Buying a Mobile Home in Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country, with more than 1.6 million people, and it’s the state capital. It’s big enough that “living in Phoenix” means very different things depending on where you land. The west side, south Phoenix near South Mountain, central Phoenix and the north side all have their own feel. Here’s what to know before you start touring homes.
What is Phoenix like to live in?
Phoenix is spread out. The city is divided into 15 urban villages, and each one works almost like its own town, with its own shopping, parks and pace.
Central Phoenix and downtown have the light rail, the ballpark, museums and the most going on at night. The west side, along the I-10, is suburban, with quick freeway access and the Loop 202 close by. South Phoenix sits at the base of South Mountain, with more open space and mountain views. North Phoenix is newer and more spread out.
Wherever you are, the mountains are part of the view. South Mountain, Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak are all inside the city.
What’s the housing like for mobile home buyers?
Most mobile homes in Phoenix sit in land-lease parks. You buy the home and rent the lot from the park. Your monthly cost is your home payment plus lot rent, and the park has to approve you before you move in.
Phoenix has a wide range of parks, from older parks with original homes to gated communities with newer homes and full amenity packages. Both parks on this page are all-ages. If you’re looking at other parks, check whether they’re all-ages or 55+ before you tour.
Ask each park for the current lot rent and what it covers, in writing, before you make an offer. More on that in What Is Lot Rent and Why Isn’t It Included in the Sale Price? and What to Check Before You Buy a Remodeled Mobile Home.
Where do people shop and eat?
Every part of Phoenix has its own grocery stores and shopping centers, so errands stay local. For food, the city is hard to beat. A few favorites:
- Tacos Chiwas serves Chihuahua-style street food: tacos, gorditas and burritos on a short menu. It started in central Phoenix and now has several Valley locations, including one in Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4.
- Thai Recipe Bistro on North 7th Street in central Phoenix is a neighborhood Thai restaurant. Get the tom kha with chicken.
- Pizza to the Rescue on East Indian School Road makes its pasta, dough and mozzarella by hand every day, and it gives 25% of pizza sales to the dog rescue right behind the restaurant. Their motto: “Eat Pizza. Save Puppies.”
What is there to do outside and around town?
- South Mountain Park is the largest city park in the country, with miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails and big views over the Valley.
- Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak are the classic Phoenix hikes. Go early, especially in summer.
- The Desert Botanical Garden has the largest collection of desert plants in the country, and the Phoenix Zoo is next door in Papago Park.
- The Heard Museum is known for its collection of Native American art.
- Downtown has Chase Field for the Diamondbacks, arena events, and First Friday art walks.
Schools and community resources
Phoenix is served by many school districts, and which one you’re in depends on the exact address. Look up the district before you buy. ASU’s downtown campus, Grand Canyon University and the Maricopa Community Colleges all have campuses in the city. The Phoenix Public Library runs branches across every part of town.
How do you get around Phoenix?
Most people drive, and the freeway system covers the whole city. I-10 and I-17 meet near downtown, the Loop 101 circles the north and west, the Loop 202 wraps the south and east (including the South Mountain Freeway on the southwest side), and SR 51 runs north from central Phoenix.
Phoenix also has the most light rail in the Valley. In June 2025 Valley Metro opened the South Central extension, which runs light rail from downtown south to Baseline Road.
Sky Harbor is in the middle of the city, so the airport is close from almost anywhere. Big employers include Banner Health, the State of Arizona, Amazon, Walmart and ASU. Commutes vary a lot by area, so drive your route at your real commute time before you buy.
The honest downsides
It’s big. Picking the right part of Phoenix matters more than picking Phoenix. Spend time in the area before you commit to a home there.
Traffic. Freeways around downtown and the I-10 back up at rush hour.
The heat. Summer regularly runs over 100 degrees from June into September, and the city holds heat at night. In a mobile home, the AC unit matters more than the paint or the flooring. Ask how old it is and when it was last serviced.
Older homes in some parks. Many Phoenix parks are decades old, and so are the homes in them. Look closely at the roof, plumbing and AC, and budget for repairs on an original home.
Lot rent can change. The park sets lot rent and can raise it at renewal. Ask what the increases have looked like in recent years.
What newcomers learn their first year
Hike at sunrise from May through September. Heat rescues on Phoenix trails happen every summer, almost always in the middle of the day.
Monsoon season runs from about July through September and brings dust storms and sudden heavy rain. Pull over when a dust storm hits.
Your neighborhood is your city. Most Phoenix residents shop, eat and do errands within a few miles of home.
Park approval takes time. Have your ID and income information ready so the application doesn’t hold up your move.
Mobile home parks we work with in Phoenix
San Estrella
500 N 67th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85043
All-Ages Community
San Estrella is a gated, all-ages community on the west side of Phoenix, near the I-10 and Loop 202, managed by Cal-Am Properties. It has a heated pool and spa, a fitness center, tennis courts, a billiards room, a community room with a dance floor and kitchen, a big grassy park area and staff on site.
Visit the San Estrella community website
Mountain Gate
9629 S 14th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85041
All-Ages Community
Mountain Gate is an all-ages community at the base of South Mountain in south Phoenix, managed by YES! Communities, with about 337 home sites. It opened in 1984. It has a clubhouse, a pool, a playground, basketball courts and a dog park, with trails nearby.
Visit the Mountain Gate community website
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there mobile homes for sale in Phoenix, AZ?
Yes. We sell mobile homes in Phoenix parks, including San Estrella and Mountain Gate. Join our Preferred Buyers List and we’ll contact you when a Phoenix home becomes available.
What mobile home parks are near South Mountain in Phoenix?
Mountain Gate, at 9629 S 14th Ave, sits at the base of South Mountain. It’s an all-ages community with a pool, dog park and nearby trail access.
Do I own the land when I buy a mobile home in Phoenix?
In most Phoenix parks, no. You own the home and pay monthly lot rent to the park for the space it sits on.
Can I get owner financing on a mobile home in Phoenix?
Yes. We offer owner financing on every home we sell, and we carry the note ourselves. Call us at (602) 641-3237 to talk through how it works.
How do I buy a mobile home in Phoenix?
Find the home, get approved by the park, then close the sale. We walk you through each step, including the park application. Here’s the full step-by-step process.
Ready to look at homes in Phoenix? Browse our current listings or call (602) 641-3237 to join the Preferred Buyers List.
Back to: Mobile Home Parks We Work With in the Phoenix Metro