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The City of Phoenix proper
Phoenix Downtown Skyline
Phoenix, the sixth largest city in the nation, is a major tourist destination as well as the business center of Arizona. The city is filled with diversity, culture, sports, outdoor recreation, premier shopping and dining, and some of the most renowned resorts in the world.
The city of Phoenix is a large metropolitan area that is broken down into specific areas. Each area contains "villages" or urban areas, each with its own distinct attributes.
Central Phoenix
As the urban center for the entire city, Central Phoenix is the political, business and cultural focal point of the expanding metropolitan region.
Downtown is the core of Central Phoenix. Here, the state's tallest buildings and professional sports stadiums can be found, as well as a multitude of arts and performance venues. The area also is the seat of county and city governments, with the state Capitol nearby.
Alhambra Village includes the area north and west of Encanto Village, spanning both sides of Black Canyon Freeway.
Residents of this area are especially able to take advantage of downtown employment, as well as cultural and entertainment venues and affordable housing. The village is characterized by mature, single-family-home neighborhoods. The historic district boasts a collection of well-preserved homes built primarily in the 1920s and 1930s.
Central City Village is a government and employment center; a transportation hub including freeways, public transit and Sky Harbor International Airport; and an exciting cultural, recreational and convention center. Central City Village spans an area from the Salt River to McDowell Road, and from 48th Street to the Black Canyon Freeway. This area includes all of downtown Phoenix.
Situated just north of downtown, Encanto Village is named for Encanto Park, a 222-acre historic park. The park's design was inspired by English gardens that were popular in the 1920s and 30s. Encanto is home to most of Phoenix's designated historic districts. Unique homes range from Craftsman-style bungalows to spacious haciendas found on palm-tree lined streets. Also known as uptown Phoenix, the area contains a portion of the Central Avenue Corridor where commercial, high-rise office and high-rise residential development co-exist. Encanto Village contains some of the Valley's high-profile cultural venues. The Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum and the Phoenix Theater are in this area, as are the Burton Barr Central Library and the Cancer Survivors Park.
North Phoenix
Driving on Interstate 17 down the hill from Flagstaff, first-time travelers to Phoenix enter the North Valley through a gateway of beautiful saguaro cactus. North Phoenix encompasses more than 242 square miles. The area has become diversified in recent years, and as new business moves into the area, the employment base is increasing, which is driving the housing market.
Named for Indian petroglyphs of deer found in the area, Deer Valley Village is dynamic in its growth and potential. A balance of single-family detached homes and business/retail development is attracting many residents to this area. The Deer Valley Unified School District is one of the state's largest and most progressive. The district employs approximately 2,500 people and enrollment is more than 25,000 students.
The city of Phoenix has taken an ecological approach to the development of Desert View Village. This area is distinguished by its lush Sonoran Desert, including the major features of Cave Creek Wash, Union Hills and an unnamed mountain range. While Desert View Village is home to more than 25,000 residents, it maintains an extensive system of trails, both in washes and along roadways, to provide a village-wide recreational circulation system.
The North Gateway Village is more about the future than the present. This northern Phoenix village, which was established in 1997, is more about managing the development of an area that will one day be home to as many as 150,000 residents and fostering managed growth along Interstate 17 by balancing employment, housing and desert conservation.
While its namesake would suggest an unearthly environment, Moon Valley is as down to earth as they come. This comfortable, upscale neighborhood in North Phoenix is home to more than 10,000 residents. Moon Valley is a quiet community best known for its golf. The neighborhood was built around Moon Valley Country Club, site of the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour PING Banner Health tournament.
Variety would be the best way to describe North Mountain Village. The village is surrounded by a wide variety of neighborhoods, including the affluent Moon Valley and the more middle-class Sunnyslope neighborhoods. Major features of the North Mountain Village include the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, Cave Creek Recreational Area and Arizona State University West campus.
Don't confuse Paradise Valley Village with the town of Paradise Valley. While it borders the city, the area couldn't be more different. The main core of Paradise Valley Village includes Paradise Valley Mall and surrounding businesses. This area provides a successful blend of shopping, housing and employment. The surrounding Phoenix Mountains Preserve system provides area residents with biking, equestrian and hiking trails.
Sunnyslope is one of the Valley's oldest neighborhoods. This North Phoenix community boasts many third-generation families. Sunnyslope once drew a great number of people from out-of-state, who came to the Valley to benefit from its dry climate. It was once was home to a sanatorium that specialized in tuberculosis and other lung ailments. The sanatorium is no longer there, but Sunnyslope continues to be a cozy, mature neighborhood. Mountain view lots in Sunnyslope remain the most affordable around.
South Phoenix
South Phoenix is a land of contrasts. It's a place of beauty where the trails of South Mountain Park snake through the land, a place of intrigue where Mystery Castle awaits to divulge its secrets, and a place of foresight where the Rio Salado riverbed will one day be transformed into a water-themed park. South Phoenix is home to South Mountain Park, the world's largest municipal park. Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians traverse its more than 58 miles of trails covering 16,500 acres. If fall and winter rains are ample, the park is transformed into a sea of blooming poppies and lupine.
Ahwatukee Foothills in the southern portion of the Valley represents the booming growth in planned residential communities in Arizona. The word "Ahwatukee" (ah-wa-too-kee) means "house of dreams" in the Native American language of the Crow tribe. Ahwatukee Foothills is known for its family atmosphere, picturesque setting and a range of housing options from senior living to townhomes. Many upscale homes are built close to South Mountain Park within the foothills.
Laveen is on the cusp of a population boom as development moves to the West. Long an agricultural community growing crops such as cotton and alfalfa, Laveen is increasingly sought out by those who appreciate the small town atmosphere and convenience of living next to a big city. Laveen dates to the 1880s, and the Laveen School District was established in 1908. The town is named for the first postmaster, Walter Laveen.
People who come to Guadalupe may think they've suddenly been transported to Mexico. The town's population is mostly Hispanic, bringing with it tasty Mexican restaurants, markets selling brightly-colored wares and fresh fruit and vegetables at roadside stands. The town is named for the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. Its main shopping center is the El Tianguis Mercado, where colorful items from Mexico may be found.
South Mountain Village is noted for its diversity. This area of town supports a large population of Hispanics, Anglos and African-Americans. Lifestyles are equally diverse, with farms to the west, industry to the north, and numerous residential and recreational areas scattered throughout. The area has become a residential "hot spot" in recent years with homes near South Mountain Park becoming increasingly popular. Homeowners not only have easy access to the park, but also have some of the best views of the Valley from their windows. Proximity to downtown Phoenix is an advantage here as well.
East Phoenix
Majestic Camelback Mountain and Squaw Peak help define this established area of Phoenix where the landscaping is mature and the houses a bit older (by Phoenix standards anyway), many dating from the '50s, '60s and '70s.
Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain lies the world renowned Phoenician Resort.
Sophisticated Camelback Corridor is another East Phoenix point of pride. The corridor is lined with sleek retail and commercial enterprises that include the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, and Biltmore Fashion Park. This part of the city also boasts such stellar attractions as the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden and Papago Park.
Arcadia, which means a pastoral, peaceful place, is known for its houses on large grassy lots, many with citrus trees. When the trees blossom in March, the fragrance is heavenly. The area originally was planned in 1919, and it was mandated that no home could be built for less than $5,000. The oldest home in Arcadia is at 5005 E. Camelback Rd., and now serves as the Shemer Art Center. With its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, the center blends nicely with the Monterey revivals and pueblo-style homes built in the late 1920s and early '30s.
You can consider yourself a true Phoenician with one simple deed - a hike up Squaw Peak. The famous landmark in Camelback East Village offers an awesome Valley vista if you're tough enough to reach the top. For more outdoor fun, on the east border of Camelback East Village is the 914-acre Papago Park, where you can hike, bike, fish and picnic. A reminder of the area's ancient beginnings is the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park, site of an 800-year-old Hohokam Indian ruin.
West Phoenix
West Phoenix is well known for its diversity and multicultural influences. But perhaps no area of the Valley is seeing more growth than here. Affordable new housing, close proximity and easy access to downtown, and dozens of new developments to choose from are fueling interest in West Phoenix. There will be more than 5,000 new homes in West Phoenix in the next two years.
And there's plenty for all these new residents to do including Major League Baseball's Cactus League play at Maryvale Baseball Park and live entertainment by top name entertainment at the Cricket Pavilion. The amphitheater plays host to some of names in live entertainment, attracting a half million fans each year.
Estrella Village is quietly becoming one of the Valley's growth areas. Mixed among older neighborhoods of single-family homes are large tracts of undeveloped land. The area also contains extensive industrial activity that may one day give way to new subdivisions and recreation opportunities. City of Phoenix officials project that Estrella Village will balloon from its current population to more than 100,000 in the next 15 years.
Maryvale Village is a diverse mix of old, comfortable neighborhoods from the beginning of the post-war era to booming new, affordable developments that are attracting new families. The largest business core of Maryvale Village is Desert Sky Marketplace, which includes Desert Sky Mall and Desert Sky Esplanade. Maryvale also includes the metropolitan area's largest outdoor entertainment facility, Cricket Pavilion. In the spring, baseball fans flock to Maryvale, the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers.
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