Moving to Phoenix with your family? This large Southwestern city has amazing local schools, plenty of family activities, and an average of 299 sunny days per year, making Arizona’s capital city a great place to live with kids. Here are the five best neighborhoods for families in Phoenix!
Ahwatukee Foothills
Photo via @hollyhenbest
- Home Price: $298,053 median purchase price; $1,175 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of Phoenix neighborhoods
Full of fun things to do for kids, Ahwatukee Foothills is a safe, affordable Phoenix neighborhood perfect for growing families! Stretches of desert landscape make a scenic backdrop for Adobe, Spanish Revival, and Modern homes found throughout this quiet area. And despite a northwestern border of South Mountain Park and Preserve providing a calm, natural retreat from the hustle-and-bustle of urban Phoenix, the presence of Maricopa Fwy and US-202 makes Ahwatukee Foothills a prime spot for commuters. Families moving to this Phoenix neighborhood will find a wide range of schools to choose from, which include Desert Vista High School, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School, and a variety of educational opportunities for younger children, like Sunrise Preschool.
Things to Do in Ahwatukee Foothills
Get the family healthy with yoga classes, strength training, or pick-up games of basketball at Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA. Practice your swing with friends or teach the kiddos how to tee off at the Foothills Golf Club. Take in gorgeous views of the Salt River Valley while enjoying sunny Phoenix weather on any of the nine trailheads at South Mountain Park & Preserve. Cool off at Oasis Water Park, featuring 8-story slides, a wave pool, and many other attractions the whole family will find fun. Enjoy dishes like Linguine Vongole or Fettuccine Con Pollo & Fungi at Va Bene. Satisfy your Thai food cravings with a plate of Red Curry or Pad Thai from Thai Delight. Chow down on Mississippi-style barbecue with an order of Baby Back Ribs or a Meat & Mac Bowl at Sweet Magnolia Smokehouse. Or order Mediterranean-inspired fare like a Lamb Wrap or Pomegranate Chicken from ZK Grill.
Camelback East
Photo via @twinsandcorealty
- Home Price: $247,059 median purchase price; $884 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 33% of Phoenix neighborhoods
Families living in or moving to Phoenix will love the many kid-friendly things to do in Camelback East Village—another one of the best places to live for Phoenix families! The aesthetic of Camelback East Village is distinct, with property styles ranging from cozy bungalows to modern houses and more. The neighborhood is also home to a variety of Phoenix parks and green spaces, like Phoenix Mountains Preserve and Papago Park—which feature multiple museums, a fish hatchery, and beautiful southwestern landscapes—as well as a variety of restaurants, shops, and other activities the whole family can enjoy.
Things to Do in Camelback East
Marvel at natural rock formations like the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park, which towers above the desert landscape. Catalog cacti, flowers, trees, and other plants native to the Sonoran Desert at the Desert Botanical Garden. Explore replicas of indigenous dwellings and other archeological relics from the Hohokam people at the S’edav Va’aki Museum Archaeological Park. Get to know native species like the black-footed ferret, as well as animals from around the world, like giraffes and zebras, at the Phoenix Zoo. Grab breakfast plates like Chilaquiles or a Burrito Bomb at any time of day from Luci’s at the Orchard. Sample Thai street food like Panang Curry and Kanom Jeeb from Glai Baan. Order family-style entrees to share from Phoenix City Grille, like Madison Stir Fry or P.C.G. Pasta. Or savor modern ingredients prepared with traditional methods from Nanaya Japanese Kitchen, serving signature dishes like Crispy Tofu Katsu and Tea-Smoked Duck.
Deer Valley
Photo via @shademyhome
- Home Price: $167,384 median purchase price; $1,042 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 60% of Phoenix neighborhoods
Ranch, cottage, and Spanish Revival homes are offset perfectly by the Sonoran Desert’s beauty in another of the best places to live in Phoenix for families: Deer Valley. Attractions like Deem Hills Recreation Area and Paseo Highlands Park are as scenic as they are fun. This affordable Phoenix neighborhood is dappled with local shops, sports complexes, restaurants, and more. Because this neighborhood is so large, there are many schools—and even entire districts—to choose from within Deer Valley, but parents can feel confident sending their children to amazing Phoenix schools like Las Brisas Elementary School and Barry Goldwater High School. Prospective college students can find higher education within the neighborhood, too, at Glendale Community College North!
Things to Do in Deer Valley
Sign your kids up for a youth sports league, including basketball, soccer, and more, at Arizona Sports Complex. Bring your four-legged family members to romp under the sun at Deem Hills Dog Park. See a race on the weekends or let your kids learn BMX for themselves on practice days at Black Mountain BMX. Go on a self-guided tour to see prehistoric petroglyphs on the quarter-mile trail at Deer Valley Petroglyph Reserve, or take in views of the entire city from Lookout Mountain Preserve‘s summit. Spend a day hiking or go stargazing at gorgeous Cave Creek Regional Park. Build your own sandwich for lunch or order a bagel sandwich for breakfast at Hot Bagels & Deli. Head to Bambino’s Sports Grill on game day to see the match on the big screen and enjoy American eats like Curve Balls Sliders or Eagle Wings. Watch your meal get prepared before your eyes when you order a Teppanyaki dish with your choice of protein, like Shrimp or Teriyaki Chicken at Ah-So Sushi & Steak Restaurant.
Encanto
Photo via @waltoninteriors
- Home Price: $186,183 median purchase price; $784 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 13% of Phoenix neighborhoods
Considered one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Phoenix, and packed with affordable real estate and a large entertainment scene, Encanto Village is the perfect Phoenix neighborhood for families! Home styles ranging from Ranch to Spanish Revival properties give the residential areas of Encanto Village a diverse, unique feel. The vibe of the neighborhood is also multi-faceted, as it offers the quiet streets and manicured aesthetics of the suburbs while being just seven minutes away from downtown! Families living in Encanto Village can also enjoy low-key fun at outdoor hubs like Encanto Park and Coronado Park, or at recurring neighborhood events like Encanto Music Fest.
Things to Do in Encanto
Jam out to live music, snack on street food, watch livestock competitions, or go on rides with your kids at the Arizona State Fair, which is held annually at the permanent fairgrounds on McDowell Road. Learn about American Indian history and culture through exhibits featuring artifacts, art, and more at Heard Museum. Experience year-round rides for people of all ages, including the Encanto Carousel and Parachute Tower, at Enchanted Island Amusement Park. Attend film screenings and other events, or browse permanent and traveling exhibitions featuring fine art at Phoenix Art Museum. Try Mexican-fusion brunch entrees like Dulce De Leche French Toast or Potatoes Hash with Chorizo at Casa Corazon. Take your pick of Indian fare from a wide menu including Chana Masala and Chicken Biryani from New India Bazaar. Get reservations to Durant’s for date night, with upscale plates like Bone-In Ribeye or Sauteed Salmon with Mango Ginger Glaze. Or find a wide array of meatless meals like a Secret BBQ Sammie or the Classic Burger at Green New American Vegetarian.
Paradise Valley
Photo via @thekarasgroup
- Home Price: $252,702 median purchase price; $1,127 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Phoenix neighborhoods
With gorgeous views of both Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain, outdoorsy families will love living in Phoenix’s Paradise Valley neighborhood. Along with plenty of parks and green space, Paradise Valley offers additional outdoor fun with golf courses like Orange Tree Golf Course and Stonecreek Golf Club. Families are also drawn to Paradise Valley by top schools, including Vista Verde Middle School, Paradise Valley High School, and even Paradise Valley Community College. The commercial districts in Paradise Valley are another major attraction, with family-friendly activities and a number of amazing Phoenix restaurants with cuisines ranging from Italian and Mexican to New American and beyond!
Things to Do in Paradise Valley
Spend a day with the family enjoying the Golf Escape at the Westin Kierland Golf Club. Stimulate your senses at Cosanti: A unique outdoor art gallery featuring Bronze and Ceramic pieces. Shop produce, artisan goods, and more at the Roadrunner Park Farmers Market. Hike to the top of Camelback Mountain on the scenic, 1.5-mile Echo Canyon Trail. See model locomotives at the on-site museum or ride on a train through the 30-acre McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Have a night out at El Chorro, which features sophisticated entrees from Trout Almondine to Beef Stroganoff. Split a Cheese Plate or order some Lobster Mac N’ Cheese for dinner from 32 Shea. Grab fresh Italian favorites like Eggplant Parmigiana or Steak Siciliano from The Sicilian Butcher. Or split unique pies like an Angry Hawaiian or Margherita Pizza from Classic Crust Brick Oven Pizza.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
