The Foothills

About The Foothills

If someone says they live "in the Foothills," this is what they mean. The Foothills is the original master-planned community — developed starting in 1983 on the former International Harvester proving grounds — that gave the urban village its name. It's anchored by Desert Foothills Parkway and threaded with cul-de-sacs that climb toward Pima Canyon.

Lot sizes here run larger than the rest of Ahwatukee — many homes sit on a quarter-acre or more — and the mature landscaping shows it. Buyers chasing mountain views and direct trail access tend to land here first.

Inside The Foothills are several distinct sub-communities and gated enclaves — Black Rock Canyon, Tapestry Canyon, Miralago, Summerhill, Montana Vista, Whistling Rock, and others. Each has its own price point and feel, but they all share the same trail-adjacent geography.

The trade-off: a lot of the housing stock is now 30+ years old. Updated kitchens and roofs sell fast; original-condition homes often sit until they reprice.

Schools

• Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary
• Kyrene Centennial Middle
• Desert Vista High School

Parks & outdoors

• Desert Foothills Park
• Pima Canyon Trailhead
• South Mountain Park

Key streets

• E Chandler Blvd
• S Desert Foothills Pkwy
• E Liberty Ln

HOA

Foothills Community Association — moderate dues, active architectural review.