Phoenix is the Arizona state capital and the center of the Valley of the Sun, a desert metro ringed by mountain preserves. The city is organized into 15 urban villages, from Deer Valley and North Gateway in the north to Laveen and Ahwatukee Foothills in the south, and each has its own mix of neighborhoods, parks and commercial corridors. This guide covers the landmarks, getting around and housing across the city, along with how Phoenix real estate agents at CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills can help with a search here.
What Is There to Do in Phoenix?
Mountain Parks and Preserves
The mountains inside the city limits shape daily life in Phoenix. South Mountain Park/Preserve covers more than 16,000 acres on the city's southern edge, making it one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation, with trails for hiking, biking and riding. Camelback Mountain rises between Phoenix and Paradise Valley, and its Echo Canyon Trail is a well-known summit climb. To the north, Piestewa Peak anchors the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, with the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area at its base.
Arts, Culture and Gardens
Downtown, the Roosevelt Row Arts District runs roughly from McDowell Road south to Van Buren Street, between Central Avenue and Seventh Street. Its galleries, murals and small stages draw crowds during the monthly First Friday art walk. On the city's east side, the Desert Botanical Garden on Galvin Parkway showcases Sonoran Desert plants along walking trails, with evening events through the cooler months.
Shopping and Dining Corridors
The Camelback Corridor carries offices, resorts and restaurants east from Central Avenue, with Biltmore Fashion Park, an open-air shopping center, at its heart.
What Is It Like to Live in Phoenix?
Life in Phoenix moves with the seasons. Mild winters fill the preserves with hikers, while summer days start early, with trail time at sunrise. The urban villages give the city a series of distinct centers rather than a single downtown. Central Phoenix mixes high-rise living, historic bungalows and light rail stops, while the Camelback East village, home to the Biltmore and Arcadia areas, pairs mountain views with established streets. Farther north, newer subdivisions reach toward the foothills.
Getting Around Phoenix
Interstate 10 and Interstate 17 cross the city, and the Loop 101 and Loop 202 freeways connect Phoenix with the rest of the Valley. Valley Metro Rail runs light rail across Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, and riders can transfer at the 44th Street/Washington station to the PHX Sky Train, which reaches the terminals at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Valley Metro buses cover the rest of the city.
Phoenix Real Estate
Housing in Phoenix covers nearly every format found in the Southwest. Downtown and Midtown offer condo towers and lofts close to the light rail line, and Phoenix condos and townhomes are spread across the central villages. Near downtown, the city recognizes residential historic districts including Willo, Encanto-Palmcroft, F.Q. Story and Coronado, where period homes range from early bungalows to Spanish Colonial Revival houses set around Encanto Park. Those streets are gathered in the historic Central Phoenix homes search.
Along the Camelback Corridor, the Biltmore area and Arcadia, near the base of Camelback Mountain, feature larger custom homes and mountain-view lots, collected in the Phoenix luxury homes search. Subdivisions of detached stucco and tile-roof homes make up much of North Phoenix and the outer villages. To see what is on the market across every village, browse all Phoenix homes for sale.
Schools in Phoenix
Phoenix is served by many public school districts, including the Phoenix Union High School District and the Paradise Valley Unified School District, along with numerous elementary districts. Boundaries vary by address.
How Can Phoenix Real Estate Agents Help With a Move?
Every Phoenix property comes with its own details, from HOA rules in some communities to utility setup and historic district guidelines. The Ahwatukee office of CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills works across Phoenix and can walk through what matters for any listing. Call 480-704-8000 to talk with an agent.
Phoenix FAQ
Phoenix is divided into 15 urban villages for planning purposes, including Ahwatukee Foothills, Camelback East, Central City and Deer Valley.
South Mountain Park/Preserve covers more than 16,000 acres, one of the largest municipally managed parks in the country.
Yes. Valley Metro Rail stops at 44th Street/Washington, where the PHX Sky Train connects to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Yes. Willo, Encanto-Palmcroft, F.Q. Story and Coronado are among the city's residential historic districts, most of them in Central Phoenix.
Many districts serve the city, including the Phoenix Union High School District and the Paradise Valley Unified School District. The assigned district depends on the address.
Start Your Phoenix Home Search
With local knowledge of every corner of the city, CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills helps people move forward with confidence in Phoenix. Start with Phoenix homes for sale, compare nearby Ahwatukee Foothills and Scottsdale, or read the guide to buying a home in Arizona. To save searches and get new listings, create a free account, or call 480-704-8000 to talk with Phoenix real estate agents who can help make Arizona home.
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