Living in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona's capital and the heart of the Valley, a sprawling, diverse city with everything from century-old neighborhoods to a growing downtown core.

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Where It Is
Central Valley, the metro's core city
Price Range
Wide range, from starter condos to luxury estates
Common Home Types
Single-family, condos, historic bungalows, high-rise units
Vibe
Big-city energy with distinct, walkable pockets
To Downtown Phoenix
You're already here
To Sky Harbor Airport
10-20 minutes from most areas
Known For
Downtown arts scene, historic districts, size and diversity
Nearby Destinations
Tempe, Scottsdale, Arcadia, South Mountain
About Phoenix

What It's Actually Like Living in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country by population, and it doesn't behave like one city so much as a patchwork of very different ones. Central neighborhoods like Willo, Encanto-Palmcroft, and the Downtown core have historic homes on tree-lined streets and easy access to light rail. Head further out and the city opens into newer, more spread-out development in North Phoenix and Ahwatukee, closer in feel to the suburbs than to downtown.

The Roosevelt Row Arts District and the area around Chase Field and Footprint Center have seen real investment over the past decade, with more restaurants, breweries, and residential high-rises than Phoenix has traditionally had downtown. That said, most of the city is still low-rise and car-dependent, which is part of what keeps home prices more approachable here than in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley.

Moving to Phoenix Arizona means choosing which version of the city fits you, historic and walkable, newer and suburban, or somewhere in between, since the range within city limits is bigger than almost anywhere else in the Valley.

North Phoenix

Newer, More Spread Out

Master-planned communities, newer construction, and larger lots than you'll find closer to downtown. Areas like Desert Ridge and Deer Valley are popular with buyers who want a suburban feel within Phoenix city limits.

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Central Phoenix

Historic and Walkable

Phoenix's older, more established neighborhoods, Willo, Encanto-Palmcroft, and the Downtown core, with tree-lined streets, historic bungalows, and easy access to light rail and Roosevelt Row.

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South Phoenix

Space and Mountain Views

Areas like Ahwatukee and Laveen, bordered by South Mountain Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Popular with families who want more space without leaving city limits.

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Featured Communities

Neighborhoods & Communities in Phoenix

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

Willo Historic District, Phoenix AZ

Willo Historic District

HistoricWalkableCentral

Bungalow and Tudor-style homes from the 1920s-40s just north of downtown, one of Phoenix's most walkable historic districts.

Ahwatukee, Phoenix AZ

Ahwatukee

SuburbanMountain ViewsEstablished

A more suburban, self-contained part of Phoenix south of South Mountain, popular with families who want space without leaving city limits.

Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix AZ

Downtown Phoenix

UrbanHigh-RiseLight Rail

Condos and apartments near Roosevelt Row, Chase Field, and the light rail line, for buyers who want an urban, walkable lifestyle.

Things to do in Phoenix Arizona
Things To Do

Life Outside the Front Door

Roosevelt Row

Galleries, murals, and First Fridays art walks in the downtown arts district.

Downtown Sports & Events

Home to Chase Field, Footprint Center, and the Phoenix Convention Center.

South Mountain Park

One of the largest municipal parks in the country, with extensive hiking and biking trails.

Heard Museum

A leading collection of Native American art and history, located in central Phoenix.

Phoenix Zoo & Desert Botanical Garden

Both located in Papago Park, a short drive from downtown.

Melrose District

A walkable strip on 7th Avenue known for vintage shops, cafes, and its rainbow crosswalks.

An Honest Look

Living in Phoenix: What to Weigh

Worth Knowing

  • Enormous range of home styles, ages, and price points within one city
  • Central location with quick access to nearly everywhere else in the Valley
  • Growing downtown with light rail, sports venues, and a real arts scene
  • Historic, tree-lined neighborhoods close to the urban core
  • Generally more affordable than Scottsdale or Paradise Valley for comparable square footage

Things to Consider

  • Quality and age of housing stock varies enormously block to block
  • Some central neighborhoods have older infrastructure and smaller lots
  • Summer heat is more intense in the urban core due to the heat-island effect
  • Traffic on surface streets and freeways can be heavy at peak times
  • Being such a large city, it takes real legwork to figure out which pocket actually fits you
Real Estate in Phoenix

What's Available

Phoenix has the widest range of housing in the Valley, which is both its biggest advantage and the reason it takes more research to narrow down.

Historic Homes

Bungalows and ranch homes in districts like Willo, Encanto, and Coronado, many with historic preservation guidelines.

Single-Family Homes

The majority of the city's housing, ranging from modest to large executive homes depending on the area.

Condos & High-Rises

Concentrated downtown and along the light rail corridor, popular with buyers who want a low-maintenance, urban lifestyle.

New Construction

Ongoing in North Phoenix and parts of Ahwatukee, though less concentrated than in the outer suburbs.

Luxury Homes

Found in pockets like Arcadia's edges, the Biltmore area, and parts of North Central Phoenix.

Townhomes

A growing share of the market, especially in infill developments near downtown and midtown.

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New Construction

Building in Phoenix

New construction within Phoenix city limits is more limited than in the outer suburbs, since most available land has already been developed. What exists tends to be infill projects, downtown condo and apartment towers, and pockets of new single-family development in North Phoenix.

If you're considering a new-build home in Phoenix, 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 Phoenix

Phoenix is served by a large number of public school districts and charter schools, since the city is so spread out. Which district applies depends entirely on the specific address.

Phoenix is home to Arizona State University's Downtown campus, Grand Canyon University, and several community college campuses.

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 Phoenix

Phoenix sits at the center of the Valley, bordered by Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Paradise Valley, and Ahwatukee, with most other Valley cities within a 20 to 40 minute drive.

  • I-17, I-10, US-60, and Loop 202 all run through the city
  • Sky Harbor International Airport is located within Phoenix city limits
  • 10-20 minutes to most other central Valley cities
  • Close to Papago Park, South Mountain, and the Piestewa Peak trail system
  • Home to the largest concentration of downtown offices and employers in the Valley
Video

Phoenix, Arizona on Video

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Homes for Sale

Current Listings in Phoenix, Arizona

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FAQ

Common Questions About Phoenix

What is it like living in Phoenix, Arizona?

Phoenix is a large, diverse city made up of many distinct neighborhoods, ranging from historic and walkable to newer and suburban.

What types of homes are available in Phoenix?

Everything from historic bungalows and mid-century ranch homes to downtown condos and newer single-family construction.

Does Phoenix have new construction?

Some, mostly infill projects downtown and pockets of new development in North Phoenix, though less than in the outer suburbs.

How far is Phoenix from Downtown Phoenix?

Depends on the neighborhood, since Phoenix is the city downtown sits in, some areas are minutes away, others 30-40 minutes.

How far is Phoenix from Sky Harbor Airport?

Sky Harbor is located within Phoenix city limits, so most neighborhoods are within a 10-20 minute drive.

What are some popular neighborhoods in Phoenix?

Willo, Ahwatukee, and Downtown Phoenix are among the most searched, though the city has dozens of distinct areas.

What is there to do in Phoenix?

Roosevelt Row, South Mountain Park, the Heard Museum, and the Desert Botanical Garden are popular destinations.

What should I know before moving to Phoenix?

The city is large and varied, so it's worth spending time in a few different neighborhoods before deciding which part of Phoenix fits you best.

Thinking About Moving to Phoenix?

Whether you're relocating to Arizona or simply moving to another part of the Valley, we can help you explore the communities, homes, and areas that fit what you're looking for.

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