Questions about Arcadia area (also question about Chaparral, Horizon, and Pinnacle HS) (Phoenix: 2014, house)

[Paige65]

Doing some preliminary research for a possible move that wouldn't take place until late 2013 or 2014.

First. Arcadia High School. I know where it ranks, but can anyone give me real world feel/experience? We'd probably be looking at Chaparral, Horizon, Pinnacle as other choices, but I'm drawn to Arcadia because it's a little smaller (population). However, my DH graduated from Chaparral (over twenty five years ago though) so I know more about it and see it's ranked higher.

Currently, I seem to be finding homes I like in our price range in the area bordered by Camelback, the Arizona Canal Trail to the south and 44th Street to 56th Street to the east and west. Generally, are these nice neighborhoods? I know Arcadia has a general overall reputation for being nice, but there appears to be a wide range of prices. I've driven through the Arcadia neighborhood in the past but never paid much attention as we weren't contemplating moving there. Many years ago, my DH's dad jokingly but truthfully (I think) said that Arcadia was "where all the rats are". Is that still a problem? If so, what does one do about it? I'm a bit rodent averse.

Do people bike, run, walk the Arizona Canal Trail?

Finally, is there any sort of walkable area of Arcadia? Like a small business district? If so, could you give me the location?

My DH grew up in what was once considered north Scottsdale as there was nothing much beyond it - between Shea and Cactus/Scottsdale and Hayden. Certainly different from today.

My IL's currently live in Carefree. From their house to Arcadia area is probably 45 minutes? South of Arcadia is probably not an option though it looks like the Chandler schools are good.

While we're at it, could anyone give me opinions on Chaparral, Horizon, or Pinnacle High Schools?

We'll be there in May and again in the fall, plenty of time to scope out the areas of interest, but in the meantime, I thought I'd ask you all.

Thank you.

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

All 3 of those high schools are excellent choice. They are all ranked excelling and ranked a "10" on greatschools.org. Pinnacle is the newest of the 3 in far North Phoenix. Very nice area and very close to Desert Ridge Marketplace where there's plenty of shopping. It is in the Paradise Valley School District which has a good reputation. Horizon is also in the Paradise Valley District. It straddles the Phoenix/Scottsdale border in Northeast Phoenix. Great academics and I hear great things about their AP and honors classes. Chaparral is in the Scottsdale Unified School District. The school is well known for great academics and good athletics. A good number of National Merit Semi Finalists come from Chaparral. You can't go wrong with either school. All three rank well academically. Arcadia is a great school as well thats excelling but it doesn't rank quite as high as the other 3. Greatschools.org gives it a "9". Good luck to you guys!

[Skywayy2001]

It's almost impossible to generalize Arcadia and that section of Phoenix. One block has homes priced in the 200-500k range and the next block..everything over a million. Your price range would determine a lot and it will almost certainly be more expensive in 2 years given the demand for this area. Roof rats are everywhere...don't have fruit trees if possible. There is no sbd in Arcadia and for that matter..almost anywhere unless you want to say downtown phoenix, old town scottsdale and other suburbs smaller central areas. There are not a lack of small locally owned restaurants and shops in arcadia in strip malls that be driven, walked or biked to depending upon where you live. One last word of advice, the word "arcadia" is thrown around a lot by realtors when the actually area is quite small and prices can drop off dramatically outside of this area.

[observer53]

The area inside the boundaries you've given is all "nice"- indeed there is wide variation in the prices of the homes, some are smaller and may or may not have been remodeled extensively, others are McMansions which were built after the original homes were torn down. I grew up in Arcadia, and still love it. There is no business district within Arcadia as it's usually proscribed-- there is commercial development with shops and some restaurants along Indian School, just south of Arcadia

[VOC1]

Arcadia is a nice place to live.

Arcadia High School draws kids from outside Arcadia though, including some pretty ghetto areas to the west/southwest. And that brings in what you would expect.

Most of my neighbors in Arcadia who had HS age kids sent them to Brophy. Not a huge population sample though, most people are older in my immediate area.

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by VOC1

Arcadia is a nice place to live.

Arcadia High School draws kids from outside Arcadia though, including some pretty ghetto areas to the west/southwest. And that brings in what you would expect.

Most of my neighbors in Arcadia who had HS age kids sent them to Brophy. Not a huge population sample though, most people are older in my immediate area.

Thank you. I was looking at Arcadia in part to avoid Brophy (or any other private school). There are some very appealing areas in Central Phoenix - Willo, Encanto, etc., but I didn't really want to have to send them to private school. I appreciate your thoughts!

[Skywayy2001]

Originally Posted by Paige65

Thank you. I was looking at Arcadia in part to avoid Brophy (or any other private school). There are some very appealing areas in Central Phoenix - Willo, Encanto, etc., but I didn't really want to have to send them to private school. I appreciate your thoughts!

Sort of a mystifying comment to say you want to avoid one of the best high schools in the state. Good luck with that.

[Robert A]

Originally Posted by Paige65

Do people bike, run, walk the Arizona Canal Trail?

To answer this question: yes. The canal is extremely popular, especially among runners. It can actually get pretty crowded on the weekends, especially closer to Granada Park (not near Arcadia) and the Biltmore. I've always noticed it tends to thin out once you get past 40th St/CamelBack.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by Paige65

Thank you. I was looking at Arcadia in part to avoid Brophy (or any other private school). There are some very appealing areas in Central Phoenix - Willo, Encanto, etc., but I didn't really want to have to send them to private school. I appreciate your thoughts!

Within walking distance of the neighborhoods mentioned is Arizona School for the Arts - Phoenix, AZ. ASA has small class sizes and is an excellent college prep environment, placing graduates into top universities. It is a (free) charter school.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by Skywayy2001

Sort of a mystifying comment to say you want to avoid one of the best high schools in the state. Good luck with that.

Not mystifying at all. Brophy is quite expensive.