Living in Phoenix Arizona

08/11/2026

A Facebook post about data centers near a Mesa listing kicked off a real debate this week. One agent's clients fell in love with a house in East Mesa, then found out five data centers are planned nearby and got cold feet. The post claimed 200 data centers are coming to Arizona, and the comments split fast: agents who think buyers deserve to know, and agents who think it's not realistic to research every industrial project within five miles of a listing. Both sides have a point, and the actual numbers are worth knowing regardless of where you land.

What's actually happening: depending on how you count, that 200 figure isn't far off. A 2026 ASU study found 66 data centers completed or under construction across Central Arizona counting large-scale campuses specifically. Sites that track every colocation and cloud facility, like datacentermap.com, count over 180 in the Phoenix market alone. East Mesa is genuinely one of the biggest data center hubs in the country right now, with active or expanding campuses from Meta, Google, NTT, and Apple. Meta's site alone is 2.5 million square feet. NTT paid $300 million for 173 acres to build a 2.2 million square foot campus.

The concerns are documented, not invented. Water is the biggest one in Arizona. Mesa's vice mayor has publicly called data center water use "irresponsible" during the driest 12-month stretch the state has seen in 126 years. Mesa, Avondale, and Phoenix have all passed ordinances capping industrial water use.

Is it an agent's job to bring this up? Arizona disclosure law requires sellers to disclose known material facts, but there's no line item for "data center nearby." That's a judgment call, not a checklist, and I don't think there's a clean answer.

Is it actually bad for home values? Arizona data centers generated $863 million in state and local tax revenue and supported over 81,000 jobs in 2023. Homes within 5 to 15 miles of major data center campuses in the Phoenix East Valley have shown an 8 to 18% price premium since 2022, though that's likely correlation more than causation. What the research does show is that proximity is what matters. Homes right next to a construction site can take longer to sell, but a few blocks away the effect mostly disappears.

If you're house hunting near a proposed site, ask specifically what's planned within a mile. Want to check a specific address yourself? datacentermap.com/usa/arizona/phoenix tracks known facilities across the Valley.

Full breakdown with sources: https://livinginphoenixaz.com/blog/data-centers-are-coming-to-the-phoenix-area-heres-what-buyers-should-actually-know

08/08/2026

All three of our kids started back at school this week, so thought I would share one of our favorite memories from summer break.

Back in July we drove up to Flagstaff to escape the heat and celebrate the 4th, but the town was covered in smoke and ash most of that week from the Pocket Fire burning near Sedona.

To get away from it, we drove west and spent the day at the Deer Farm and The Barefoot Trail, our first time at the trail.

The Barefoot Trail is about a mile long, built with all kinds of obstacles for kids to climb over, balance on, and explore along the way. All three of ours loved it, including our 1 year old, who rode most of it on someone's shoulders and still counted it as a win.

And most importantly, the sky was clear, the weather was perfect, and the air was clean.

One of our friends recommended the Barefoot Trail to us, so if you've been anywhere up in Flag you'd recommend, let us know. We'll be back up in October and taking notes.

08/07/2026

🔍 FUN FIND OF THE WEEK — Episode 1

Have you been house hunting and just can't seem to find anything with room for a bowling alley? Say no more.

7545 N Mockingbird Lane in Paradise Valley just hit the market at $35,000,000. 11 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, 23,082 square feet. Built this year, so the paint is basically still wet.

That works out to $1,516 a square foot, which is just a very expensive way to say "expensive."

While pulling comps for a client in the area this week, this one stopped me mid-scroll. Figured you'd want to see it too.

If you're in the market for something a little more realistic, with an actual budget attached, I do that too.

https://livinginphoenixaz.com/home-search/listings/1468855216105637829-7545-N-MOCKINGBIRD-Lane

Listed by: Scott Grigg / Grigg's Group Powered by The Altman Brothers

An Estate Beyond Comparison! Designed to Redefine Scale & Set the Standard for Private Luxury! This is a fully gated statement estate set on just under 2.25 acres is designed for scale, privacy, and experience. Inside, you'll see professional-level amenities you rarely find in a private residence, i...

08/06/2026

🏗️ NEW DEVELOPMENT UPDATE — Episode 1

TSMC just added another $100 BILLION to its Arizona investment — bringing its total commitment at the North Phoenix campus to $265 billion.

Here's where construction actually stands:
🏭 Fab 1 — producing chips since 2024
🏗️ Fab 2 — construction complete, equipment moving in now, 3nm production targeted for 2027
🏗️ Fab 3 — hit structural topping-out in May 2026
🚧 Fab 4 + first advanced-packaging plant — broke ground earlier this year

3,500+ people already work there, and TSMC says it'll need roughly 12,000 more construction trade workers to keep the build on schedule.

What does this mean for North Phoenix — and for Deer Valley and Norterra specifically? We break it down in this week's New Development Update.

Read the full story: livinginphoenixaz.com/blog/new-development-update-inside-tsmcs-dollar265-billion-phoenix-expansion

08/05/2026

📰 HEADLINE NEWS: FACT OR FICTION — Episode 1

Is Arizona headed for a wave of HOA foreclosures that makes homes more affordable? HOA foreclosures are surging nationally, and Arizona's one of the top 5 states behind the numbers — but does that actually mean anything for Phoenix buyers?

We dug in, including whether we could even find an Arizona property that's gone through it. Our verdict: Fiction. Read the full breakdown here: https://livinginphoenixaz.com/blog/headline-news-fact-or-fiction-is-arizona-headed-for-a-wave-of-hoa-foreclosures

This is Episode 1 of a new weekly series — fact or fiction? Drop your take in the comments.

04/03/2025

Unlock the potential of Scottsdale's luxury rental market! 🏡✨ With its vibrant community and high demand, investors can enjoy lucrative returns. Dive into market trends, analyze neighborhood dynamics, and leverage tech tools for smart decisions. Personalized insights ensure you capitalize on every opportunity. 📈💼

04/01/2025

🌆 Urban Core vs. Suburban Sprawl: Phoenix Lifestyle Showdown! Dive into the vibrant city life with its bustling energy, cultural hotspots, and tech-savvy amenities. Or, embrace suburban sprawl with spacious homes, family-friendly parks, and a tight-knit community vibe. 🏡 Whether you're a first-time buyer or seeking a retirement haven, Phoenix offers diverse options tailored to your lifestyle. Let's explore the best fit for you!

03/31/2025

Unlock the secrets of Phoenix living! 🏜️ Discover how your lifestyle aligns with the perfect ZIP code. Whether you're seeking vibrant city life or serene suburbs, Phoenix has it all. From family-friendly communities to luxury enclaves, find your ideal match. Dive into the nuances of each area and make informed decisions for your next move. 🏡

03/30/2025

🌵✨ Discover the allure of luxury living in Scottsdale! From stunning desert vistas to upscale amenities, it's a haven for those seeking elegance. But, navigating the desert's unique challenges requires savvy insight. Whether it's understanding water conservation or mastering the art of desert landscaping, knowledge is key. Embrace the perks and tackle the dilemmas with confidence.

03/29/2025

🌵 Discover Phoenix's most walkable neighborhoods! From the vibrant streets of Roosevelt Row to the charming paths of Arcadia, urban living is redefined. 🚶‍♂️ Enjoy easy access to local cafes, parks, and cultural hotspots. Perfect for those seeking a connected, community-focused lifestyle. 🏡