Where is Arcadia, Exactly? Arcadia is not an official geographical area but a general neighborhood of Phoenix homes, so its boundaries vary according to who you’re talking to (and where they happen to live!). The following covers most definitions, with the more conservative viewpoint in parentheses: East/west boundaries: 32nd Street (some say 44th Street) to the Phoenix/Scottsdale border (or 64th Street). North/south boundaries: The southern foothills of Camelback Mountain, north of Camelback Road (or Camelback Road itself) to Thomas (or Indian School). Arcadia: Its Homes and Its People The population of Arcadia is somewhere around 10,000, depending on the boundaries specified (the circulation of Arcadia News is 12,500). The median age of residents is 40, and the median household income, $92,401. When looking for homes for sale in Arcadia, you’ll find a wide variety of architectural styles, from sprawling, 4- to 5-bedroom ranches built in the postwar era to revivals and pueblo-style homes dating to the late 1920s and early ’30s. There are quite a few new homes for sale; where older homes are torn down in favor of starting fresh, the builder typically remains true to the unique architectural character of the area. There are plenty of swimming pools, and many homes have guest houses. Lots are typically at least a half acre, and are often much larger, with lush, green lawns and well-manicured landscaping, predominantly of brightly colored (and privacy-giving) oleander hedges, swaying palms, and the citrus trees that made Arcadia what it is today. A Little History This desert oasis of beautifully landscaped Phoenix homes was named for Virgil’s Arcadia: a peaceful, pastoral region of ancient Greece. In the early 1920s, the land to the south of majestic Camelback Mountain went up for sale at 35 cents an acre. It was mostly sold in 5-acre parcels as citrus orchards—that is, after the Arcadia Water Company began irrigating. Today, Arcadia residents enjoy a well-meshed neighborhood of spacious, architecturally interesting homes and the lush remnants of the area’s rural past. Top Ten Reasons Residents Love
Living in Arcadia Arcadia was named a “Best Place to Live” by Money magazine, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Here are just ten of the many reasons: 10. Unique spirit of place. According to Where to Live in Phoenix, “Arcadia casts a spell like no other neighborhood in the Valley of the Sun.” Watch the sun set over Camelback Mountain from anywhere in the area and you’ll understand why. 9. Irrigated lots mean taller trees, abundant plant life, and cooler temperatures (by as much as 5 to 10 degrees compared to surrounding areas). 8. The schools are some of the best in the state. 7. Shopping. Nearby Scottsdale and The Biltmore Fashion Park will satisfy anyone’s taste for art, fashion, and fun. 6. Dining in Scottsdale, the Biltmore area, and nearby resorts offers a huge variety of flavors and experiences from casual and quick to five-star elegant. La Grande Orange Grocery and Pizzeria is a very popular neighborhood eatery with a plethora of mouth watering dishes. 5. Hiking Camelback Mountain is a favorite challenge of the fit and fabulous from all over the Phoenix area. 4. Arcadia News, a neighborhood paper, offers updates exclusively of interest to Arcadia residents, as well as classifieds, local restaurant reviews, and (in the online edition) links to community services. 3. A clean, well-kept cluster of homes tucked between the best areas of Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arcadia has a small community feel but enjoys the amenities of a big city. 2. No tract homes for sale here; Arcadia is all about homes with character. 1. Location, location, and ooh, location. All of the above, and fast access to anywhere in the valley. Arcadia is just 10-15 minutes from downtown or the airport, and just five minutes from the freeway system. To learn more about making Arcadia your own home, call me at 602.620.6267 or email me. Joe Janus, REALTOR® specializing in Homes with Exceptional Style in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona 
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