Black Canyon

Black Canyon Overview

In the heart of west Phoenix, this neighborhood thrives as a hub for business parks, vintage malls, midcentury homes, and townhouses that won’t break the bank. The southeastern corner is seamlessly connected by the light rail, and exciting plans are in motion for its expansion to the north. Cutting through the middle is Interstate 17, ensuring easy accessibility. For a unique touch, the Turf Paradise horse-racing track graces the landscape, while adventure seekers find solace in the popular North Mountain hiking spot. At the epicenter lies the entertainment haven, Castles N’ Coasters. What truly sets this neighborhood apart is its diverse culinary scene, with a myriad of ethnic restaurants and stores adding a flavorful touch to the community

Transportation

Interstate 17 runs through the middle of this neighborhood. Interstate 10 is just south of the area, and Loop 101 is north.

Explore the 5 areas of Black Canyon

Northwest Central: 85021

Northwest Central has one of the Valley’s first shopping centers and overlaps with the Uptown neighborhood. This area has affordable and high-end homes.

Northgate/Moon Valley: 85023

Northgate/Moon Valley is named after a large office park near the center of this area. The Moon Valley community spans two ZIP codes, and the western half is in this neighborhood. This neighborhood has many of the area’s more high-end homes. Horse-racing track Turf Paradise is located here.

North Mountain: 85029

North Mountain is named after the popular mountain preserve found here. The area is just north of where the former Metrocenter mall stood. Several office parks are located in this neighborhood. Neighborhoods around the park are more upscale.

Metrocenter: 85051

Metrocenter was home to the former Metrocenter mall. The entertainment park Castles N’ Coasters is also here. Neighborhoods are older, and home are affordable. Townhouses and condos are the norm.

Greenway: 85053

Greenway has many condominiums and brick homes built in the 1970s and ’80s. Conocido Park is near the middle of this area, which is near several large office parks.

Housing

This area has many brick and block homes built mostly in the 1960s and ’70s. Affordable townhouses and condominiums can be found on the west side of this area. Northwest Central, North Mountain and Moon Valley have higher-end, ranch-style homes.

The Market

This west Phoenix neighborhood has higher-end houses on the east side. More affordable neighborhoods can be found on its west side in the Metrocenter and Greenway areas.
Home prices are higher in Northwest Central and North Mountain. The east side of Northwest Central has many bigger homes and infill pockets with new houses.
The western side of Moon Valley has newer homes, but there’s little vacant land left in this neighborhood. Most new development is going up where older and rundown properties once stood.
Metrocenter was hit hard by the housing crash and prices are still low there.
Rentals are easy to find and range greatly in price depending on where they are located in this neighborhood.

Living here

Expect a more central Valley neighborhood with a mix of big ranch-style homes and affordable older townhouses and condos. Christown Spectrum, an older Valley mall that has been renovated and is nearly full, is here. I-17 runs through the center. Light rail treks through the southeastern corner and is being expanded north. There are plenty of business parks and jobs around the freeway. Turf Paradise is Arizona’s biggest racetrack. Some pockets of this neighborhood around I-17 have high crime rates.

Things to do in Northwest Central: 85021

Main attractions

The light-rail extension makes this and surrounding neighborhoods easier to explore. The train offers cheap and easy access to Downtown Phoenix and points between. Castles N’ Coasters, the amusement park home to a double-looping roller coaster Desert Storm, is nearby. There are also go-karts, bumper boats, an arcade and miniature golf there.

Out on the town

Sporty folks can make good use of Rose Mofford Sports Complex and its soccer and softball fields, tennis and basketball courts, track, playground and large dog park. This neighborhood is also flush with authentic dining.

Outdoors

These neighborhoods flank North Mountain Park, with more than 17 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The area is near the Phoenix Mountain Preserve with a variety of trails and landscapes and a popular hiking and mountain biking destination. And the Arizona Canal paved trail cuts through with miles of uninterrupted off-street bicycling, running and walking.

Things to do in Northgate/Moon Valley: 85023

Main attractions

Tee up at Cave Creek Golf Course and Moon Valley Country Club. There are also tennis courts, an aquatics center and a fitness center at Moon Valley. This area has many parks, including Moon Valley Park, with walking paths, playgrounds, tennis courts and more. Close by is amusement park Castles N’ Coaters, home to Desert Storm, a double-looping roller coaster.

Out on the town

You’re a quick ride on the freeway from Desert Ridge Marketplace, an expansive outdoor mall offering dozens of retail, dining and entertainment options for all ages. Also, a short drive away are the Shops at Norterra and Happy Valley Towne Center. Look for a Harkins Theatres location there and eateries. Stay closer to home and catch a film at Deer Valley Towne Square’s 30-screen AMC Theatre or a round of bowling at AMF Deer Valley Lanes.

Outdoors

Things to do in North Mountain: 85029

Main attractions

North Mountain and Shaw Butte peaks are Valley landmarks and offer gorgeous views of Phoenix. Hike to the top or enjoy the views with a fine meal nearby at Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. The Arizona State University West campus is so close you can bike to it. There’s a shuttle service to the main campus in Tempe. When it’s time to play, you need to go no farther than your own backyard: Castles N’ Coasters. The amusement park is home to Desert Storm, a double-looping roller coaster, as well as go-karts, bumper boats, an arcade and miniature golf.

Out on the town

Sporty folks can make good use of Rose Mofford Sports Complex and its soccer and softball fields, tennis and basketball courts, track, playground and large dog park.

Outdoors

Things to do in Metrocenter: 85051

Main attractions

This is a good neighborhood for the athletic at heart. North Mountain Park and its many hiking trails offer beautiful views. At lower elevations, there’s Rose Mofford Sports Complex and its soccer and softball fields, tennis and basketball courts, track, playground and large dog park. Close proximity to a major freeway puts Downtown Phoenix and its sports games, concerts and conventions within easy reach.

Out on the town

If you’re looking for a place to play, you need to go no farther than your own backyard and Castles N’ Coasters. The amusement park is home to Desert Storm, a double-looping roller coaster. There are also go-karts, bumper boats, an arcade and miniature golf. Dining options are plentiful and wide-ranging.

Outdoors

Things to do in Greenway: 85053

Main attractions

Close proximity to many major freeways means all points of the Valley are within easy reach, from a Suns game in downtown Phoenix to the Barrett-Jackson auto show in Scottsdale. Arizona State University West campus is so close you can bike to it, and there’s a shuttle service to the main campus in Tempe.

Out on the town

A quick ride on the freeway will take you to Desert Ridge Marketplace, an expansive outdoor mall offering dozens of retail, dining and entertainment options for all ages. Stay closer to home and catch a film at Deer Valley Towne Square’s 30-screen AMC Theater or a round of bowling at AMF Deer Valley Lanes. For the more adventurous, there’s Castles N’ Coasters amusement park close by.

Outdoors

Who lives here

The Black Canyon neighborhood nearly exactly mirrors the racial demographics of the Valley as a whole. But its houses are generally older, and its residents earn below-average incomes. More than a third of the residents of Metrocenter (85051) and Northwest Central (85021) neighborhoods are Hispanic.

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.