Arcadia

Arcadia Overview

Expect big, renovated homes on tree-lined streets with neighborhood shops and restaurants nearby. Arcadia is one of Phoenix’s most coveted neighborhoods. The area’s central location, views of Camelback Mountain, good schools and distinctly Arizona homes draw many. And offices, big shopping centers and freeways are close. But the price to live in this neighborhood that straddles the Phoenix/Scottsdale border is much higher than other parts of the Valley. An Arcadia address is a prestigious one.   

Transportation

No freeways run through this neighborhood. But the area is surrounded by the SR 51 and Loops 202 and 101. Camelback Road is a main street for Arcadia.  

Explore the area of Arcadia  

Arcadia: Zip Code 85018 

Arcadia is home to most of the popular neighborhood that was built on a former citrus grove. Many of the area’s original ranch-style homes have been renovated into larger and more opulent mansions. Arcadia is the city of Phoenix’s most expensive neighborhood with most houses going for more than $1 million.  

Old Town Scottsdale: Zip Code 85251 

Old Town Scottsdale is home to the eastern edge of the Arcadia neighborhood. But most of this Central Scottsdale area includes the city’s downtown with many eclectic shops and restaurants, large upscale shopping center, resorts and the waterfront area. 

Housing

Neighborhoods in Arcadia have wide, tree-lined streets. Original homes in the area were single story and built in the 1950s on former citrus land. Most homes are now larger and have been renovated. Lots are big. A house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son David is in the middle of this area. A few new homes are going up, but there’ s little land left for development.  

The Market

  • Arcadia is a popular spot for buyers who can afford houses that cost upwards of $500,000. 
  • The area draws families, second homebuyers and investors. 
  • Sales here peak during the winter and spring. 
  • Foreclosures didn’t soar in this area during the crash. But investors did buy the houses that were foreclosed on. Most of those houses were renovated and flipped, but some are rentals. And rents are high here. 
  • This neighborhood’s last remaining vacant lots are sprouting multi-million homes. 
  • Houses on the Scottsdale side of Arcadia tend to be bigger and a bit pricier. 

Living here  

Expect a popular neighborhood where people flock to for restaurants and shopping. Or hiking Camelback Mountain and biking along the area’s cool canal. Houses are expensive. Streets are wide and tree lined. Jobs and freeways are close. This is a coveted address.

  

Things to do in Arcadia

Main attractions 

Life is sweet in one of the most picturesque parts of the Valley. Camelback Mountain makes a fine backdrop for a day at the luxurious five-star Phoenician resort. Nearby Biltmore Fashion Park is home to dozens of luxury retail stores and boutiques.  

Out on the town  

Boutique shopping and destination dining abound in this fashionable neighborhood. The central location puts you in the heart of the action, offering quick and easy access to Scottsdale and Downtown Phoenix.  

Outdoors  

Camelback Mountain and the Echo Canyon Recreation Area are just north of the Arcadia district. Both offer some of the best hiking and trail running in Arizona. The Grand Canal that cuts directly through the Arcadia area is a popular route for runners and walkers. Phoenix Swim Club is headquartered in the area at Phoenix Country Day School. 

Who lives here 

This area has some of the Valley’s older housing. Nearly half the homes are rented, and one in six students there attends private schools. The Arcadia neighborhood (85018) has twice as many houses built before 1960 and slightly higher household incomes than Old Town Scottsdale (85251).  

5 things to know about Phoenix  

  • It’s big: Phoenix is the nation’s sixth biggest city and its population is still growing faster than many other U.S. cities. The city was named in the mid-1800s by settlers who compared their new home to the mythical bird that burned and rose from the ashes.  
  • It’s a great place to hike: National Geographic ranked Phoenix as one of America’s 15 best hiking cities. The city has a vast network of desert preserves and hiking trails, including iconic summits like Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak. You’ll find trail maps and descriptions online. 
  • It has a reputation for being a well-run city: Phoenix has received various awards for good governance and has the highest credit rating of the nation’s six largest cities. But the city has struggled to get its fiscal problems in order since the Great Recession. City Council members regularly have coffee meetings open to all residents.  
  • It is focusing on urban growth and transportation: Phoenix’s general plan focuses heavily on infill development along the light-rail corridor. Light rail will continue to be one of Phoenix’s key development tools, with city leaders hoping to triple its miles of track by 2050.    
  • It has a thriving cultural scene: The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona all perform in the city’s Symphony Hall located downtown. The Orpheum Theatre, Herberger Theater Center and Valley Youth Theater are all nearby. Also located in the central city are the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Capitol Museum, Children’s Museum, Arizona Science Center and Heard Museum. A popular monthly art walk to a growing number of downtown galleries is called First Fridays and held on the first of each month.