Grayhawk is the quintessential North Scottsdale neighborhood.

From golf to greenbelts to great schools — this place checks nearly every box for most buyers.

But stay with me until the end, because I’m going to share a little-known fact about Grayhawk that even most real estate agents don’t know.

By Shay Noonan | Scottsdale Local & Real Estate Expert

Located just 5 minutes from the Loop 101, Grayhawk is made up of two main sections: The Park — where I’m standing now — and The Retreat.

Inside The Retreat, you’ll find two guard-gated communities: Talon and Raptor. These gates are staffed 24/7 and yes — that exclusivity comes with a premium price tag. Some homes even offer breathtaking McDowell Mountain or golf course views.

But don’t worry — homes outside the gates still have so much to offer: family-friendly parks, winding walking paths, and beautiful landscaping — all without the added cost.

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So what’s daily life really like here?

• Coffee at Mojo to start your day

• Morning walks through the Greenbelt

• A casual round at Grayhawk Golf Club — which, by the way, is public!

In a city full of $250K membership-only golf clubs with long waitlists, that is a huge win.

One of my recent out-of-state clients actually chose Grayhawk because of that — they wanted the golf lifestyle, minus the drama of joining an exclusive private club. And, coming from Illinois, they also wanted their kids to be able to walk to school — Grayhawk made that possible.

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Location-wise, it doesn’t get much better:

• Minutes from DC Ranch Market Street, Kierland Commons, and Scottsdale Quarter

• Close to the 101 for quick commutes to work or Sky Harbor

• Local favorites like The Village Health Club and Isabella’s Kitchen are right here too

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Parents love Grayhawk Elementary — it serves grades K through 8, so you don’t have to juggle different campuses for younger and older kids. Once they move up, they feed into Pinnacle High School, with additional private and charter schools nearby.

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You’ll find a wide range of homes here:

• Condos starting in the $300Ks

• Golf course custom homes that top $4 million, depending on views and upgrades

Grayhawk offers lifestyle variety without compromising on location.

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Let’s talk about the HOA — because this part’s important.

There’s a Community Enhancement Fee of about 0.5% of the purchase price. Pro tip: This can actually be negotiated between buyer and seller.

Inside Talon and Raptor, both the enhancement fee and HOA dues are higher — but many feel the added security, luxury, and privacy are worth every penny.

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Grayhawk has evolved. It used to be mostly seasonal owners and snowbirds, but now? It’s a healthy mix of:

• Families

• Professionals

• Retirees

• And yes, still a few winter visitors

It’s truly a lifestyle neighborhood.

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Okay, here’s that little-known secret I promised:

Many homes — even condos — in Grayhawk allow short-term rentals. That’s a big deal in North Scottsdale, where STR rules are often strict. If you’re a seasonal buyer or investor, this flexibility gives you options.

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So whether you’re looking for:

• A family-friendly neighborhood

• A golf lifestyle without the private club price

• Or a short-term rental investment opportunity…

Grayhawk delivers.

If you want help finding the right home — or you’re curious which ones allow short-term rentals — send me a message or drop a comment below. I’d love to help.

You can also search all homes for sale at movemetoscottsdale.com — just filter by Grayhawk or any other North Scottsdale neighborhood.

I’m Shay Noonan, your Scottsdale best friend and real estate agent here in North Scottsdale for over a decade.

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