"Arcadia" is a desirable area in Phoenix that wraps itself around the south of Camelback Rd.

It draws buyers who want less "desert" and more "green" (as in, grass, trees & flowers). When I relocated from the LA South Bay years ago, Arcadia was at the top of our short list. It's California-esque ranch homes were originally built in the 1950's. This distinct look embodies much of the "Modern Farmhouse" movement, but you'll also find the "Modern Santa Barbara" a few "French Chateau" styles & of course, the traditional Ranch house.

Arcadia "Proper", as residents call it is within the boundaries of 44th St to 68th St, from Camelback Rd. to the canal (runs just north of Indian School Rd). It was originally home to acres & acres of citrus groves. Today, there are still lots of citrus trees, but due to the massive expansion seen here since the market crash, there's not much undeveloped space left.

Per SF, Arcadia boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the Valley. It surpassed Paradise Valley (the town, not the mall or school district) years ago. A half-acre lot is huge, by Arcadia standards. Today, you'll easily spend over $500/SF for a home here.

Outside of those areas get the moniker of "Lite". The boundaries of Arcadia Lite are reaching... years ago, it really went from 40th St to 68th St & south to Indian school, maybe Osborn. Today, people say "Arcadia Lite" goes from as far west as 32nd St south to Thomas and back toward Fashion Sq. A true Phoenician will argue that it isn't so, but tell that to the builders building every sq. inch they can get their hands on...

Here, you have to keep up with what's in- contrasting palettes (think white/black), industrial & modern aesthetics, bright colors, cozy spaces, kitschy decor, indoor-to-outdoor entertaining spaces, at-home electric car charging stations, cool xeriscapes, & out- gray, dutch doors tan, 2-stories (but slowly reappearing out of necessity), Tuscan architecture. There are shake (wood shingle) roofs, kids on bikes, a plethora of good public, charter & private schools, lots of cool restaurants, boutiques, movers and shakers.

There are power lines in most backyards, even if the home is $3M. Homes on the north side of east/west streets are more expensive (it's all about the view of Camelback Mountain!). Here, "less is more" is just part of life, as is ACC (Arizona Country Club), The Village (Racquet & Health Club) & The Madison (Improvement Club). Arcadia is home to the commercial real estate power brokers & attorneys who office at 24th St & Camelback, corporate executives who need to be close to the airport and the Phoenix elite, of course. To sum up life here in one word- "community".