Norterra Homes for Sale in Phoenix, AZ 85085

Norterra is a north Phoenix area in ZIP 85085, right off I-17 at Happy Valley Road. Most of its homes are in two master-planned communities, Fireside at Norterra by Del Webb and Union Park at Norterra, with one- and two-story single-family homes and townhomes close to The Shops at Norterra and the USAA campus.

When buyers ask me about Norterra, the first thing I explain is that the name covers more than one neighborhood. There is no single Norterra HOA. You get two planned communities with their own builders, amenities and associations, plus a busy shopping and job hub along the freeway. I help buyers and sellers all over north Phoenix, and here is what I want you to know before you tour.

See all Norterra homes for saleCall Terry: 602-483-4665

Where it is

Norterra sits in far north Phoenix where I-17 crosses Happy Valley Road. Union Park at Norterra is at the northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, next to The Shops at Norterra and the USAA Phoenix campus, and it backs up to the Union Peak Sonoran Preserve. Fireside at Norterra connects to trails in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve. To the north, I-17 meets the Loop 303 at the Sonoran Desert Drive exit, where ADOT is adding freeway-to-freeway ramps, and the Loop 101 is a short drive south on I-17.

The homes

Fireside at Norterra was built by Del Webb, part of Pulte, and its community declaration was recorded with Maricopa County in 2006. Unlike many Del Webb communities, Fireside is open to all ages. It is made up of single-family homes on a range of lot sizes.

Union Park at Norterra is newer. USAA Real Estate owns the land and Sunbelt Holdings is the master developer of the roughly 400-acre plan, which opened its first phase in late 2018. The first builders were Ashton Woods, Cachet Homes and David Weekley Homes, with one- and two-story plans. K. Hovnanian added Pinnacle at Union Park, a section of two-story townhomes where some units have rooftop decks or elevators, and Cachet Homes built two more sections called The Retreat and Encore. Styles include Territorial, Sonoran Rustic, Southwest Modern, Mission Revival and Desert Craftsman. Several apartment communities have also been built or planned near the freeway.

Things to do

Fireside's community center is about 16,000 square feet. It has a great room, game area, heated lap pool, seasonal play pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness center, movement studio, rock climbing wall, tennis courts and a basketball court, and the community's trails link to more than 14 miles of paths in the Sonoran Preserve.

Union Park's recreation center, The Post, is a farmhouse-style building with a great room and catering kitchen. Outside you will find a pool with cabanas, a kids' play pool, an event lawn with ramadas, a playground, BBQ grills, and basketball and pickleball courts.

For errands and nights out, The Shops at Norterra on Happy Valley Road has a Harkins theater, restaurants and shops, and Happy Valley Towne Center sits on the southeast corner of I-17 and Happy Valley Road. USAA's Phoenix campus is right in the neighborhood, and TSMC's new chip plant campus is a short drive west in far north Phoenix.

Schools

Norterra is in the Deer Valley Unified School District. Schools in or near the area include:

• Norterra Canyon School
• Union Park School (K-8, opened in 2020 inside Union Park)
• Barry Goldwater High School (often listed for Fireside homes)

The district has changed boundaries in recent years, so please confirm the assigned schools for any address with Deer Valley Unified before you buy.

HOA basics

Each community has its own association. The Fireside at Norterra Community Association runs the Fireside amenities and enforces its CC&Rs, and its rules allow neighborhood sub-associations inside Fireside. Union Park has its own association and amenity center. Dues, what they cover, rental rules and architectural rules all differ, so I request the HOA documents early in escrow and walk you through them.

Buying in Norterra

Start by deciding which community fits you. Fireside gives you the larger amenity center and established streets. Union Park gives you newer construction and more townhome choices. Then look closely at the lot. Homes near I-17 and Happy Valley Road are close to shopping, while homes near the preserves get more desert views. If you want to keep payments manageable, ask me whether a home has an assumable mortgage. New to buying here? Read my first steps to buying a home in Arizona.

Selling your Norterra home

Buyers here compare Fireside and Union Park side by side, so pricing has to reflect your community, your lot and how updated your home is. I pull recent sales from your own section, not just the 85085 ZIP. My guide on how to price your Arizona home to sell explains how I do it, and you can see how I market homes on my DeLex Realty Phoenix listings page.

Questions buyers ask

Is Norterra one HOA?
No, Norterra is an area name, and its main neighborhoods, Fireside at Norterra and Union Park at Norterra, each have their own association. Check which one a home belongs to before you compare amenities.

Is Fireside at Norterra a 55+ community?
No, Fireside at Norterra was built by Del Webb but is open to buyers of all ages. That surprises many people who know Del Webb for its active adult communities.

How close is Norterra to the freeway?
Very close, since the area sits right at the I-17 and Happy Valley Road interchange. The Loop 303 is a short drive north on I-17, and the Loop 101 is a short drive south.

What school district serves Norterra?
Norterra is served by the Deer Valley Unified School District. Norterra Canyon School and Union Park School are in the area, and you should confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with the district.

Nearby communities to compare

Happy Valley area (Phoenix) · Stetson Valley (Phoenix) · Sonoran Foothills (Phoenix) · Tramonto (Phoenix) · Anthem · Desert Ridge (Phoenix) · Moving to Phoenix guide · All Phoenix homes for sale

Community details come from public sources and can change. Confirm HOA, amenity and school information for a specific home before you buy.