Living in Arcadia, Arizona

Where It Is

Between central Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale

Price Range

Upper-mid to luxury

Common Home Types

Ranch-style homes on large lots, some newer custom builds

Vibe

Quiet, established, mountain views

To Downtown Phoenix

About 15-20 minutes

To Sky Harbor Airport

About 15-20 minutes

Known For

Citrus grove heritage, Camelback Mountain views, large lots

Nearby Destinations

Old Town Scottsdale, Biltmore area, Camelback Mountain

About Arcadia

What It's Actually Like Living in Arcadia, AZ

Arcadia isn't an incorporated city, it's an unincorporated area that straddles part of Phoenix and spills toward Scottsdale, but locally it's treated as its own distinct place. The name comes from the citrus groves that used to cover the area, and while most of those groves are gone, the legacy shows up in the neighborhood's larger lots, mature trees, and irrigation ditches that still run through some properties.

Homes here are mostly single-story ranch-style construction from the 1950s through 1970s, though teardown-and-rebuild has become common as buyers pay a premium for the location and build larger, more modern homes on the same generous lots. The area sits right between Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak, and mountain views are common even without a large budget.

Moving to Arcadia Arizona typically means paying more per square foot than in most of Phoenix, in exchange for lot size, mature landscaping, and a short drive to both Old Town Scottsdale and central Phoenix.

Featured Communities

Neighborhoods & Communities in Arcadia

A few of the neighborhoods and communities people ask about most when they're looking at Arcadia real estate.

Arcadia Proper

Large LotsMountain ViewsEstablished

The core of the neighborhood, with ranch homes on large lots and direct views of Camelback Mountain.

Arcadia Lite

More AffordableEstablishedCentral

The western, more affordable edge of Arcadia, offering some of the neighborhood's character at a lower price point.

Biltmore-Adjacent Arcadia

LuxuryCentralEstablished

The section of Arcadia closest to the Biltmore area, with some of the neighborhood's larger and more updated homes.

Things To Do

Life Outside the Front Door

Arcadia Farms & Restaurants

A concentration of well-regarded restaurants along Indian School Road and 44th Street.

Camelback Mountain

One of the Valley's most popular (and difficult) hikes, with two main trailheads.

Piestewa Peak

Another major hiking destination bordering the neighborhood to the north.

Old Town Scottsdale

A short drive east for galleries, dining, and nightlife.

Biltmore Fashion Park

Upscale shopping and dining just west of Arcadia.

Arizona Canal Path

A walking and biking path running through the area.

An Honest Look

Living in Arcadia: What to Weigh

Worth Knowing

Large lots and mature landscaping that are hard to find elsewhere in the Valley
Central location between Phoenix and Scottsdale
Direct views of Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak in many areas
Strong, consistent demand and property values
Walkable access to some of the Valley's best-regarded restaurants

Things to Consider

Premium pricing per square foot compared to most of Phoenix
Many homes are older and require updating or a full rebuild
Limited new inventory, since the area is largely built out
Not a master-planned community, so no shared HOA amenities
Popular hiking trails mean heavier weekend traffic near Camelback Mountain

Real Estate in Arcadia

What's Available

Arcadia's housing stock is a mix of original ranch homes, updated remodels, and increasingly, full custom rebuilds on the same large lots.

Ranch-Style Homes

The original architecture of the neighborhood, single-story homes from the 1950s-70s on large lots.

Custom Rebuilds

An increasingly common approach, tearing down an original home to build larger on the same lot.

Luxury Homes

Found throughout the neighborhood, particularly closer to Camelback Mountain.

Horse Properties

A small number of larger lots still accommodate horses, a holdover from the area's agricultural past.

Historic Homes

Some original citrus-era homes remain, particularly in the neighborhood's core.

See Current Homes for Sale in Arcadia

New Construction

Building in Arcadia

New construction in Arcadia is almost entirely custom, one-off rebuilds on existing lots rather than large-scale development, since the neighborhood is fully built out. Buyers interested in new construction here are typically buying land value and building custom, rather than purchasing from a production builder.

If you're considering a new-build home in Arcadia, you're welcome to have your own real estate representation, even when buying directly from a builder. It's worth thinking about who represents your interests before you visit a model home or register with a builder's sales office.

Schools & Education

School Districts Serving Arcadia

Arcadia spans parts of a couple of school district boundaries, so which one applies depends on the specific address.

Scottsdale Unified School District (eastern Arcadia)
Phoenix Union High School District and associated elementary districts (western Arcadia)
Several private school options nearby

Arizona State University's Tempe campus is a short drive south of Arcadia.

We're not able to advise on which schools or districts are the "best" fit, since that depends entirely on your family's needs. We're happy to point you toward district boundary maps and third-party research tools like GreatSchools.org so you can look into specific schools yourself.

Location

Getting Around Arcadia

Arcadia sits between central Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale, bordered by Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak to the north.

No direct freeway through the neighborhood, mostly surface street access via Indian School Road, Camelback Road, and 44th Street
About 15-20 minutes to Downtown Phoenix
About 15-20 minutes to Sky Harbor Airport
About 10-15 minutes to Old Town Scottsdale
Close to the Biltmore area for shopping and dining

FAQ

Common Questions About Arcadia

What is it like living in Arcadia, Arizona?

Arcadia is a quiet, established neighborhood between Phoenix and Scottsdale, known for large lots, mature trees, and mountain views.

What types of homes are available in Arcadia?

Mostly ranch-style homes from the 1950s-70s, along with an increasing number of custom rebuilds.

Does Arcadia have new construction?

Mainly custom, one-off rebuilds on existing lots rather than large new developments.

How far is Arcadia from Downtown Phoenix?

About 15 to 20 minutes.

How far is Arcadia from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport?