18426 W Western Star Boulevard, Goodyear
Courtesy of Citiea. 480-870-3119
+16232069936
Loving Phoenix Team | Real Broker
An honest buyer's guide to Estrella, the 20,000-acre master-planned community at the foot of the Sierra Estrella Mountains in Goodyear.
Estrella, formerly known as Estrella Mountain Ranch, is one of the largest master-planned communities in Arizona. It sits in the foothills of the Sierra Estrella Mountains in southwest Goodyear, about 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix.
Most master-planned communities in metro Phoenix sit on flat desert. Estrella is different. The community climbs into the foothills, which means real elevation changes, long mountain views from many lots, and two community lakes (North Lake and South Lake) totaling 72 acres. The amenity package is one of the deepest you'll find anywhere in the Valley: three Residents' Clubs, the Yacht Club of Estrella with non-motorized boating, a Nicklaus Design championship golf course, the StarSplash Waterpark, more than 50 community parks, and 65+ miles of trails.
The community was founded in 1988 and has changed hands several times. Since 2021 it has been owned by a joint venture of Harvard Investments, Toll Brothers, and Värde Partners, who acquired the remaining undeveloped land for $212.5 million. About 8,000 homes have been built and roughly 22,000 residents call Estrella home today, with the long-term plan to grow to about 20,000 homes at full build-out. Eight active homebuilders are currently selling new construction across multiple villages, and resale homes from the late 1990s and early 2000s come up regularly in the Mountain Ranch village. If you're moving to the Valley from out of state, our Phoenix relocation guide covers the timing, taxes, and logistics that catch most buyers off guard.
One thing buyers often miss. Estrella sits in two school districts (Liberty Elementary K-8 and Buckeye Union High School District), even though the address is Goodyear. The community itself sits in the southwest corner of Goodyear, but high schoolers attend Estrella Foothills High School which is part of the Buckeye Union district. That's normal here, but worth knowing if you're moving from out of state and trying to map school boundaries.
Estrella is divided into distinct villages, each with its own personality, age policy, and home styles. Here are the five that come up most in buyer conversations.
Mountain Ranch is the original village of Estrella, dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is home to North Lake and South Lake, the Starpointe Residents' Club, and StarSplash Waterpark. Most resale inventory in Estrella sits here. Homes range from late 1990s and early 2000s production builds to custom estates in gated enclaves like Hidden Hills and Sonoran Vistas.
Buyers come to Mountain Ranch for the established feel: mature landscaping, walkable access to both lakes, and the deepest concentration of homes on golf course and lakefront lots. At full build-out, Mountain Ranch is planned for about 4,000 homes total. If you want to be near the water and the original amenities, this is the village to start with.
Lucero opened in April 2019 as the northernmost village of Estrella and the first one you reach at the main entrance. The village covers about 617 acres and is planned for around 1,150 homes at completion. Lucero sits closest to the community welcome center and Casa Lucero, and connects to the Presidio Residents' Club on the Lucero side of the community.
Buyers come to Lucero for newer construction at slightly more accessible price points than Mountain Ranch resales with major upgrades. Multiple builders have built collections here including Discovery (Lennar's NextGen multi-generational layout) and Solvida. The main tradeoff with Lucero is that it sits at a lower elevation than Montecito and Mountain Ranch, so the long mountain views are less dramatic from most lots.
Montecito sits in the heart of Estrella between Lucero to the north and Mountain Ranch to the south. The village covers about 1,400 acres and is planned for around 4,000 homes at full build-out. This is where most of the active new construction is happening today, with Lennar, Richmond American, Toll Brothers (Beacon in Estrella), and other builders all selling new home collections.
Buyers come to Montecito for new construction with current builder warranties, modern floor plans, and the ability to choose options at the design center. Montecito sits at higher elevation than Lucero, so many lots have legitimate mountain or preserve views. The recently approved 1,500-acre rezoning east of Estrella Parkway will eventually expand Montecito's footprint and add a second commercial hub serving the southern part of the community.
CantaMia is the gated 55+ village inside Estrella, with its own dedicated CantaMia Village Center clubhouse. The Village Center includes an indoor lap pool, a resort-style outdoor pool with beach entry, demonstration kitchen, cafe, library, art studio, and a fenced dog park. CantaMia residents also have access to the Yacht Club of Estrella, the lakes, parks, and trails throughout the broader community.
CantaMia is a popular alternative for buyers who want a 55+ community but also want access to family-village amenities (for visiting grandkids, for example). Taylor Morrison is the primary builder in CantaMia today, with new construction collections including the Maestro and Cadence floor plans. CantaMia residents can purchase optional annual passes to use the Starpointe and Presidio Residents' Clubs as well. Buyers comparing 55+ options often look at PebbleCreek, Sun City Festival, and Victory at Verrado alongside CantaMia. If CantaMia is part of a retirement move, our 55+ Phoenix relocation guide goes deeper into what makes the West Valley different from Florida or California for active adult buyers.
Reflection Bay is one of several gated enclaves within the broader Mountain Ranch village, sitting close to North Lake and the Starpointe Residents' Club. Inventory here turns over less frequently than the open-gate sections of Estrella, but when homes do hit the market they typically draw strong interest because of the combination of gated security, lake proximity, and direct access to the original Starpointe amenities.
Buyers shopping Reflection Bay are usually weighing it against other gated Estrella enclaves like Hidden Hills (custom lot section), Sonoran Vistas (half-acre custom lots with panoramic views), and Horizon at Estrella. Each gated section has its own personality. If you want a custom build on a larger lot, Hidden Hills and Sonoran Vistas are worth a look. If you want an existing home in a gated community with mature landscaping and lake walkability, Reflection Bay is hard to beat inside Estrella.
These pull live MLS listings filtered to Estrella Mountain Ranch only, not all of Goodyear.
Estrella has real strengths, but every community has tradeoffs. I would rather have you walk in with eyes open.
Amenities you would expect at a resort. Three Residents' Clubs, two community lakes, a non-motorized Yacht Club, a Nicklaus Design golf course, a waterpark, more than 50 parks, and 65+ miles of trails. Few master-planned communities in metro Phoenix come close on the amenity side.
Real elevation and views. Estrella climbs into the foothills of the Sierra Estrella Mountains, so many lots have genuine mountain views, sunsets, and a sense of separation from the surrounding desert floor. This is unusual for the West Valley.
Low base HOA for the amenity level. Estrella's base HOA starts at $125 per month, which is competitive given the amenities included. Gated neighborhoods carry slightly higher fees.
Strong builder lineup. Eight active builders means real choice. Lennar, Richmond American, Beazer, Brightland, Taylor Morrison, Landsea, Toll Brothers, and William Ryan Homes are all currently selling.
Commute distance. Estrella is about 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix and roughly 25 to 35 minutes to Sky Harbor depending on time of day. The Estrella Parkway exit off I-10 is the main access point. Drive your specific commute at the time you would actually drive it before you commit.
Daily errands take a drive. Most major shopping, healthcare, and dining still sit closer to I-10 in central Goodyear or Avondale, which is a 15 to 20 minute drive from most Estrella lots. The community has on-site retail (Estrella Ranch Marketplace, Banner Health Center) and more is coming with the planned second commercial hub, but it is not as built-out as some closer-in communities.
Two school districts. Liberty Elementary handles K-8 and Buckeye Union handles high school. Both are A-rated, but if you are mapping schools to specific addresses, double-check the boundary because some parts of Estrella feed to different elementary schools (Estrella Mountain Elementary, Westar, Las Brisas Academy).
New construction has its own contract. If you go new build with one of the eight builders here, the builder contract favors the builder. New construction can be great, but builder contracts are a little different. That is where having someone on your side really helps.
One thing I tell every buyer in Estrella: drive into the community at sunset. The way the road climbs into the foothills, the sun on the Sierra Estrellas, and the views of North Lake from the Mountain Ranch side will tell you more about whether this is your community than any amenity list. Some buyers fall in love on that first drive. Others realize the elevation and the distance from central Phoenix is more than they want to take on. Either answer is fine, you just want to know which one is yours.
What daily life looks like for most Estrella residents, beyond the home itself.
Starpointe is the original clubhouse, sitting against North Lake with a heated lap pool, fitness center, and the StarSplash Waterpark with slides and splash pads. Presidio is the newer flagship, with a more upscale feel including a cafe, demonstration kitchen, and sports lounge. CantaMia Village Center serves the 55+ village with an indoor lap pool, beach-entry resort pool, and art studio.
North Lake and South Lake total 72 acres of water. The Yacht Club of Estrella loans non-motorized boats including kayaks, paddle boats, and small sailboats to residents at no extra charge, and offers sailing lessons. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed. Walking and biking paths circle nearly 3 miles of paved pathways around both lakes.
The Golf Club of Estrella is a daily-fee 18-hole championship course designed by Nicklaus Design and managed by Troon. The course winds through the Sierra Estrella foothills with elevation changes that are unusual for Valley golf. The Player's Grill at the clubhouse is open to the public and is one of the few sit-down dining options inside the community.
Trails range from easy desert paths near the lakes to challenging climbs into the foothills with payoff views at the top. The community connects directly into Estrella Mountain Regional Park, a 19,840-acre Maricopa County park that adds another 33 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
K-8 students attend schools in the Liberty Elementary School District, with Estrella Mountain Elementary, Westar Elementary, and Las Brisas Academy serving different parts of the community. High school students attend Estrella Foothills High School, part of the Buckeye Union High School District. Both districts have held A ratings in recent years.
Goodyear has grown from about 19,000 residents in 2000 to more than 100,000 today. The city's parks and trails system connects to Estrella Mountain Regional Park and is expanding. Goodyear Ballpark hosts the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds for spring training. Loop 303 connects Estrella to the broader West Valley, with widening planned through 2027.
Estrella home values vary by village, lot location, view, and finish level. Get an updated estimate based on real recent sales near you, not a generic algorithm.
Get My Home ValueReal reviews from buyers and sellers we've worked with throughout the Phoenix area.
Is the community called Estrella or Estrella Mountain Ranch?
Both. The community was originally branded Estrella Mountain Ranch from its 1988 founding through about 2021. After the joint venture acquisition by Harvard Investments, Toll Brothers, and Värde Partners, the community was rebranded simply as "Estrella." Most residents and the MLS still use Estrella Mountain Ranch interchangeably, and you'll see both names in listings and signage. They refer to the same place.
What's the HOA like in Estrella?
Estrella's base HOA starts at $125 per month as of 2025, with slightly higher fees in gated neighborhoods like Reflection Bay, Hidden Hills, and Sonoran Vistas. CantaMia (the 55+ village) carries an additional sub-association fee for the dedicated Village Center amenities. The HOA is professionally managed by CCMC and covers common-area maintenance, the Residents' Clubs, the lakes and Yacht Club, the parks and trail system, and community events. Always pull current HOA disclosures before writing an offer.
How is Estrella different from PebbleCreek or CantaMia?
PebbleCreek is a gated 55+ community in central Goodyear. CantaMia is the gated 55+ village inside Estrella, so it shares Estrella's lakes, trails, and Residents' Clubs in addition to its own dedicated CantaMia Village Center. Estrella as a whole is multi-generational, while PebbleCreek and CantaMia are 55+ only. If you want all-ages master-planned with deep amenities, Estrella is the choice. If you want a 55+ community inside a larger amenity-rich master plan, CantaMia is the answer. If you want a fully 55+ community with two-golf-course access in a more central Goodyear location, PebbleCreek is a strong comparable.
Are there any builder incentives in Estrella right now?
Builder incentives shift constantly and vary by builder, neighborhood, and quick move-in availability. Common incentives in Estrella have included rate buydowns through preferred lenders, design center credits, closing cost credits, and price reductions on standing inventory. Lennar, Richmond American, Toll Brothers, Beazer, Taylor Morrison, Landsea, Brightland, and William Ryan all currently sell in Estrella. I track the live incentive landscape and can pull current offerings on any specific community when you're ready to compare.
How long is the commute from Estrella to central Phoenix or Sky Harbor?
Estrella is about 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Most off-peak drives to downtown Phoenix run 25 to 35 minutes via Estrella Parkway and I-10. Sky Harbor is typically 30 to 40 minutes off-peak. I-10 traffic adds 15 to 30 minutes during morning and evening peak. Loop 303 widening is in progress and the planned State Route 30 (parallel to I-10) is years out but will help. Always drive your specific commute at a typical Monday morning before you buy.
Can my CantaMia (55+) HOA membership use the regular Residents' Clubs?
CantaMia residents have full access to the Yacht Club, lakes, parks, and 65+ miles of trails throughout Estrella as part of their base HOA. Access to Starpointe and Presidio Residents' Clubs (with their pools, fitness centers, and waterpark) is separate and requires an annual pass. As of October 2024, the rates were $400 per year for two adults in a household, with daily, weekly, and monthly options also available. Rates can change, so verify with the community services office before assuming.
Is new construction or resale a better choice in Estrella?
Both have a place, and the right answer depends on what you value. New construction in Lucero, Montecito, and CantaMia gives you current floor plans, builder warranties, and the ability to choose options at the design center. Resale in Mountain Ranch and the established gated enclaves typically gives you mature landscaping, lake-adjacent locations, and existing pools and finishes that would cost a premium to build new. New construction prices in Estrella have recently started in the high $300,000s for smaller plans and run well above $700,000 for larger multi-generational and view-lot homes. Resale ranges similarly. I'm happy to walk through both side-by-side at the same price point.
What's planned for Estrella in the next few years?
A 1,500-acre rezoning was approved by Goodyear City Council in 2025 that paves the way for a second commercial hub on the southern side of the community, plus extensions of trails, parks, and a new residents' club. The rezoning reduced overall density compared to the original 1988 plan and increased open space. Construction on those new neighborhoods is expected to begin within 18 to 24 months. Lennar and Richmond American secured 508 lots in Montecito in 2024 with model homes opening in late 2025. Loop 303 widening is also in progress through 2027.
Mountain Ranch, Lucero, Montecito, CantaMia, or one of the gated enclaves. After more than 20 years in this market, I can help you sort the differences and find the right fit. The first conversation is just to listen and answer questions. No pressure.
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