The Best Waterfront Communities in the Phoenix Area

Introduction

When most people picture Arizona, they imagine mountains, desert sunsets, golf courses, palm trees, and beautiful open skies.

They don't always picture lakes.

But spend enough time exploring Metro Phoenix, and you'll discover that water is an important part of several established communities.

Some neighborhoods are built around interconnected lakes. Others combine water features with golf courses, greenbelts, walking paths, and mature landscaping. In some communities, you can even find homes directly on the water.

And that can completely change the feel of a neighborhood.

I have always believed that buying a home is about more than the house itself. The community, the surroundings, your daily routine, and the lifestyle you want all matter.

That's why waterfront communities can be so appealing to Arizona buyers.

Here are six communities I think are worth knowing if you're looking for a home with a little more water, greenery, and resort-style atmosphere.

What Does “Waterfront” Mean in Phoenix?

Before looking at the communities, there is one important distinction.

Waterfront living in the Phoenix area usually doesn't mean living beside a natural lake like you might find in other parts of the country.

Many Arizona waterfront neighborhoods are built around man-made lakes and planned water features.

That doesn't make the experience less enjoyable.

In fact, these communities can offer something very special: water views combined with Arizona's sunshine, desert landscape, golf, dining, shopping, and year-round outdoor living.

The experience can also vary greatly from one community to another.

Some are centered around private lakes and boating. Others use water as part of a larger greenbelt or golf-oriented lifestyle.

So when I work with buyers looking for a water-view property, I don't just ask, “Do you want a lake?”

I ask, “How do you want to live around the water?”

1. Val Vista Lakes — Gilbert

If you're looking for one of the most recognizable lake communities in Gilbert, Val Vista Lakes deserves a place near the top of your list.

This established community offers a very different feeling from many newer desert subdivisions.

There are lakes, mature landscaping, walking paths, recreational amenities, and homes that take advantage of waterfront settings. Some properties offer direct water frontage, while others simply enjoy the visual appeal of the community's lakes and greenery.

One of the things I like about Val Vista Lakes is the variety.

Depending on the property, buyers can find everything from more manageable homes to larger residences and luxury waterfront properties.

That gives buyers more choices than simply looking for a single type of “lake house.”

Best for: Buyers who want established Gilbert living, mature landscaping, recreational amenities, and the possibility of a true waterfront home.

Denise's Take: Val Vista Lakes is a great example of how a thoughtfully planned community can make Arizona living feel surprisingly lush.

2. The Islands — Gilbert

Just as its name suggests, The Islands is built around water.

The community has three private lakes covering roughly 74 acres, along with green space, walking and exercise areas, recreational amenities, and a community dock. Residents can also obtain permits for fishing and certain watercraft.

That creates something you don't always find in suburban Arizona: a neighborhood where the water is genuinely part of everyday life.

The Islands is also an established community, which means buyers often encounter mature landscaping and a neighborhood character that newer developments simply can't recreate overnight.

Homes vary throughout the community, and waterfront lots can offer a particularly different experience.

Best for: Buyers who want an established Gilbert neighborhood where lakes and outdoor recreation are a central part of community life.

Denise's Take: If you want a neighborhood that feels like an escape without leaving the East Valley, The Islands is one I would definitely put on your tour list.

3. Ocotillo — Chandler

Ocotillo is one of Chandler's best-known communities for buyers who want water combined with an upscale lifestyle.

The community is known for its interconnected lakes, lush landscaping, golf-oriented surroundings, and attractive residential neighborhoods.

This is where waterfront living starts to blend with another popular Arizona lifestyle: golf and resort-style living.

Some homes enjoy water views, while others benefit from the overall landscaping and open feeling created by the lakes and surrounding community design.

Ocotillo is also appealing because of its location in Chandler. Buyers can enjoy a residential setting while remaining close to restaurants, shopping, employment centers, and other everyday conveniences.

Best for: Buyers who want a combination of lakes, golf, upscale surroundings, and convenient Chandler living.

Denise's Take: Ocotillo is a community I often think about when someone tells me they want Arizona luxury without necessarily wanting to live in Scottsdale.

4. McCormick Ranch — Scottsdale

For buyers who want water but also want to be in Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch is an excellent community to explore.

McCormick Ranch has a long-established identity built around lakes, greenbelts, mature trees, golf, and convenient access to Scottsdale amenities.

What makes it different is that the water isn't simply one attraction inside the neighborhood.

It is part of the overall landscape.

Walking paths, green space, mature vegetation, golf-course surroundings, and lakes create an environment that feels much more established and green than someone unfamiliar with the area might expect from the desert.

For buyers who want Scottsdale access without needing the mountain setting or ultra-luxury estate environment of areas farther north, McCormick Ranch can offer a very different lifestyle.

Best for: Buyers who want Scottsdale, mature landscaping, lakes, greenbelts, golf, and convenience.

Denise's Take: McCormick Ranch is a great reminder that Scottsdale has many different personalities. It's not all about desert hills and luxury estates.

5. Arrowhead Lakes — Glendale

Moving to the West Valley, Arrowhead Lakes offers another version of waterfront Arizona living.

Located in Glendale, the community is known for its lakes, scenic surroundings, and proximity to the broader Arrowhead area.

The setting can appeal to buyers who want a home with water or mountain scenery while staying close to shopping, restaurants, recreation, and major roads.

This is an important point when comparing waterfront communities.

A beautiful lake view is wonderful, but the location still has to work for your everyday life.

• How long is your commute?
• Where do you shop?
• Where do you spend weekends?
• How easy is it to get to the places you visit most?

Those questions can be just as important as the view from your backyard.

Best for: Buyers who want a West Valley lifestyle with lakes, scenery, and access to the Arrowhead area.

Denise's Take: Don't automatically limit your waterfront search to the East Valley or Scottsdale. Arrowhead Lakes is a good example of why it pays to look at the entire Metro Phoenix area.

6. Lakewood — Ahwatukee

Lakewood in Ahwatukee offers another interesting take on water-oriented living.

The community features lakes and a residential setting surrounded by the distinctive mountain and desert landscape of Ahwatukee.

For buyers who like the idea of water but also want easy access to South Mountain and outdoor recreation, this can be an appealing combination.

Ahwatukee also has its own identity within Metro Phoenix. It feels suburban and residential while remaining part of the City of Phoenix.

That combination can be especially attractive to buyers who want access to Phoenix but prefer a quieter neighborhood setting.

Best for: Buyers who want lakes, desert scenery, outdoor recreation, and the residential feel of Ahwatukee.

Denise's Take: Lakewood is one I would consider for buyers who want a balance between water-oriented living and the natural beauty that makes Ahwatukee unique.

Which Waterfront Community Is Right for You?

There isn't one “best” waterfront community for everyone.

The right choice depends on what you want your everyday life to look like.

And this is where I think buyers sometimes make a mistake.

They fall in love with the lake before asking whether they love the community.

A beautiful waterfront backyard is wonderful.

But if the location doesn't fit your commute, budget, preferred amenities, future plans, or daily routine, the view alone won't make the property the right fit.

What Should You Look For When Buying a Waterfront Home?

Buying a waterfront property requires a little more attention than simply looking at the view.

I recommend asking:

• Is the home actually waterfront, or does it simply have a water view?
• Who maintains the lake and surrounding areas?
• Are there HOA or community rules regarding docks, watercraft, landscaping, or exterior changes?
• Does the property have special maintenance considerations?
• How does the lot's position affect privacy?
• Is the water view protected, or could future changes affect it?
• How does the waterfront position affect the home's value compared with similar properties?

And don't forget the basics.

Look at the roof. Check the windows. Understand the HVAC system. Review the HOA. Consider the age of the home and any major upcoming expenses.

A beautiful lake doesn't eliminate the need for good due diligence.

Water, Arizona Real Estate, and Long-Term Thinking

Water is also an important topic for anyone buying in Arizona today.

That doesn't mean buyers should automatically avoid communities with lakes.

It means they should understand the difference between community water features, irrigation, municipal water systems, and the water used inside a home.

The details matter, and different communities can have different infrastructure and water considerations.

For a buyer, the goal isn't to worry about every headline.

It's to understand the specific property and community you're considering.

Real-Life Insight From Denise

After more than 30 years in Arizona real estate, I've learned that buyers don't always know what kind of lifestyle they want until they see it in person.

Someone may tell me they want a traditional suburban home.

Then we visit a lake community.

Suddenly they start talking about morning walks, having coffee overlooking the water, entertaining friends outside, or simply enjoying a quieter setting.

That's why I like showing buyers different communities instead of assuming the first neighborhood they mention is automatically the right one.

Sometimes the right home is found by expanding the search, not narrowing it too quickly.

Why Working With an Experienced Agent Matters

Waterfront homes require more than finding a house with a pretty backyard.

You need to understand the neighborhood, the property, the HOA, the surrounding amenities, the potential resale appeal, and the details that make one waterfront lot more desirable than another.

That's where local experience matters.

As an experienced Realtor with RE/MAX Premier and an AI Certified Agent, I help buyers look at the entire picture—not just the listing photos.

With more than 30 years of experience, I understand that the best home is not necessarily the biggest, newest, or most expensive one.

It is the one that fits the way you actually want to live.

If you're still learning about Arizona communities, my Arizona relocation guide is a good place to start.

Ready to Make Your Next Move With Confidence?

Buying a home is more than finding the right property. It's about finding the right fit for your lifestyle, your goals, and the way you want to spend your time.

Whether you're looking for a waterfront home in Gilbert, a Scottsdale property near the lakes and greenbelts of McCormick Ranch, or a community somewhere else in Metro Phoenix, I can help you compare your options and make a decision with confidence.

If you're preparing to buy, my home buyer's guide walks through the process and the important steps to consider.

And if you're thinking about selling a waterfront or luxury property, my seller's guide explains how I approach pricing, marketing, negotiation, and the overall selling process.