Town of Paradise Valley vs "True Arcadia" (Phoenix: real estate, home sales)

[Kevloves]

Hi everyone I'm a new poster and was wondering what are people general opinions about these areas as they are very interesting to me. Here are some key information I'm looking for when answering or comparing the two.

*Prestige

*General Demographics

*Architecture/Home Variety

*Average Home Prices

*Access to Amenities

*Common types of residents like Celebrities/Businessman

*General Feeling/Thoughts on areas

[observer53]

I grew up in Arcadia. Have known people over the years, including now, who live in the town of PV.


Both are prestigious areas of the Valley. They have a completely different feel, however. Grass and trees everywhere in Arcadia, scenic desert surroundings in PV. I don't know any facts about the demographics, but I suspect there are more families with children in Arcadia, with more year round homes. Both have homes on large lots.


There have been a lot of teardowns in Arcadia, and I'm sure there are some in PV as well. Other homes look the same from the outside, or similar, to how they looked when I lived there decades ago, but the insides have been completely redone. My childhood home has been significantly remodeled inside and out, but they left the good custom home "bones" the house had, it was not a complete teardown.


Access to amenities is good from both; Arcadia is a bit closer into the city. That said, what I love most about Arcadia is that you have no idea, driving or walking around, that you are in one of the six largest cities in America. The same could be said for PV, though, as it has a very different feel than the denser areas surrounding it.


I don't know much about celebrities living in either place. When I read about the multimillion dollar home sales, particularly in PV, the buyers seem to be businessmen, corporate owners, doctors, etc.


I'll let the real estate folks talk about prices, as that's not something I know much about.


My preference? Arcadia, hands down. But that's because I've lived there, visited since, and see the mystique of the area that others don't.

[Kevloves]

Originally Posted by observer53

I grew up in Arcadia. Have known people over the years, including now, who live in the town of PV.


Both are prestigious areas of the Valley. They have a completely different feel, however. Grass and trees everywhere in Arcadia, scenic desert surroundings in PV. I don't know any facts about the demographics, but I suspect there are more families with children in Arcadia, with more year round homes. Both have homes on large lots.


There have been a lot of teardowns in Arcadia, and I'm sure there are some in PV as well. Other homes look the same from the outside, or similar, to how they looked when I lived there decades ago, but the insides have been completely redone. My childhood home has been significantly remodeled inside and out, but they left the good custom home "bones" the house had, it was not a complete teardown.


Access to amenities is good from both; Arcadia is a bit closer into the city. That said, what I love most about Arcadia is that you have no idea, driving or walking around, that you are in one of the six largest cities in America. The same could be said for PV, though, as it has a very different feel than the denser areas surrounding it.


I don't know much about celebrities living in either place. When I read about the multimillion dollar home sales, particularly in PV, the buyers seem to be businessmen, corporate owners, doctors, etc.


I'll let the real estate folks talk about prices, as that's not something I know much about.


My preference? Arcadia, hands down. But that's because I've lived there, visited since, and see the mystique of the area that others don't.

Thank you for your well thought out response as I wasn't expecting to get much hits. It seems like a lot of historic areas around the country without strong preservation protections fall victim to the teardown phenomenon. While generally "creeping" on this thread... Lol it seems like areas like Arcadia are far and in between and are valued highly because of their "uniqueness".

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Kevloves

Thank you for your well thought out response as I wasn't expecting to get much hits. It seems like a lot of historic areas around the country without strong preservation protections fall victim to the teardown phenomenon. While generally "creeping" on this thread... Lol it seems like areas like Arcadia are far and in between and are valued highly because of their "uniqueness".

There are no preservation protections in either place. But, there are still areas of Arcadia that look the same as they did 50 years ago, except for the cars in the driveway. All the remodeling on those is on the inside. I suspect that there are areas like that in PV too. It's different styles of houses in PV, even the older ones. It just depends on what you want in an area, you have to see them both to figure that out.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by Kevloves

Hi everyone I'm a new poster and was wondering what are people general opinions about these areas as they are very interesting to me. Here are some key information I'm looking for when answering or comparing the two.

*Prestige

*General Demographics

*Architecture/Home Variety

*Average Home Prices

*Access to Amenities

*Common types of residents like Celebrities/Businessman

*General Feeling/Thoughts on areas

By true Aracadia, I'm assuming you are talking about the neighborhood east of 44th St, north of the Arizona Canal, and south of Paradise Valley and west of Scottsdale, right?

I like Arcadia better than PV honestly

[observer53]

"True Arcadia" to me, is south of Camelback Road, north of the canal, west of 68th and east of 44th. The houses leading up to and on the south side of Camelback Mountain are not Arcadia, to my mind. (If your lot isn't irrigated, you aren't in Arcadia. )

[DetroitN8V]

Both great areas. Arcadia has much more of a neighborhood feel, while PV is mostly large, secluded properties. I absolutely love the mountainside view homes in PV.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by observer53

"True Arcadia" to me, is south of Camelback Road, north of the canal, west of 68th and east of 44th. The houses leading up to and on the south side of Camelback Mountain are not Arcadia, to my mind. (If your lot isn't irrigated, you aren't in Arcadia. )

Phoenix city limit ends at 64th St, so might want to revise that eastern boundary, unless you consider part of Scottsdale to be included

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

Paradise Valley is nice no doubt and I like the unique designs of the homes. However, I love a neighborhood feel of an area and I prefer the larger ranch style homes and greenery of the Arcadia area. I also like to run at night and walk to nearby places which you can't really do in PV.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

Phoenix city limit ends at 64th St, so might want to revise that eastern boundary, unless you consider part of Scottsdale to be included

It's not so much a city limit, it's the nature of the neighborhood. If you drive along Exeter or Lafayette, the area doesn't change at 64th.