Areas to drive around? (Phoenix, Mesa: for sale, real estate, homes)

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I keep hearing about areas like Encanto, Arcadia, Central Phoenix, etc. as "nice areas" to see in Phoenix - can someone tell me where to go to explore these areas - the main streets that define the neighborhood? Are there areas that are more "green" due to proximity to the river? Areas near bike trails or with nice views of the mountains? Areas where (if possible) one can walk to stores or restaurants? Or is it true that there really aren't "neighborhoods" in Phoenix, or not like Chicago, at any rate?

[sablebaby]

You can drive up Central ave from Camelback up to Dunlap which is really nice. Near Arcadia would be Camelback from 44th st to the east which will also give you a nice drive past Camelback mtn and the mansions. You can take a right and drive through the neighborhood of Arcadia.

Since this place is so big and spread out there really aren't any neighborhoods to walk through, especially in the heat.

Both Central Corridor and Arcadia are very green. What river are you talking about?

[AksarbeN]

This website will provide a view of homes in most zip code areas. You’ll get birds eye view of the neighborhoods, cross streets, shopping, parks etc. Also the home prices etc can be looked at.

Zillow - Real Estate Valuations, Homes for Sale, Free Real Estate Information

As for the areas in your post most of the neighborhoods are nice. It’s funny that not just here but everywhere in the metro Phoenix area, neighborhoods that seem to be very nice are near others that are not so good. So don’t value any one neighborhood area without looking at things around it. That being said the zip codes for these are: 85020,85021,85012,13,14,15,16,18,85003, and 85007. Some of the areas inside each zip will not be a good location however there are areas within that are just fine.

I personally like the areas you named to include those north and central of Phoenix. Most of the areas are older but not totally, most are not in HOAs others are. It’s a real mix for housing but most everything is on the plus side. Most areas have larger yards and homes that are not side by side as in the newer gated neighborhoods in the suburbs.

A very nice area is north central of Phoenix just north of the North Mountain Preserve is full of neighborhoods with newer homes and yet close into the city for commuting to work it’s called the Moon Valley area and has great neighborhoods and homes. Another good area is the Paradise Valley Mall area. Not to be confused with Paradise Valley Township.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

You can drive up Central ave from Camelback up to Dunlap which is really nice. Near Arcadia would be Camelback from 44th st to the east which will also give you a nice drive past Camelback mtn and the mansions. You can take a right and drive through the neighborhood of Arcadia.

Since this place is so big and spread out there really aren't any neighborhoods to walk through, especially in the heat.

Both Central Corridor and Arcadia are very green. What river are you talking about?

Agree with sablebay about major streets. A few others to add: For Arcadia, try Exeter and Lafayette. Both are nice. For Encanto, try Encanto Boulevard itself. In general, I find you can best appreciate neighborhoods by driving down the "half-mile streets" -- the collector streets located at half-mile intervals between the arterial streets, which are generally spaced every mile or so. Examples of these half-mile collectors include Encanto (mentioned above), Osborn, Campbell, Missouri, and Maryland. Of course, how nice they are will depend on what part of town you're in. Campbell will look a whole lot nicer in Arcadia than in Maryvale, for example.

As for walkabilty, that's generally limited to the downtowns of Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale, and to a lesser extent the downtowns of Chandler, Mesa, and Glendale. Arcadia is beautiful but is generally designed for the car. Encanto and other historic districts are generally walkable within their own residential areas, but walkable restaurants and shops may be more limited in number. That will probably change eventually in areas near the light rail line as more businesses and high-density development cluster along its path.

As for greenery, since the Salt River doesn't usually flow, you'll find the most greenery in older irrigated neighborhoods, as well as certain areas of the mountain preserves where washes naturally occur.