a mezcal program and elevated interpretation of regional Mexican cuisine. Craft 64, the wood-fired pizza concept that earned James Beard recognition, has its Heritage District location as one of its most celebrated. The Farmhouse Restaurant and Bar rounds out the District's fine dining options with an approachable American menu in a comfortable, welcoming space. The Heritage District also hosts a Saturday farmers market, a variety of community events throughout the year including Heritage Days, holiday markets, and music in the park series that draw thousands of visitors and create a community calendar that Highland Groves residents frequently participate in.
San Tan Mountain Regional Park (18 minutes) represents one of the most significant natural amenity assets in proximity to Highland Groves. The park encompasses over 10,000 acres of Sonoran Desert wilderness in the San Tan Mountains southeast of Gilbert, providing a remarkably wild natural landscape within 20 minutes of one of the Phoenix metro's densest suburban environments. Trails within the park range from easy desert walks to moderate ridge hikes, with named trails including Goldmine Trail, Hackberry Trail, Quartz Ridge Trail, and Vista Trail offering varying degrees of difficulty and scenery. Equestrian trails through the park are well-maintained and frequently used by the equestrian community that has established itself in the SE Gilbert / Queen Creek corridor. The park has virtually no shade — this is an open desert environment — which means the October through April hiking season is the practical window for comfortable use; early morning departures are standard during shoulder months. The park's proximity to Highland Groves provides residents with on-demand access to genuine wilderness hiking without the drive times required to reach the Superstition Mountains or other more distant recreation areas.
Medical Services are among the strongest practical assets of Highland Groves' location. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center (Banner Health), located approximately 8 minutes from the community, provides Level IV trauma care, comprehensive OB/maternity services, surgical capabilities, and the full range of acute and specialty care services that families need. Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert (approximately 15 minutes) provides Level I trauma capability and a broader range of specialty services including a dedicated cancer center. For residents with connections to the broader Banner Health system or who require specialty care, the commute to Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix (35–40 minutes) or to Mayo Clinic Arizona in Scottsdale (35–40 minutes) is entirely practical for non-emergency appointments.
Cosmo Dog Park (12 minutes) is a perennial favorite amenity for Highland Groves residents with dogs, offering approximately four acres of off-leash exercise space divided between separate large-dog and small-dog areas. Water stations, shade structures, and benches for owners are distributed throughout the park, and the facility is exceptionally well-maintained by Gilbert Parks and Recreation. The Cosmo Dog Park is one of the most frequently cited quality-of-life amenities by Highland Groves residents with pets and contributes meaningfully to the neighborhood's overall lifestyle reputation.
Grocery and Daily Services along the Power Road and Williams Field Road corridor provide convenient, comprehensive daily shopping. Fry's Marketplace at Power and Pecos provides a full-service grocery experience with pharmacy, Starbucks, fuel, and the broad product selection of a larger format Kroger banner store. Safeway at Lindsay and Williams Field provides a second full-service option slightly closer for residents on the eastern edge of Highland Groves. Sprouts Farmers Market at Power and Williams Field satisfies the community's demand for natural, organic, and specialty food products. For bulk shopping, Costco in Chandler (approximately 20 minutes) and Sam's Club in Mesa (similar distance) are practical options. Whole Foods Market in Chandler (approximately 25 minutes via the 202) is the full-service natural/organic option for buyers who prioritize that shopping experience.
Golf options within practical distance of Highland Groves are numerous, reflecting the Phoenix metro's position as one of North America's premier golf destinations. Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch (approximately 20 minutes) provides the closest upscale public course option. Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler (approximately 20 minutes) is a well-regarded facility with a reputation for conditioning and playability. Superstition Springs Golf Club in Mesa (approximately 20 minutes) offers affordable public golf. Augusta Ranch Golf Club in Mesa (approximately 15 minutes) provides an excellent semi-private option. For committed golfers who want access to Scottsdale's premium private and semi-private course options — Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale National — the 35–40 minute commute to Scottsdale makes weekend golf in those venues entirely practical from Highland Groves.
Faith Communities in the Highland Groves area reflect Gilbert's deeply family-oriented community character and the Southeast Valley's strong tradition of religious participation. The Journey Church, The Church at Gilbert, Christ's Church of the Valley (one of the Valley's largest megachurches with a campus in Gilbert), and multiple LDS ward buildings are all within a 10-minute drive of Highland Groves, providing the kind of faith community density that many families list as an important quality-of-life consideration. The SE Gilbert corridor's concentration of churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith institutions is notably greater than many Phoenix metro neighborhoods, reflecting the family-oriented demographics that the area's school reputation attracts.
Recreation and Fitness options beyond the community's own parks include Freestone Recreation Center (approximately 12 minutes), a full-service Gilbert city recreation facility with a competitive lap pool, leisure pool, full fitness center with strength and cardio equipment, racquetball courts, tennis courts, and a comprehensive youth and adult sports league program. 24-Hour Fitness locations on the Power Road corridor provide 24-hour access to commercial fitness facilities. Planet Fitness and other budget fitness options are also within the immediate commercial area. For youth sports, the SE Gilbert / Power Road corridor has some of the highest concentration of youth sports fields, diamonds, and courts in the East Valley, with multiple city parks and private sports complexes serving the large youth population that the GUSD feeder pattern generates.
Highland Groves is an established, upscale master-planned community located in the southeastern corner of Gilbert, Arizona (ZIP code 85297), along the Power Road and Williams Field Road corridor. Developed primarily between 2004 and 2012 by premium builders including William Lyon Homes and Pulte Homes, Highland Groves was designed from the ground up to offer something increasingly rare in the Phoenix metro area: generous lot sizes paired with large, quality-constructed homes in a master-planned setting with excellent community infrastructure.
What truly sets Highland Groves apart from comparable communities is the combination of lot size, location, and school district access. While much of the Phoenix metro has shifted toward increasingly dense development with 5,000–7,000 sqft lots, Highland Groves preserved 8,000–15,000 sqft lots as the standard, with some estate lots exceeding 20,000 sqft. This gives residents room for resort-style pools, outdoor kitchens, three-car garages with extended driveways, citrus gardens, and in some cases detached casitas or workshop spaces.
The community's 20-year maturity is evident in its streetscapes: mature desert willow, mesquite, and palo verde trees line the sidewalks; oleanders and bougainvillea have grown into established hedges; and the neighborhood has the settled, lived-in quality that new developments spend decades trying to achieve. Streets are quiet, sidewalks are well-maintained, and the community parks — with shaded ramadas, turf grass, and children's play structures — see consistent use throughout the year.
For families, Highland Groves' location within the Gilbert Unified School District is arguably its most powerful attribute. GUSD is one of the highest-rated school districts in Arizona and consistently ranks among the top large districts nationally for academic outcomes. Highland Elementary, Mesquite Junior High, and Highland High School form the primary feeder pattern, and Highland High School in particular is considered one of the top public high schools in the state. The community's HOA runs just $80–$180 per month — remarkably low for the amenity and maintenance level offered — and unlike many newer SE Valley communities, Highland Groves carries no Community Facilities District (CFD) assessment. This absence of CFD charges saves buyers $500–$3,000+ per year compared to some newer communities in Gilbert, Queen Creek, and Maricopa.
As of 2025–2026, home prices in Highland Groves Gilbert range from approximately $625,000 at the entry level to $1.6 million for the largest estate homes with premium lots and full upgrades. The median sale price for the community falls in the $800,000–$950,000 range, which reflects the community's positioning as a step-up destination for families and move-up buyers rather than a starter-home neighborhood.
Entry-level homes — typically smaller floor plans in the 2,200–2,600 sqft range, on standard lots without pools — start around $625,000–$720,000. Mid-range homes, which represent the majority of Highland Groves inventory and feature 2,600–3,800 sqft, 4+ bedrooms, 3-car garages, and private pools on 9,000–15,000 sqft lots, trade in the $720,000–$1.1 million range. The premium segment — larger floor plans on oversized lots with significant upgrades, newer pool equipment, updated kitchens and baths, and backyard entertainment systems — reaches $1.1 million to $1.6 million.
Price per square foot in Highland Groves runs approximately $260–$315/sqft, with pool homes and homes on larger lots commanding the upper end. Well-priced homes in the $750K–$1M range typically sell within 10–21 days, while estate-level homes above $1.2M may take 3–6 weeks to find the right buyer. Important context: Highland Groves homes do not carry CFD assessments, which means the true cost of ownership is lower than competing communities where property taxes are augmented by $500–$3,000+/year in CFD charges. When comparing Highland Groves to newer communities at similar prices, always factor in the CFD difference — it can represent $40,000–$240,000 in cumulative additional cost over a 20-year hold period.
Highland Groves is served by the Gilbert Unified School District (GUSD), which is consistently ranked among the top school districts in Arizona and one of the highest-performing large school districts in the Southwest. The primary school feeder pattern for Highland Groves residents includes Highland Elementary School, Mesquite Junior High School, and Highland High School — all of which maintain strong academic ratings.
Highland Elementary School is known for high AZMERIT scores consistently placing it in the top 20% of Arizona public elementary schools statewide, active parent involvement through the PTA, and a well-resourced campus with strong arts and STEM programming at the elementary level. The school's location makes it walkable or bikeable for many Highland Groves students — a quality-of-life advantage that many families cite as meaningful.
Mesquite Junior High School (grades 6–8) serves much of the SE Gilbert corridor and is known for rigorous academics, a broad range of elective options, and strong extracurricular programming including sports, arts, and academic competitions that prepare students well for the high school transition.
Highland High School is arguably the crown jewel of the GUSD high school system. It consistently earns A-letter grades from the Arizona Department of Education, maintains a robust AP and dual enrollment program (partnerships with MCC and ASU allow students to earn college credits while still in high school), and fields competitive athletic programs that regularly compete for state championships. The school's performing arts, robotics, and STEM programs have earned regional and national recognition. Private and charter school alternatives within 10–15 minutes include Notre Dame Preparatory (Scottsdale), Chandler Preparatory Academy, and Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center. The density of both public and private school options in this corridor is exceptional compared to other Phoenix metro markets, giving families meaningful choice within a short drive.
This is one of the most important financial questions buyers should ask about any SE Valley property, and Highland Groves has a favorable answer: most Highland Groves homes do NOT carry a Community Facilities District (CFD) or Special Improvement District (SID) assessment. This is a meaningful financial advantage over many newer communities in Gilbert, Queen Creek, Maricopa, and Buckeye where CFD assessments commonly add $500 to $3,000+ per year to the effective cost of homeownership.
CFDs were authorized under ARS Title 48 to help municipalities and developers fund the infrastructure costs of new communities — roads, water and sewer connections, parks, and other community facilities — and then pass those costs on to homeowners as annual assessments that appear as a line item on property tax bills. Because Highland Groves was developed in the mid-2000s in an already-established area of Gilbert with existing infrastructure, most of the community was built without this additional assessment layer.
Buyers should still verify this during the transaction by reviewing the Maricopa County Assessor's property record (accessible at mcassessor.maricopa.gov) and requesting confirmation at title. While the vast majority of Highland Groves homes have no CFD, individual parcels within the broader area can vary. Ryan Moxley's team routinely confirms CFD status for every transaction in this area as part of standard due diligence. The absence of a CFD, combined with Highland Groves' relatively low HOA ($80–$180/month), makes the community one of the most cost-efficient premium neighborhoods in SE Gilbert on a total-cost-of-ownership basis. Over a 20-year hold period, the cumulative CFD savings relative to a comparable community with a $1,500/year assessment exceeds $30,000 in nominal dollars — a non-trivial financial advantage.
Highland Groves represents one of the stronger long-term real estate investment propositions in the Phoenix metro for several structural reasons that go beyond simple market timing. First, supply scarcity: Gilbert's southeastern quadrant has nearly exhausted its available buildable land, and land costs have risen dramatically since the mid-2000s when Highland Groves was developed. New communities simply cannot be built with the same large-lot footprint at comparable prices — the economics no longer pencil. This creates a permanent scarcity advantage for Highland Groves' lot sizes that is unlikely to be resolved by new supply.
Second, demand anchoring: The Gilbert Unified School District is the primary demand driver, and GUSD's reputation for academic excellence is unlikely to diminish. Families with school-age children represent a deep, recurring buyer pool that transcends interest rate cycles. Even when the broader Phoenix market softens, GUSD-district properties in SE Gilbert tend to hold value better than average, because the demand is not purely speculative — it is driven by families making multi-year educational commitments.
Third, rental income: Highland Groves commands $3,200–$6,500/month in rental rates for single-family homes. The corporate relocation market — driven by Intel (12,000+ Chandler employees), TSMC supply chain employers, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Banner Health, and other large SE Valley employers — generates consistent demand for fully furnished or unfurnished executive rentals in exactly this type of property. DSCR loan analysis shows that Highland Groves rental income is sufficient to support acquisition financing at 25–30% down, making the community accessible to real estate investors using non-QM loan products.
Fourth, appreciation track record: Highland Groves appreciated over 52% from 2019 to 2023, with more modest but positive appreciation since the 2022–2023 peak. The combination of structural supply constraints and school district demand anchoring suggests continued steady appreciation of 3–6% annually over the next decade is a reasonable central expectation. Paired with the rental income and the community's above-average market liquidity (7–21 day typical time to contract for well-priced homes), Highland Groves satisfies all three criteria of the investor's fundamental test: it generates income, appreciates in value, and can be liquidated efficiently when the time comes.
Ryan Moxley is SE Gilbert's specialist. Whether you're buying your first Highland Groves home or selling after 15 years in the community, Ryan's local expertise, data-driven strategy, and extensive professional network give you the advantage. Contact Ryan today for a confidential conversation about your goals.