Luke AFB
Luke AFB is the world's largest fighter pilot training base, home to the 56th Fighter Wing and producing more F-35A pilots than any other installation. Located in the northwest Phoenix metro in Glendale, Arizona, the base puts residents in one of the fastest-growing metros in the country with a booming job market, excellent sports teams, and world-class dining. The Phoenix area offers warm winters, abundant sunshine, and easy access to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and mountain ski resorts within a few hours.
Neighborhoods Near Luke AFB
Popular communities where military families stationed at Luke AFB choose to live.
Litchfield Park
10–15 min to main gateAn established West Valley community adjacent to Luke with a historic village center, the Wigwam Resort, and a strong golf community atmosphere.
Goodyear
15–20 min to main gateOne of the Phoenix area's fastest-growing cities with large master-planned communities, new construction, excellent schools, and strong retail.
Surprise
15–20 min to main gateA large planned community northwest of Luke popular with military families for its affordable new construction, spring training baseball, and water parks.
Schools & Education
Agua Fria Union High School District
AFHSD serves the Luke AFB area secondary schools. Elementary schools fall under multiple smaller districts. The West Valley has several highly rated school options, particularly in Goodyear and Surprise.
- Millennium High School (AFHSD) is consistently among Arizona's top public schools
- Goodyear's Palm Valley/Liberty area schools are top-rated in the West Valley
- Dysart Unified (Surprise) has strong schools and extensive extracurricular programs
Things to Do Near Glendale
Local favorites for dining, outdoor adventures, and entertainment in the Glendale area.
Maricopa County's largest regional park with 30+ miles of trails, Hohokam petroglyphs, and stunning Sonoran desert scenery west of Surprise.
Spring training home of the Padres and Mariners with MLB games from February through March — a quintessential Arizona West Valley experience.
A historic Arizona resort with 54 holes of golf, spa, and dining in Litchfield Park — an iconic destination since 1929.
A wildly popular dessert shop in Surprise serving over-the-top milkshakes piled with toppings — a military family favorite.
A large Maricopa County reservoir with boating, wakeboarding, fishing, and camping in the desert mountains north of the West Valley.
A major outlet mall in Goodyear with dozens of name-brand stores and restaurants — one of the West Valley's top shopping destinations.
Housing & Cost of Living
The West Phoenix Valley has seen extraordinary growth and appreciation. Prices peaked in 2022 and have softened but remain elevated. New construction is abundant. Goodyear and Surprise are most competitive.
Popular neighborhoods to consider:
PCS Tips for Luke AFB
- Contact the installation housing office early — wait lists can be long.
- Check BAH rates at the official DoD BAH calculator before setting your home budget.
- Get VA pre-approved before your PCS orders — it helps you move fast in competitive markets.
- Military-friendly real estate markets near bases can move quickly — be ready to act.