This delightful living community is found to the south and east of Phoenix.  Travel through Tempe, if you can go through this lively area of dining and activity without having to stop for the afternoon, then on past Mesa and Gilbert.  You will see that this area becomes more and more natural.  The pace of life is much less hectic than in the larger urban areas and this is part of what lends charm to the town.

To see Queen Creek travel east on Interstate 60, then southbound on Ellsworth Road into town. Queen Creek is south of the city of Apache Junction and the town of Gilbert.

Queen Creek is surrounded by some remarkable mountains that rise majestically from the low-lying plans.  The San Tan Mountains, Goldmine Mountains and the legendary Superstition Mountains can be seen in the northeast.  These breathtaking vistas are certainly ideal for the photographer, or as something to write about.  But even if you don’t have a camera or a notepad the images are so outstanding that they will stay with you for the lifetime, anyway.

Climate

The climate is typical of the southwest.  There is a mild winter that is balanced by a long hot, dry summer.  Many have claimed that the dry, hot summer conditions have helped to relieve many of their allergy symptoms.  Summer days are clear and spectacular and the temperatures are truly remarkable.  Spring and autumn are mild transitions into the other seasons.  There is a brief monsoon season that is truly extraordinary.

Queen Creek Properties

Prospective residents have a wide range of home styles to choose from in Queen Creek.  Properties with large lots can be found in town.  With a network of multi-use trails throughout the community, many homes have horse privileges.  Irrigated acre lots and ranchettes are available for those who want to experience the true rural lifestyle.  Also, there are new single-family homes and custom homes available. 

A look at recent home for the area will give some idea of what you might expect to find when looking for Queen Creek homes.  The resale home market has, according to recent study, slowed slightly from earlier levels.  This can be a good sign for buyers who are searching for bargains if the slowing is at least partially due to the number of units available.

Interestingly, though, is the fact that some area resale prices have shown an upward movement!  So it appears that it is a fortunate time to consider listing properties to take advantage of the measurable price increase.

Expert opinion in the Arizona realty field suggests that the current conditions are due to a surge that has things in an unsettled state.  If this is the case then it may be wise to move ahead now, before the beneficial aspects of these conditions change.

Like most of the areas surrounding Phoenix Queen Creek is enjoying a period of growth.  Business is finding the combination of economical land a desirable characteristic of the area and the close proximity to Phoenix makes it close to resources, distribution, markets and many of the other vital commercial concerns.

But rest assured that the arrival of new business has in no way been allowed to change the charm of this simply wonderful community.  In fact, the easy coexistence of this carefully planned growth belies the fact that the rural charm has not at all been changed in spite of reports that all business construction, from office space to larger commercial structures, is rising as steadily as any other type of building.

The town is the same as many small towns that you would find anywhere across the nation.  Friendly people who have lived there all their lives, a strong sense of civic pride, the assortment of activities and exhibits that showcase the local talent and the leisurely pace that lets you look around and appreciate the good things that are near.

The Market

The spectacular amount of market activity in Arizona over the past decade has been well documented.  People of all walks of life have been moving to Arizona, and particularly Phoenix, in numbers unmatched in recent memory.  

Figures from 2000-2005 show nothing but increased construction, development, unit sales and unit sales prices in virtually every category of structure offered on the market. 

The greatest degree of growth occurred during fiscal 2005, where previous growth statistics, impressive in their own rights, spiked sharply to even higher levels.  Of particular note to the residential home seller/buyer was the record appreciation in new and resale home values.  These rates were up for new homes and resales, rentals and condominium units, the only difference being one of degree.

While it is true that not all Phoenix area real estate markets showed the same amount of increase it is true that the degree of growth for each area was proportional. 

Then along came 2006 and equally well documented has been the decline in the rate of growth of some key market indicators.  The greater Phoenix resale home market is showing marked decreases in sales figures for comparable periods last year across the valley and across most unit categories.

One interesting exception is the median price for resale units has risen slightly.  This rising price accompanied by a decrease in sales seems to be more in keeping with normal market tendencies.  One would expect spectacular growth to lead eventually to a degree of scarcity that would be reflected in higher prices.  Could this indicate that the market has reached its peak?

Let’s look at another indicator to see what it may tell us.

Since 1985, the Arizona Real Estate Center has computed what it calls “affordability indexes” for the Greater Phoenix area and several nearby cities. 

The index was invented as a guide to predict market activity.  When the index value is 100, the typical home buyer (based on the current median resale price and household income) would be able to afford a median-priced home at the stated effective interest rate.  A lower index value indicates less availability of affordable single-family homes.

The affordability index for the areas selected for study shows significant reduction in the availability of that this type of housing within the means of the ordinary consumer.  Whether this data can be used as a reliable indicator for other groups and other types of housing is arguable, but it does beg the question “how much longer will the market be able to sustain a situation where both sellers and buyers can apparently benefit by getting involved in the market?

The short answer is that these conditions can remain so long as they are supported by the market. 

So when we take a long look at the larger picture we must ask ourselves whether we can realistically expect to realize more potential gain or value now or at some time in the future and it is very reasonable to conclude that the best possible time to buy or sell Arizona really is now.

History

This area was inhabited by Native Americans some 4,000 years ago.  White settlement began with a small band of farmers who established ranches for the raising of horses and livestock while others chose to selection of crops, which included pecans, citrus, cotton, and a variety of vegetables that could be grown there.

The first settlement was called Rittenhouse after one of the first settling families.   The early railroad included the town as a brief stop, at Rittenhouse and Ellsworth roads, for those who would continue on to Phoenix. The train stop is gone, but the legacy of those early days of railroading lives on in the things that have stayed behind.

The name Queen Creek came from the Queen Creek Wash, which received its name from the Silver Queen Mine.  Mining is what brought most settlers to the smaller southwestern towns and Queen Creek was no exception.  The Silver Queen Mine was located in the nearby town of Superior, but it was close enough s that mining operations helped benefit Queen Creek, too. 

In 1989, Queen Creek was incorporated. Queen Creek experienced a short growth spurt in the 1920's, when immigrants from Mexico arrived to pick the local cotton.   Soon after the town's incorporation, Williams Gateway Airport was opened. Businesses as lager as General Motors have decided to conduct operations here.  Desert Proving Grounds have come to Queen Creek to seek their success. 

Queen Creek Outdoor Recreation

Almost the entire southwest is steeped in history.  Most of the earliest history remains shrouded in a certain degree of mystery because so little of the evidence remains to tell us about these earlier times.  But there are often many relics from the time of the arrival of the European settlers

The Queen Creek Wash, after which the town was named, is being preserved as a historical location.   This wash winds its way through Queen Creek.  Together the Queen Creek Wash and the Sanokai Wash provide residents with public trails and open space.  These areas provide more than scenic beauty and an area for exercise, though; as they also serve as habitats form many rare and wonderful species of wildlife that only someone who treads the trails can ever hope to catch a glimpse of.

Those who enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback trail riding will also feel right at home there.  There is a spacious Community Center; and the many local parks and schools provide ball fields and playgrounds for children.  Several golf courses are also located close by.  However, some people take a simple approach to sampling the outdoors.  A lounge chair on their patio to watch a nightly sunset is an event that no one should miss. 

Queen Creek Entertainment

There a variety of “down-home” events held here for those who enjoy folk art and crafts. The primary venue for exhibits and events is the Schnepf Farms.  This 60 year old, 300 acre working farm hosts some of the area’s most delightful events...  The Pumpkin and Chili Festival is just one example of the type of gathering popular here.  SO if this sounds like your kind of place then you simply must stop by for a visit.  Stay awhile if you like!

Queen Creek residents have the benefits of small-town living, combined with the natural beauty of the desert that surrounds Queen Creek.  It is the perfect town to call home.

Events Calendar
Peach Festival May
Potato Festival 
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party September