Where to live in Phoenix? Walkable and outdoorsy... is that possible? (Scottsdale: appointed, homes)

[stephaniemartin]

Hello,
I am moving to Phoenix from Denver in the upcoming months. I used to live in Flagstaff, AZ and am used to living in a very walkable and athletic neighborhood. We are looking for a safe area of Phoenix (I want to be able to walk my dog), where we can walk/ride our beach cruisers to local bars/restaurants (I am not talking about the local Applebee's either, we want something more local and chill) we would also love to be close to the mountains (we love to mnt bike and hike with our dog). Does this area of Phoenix/The Valley exist? I would love advice/recommendations/suggestions (and no reason to ask why I would leave CO for AZ, I guess I just wasn't made for the Midwest ) Thanks so much!!!

[Robert A]

Scottsdale around Old Town. You'll be able to walk to a lot of bars and restaurants, but I can't say many of them are all that great. You'd be closeish to Camelback Mountain.

Other than that, there are a number of good restaurants and bars in Downtown Phoenix, but it's a much quieter, grittier vibe right now. No real outdoorsy activity to be had in the area.

Arcadia and nearby areas are safe and close to Camelback and Piestewa Peak. Center yourself around 40th/Campbell and you could get to a few cool places without getting in the car.

7th and Melrose area (7th Ave/Camelback) or Encanto (7th to 15th Ave/McDowell to Indian School) would also be nice, but to brave the major roads on your bike there would be suicidal. You'd have Encanto Park nearby which is a major, major plus. Lots of cool restaurants and bars within 3 or 4 miles, too.

Oh, and Downtown Tempe near ASU. Student vibe, so you have to be aware of that. Lots of cool bars and restaurants, but the fair share of awful places too. Not really close to outdoorsy stuff, but you can walk and ride your bike around. I guess you're reasonably close to the Papagos.

[AzDreamer]

There was a thread not too long ago where a poster listed several walkable neighborhoods. Try a search and you should find what you are looking for.

[cap1717]

There are lots of neighborhoods close enough to the in town mountain preserves for walking to. . . there must be some within walking distance of restaurants, bars, etc, too. What comes immediatly to mind, for me, is the area between Piewstewa Peak Park, and Camelback, between 20th and 26th streets. . . . walking access to all sorts of mountain trails, climbing trails; as well as close enough for (some) motivated folk to walk to the venues on / near Camelback 24th street. . . . summer, on the other hand, is another story. . . walking a mile or more the heat of our typical summer days / evenings, is probably something that one would quickly tire of. . . . .

[Ponderosa]

Estrella (in Goodyear) has miles and miles of walking, hiking and biking opportunites both in the development and in the adjacent county park. There are many competitive and sporting bike events that start and end here. You can also row your kayak and sail you boat on 70 acres of lakes surrounded by 40 some acres of green grass and a walkway. Unfortunately for you, there is precious little retail in Estrella. Change is on the wind, though, so if you can wait a year or two, you can probably bike to some suitably upscale restaurant for lunch.

[frogandtoad]

What about just North of Phoenix in Cave Creek or Carefree? The mountains are your backyard practically, tons of outdoor activities (biking, hiking, horseback--all literally out the door), great little downtowns (no chain stores in sight!), a lake fairly close by, slightly cooler weather, and as a bonus you're even closer to Flag/Sedona, etc. for a weekend. The starting prices up there are a bit higher--not sure of your budget. But I love that area.

[cap1717]

Excellent Suggestion, Frogandtoad. . . . funny, I lived up there for many years, but didn't even think about it when asked about "Phoenix". . . . it really is a whole different world. Affordable housing in that area is a bit hard to come by. . . maybe the O.P. has plenty of $$$$$$ ?

[Bungle]

Ahwatukee (south side of South Mountain in Phoenix). There are a number of bike paths connecting the parks throughout this area. Perfect for beach cruising and bar hopping on your bike. You'll also be a short distance away from South Mountain which has more hiking trails than you can shake a stick at.

[borborygmi]

Originally Posted by stephaniemartin

Hello,
I am moving to Phoenix from Denver in the upcoming months. I used to live in Flagstaff, AZ and am used to living in a very walkable and athletic neighborhood. We are looking for a safe area of Phoenix (I want to be able to walk my dog), where we can walk/ride our beach cruisers to local bars/restaurants (I am not talking about the local Applebee's either, we want something more local and chill) we would also love to be close to the mountains (we love to mnt bike and hike with our dog). Does this area of Phoenix/The Valley exist? I would love advice/recommendations/suggestions (and no reason to ask why I would leave CO for AZ, I guess I just wasn't made for the Midwest ) Thanks so much!!!

I moved from Denver to Phoenix about 4 years ago, and about the best advice I can give you is.... NOOOOOOO!!! Don't do it!!

[PhxBarb]

Its a big change, that's for sure. I lived in Denver several years ago, and re visited just last year, thinking I might want to re locate there. The people in Denver area seem to be more educated and you have 4 seasons, not that much lousy weather and there are communities that are established and somewhat more like the Chicago suburbs, where i am from. Here its pretty much sprawl, no definitive difference in communities, homes that all look alike, and alot of brown. The mountains near Denver are gorgeous, but here, again, its alot of brown unless you get pretty far away. Flagstaff is not Phoenix. You might be disappointed. Just how I feel.