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Old 07-29-2015, 04:40 PM
 
23 posts, read 41,766 times
Reputation: 27

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I know the area from driving through but would like to hear from anyone who can tell me the pros and cons of the area and general info. I realize that it is a small town sort of place and that it doesn't have a grocery store close by. I also realize that it is not a family oriented area and has an older population in general.
How are taxes, water rates and other utilities compared with the rest of the valley?
Are winter temps much colder than other Phoenix neighborhoods? Is there a lot of frost damage to plants?
What is the local government like? Is building (re: codes, permits, etc.) about the same as other areas?
Anything else that would be information I wouldn't be able to pick up just visiting.
Thanks!
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Old 07-29-2015, 05:10 PM
 
Location: Metro Phoenix, AZ USA
17,914 posts, read 43,225,913 times
Reputation: 10719
Quote:
Originally Posted by newnorth777 View Post
I know the area from driving through but would like to hear from anyone who can tell me the pros and cons of the area and general info. I realize that it is a small town sort of place and that it doesn't have a grocery store close by. I also realize that it is not a family oriented area and has an older population in general.
How are taxes, water rates and other utilities compared with the rest of the valley?
Are winter temps much colder than other Phoenix neighborhoods? Is there a lot of frost damage to plants?
What is the local government like? Is building (re: codes, permits, etc.) about the same as other areas?
Anything else that would be information I wouldn't be able to pick up just visiting.
Thanks!
The only thing I can speak to is the temperatures. It is noticeably higher in elevation than Phoenix to the south, so it does get colder overnight in the winter than Phoenix. Very rarely, it snows a little, melts quickly. That said, desert plants and native cactus are what everyone has there, so frost is really not an issue... if you have ornamentals, they should be in pots so that they can be covered easily (and the little Christmas lights under the cover can help keep them warm) or brought under a patio cover.

Here's where you can read up on planning and zoning issues. They have their own ordinance, and while I have not reviewed it, it may well NOT be like other places. http://www.carefree.org/index.asp?Ty...6733A9B9931%7D

And here's the water company website: http://www.carefreewaterco.com/

Last edited by observer53; 07-29-2015 at 05:20 PM..
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Old 07-30-2015, 11:25 AM
 
23 posts, read 41,766 times
Reputation: 27
Thank you so much! This is just what I was looking for but didn't know where to find it. Thanks again
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Old 07-30-2015, 11:08 PM
 
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
2,150 posts, read 5,143,749 times
Reputation: 3303
Quote:
Originally Posted by newnorth777 View Post
I know the area from driving through but would like to hear from anyone who can tell me the pros and cons of the area and general info. I realize that it is a small town sort of place and that it doesn't have a grocery store close by. I also realize that it is not a family oriented area and has an older population in general.
How are taxes, water rates and other utilities compared with the rest of the valley?
Are winter temps much colder than other Phoenix neighborhoods? Is there a lot of frost damage to plants?
What is the local government like? Is building (re: codes, permits, etc.) about the same as other areas?
Anything else that would be information I wouldn't be able to pick up just visiting.
Thanks!
Carefree has a Basha's grocery right in town at Tom Darlington and Carefree Dr. There is also an ACE Hardware in the same shopping center. The new Haggins store is right at Carefree Hwy & Scottsdale Rd (about 1 mi south of downtown Carefree), Safeway, Frys, Target and Walmart are also nearby.

Taxes, water and other utilities are comparable with other towns like Scottsdale & Phoenix.

At 2500 feet above sea level Carefree will be a few degrees cooler than down in the valley. You won't be able to grow the citrus and some of the flowering plants that you grow in lower elevations because you will likely experience one or more nights below freezing each year which can cause some frost damage.

Carefree is pretty sedate as night life is concerned, but just a mile or so to the west puts you in Cave Creek which offers some options like Harolds, Buffalo Chip and the Hideaway which can get pretty active on weekends. But if you like a more urban lifestyle you will find yourself driving into Scottsdale and Phoenix often.
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Old 07-31-2015, 01:37 AM
 
Location: Redwood City, CA
15,242 posts, read 12,834,835 times
Reputation: 54012
Quote:
Originally Posted by newnorth777 View Post
I realize that it is a small town sort of place and that it doesn't have a grocery store close by. I also realize that it is not a family oriented area and has an older population in general.
I'd say both older and more affluent.

We were initially interested in Carefree because it has what I think may be the oldest airpark in Arizona: Skyranch at Carefree. So be aware: There is aircraft noise. My husband is a pilot and naturally I assumed he would want to have his plane hangared near our new home.

But once we saw Carefree, it was clear it wasn't for us. Old West just isn't our style.

Hope you have better luck.
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