Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, a retirement community, or an escape from the rat race, the resort cities of Greater Palm Springs offer a slower pace of life coupled with endless outdoor recreation. Swimming pools, moving glass wall systems, and cozy gas fireplaces are common features of these desert oases. Grab your sunscreen and throw on a kaftan because we’re taking you on a hunt for new single-family homes in the Coachella Valley.

1. Desert Palisades

Developer: Better Built Inc.
Address: 1111 West Racquet Club Road, Palm Springs, CA
Priced from: $420,000

Touted as “Palm Springs’ last hillside community” Desert Palisades is a collection of 110 private homesites situated along Chino Canyon. Purchasers are responsible for bringing in their own architect but are expected to adhere to the community design guidelines, which emphasize a ‘contemporary interpretation of desert modernism.’ Full utility services are available to each lot and gross square footage ranges from 15,580 to 36,740 square feet.

2. The Retreat at Verano

Developer: D.R. Horton
Address: Rio Pecos Drive, Cathedral City, CA
Priced from: $309,990

If ‘rustic southwest’ is more your style, saddle up for The Retreat at Verano, a master-planned community of single-story homes. Featuring Spanish, Desert Ranch and Mediterranean-inspired exteriors, the homes include two or three bedrooms and ample outdoor space. Residents will be able to take advantage of the furnished community room, clubhouse, pool and spa, outdoor covered patio and playground.

3. Del Webb at Rancho Mirage

Developer: Del Webb
Address: 71 Dinah Shore Drive, Cathedral City, CA
Priced from: $366,990

Active adults 55 and over seeking the convenience of single-story living and proximity to downtown Palm Springs will want to check out Del Webb at Rancho Mirage. The community offers a clubhouse with a resort-style pool, a secondary covered pool, and a well-equipped fitness facility. The open-concept homes boast spacious island kitchens, walk-in closets, covered patios, gathering rooms, golf cart garages and more.

4. The Retreat at Desert Willow

Developer: Family Development Group
Address: Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA
Priced from: the high-$600,000s

Only two homes remain at The Retreat at Desert Willow, a community of single-level residences that are deeded as condominiums for a maintenance-free lifestyle. The development shares an address with the Desert Willow Golf Resort and homeowners will receive special membership perks, like complimentary practice range access and 25 percent off the best available public rates. 

5. Toll Brothers at Escena

Developer: Toll Brothers
Address: Indigo Lane, Cathedral City, CA
Priced from: $621,995

The mid-century modern-style homes at Escena are characterized by open-concept floorplans, two to three bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, spacious master suites, and a den or study. A pool and spa are also included in the purchase price of each home. Only a few sites remain in this gated community that’s adjacent to a golf course and less than 20 minutes from downtown Palm Springs. 

6. Genesis

Developer: GHA Companies
Address: 74558 Tesla Drive, Palm Desert, CA
Priced from: $438,900

The final homes are now selling at Genesis in Palm Desert, a mix of 166 new single-family homes in single and two-story configurations. The homes are affordably priced from the low-$400,000s and come complete with two-car garages, eat-in kitchens, master suites, outdoor living spaces, and two or three bedrooms. Residents will also enjoy the recently-opened community pool, fitness center, walking paseo and two dog parks. 

7. Griffin Ranch – Encore

Developer: Lennar
Address: 54-835 Damascus Drive, La Quinta, CA
Priced from: $875,900

Experience luxury desert living at Encore in La Quinta’s Griffin Ranch. These single-story, four-bedroom homes include gourmet kitchens with granite or quartz countertops, two- and three-bay garages with golf cart storage (as per plan), and open floorplans that are primed for entertaining. Experience the community’s resort-style amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga room, junior Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts and putting green.

Communities featured in this article

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