Deciding between the Talon and Raptor districts in Grayhawk? From the outside, they look similar: both are guard-gated, golf-centric, and close to everything. But on the ground, they each offer a different mix of neighborhoods, lot types, and HOA services that shape your day-to-day. In this guide, you’ll learn how the two sides compare on layout, homes, assessments, golf access, and amenities so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Grayhawk at a glance
Both Talon and Raptor sit inside Grayhawk’s Retreat Village, the guard-gated portion of the master-planned community. Each district wraps parts of Grayhawk Golf Club and is organized into smaller pockets with their own HOA structures. You can review the official neighborhood map and structure on the Grayhawk site to understand how these pieces fit together. For gate details and procedures, see the Retreat Village page.
- Learn the neighborhood framework: Grayhawk Neighborhoods overview
- Gate and access guidance: Retreat Village information
Where neighborhoods sit
Talon and Raptor each include several pockets that feel distinct. Use these lists as a starting point when you are shortlisting addresses.
Raptor district pockets
- Halcon Villas and Halcon Vistas
- Serenity
- Volare
- Crown Point Norte
- Los Vientos
- Firenze
- Avian (condo/townhome)
These are generally north and central within the Retreat and border the Raptor Course in many spots.
Talon district pockets
- Avante
- Crown Point (portion)
- Peregrine Villas and Vistas
- Renaissance
- Talon Fairways
- Talon Point
- Monterey (Monterey Retreat)
- Cachet, Tesoro, Encore
Many Talon pockets front holes on the Talon Course or sit on streets oriented to fairway views.
What the homes are like
You will see overlapping builders and sizes on both sides, but each district has a different emphasis.
Talon: golf-front and patio home mix
Talon includes several pockets with homes sited directly on Talon fairways along with patio and single-family product lines. Examples reported in listing histories include Talon Point and Talon Fairways, where many lots back to golf and typical plans often run from the mid-2,000s to the mid-3,000s square feet. Peregrine Villas and Vistas add mid-to-large footprints, and Renaissance and Avante offer higher-end enclaves with varied floorplans and, in some cases, added services through the neighborhood HOA.
Raptor: production pockets plus custom-lot enclave
On Raptor, you will find production neighborhoods like Volare, Halcon, and Los Vientos with common plans roughly in the 2,400 to 3,600 square foot range. Serenity stands out as an enclave with larger custom parcels and a different street scale compared with the production pockets. Many Raptor listings highlight mountain sightlines or open desert edges in addition to golf proximity.
HOA costs and what they include
In Grayhawk’s Retreat, assessments are layered. Every owner pays the Grayhawk Master Association. Homes within the guard-gated Retreat also pay the Retreat Village assessment. Many pockets add a neighborhood assessment for services like pools, tennis, front-yard landscaping, or exterior maintenance. The official 2026 Schedule of Assessments details each layer.
- Master Association (2026): $1,140.00 annual
- Retreat Village (2026): $1,771.20 annual
Representative 2026 neighborhood totals (annual):
- Renaissance (Talon): $6,295.20
- Avante (Talon): $3,607.20
- Peregrine (Talon): $3,361.80
- Volare (Raptor): $3,649.20
- Halcon (Raptor): $3,360.00
- Los Vientos (Raptor): $3,549.00
These totals vary because some pockets include added services that reduce visible maintenance but increase fees. Always verify the exact address, the current budget, and the CC&Rs during due diligence. You can view the latest published schedule and resale-related fees in the official packet.
- Assessment details and resale fees: Grayhawk 2026 Schedule of Assessments
Golf experience and course access
Grayhawk Golf Club operates two public championship courses with different personalities.
- Raptor Course: A Tom Fazio design known for generous fairways, large undulating greens, and a tournament pedigree. Learn more about the layout and play here: Raptor Course overview
- Talon Course: A David Graham and Gary Panks design with dramatic desert features, deep box canyons, and tighter visual corridors. Get a feel for the routing here: Talon Course overview
Buyer tips:
- If a true golf view matters, note the specific fairway number in the listing and visit at different times of day. Check for maintenance easements, cart paths, and any yard setback requirements.
- If you like being close to clubhouse dining and practice, map your drive from the exact street. Both districts offer quick access, but proximity varies by pocket.
Trails, parks, and community amenities
One of Grayhawk’s biggest lifestyle draws is its trail and park network. The community reports more than 30 miles of multi-use paths that link neighborhoods, parks, and nearby shops. If you value walking, running, or biking, this connectivity is a major plus.
- Explore the network: Grayhawk Trail System
Two City of Scottsdale parks sit within or near Grayhawk. Thompson Peak Park is about 29 acres with lighted softball fields, basketball and pickleball, and an inclusive playground. Grayhawk Park is about 13 acres with sports fields, tennis, and a playground.
- Park details: City Parks near Grayhawk
Within the Retreat Village, multiple neighborhood pools, spas, and tennis courts are spread across sub-associations. Access is pocket-specific, so confirm which facilities your address uses and how they are maintained.
- Resident facilities: Retreat Village amenities
Talon vs. Raptor: the quick take
Here is a simple way to frame the differences you will notice while touring.
- Security and access: Both are inside the guard-gated Retreat with similar gate and transponder procedures.
- Home and lot patterns: Talon leans into golf-front patio and single-family pockets along Talon fairways. Raptor blends production pockets with at least one enclave of larger custom lots in Serenity.
- HOA profiles: Both pay the Master and Retreat assessments. Neighborhood totals vary by pocket based on included services. Some Talon pockets include front-yard or exterior services that increase totals, while many Raptor pockets include pool and tennis amenities.
- Golf identity: Talon pockets typically highlight Talon Course fairway views and canyon-style holes. Raptor pockets often emphasize the Raptor Course’s playability and larger green complexes.
- Trails and parks: Both districts share the same trail network and nearby city parks.
Showing checklist for smarter shortlisting
Use this list to compare homes apples to apples and avoid surprises after you fall in love with a view.
- Confirm assessments by address. Start with the Master plus Retreat amounts, then add the neighborhood total. Ask for the seller’s HOA ledger and the latest disclosure.
- Review CC&Rs and neighborhood rules. Look for exterior paint schedules, front-yard plant standards, and what services the HOA covers.
- Understand gate access. Confirm agent registration, guest procedures, and transponder installation windows for residents.
- Validate golf adjacency. Identify the fairway number, then walk or drive the hole to evaluate cart traffic, noise, and setbacks.
- Inspect shared amenities. Visit pools and courts tied to the sub-association and ask for recent meeting minutes for any planned projects.
- Budget for closing fees. The association’s packet outlines resale disclosure, lien estoppel, and community enhancement fee line items.
For official references on assessments, gate policies, and disclosures, use the Grayhawk resources noted above.
The bottom line
You cannot go wrong with either district if Grayhawk fits your lifestyle. Choose Talon if you want more streets that sit directly on Talon fairways and you like the convenience of added exterior services in certain pockets. Choose Raptor if you prefer the option of larger custom lots in Serenity or you want production neighborhoods that lean into open desert and mountain views. Either way, verifying the exact HOA package, pocket amenities, and course relationship by address will help you buy with clarity.
If you would like a curated tour, a line-by-line HOA comparison, or advice on value by pocket, reach out to the Mattisinko Group. Our boutique, education-first approach makes your next move feel simple and well planned.
FAQs
What is the difference between Talon and Raptor in Grayhawk?
- Both are guard-gated districts inside the Retreat, but Talon leans toward golf-front patio and single-family pockets along Talon fairways, while Raptor mixes production neighborhoods with a custom-lot enclave in Serenity.
How do HOA assessments work for Talon and Raptor homes?
- Owners pay the Grayhawk Master assessment plus the Retreat Village assessment, then any neighborhood sub-assessment tied to their pocket. Totals vary by services included.
Are the golf courses private for Grayhawk residents?
- No. Grayhawk’s Raptor and Talon courses are public daily-fee championship courses with on-site dining and practice facilities.
Which pockets in Talon and Raptor are closest to fairways?
- Many Talon pockets, such as Talon Point and Talon Fairways, back to Talon holes. On Raptor, pockets like Volare, Los Vientos, and Halcon border the Raptor routing, while Serenity emphasizes larger lots and open desert edges.
What amenities do Retreat residents share across districts?
- Retreat residents enjoy multiple neighborhood pools, spas, and tennis courts managed by sub-associations, plus Grayhawk’s extensive trail system and nearby city parks.
