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Communities in the Valley of the Sun

Phoenix

Phoenix Skyline at Nigh

Phoenix is the hub of the rapidly growing Southwest and the heart of a metro area of 3.9 million. The city is the  sixth largest in the nation, and the capital of Arizona plus the Maricopa County seat. You’ll find everything from world-class resorts and fine dining to exhilarating adventure, wonderful golf courses, trendy shopping, modern nightlife and enriching culture here.

History tells this: In 1867, Phoenix founder Jack Swilling formed a canal company diverting irrigation water from the Salt River. In 1911, Roosevelt Dam was completed and water supplies were stabilized. Incorporated on February 25, 1881 and the city was called Hoozdo, or “the place is hot”, in the Navajo language and Fiinigis in the Western Apache language.

Phoenix’ explosive growth began during World War II when military airfields were built in Maricopa County for the near-perfect flying weather. Many defense industries followed. Luke Air Force Base, west of Phoenix, is still a major training center for fighter pilots.

A major factor in the economic development is naturally the climate. The area experiences sunshine nearly every day of the year. The name Phoenix, legendary Egyptian symbol of rebirth, was chosen because the city was built on the ruins of the Hohokam Indian civilization whose farmers dug irrigation canals still in use today.

Biltmore

The Biltmore grounds are exquisite; the Biltmore area restaurants are upscale, as well are the shops. In Phoenix, there are the amenities of the big city, but the suburbs and the desert is no less than a half hour away. The Biltmore area at 24th and Camelback is one of the most popular and ritziest areas in the state. The City of Phoenix develops and manages the city within the neighborhood community theory. When asking a Phoenician where they live, the answer will most likely be: Arcadia, Anthem, Biltmore, Camelback Corridor, North Central area, Moon Valley or Paradise Valley. The home prices in Biltmore range $900,000 to $5,750,000. The Arcadia homes range $360,500 to $2,650,000.

Encanto-Palmcroft

Historic District bounded by Seventh Avenue, McDowell Road, 15th Avenue, and Thomas Road. Landscaping is mature, homes picturesque homes, composed of two subdivisions built beginning in the 1920s, the neighborhood has ornamental streetlights, mature palm trees and curving streets. The core of Encanto Village is the Park Central Shopping Center and surrounding mid-density area. The core also contains a portion of the Central Avenue Corridor where commercial, sports complexes, high-rise office and high-rise residential development co-exist. An Art Walk links the Heard Museum, Phoenix Arts Museum and Phoenix Theater, Central Library. Public Golf Course Encanto Nine, for year around golf.

Historic Districts in Phoenix

There are 36 coveted historic residential districts in Phoenix: Alvarado,Ashland Place, Brentwood, Campus Vista, Cheery Lynn, Coronado, Country Club Place,Dennis Addition, Diamond Street, Earll Place, East Alvarado, East Evergreen, Encanto-Palmcroft, Encanto Vista, Fairview Place, F.Q.Story, Garfield Place, Idylwilde Park, La Hacienda, Margarita Place, Moreland Street, North Encanto, Oakland, Phoenix Homesteads, Roosevelt, Roosevelt Park, Victoria Place, Villa Verde, Willo, Windsor Square, Woodland, Woodlea, and Yaple Park.

  • The Victorian Era (1885 – 1905)
  • The Bungalow Era (1905 – 1925)
  • The Period Revival Era (1915 – 1940)
  • The Ranch Era (1935 – 1960)

Ahwatukee is part of Phoenix

Very popular part of the valley has many custom homes. The area is built up, and the 15-year old homes are getting remodelled. The parks and greenbelts make the area a heaven for bikers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Point South Mountain Resort nearby gives visitors wonderful dining experiences. Part of Ahwatukee shares boundaries of undeveloped reservation land as well as South Mountain Park/Preserve.

Ahwatukee Demographics