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 desert of Arizona, 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 over 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.Dollars make senseOf 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 percent. For professional athletes and other millionaires who are 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 multi-million-dollar homes, the space, community and amenities accurately reflect the monetary investment in the region.“What we get for your money in Paradise Valley is five times as much as you can in California or even the East Coast,” Arizona Republic real estate reporter Catherine Reagor said.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 one-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.Fun (and hard work) in the sunFew 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 …
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