Population 1,149,417
Area 469 square miles
City Hall 200 W. Washington St.
Phone Phoenix 262-6262
(This 24-hour line provides recorded information on 300 city services and
activities. Listen to the menu for major categories, or refer to the blue pages of the
phone book for a complete list of extensions.)
Phoenix Chamber of Commerce 495-2195
From the solitude of Paradise Valley to Phoenix's cosmopolitan convenience, the metro area
offers housing choices to suit almost any taste or budget.
The name Phoenix, the legendary Egyptian symbol of rebirth, was chosen because the city
was built on the ruins of an earlier civilization-that of the Hohokam Indians. In 1867
Phoenix founder Jack Swilling formed a canal company that diverted irrigation water from
the Salt River, providing the impetus for the migration to follow. Phoenix remained a
small town until World War 11 when, following the discovery of its near-perfect flying
weather, military airfields were built in Maricopa County.
Defense industries followed, and the Valley's population boomed in the postwar era as air
conditioning became standard in new homes.
Such rapid growth makes "old" a relative term in housing. However, a few
historic neighborhoods, designated with special street signs, represent the city's growth
from the early 1900's to the 1940's.
Phoenix is composed of 11 urban villages, each with a citizen committee involved with
planning, zoning and economic development issues. Although the concept was adopted in 1979
to create identities for sections of a fast-growing city, overall awareness of the
boundaries and identities of the villages has been less than expected. Perhaps those
identities will be more easily recognized now that the city has begun erecting colorful
signs on major thorough fares. However, as the following descriptions will attest, each
village already has its own personality:
Central City Village spans an area from the Salt River to McDowell Road, and from 48th
Street to the Black Canyon Freeway. This area includes all of downtown Phoenix as well as
residential areas on the periphery. Although some neighborhoods are in decline, others
have been successfully renovated in an effort to preserve the community's heritage.
South of Central City Village is South Mountain Village, a landscape once graced with
citrus orchards and commercial flower growers. Long ignored by developers, this area
between the Maricopa Freeway and South Mountain remains a mix of rural, industrial and
low-cost housing. Easy access to downtown makes it a prime candidate for such in fill
development as apartments, golf courses and retail stores.
A bit north of downtown is Encanto Village, named for the 222-acre park located within its
borders. Most of Phoenix's designated historic districts are in this village, while unique
homes ranging from Craftsman-style bungalows to spacious haciendas can be found on the
palm-lined streets surrounding Encanto Park, the Heard Museum and the Phoenix Country
Club.
Alhambra Village includes an area north and west of Encanto Village. Chris-Town Mall, one
of the Valley's oldest enclosed malls, is Alhambra's retail anchor. Homes date from the
1920's to the 1960's, with some newer apartments and offices mixed in. This village spans
both sides of the Black Canyon Freeway, offering easy access to employment in downtown and
northwest Phoenix.
South and west of Alhambra, Maryvale Village covers the westernmost portion of Phoenix. It
was developed as entry-level housing 40 years ago and is now at the lower end of the price
spectrum. New developments in this area include Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion, an
outdoor amphitheater, and Maryvale Stadium, a 7,000-seat facility that will host spring
training games in 1998.
To the north and east of downtown and Encanto Village lies Camelback East Village. With
Camelback Mountain and Squaw Peak to the north and Papago Park at its southern tip,
mountain views and recreation define this area. Neighborhoods include mountainside homes
near Squaw Peak, the prestigious Arizona Biltmore area and a former citrus orchard called
Arcadia with spacious 1960's ranch-style homes. Surrounding these upscale areas are many
moderately priced, well-maintained 30- to 40-year-old homes. Commercial enterprises
include numerous retailers and restaurants along Camelback Road, plus a redeveloped power
center at 44th Street and Thomas Road, and office/hotel complexes at 44th Street and Van
Buren.
The part of Phoenix surrounding Paradise Valley Mall often is confused with the town of
Paradise Valley. While the latter is known for its expansive estates and country clubs,
Paradise Valley Village is strictly middle income, with many attractive single-family
homes built in the 1970's and 1980's. Expansion of the Squaw Peak Freeway provides access
through the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, making the downtown commute a little easier as
this area keeps expanding northward. Desert Ridge and Tatum Ridge are two of the
residential developments that have sprung up in what was virgin desert just a few years
ago.
Just west of Paradise Valley Village is North Mountain Village. This area includes Metro
center and many retail establishments along the Black Canyon Freeway, as well as several
major employers. Moderately priced single-family homes and apartment complexes, primarily
built from the 1960's to the 1980's, offer a range of housing options. East of the
freeway, more upscale homes are located in neighborhoods such as Moon Valley, where
residents enjoy mountain scenery as well as freeway accessibility.
North of North Mountain Village is Deer Valley Village. Perhaps best known for the Deer
Valley Airport, which is operated by the City of Phoenix as a satellite to Sky Harbor
International Airport, the area is also home to Turf Paradise racetrack and several high-
technology companies.
Far to the north, extending east to Scottsdale Road, Desert View Tri-Villages covers 65
square miles, roughly one-third of which is open desert. Its largest residential
development is Tatum Ranch, located near Tatum Boulevard and Cave Creek Road. Most of this
area is characterized by a rural atmosphere and desert vegetation.