NEIGHBORHOODS

Location: 32nd & Shea Blvd.

Description/history: 

This long-established neighborhood in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve has a rich history of mid-century homes, eclectic homes and even custom homes built into the foothills. In the late 90s and the early 2000s, the SR 51 extension bisected this area and caused it to lose some of it’s charm. It struggled through the housing crash of 2009 but has been on a steady upward trajectory since then.

Freeway Access: 

This micro-neighborhood has some of the best freeway access in the valley as it sits directly on the 51 which then leads either to the 101 or the I-10/202 in about 10-15 minute commutes nearby.

Things To Do: 

Located in the middle of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, hiking, biking and trail running are plentiful here. There is also a bouldering gym and airsoft arena right nearby. The old Paradise Valley Mall area (Cactus and Tatum) is less than ten minutes away and features lots of restaurants and shopping.

Restaurant Headliners: 

Press Coffee, Taphouse Kitchen, 32 Shea, Zipps Sports Grill.  

Location:  Camelback & 56th St.

Description/History: 

There is much debate about the boundaries of Arcadia but traditionally Arcadia proper has been 44th St. to 68thSt., Camelback to the Canal. Originally citrus farms, the neighborhood began to change in the 50s as Phoenix expanded and the land became too valuable for just agriculture. Most of the lots are large and grassy, often serviced by irrigation (flooding of lots to grow grass). Homes in Arcadia are typically some of the biggest and most expensive in Phoenix metro. Following the real estate crash in 2009, Arcadia was the first neighborhood to recover to pre-crash pricing, making it one of the strongest and most resilient part of town to live in. All of the areas surrounding Arcadia have benefitted from it’s desirability and there are now a lot of areas, particularly to the west and south that claim to be “Arcadia Lite”. Real estate in those areas has also done extremely well over the last decade.

Freeway Access: 

Located in the very center of the city, freeway access is good, but it is about a 10-15 drive to the closest freeways, whichever direction. The 51 to the West, the 202 to the south and the 101 to the east being the closest.

Things To Do: 

Camelback Mountain dominates the landscape here. Not only are there exceptional views of the southside of Camelback, but Camelback provides a great place to hike, albeit, it is very challenging. Arcadia is just minutes away from Old Town Scottsdale, which features an abundance of shopping, nightlife and art museums. (See the Old Town Scottsdale Section for more). The Village at Camelback is fantastic gym with an emphasis on tennis and it is located at 44th St. & Camelback. Both The Phoenician Resort and Royal Palms Resort are in the heart of Arcadia too.

Restaurant Headliners: 

Steak 44, Le Grande Orange, The Henry, Buck & Rider, Chelsea’s Kitchen, Hash Kitchen, The Vig