PHOENIX — Just 10 miles northeast of this fast-growing metropolis sits the 12,500-person community of Paradise Valley.

While it is still considered a relatively small oasis in the Arizona desert, a cruise through the Paradise Valley streets suggests the neighborhood presents more like a mini-version of Beverly Hills, minus the ocean breeze. G-Wagons and Bentleys line the roads, their presence echoing the affluent, successful air that swirls over sprawling multi-acre lots. Some of sports’ biggest names like Mike Tyson, Odell Beckham Jr. and Michael Phelps make up Paradise Valley’s resident list.

It is an oasis for young superstars who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor beyond prying eyes. The athletes live in a private sanctuary providing luxury commonly attributed to Southern California or Florida, but in a noticeably different financial framework. It is where the sun beams more than 300 days a year and the greens on the golf courses never fade, a desert paradise teeming with celebrities who value their privacy.

“This is ‘Beverly Hills, Arizona,’” said Eddie Lack, a former NHL goalie and current Paradise Valley resident and Realtor. “That’s the best comparison. Big houses on big lots. Lots of greenery around and a lot of wealthy people in Paradise Valley.”

The reason why athletes flock to Paradise Valley in the offseason or choose to make it their permanent home in retirement can be traced to three core elements. The little utopia in the 48th state doesn’t have the glitzy oceanside views or bustling beachside boardwalks of California, but it more than carries its glamorous weight in other primary aspects.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Eddie Lack (31) during a break in action against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, in Newark, N.J. Lack is now a Realtor and resident in Paradise Valley. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Adam Hunger

Dollars make sense

Of course, it has to do with money. This is no secret.

In the 10 most expensive ZIP codes in the United States, six of the top seven are in either California or Miami, where sunny skies come less often and with thicker price tags and heavier taxes. Californians, in particular, suffer under the weight of one of the country’s steepest income tax rates, as high as 14.4%. Not only are homebuyers shelling out more for their luxury houses, but they’re also generating less on the dollar from their own paychecks.

Arizona, conversely, has a much friendlier financial landscape. The state has a flat income tax of 2.5%. For professional athletes and other millionaires used to seeing their paychecks heavily cut with taxes before the money hits their bank account, Arizona’s tax laws are a reprieve. The difference between 14.4% and 2.5% for athletes is notable enough to warrant consideration of moving away from more populous states.

The houses in Paradise Valley also represent the massive amount of money spent on them. For multimillion-dollar homes, the space, community and amenities accurately reflect the monetary investment in the region.

In some cases, the Arizona homes have the same quality, but the California tag drives up the price. The cost per unit sits higher on the coast than in Arizona. The only difference in home grandeur is proximity to the ocean. Non-surfers of the world don’t mind sacrificing enticing waves for the prospect of more money saved.

Here, in this slice of the Valley surrounded by spectacular mountain views, space is everything. No side-by-side homes with neighbors sharing walls.

Paradise Valley Realtor Chris Karas knows this all too well.

“I was at a home today, and we’re at $14 million on the house and in L.A. or some of the higher-end areas, that house is $25-$40 million,” Karas said. “You get more land, you’re not on smaller lots, it’s all 1-acre lots on average in Paradise Valley.”

However, Miami offers lush coastal views similar to California, albeit on a different ocean, without the same tax implications. In fact, it’s even more lenient than Arizona. Florida does not have an individual income tax at all.

So why don’t more retired athletes and public figures trade in the quiet desert air for Miami nights? The decision is not always financial.

Former Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps watches play between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. Phelps now lives in Paradise Valley. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Ross D. Franklin

Fun (and hard work) in the sun

Few things draw people to the Valley more than sun and golf. For the ultra-wealthy, affording Miami or California is still well within reach. But for active athletes who spend their offseasons in Arizona, the hurricane-prone coasts and colder California winters don’t compare to the nearly 10 months of sunshine they find in the desert.

And then there’s the training.

“Athletes are driven to always be working out or training or just being athletic,” Karas said. “The overall climate of Arizona allows them to always be indoor and outdoor, whether it’s training inside the gym or outside, or going on hikes or, you know, doing sports. I think it really allows for that.”

MLB players often rent homes in Paradise Valley during spring training in the Cactus League. For two months each year, they bask in the warmer weather. Karas sees many of those rentals turn into permanent homes as players grow enamored with the area.

Current stars of Phoenix-based teams — like Suns guard Devin Booker or Larry Fitzgerald, the future Hall of Fame Cardinals receiver — stay in Paradise Valley simply for its grandeur. But even athletes from teams that compete hundreds of miles away make the move in the offseason. Bitter East Coast winters don’t lend themselves to productive living once the season ends. March temperatures in Phoenix average between 70 and 80 degrees. New York? A chillier 34 to 52. The sun beckons Eastern stars west.

“The (offseason) weather might not be great where they’re at,” Karas said. “Especially somewhere back east. NFL guy gets down in January or February, and it’s still snowing back home. They want to be here in the sunshine. They want to be in the desert. They want to play golf. They want to just have a great offseason where they can train and relax.”

For retired legends like Phelps, Tyson, or the late Muhammad Ali, the 370 golf courses offer something quieter. With only approximately 36 days of rain a year, those courses stay open for business longer than almost any other region in the country.

It’s a way of life in the neighborhood, but not the only one. Nearby downtown Phoenix is a dynamic urban hub, with nightlife and entertainment well within reach. Close to the clubs and swanky restaurants of Old Town Scottsdale, Paradise Valley residents aren’t too far removed from the Valley’s more lively rhythms.

As Lack finished his career with the New Jersey Devils and started a family, he and his wife had to decide where the next chapter of their lives would begin. Of course, Miami and Los Angeles were considered. But the sunshine and proximity to the more vibrant corners of Phoenix ultimately pulled them in.

“We looked at here or Florida or California, and we just felt that the quality of life and the housing prices were really good back then,” Lack said. “We went to visit a few times and just really loved the weather for most of the year. It felt like a good opportunity.”

The weather is forgiving, and the cost of living beats the coasts, all while offering access to nightlife and public attractions. But for many of Paradise Valley’s most famous athletic residents, the ability to separate — to live quietly, away from the noise and the spotlight – seals the deal.

Hidden in plain sight

Wealthy athletes can live in luxury almost anywhere. When fans are willing to sleuth and scour the internet for any clue as to where they might catch even a glimpse of their favorite stars, protecting personal and family spaces of refuge becomes paramount.

Enter the limited liability company, which is often used as a proxy for athletes to buy real estate under the names of companies or other entities. So if someone were to read a comprehensive list of residents, they might not actually see every celebrity name that lives there. But they are there nonetheless.

Staying anonymous only adds to the safety and comfort for those who live in Paradise Valley.

For high-profile names, LLCs don’t just handle transactions; they create protective layers, veiling ownership behind corporate filings. Every state has different LLC regulations. Among all the options, Delaware stands out. Its laws offer some of the strongest privacy protections in the country, making it a go-to for those who’d rather not leave a trail.

Some, like Cardinals legend Fitzgerald, welcome the fanfare. Their public residence, unhidden from the world, is a sign of commitment to the community — a statement that Paradise Valley, Arizona, is where they’re meant to be, want to be, and intend to stay.

Paradise Valley offers something rare. A seamless blend of space, sun and privacy. For athletes used to noise and attention, it’s a place to reset, to train, relax and build a life outside the spotlight. The financial benefits matter, but so does the lifestyle: clear skies, quiet streets, and the golf. So much golf. It’s a peace of mind. And for many athletes, that makes all the difference when choosing where to land after the game slows down. Arizona’s own little slice of Paradise.