Anthem

Located in the northernmost part of Phoenix (zip code 85086), Anthem sits at the base of Daisy Mountain just off Interstate 17, about 32 miles north of downtown Phoenix. It's a massive master-planned community — home to three separate homeowners associations, two senior living communities, and over 300 businesses — that functions almost like a self-sustaining mini city within the greater Phoenix metro. Roughly 30,000 people call it home.

The desert-mountain setting gives Anthem a slightly cooler, more temperate feel than the hotter parts of the Phoenix metro, with easy access to New River, Cave Creek, and the open Sonoran Desert for outdoor recreation. It's also well positioned for weekend trips north — Sedona and Flagstaff are both within a 1–2 hour drive.

Popular destinations in Anthem

Anthem Country Club anchors a luxury gated section of the community with two 18-hole championship golf courses plus tennis courts, pools, fitness facilities, and a clubhouse with dining. Anthem Community Park is the recreational hub for the rest of the community, with sports fields, a skate park, a splash pad, train rides, and a small fishing lake. Outlets at Anthem draws shoppers from across the North Valley for discount designer and home-goods stores, and hosts one of the tallest Christmas trees in the country each winter. The Anthem Veterans Memorial is a striking five-pillar tribute to the armed forces, designed so the pillars align with the sun at exactly 11:11 a.m. every Veterans Day. And for hikers and mountain bikers, the nearby Daisy Mountain Preserve offers trails with panoramic desert views.

Why people choose Anthem

Anthem was built around community — there's a steady calendar of festivals, farmers markets, and youth sports that keep residents connected. Schools feed into the well-regarded Deer Valley Unified School District, which along with the parks and low-crime reputation makes it a popular pick for families. Home prices run a bit higher than the Phoenix-area median, but buyers get larger lots, more house for the money than closer-in neighborhoods, and resort-style amenities like golf, pools, and paved trails included in the deal.

Drive times give a sense of how connected it still is despite the quieter setting: Sky Harbor Airport and downtown Phoenix are both about 35 minutes away, Kierland and Scottsdale Quarter are around 35 minutes, and Mayo Clinic Phoenix and State Farm Stadium are roughly 30 minutes out.

Bottom line: Anthem suits buyers who want a master-planned, family-friendly community with real amenities and desert-mountain scenery, and who don't mind trading some proximity to downtown for space, quiet, and a strong sense of neighborhood.