I own both a buy and hold rental in Desert Ridge and a STR in Greyhawk.

Jerry Colangelo’s development, the south mountain loop 202, Cavasson, Desert Ridge, Gilbert’s explosion, the downtown revitalization...it’s literally a crap shoot to see which area truly comes out on top.

Also, I’d throw in Desert Ridge as it’s equally appealing to small families and has a great reputation.

I've also written a few articles about outstanding houses for the real estate section of the Santa Fe daily, as well as website copy for a number of real estate companies looking to provide their clients with "neighborhood information" on their websites.Currently, my wife and I live in Santa Cruz, California, but on a road trip two years ago, she fell in love with the deserts around Tucson and so by the end of the summer, we intend to move there.  

The laws of supply and demand suggest people will buy a home if they can afford it.Instead, look to the suburbs in residential areas like Mesa, Ahwatukee Foothills, Gilbert, Rio Vista, Desert View, Deer Valley, and other top-rated neighborhoods in the area.

Personally I’ve bought into Grayhawk, Arcadia, Norterra, and Desert Ridge areas with my own investments, but as a Realtor I can tell you that there are ton of good options depending on the investors criteria.

First @Joshua Dorkin and @Brandon Turner , this site has been like finding a fresh icy mountain stream in the desert.

I can tell you a lot of the good and bad locations of the high desert.  

I have an STR in the desert area of La Quinta.

I was thinking desert properties maybe right...and then BAM there you go right smack in the middle of one of the top appreciation areas.