Which North Scottsdale Community Fits Better?
Desert Mountain and Troon North are two of the best-known high-desert communities in North Scottsdale. Buyers often compare them because both offer dramatic desert scenery, mountain views, golf, larger homes, luxury properties, and a quieter setting than central Scottsdale.
But they are very different communities.
Desert Mountain is a large private, guard-gated community built around a major private club lifestyle. It offers multiple golf courses, extensive amenities, security, privacy, and a more self-contained luxury environment.
Troon North is more open, more flexible, and less club-dependent. It has public golf, strong desert and boulder scenery, gated and non-gated neighborhoods, and a wider range of homes without the same level of private club commitment.
Both can be excellent choices. The better fit depends on whether you want a private club lifestyle or a more flexible North Scottsdale desert setting.
Quick Comparison: Desert Mountain vs Troon North
| Category | Desert Mountain | Troon North |
|---|---|---|
| Overall feel | Private, guard-gated, club-oriented, secluded | Scenic, flexible, golf-oriented, less formal |
| Location | Far North Scottsdale near Cave Creek/Carefree | North Scottsdale near Pima Road, Dynamite, and Troon area |
| Golf | Private club lifestyle with multiple courses | Public/daily-fee golf at Troon North Golf Club |
| Gates/security | Guard-gated private community | Mix of gated and non-gated subdivisions |
| Housing mix | Custom homes, estates, villas, luxury homesites | Single-family homes, townhomes, golf homes, luxury pockets |
| Lifestyle | Private club, amenities, golf, fitness, dining, trails | Desert views, public golf, hiking, restaurants nearby |
| Price feel | Generally higher luxury/community-cost profile | Wider range, often more flexible |
| Best for | Buyers wanting privacy, security, club life, and amenities | Buyers wanting desert scenery and golf without full club commitment |
Location and Setting
Desert Mountain sits farther north in Scottsdale, near the Cave Creek and Carefree edge of the Valley. The setting feels private, elevated, and removed from the busier parts of Scottsdale. For many buyers, that is the appeal. Desert Mountain feels like a destination community rather than just another neighborhood.
Troon North is also in North Scottsdale, but it generally feels more connected to the rest of Scottsdale. It has a strong desert setting, but buyers are not inside one large private community the same way they are in Desert Mountain. Troon North is closer to a mix of subdivisions, golf, hiking, restaurants, and nearby services.
If you want seclusion, privacy, and a stronger escape-from-the-city feel, Desert Mountain may be the better fit.
If you want desert scenery but still prefer a more open and flexible Scottsdale lifestyle, Troon North may be easier to live with.
Lifestyle Feel
The biggest difference between Desert Mountain and Troon North is lifestyle structure.
Desert Mountain is built around a private community and club lifestyle. Buyers are often drawn to the security, privacy, golf, fitness, dining, trails, and social environment. The community is large enough that it can feel like its own world, especially for seasonal owners and luxury buyers who want a complete desert club experience.
Troon North feels less formal. It has beautiful scenery, a strong golf identity, and upscale homes, but it does not require buyers to buy into the same private club environment. Some neighborhoods are gated, some are not. Some homes are close to the golf course, others are more residential or desert-view oriented.
Desert Mountain is more private and amenity-driven.
Troon North is more flexible and less club-centered.
Golf: Private Club vs Public Golf
Golf is one of the clearest differences between the two communities.
Desert Mountain is one of the most significant private golf communities in Scottsdale. Golf and club life are central to its identity. Buyers considering Desert Mountain should understand membership availability, membership categories, initiation costs, dues, transfer rules, and whether club membership is tied to the property or separate from the real estate transaction.
Troon North Golf Club is public/daily-fee golf and is one of the most recognized public golf settings in North Scottsdale. Buyers can live near golf, enjoy golf views, or play nearby without committing to a large private club membership.
For serious private-club golfers, Desert Mountain may be the stronger fit.
For buyers who like golf nearby but do not want the private-club obligation, Troon North may be a cleaner choice.
Guard Gates and Privacy
Desert Mountain is a private, guard-gated community. That is a major selling point for buyers who want privacy, security, and controlled access. The size of the community also creates more separation from general Scottsdale traffic.
Troon North has gated and non-gated neighborhoods. Some subdivisions offer a secure or more private feel, but Troon North as a whole is not one single guard-gated private community like Desert Mountain.
If guard-gated privacy is a top priority, Desert Mountain has the advantage.
If you want some gated options but do not need the entire community to be private, Troon North may be more flexible.
Home Styles and Property Types
Desert Mountain has a wide range of luxury housing, including custom estates, golf homes, desert-view homes, villas, and homesites. Many properties are designed around views, privacy, outdoor living, and high-end desert architecture. Because of the size and elevation changes within the community, lots and views can vary dramatically.
Troon North also has a mix of homes, including single-family homes, townhomes, golf-adjacent properties, custom homes, and luxury pockets. Some homes have dramatic boulder, golf, mountain, or city-light views. Others are more conventional North Scottsdale homes with a desert setting.
Desert Mountain generally leans more private, custom, and club-oriented.
Troon North offers more variety in how much community structure and luxury commitment the buyer wants.
HOA and Community Structure
Desert Mountain has a stronger community structure because it is a private master-planned community with guard gates, roads, common areas, and club-related lifestyle considerations. Buyers need to understand the HOA, club membership rules, architectural controls, and ongoing ownership costs before purchasing.
Troon North also has HOAs, but the structure varies by subdivision. Some neighborhoods have stricter rules, gates, or higher dues. Others may be more straightforward residential subdivisions. Buyers should never assume one Troon North HOA represents the entire area.
In Desert Mountain, the community structure is a major part of the purchase.
In Troon North, the specific subdivision matters more than the broader area name.
Schools
School boundaries should always be verified by exact property address. Desert Mountain and Troon North are both in the North Scottsdale area, but public school assignments can vary by location and may change over time.
Many buyers considering these communities also compare private school options, commute times, and whether the location makes sense for daily school travel.
Because both areas are farther north than central Scottsdale, school commute should be reviewed carefully for families. A home may look perfect online, but the daily drive to school, activities, and friends can matter more than expected.
Pricing and Value
Desert Mountain generally carries a higher overall luxury/community-cost profile because of the private gates, club identity, larger custom homes, amenities, privacy, and prestige of the community. It is not just a home purchase; for many buyers, it is a lifestyle and membership decision.
Troon North often gives buyers more flexibility. There are luxury homes and expensive golf/view properties, but there are also more approachable options compared with the higher-end parts of Desert Mountain. Buyers may be able to get North Scottsdale scenery and golf proximity without the same private community cost structure.
That does not mean Troon North is cheap or Desert Mountain is overpriced. It means they should be evaluated differently.
In Desert Mountain, buyers should compare home price plus club/membership expectations plus HOA and lifestyle costs.
In Troon North, buyers should compare home price, lot, views, condition, HOA, and proximity to golf or amenities.
Resale Considerations
Both Desert Mountain and Troon North have strong name recognition in North Scottsdale.
Desert Mountain’s resale appeal comes from privacy, guard gates, private club lifestyle, golf, amenities, luxury homes, and a highly recognizable community name. It appeals strongly to buyers who specifically want that private North Scottsdale club environment.
Troon North’s resale appeal comes from scenery, golf, flexibility, public golf access, proximity to Pinnacle Peak-area amenities, and a broader buyer pool. Buyers who do not want private club costs may find Troon North easier to justify.
Desert Mountain may have stronger appeal within the private luxury club buyer pool.
Troon North may appeal to a wider range of North Scottsdale buyers.
Which Is Better for Seasonal Owners?
Both communities can work well for seasonal owners, but the experience is different.
Desert Mountain is often very attractive to seasonal owners because of the guard gates, privacy, club amenities, dining, golf, fitness, and social structure. A seasonal owner can arrive and immediately plug into the community without needing to leave for every activity.
Troon North can also work well for seasonal owners, especially buyers who want a lower-commitment home base with desert views, golf nearby, and access to North Scottsdale restaurants, hiking, and services.
A seasonal owner who wants amenities, privacy, security, and club life may prefer Desert Mountain.
A seasonal owner who wants flexibility and less club dependence may prefer Troon North.
Which Is Better for Full-Time Residents?
Desert Mountain can be an excellent full-time residence for buyers who want privacy, space, security, and a strong community lifestyle. However, it is farther north, so full-time residents should be comfortable with the drive to central Scottsdale, the airport, Old Town, downtown Phoenix, and other parts of the Valley.
Troon North may be easier for full-time residents who want North Scottsdale scenery but still want to feel somewhat connected to everyday Scottsdale services. Depending on exact location, it may be more convenient for dining, shopping, schools, and errands.
A full-time buyer who values privacy above convenience may lean Desert Mountain.
A full-time buyer who wants desert scenery with a little more everyday flexibility may lean Troon North.
Which Is Better for Golf Buyers?
Desert Mountain is usually better for serious private-club golfers who want golf to be central to their lifestyle. It is especially appealing if the buyer wants multiple courses, club dining, fitness, events, and a private social environment.
Troon North is better for buyers who want excellent golf nearby without private club membership. It is also better for buyers who like golf views or golf atmosphere but do not want golf to control the whole ownership decision.
If golf is your lifestyle, Desert Mountain may win.
If golf is one part of your lifestyle, Troon North may be the better fit.
Which Is Better for Privacy?
Desert Mountain usually wins on privacy. The guard-gated structure, larger community footprint, custom homesites, elevation changes, and distance from central Scottsdale give it a more secluded feel.
Troon North can offer privacy in the right subdivision or on the right lot, but it is not as private overall. Some areas are gated, some are not, and public golf and nearby roads can create a more open environment.
If privacy and controlled access are top priorities, Desert Mountain should be high on the list.
If you want privacy but still want a more open neighborhood setting, Troon North can work.
Which Is Better for Views?
Both communities can offer excellent views.
Desert Mountain has mountain, desert, golf, city-light, sunset, and long-range views depending on elevation and lot orientation. Because the community is large and varied, view quality can differ dramatically from one property to another.
Troon North is known for dramatic boulder formations, desert scenery, golf views, and Pinnacle Peak-area mountain views. Some lots feel incredibly scenic, especially near the boulder outcroppings and golf corridors.
The winner depends on the specific lot. Do not buy only because the community name suggests views. Verify the actual view corridor, neighboring lots, road exposure, sun orientation, and whether future construction could affect the setting.
Which Is Better for Buyers Who Want Less Maintenance?
Troon North may offer more straightforward lower-maintenance options because buyers can find townhomes, smaller single-family homes, and neighborhoods that do not require the same level of estate-property upkeep.
Desert Mountain has some villa and lower-maintenance options, but many buyers are looking at larger custom homes, bigger outdoor spaces, pools, desert landscaping, and more complex ownership responsibilities.
For lower-maintenance seasonal ownership, Troon North may be simpler.
For a full private club environment with maintenance handled through vendors or property managers, Desert Mountain can still work, but it may require more planning.
Buyer Fit: Choose Desert Mountain If…
Desert Mountain may be the better fit if you want:
- A private guard-gated community
- A major private club lifestyle
- Multiple golf and lifestyle amenities
- High privacy and controlled access
- A more secluded North Scottsdale setting
- Custom luxury homes and estate properties
- Strong desert, mountain, golf, and city-light views
- A community that can feel self-contained
- A seasonal or full-time luxury home with club access
- A more exclusive Scottsdale lifestyle environment
Buyer Fit: Choose Troon North If…
Troon North may be the better fit if you want:
- North Scottsdale desert scenery
- Public golf nearby
- A less formal community structure
- Gated and non-gated options
- More flexibility without private club dependence
- Boulder, mountain, golf, and desert views
- A wider range of property types and price points
- Strong access to hiking, restaurants, and North Scottsdale amenities
- A home that feels scenic but not fully isolated
- Lower commitment than a major private club community
Common Mistakes Buyers Make When Comparing Desert Mountain and Troon North
One mistake is assuming both communities are just “North Scottsdale golf areas.” They are very different. Desert Mountain is a private club community. Troon North is a broader area with public golf and multiple neighborhoods.
Another mistake is ignoring total ownership cost. In Desert Mountain, the home price is only part of the decision. Club membership, HOA dues, property maintenance, vendors, security, and seasonal upkeep can all matter.
A third mistake is assuming Troon North is automatically less luxurious. Troon North has impressive luxury homes, dramatic lots, and some excellent view properties. It simply does not have the same private club structure as Desert Mountain.
A fourth mistake is underestimating drive time. Both areas are in North Scottsdale, but Desert Mountain especially can feel far north for buyers who expect to spend a lot of time in central Scottsdale, Old Town, Paradise Valley, or Phoenix.
The right comparison is not just Desert Mountain vs Troon North. It is privacy, golf commitment, lifestyle structure, commute, views, HOA, club access, and total ownership cost.
Final Thoughts: Desert Mountain vs Troon North
Desert Mountain and Troon North are both strong North Scottsdale choices, but they serve different buyers.
Desert Mountain is usually better for buyers who want privacy, guard gates, private golf, club amenities, and a more exclusive self-contained desert lifestyle.
Troon North is usually better for buyers who want North Scottsdale scenery, public golf, hiking access, and more flexibility without committing to a major private club environment.
If you want the private club lifestyle, start with Desert Mountain.
If you want desert scenery and golf nearby without the same club structure, start with Troon North.
Compare Homes in Desert Mountain and Troon North
If you are deciding between Desert Mountain and Troon North, the right answer depends on more than price or golf. Scottsdale Real Estate Associates can help you compare the actual homes, views, lots, HOA rules, club membership considerations, privacy, resale factors, and lifestyle tradeoffs before you spend time on the wrong properties.
Start with the individual neighborhood guides:
View Desert Mountain Homes for Sale
View Troon North Homes for Sale
Or contact Scottsdale Real Estate Associates for help comparing both communities side by side.