Situated near the Sonoran Desert, the views are impeccable when you wake up in your North Mountain home. Serving as a small portion of the bigger Phoenix area, North Mountain real estate is definitely the embodiment of the small American town, situated in the heart of the desert. When it comes to life in the Valley of the Sun, there is no question that the western style homes and sprawling shopping malls mixed with the hometown mom-and-pop shops make this kind of living nothing short of perfect.
The first people who came to this area were the Hohokam Native Americans, who arrived around 300 AD. However, it was not until the 1800s that the modern town began to take shape. The development of the North Mountain area took time and it was not fully ready to be called an impressive living area until the later part of the 1900s. Some of the activities that the residents of this community enjoy throughout the year include walking and hiking, horseback riding, golfing, fishing and anything else involving the outdoors and outdoor life.
Perhaps one of the biggest appealing aspects of North Mountain is the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. Perched on top of the peaks of Phoenix North Mountains, this resort offers visitors a European setting, beautifully landscaped gardens, fine dining, cascading fountains, and an 18-hole golf course. This location presents a huge draw, which helps to increase tourists who come through the North Mountain community.
When it comes to finding something to do, the most appealing part of North Mountain is the many hiking and walking trails in the area. In addition to endless miles and acres of wilderness to explore, you can also enjoy paved parking areas, drinking water stations and restrooms to maximize the experience. The Shaw Butte Trail is a multi-use trail with a rating of moderate to difficult. The head of this trail is located at the end of Central Avenue south. The elevation on this trail at its highest is 2,044 feet.
The Maxine Lakin Natural Trail starts in a northeasterly direction on an older road. This trail is one that has been established for quite some time and measures 1.2 miles from start to finish. Other trails to consider exploring include the North Mountain National Trail and the Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail.
While there are more than a few things to do in terms of fun and entertainment in North Mountain, a favorite of many adults is paying a visit to the North Mountain Brewery. The main goal of this location is to become the brew pub in the area. Take a trip there and you will see how fun it can be to just sit and visit while enjoying the freshly brewed beer that is made to perfection. The menu here consists of some of the favorite fare including shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and a number of other classic beer cuisine. For only $10 to $14 you can enjoy all that this location has to offer.
However, adults are not the only ones who can have fun while visiting North Mountain. Kids can enjoy a day bouncing away at Jump Street or visiting the nearby Japanese Friendship Garden. Some of these locations require a short car-ride, but they are well worth the miles.
Searching for a great place to shop? Metro Center Mall in North Mountain houses over 100 retailers, including a food court, play area and multi-screen movie theater. Other shopping opportunities in this desert town can be found at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall, El Monte Plaza and Christown Spectrum Mall.
Besides the many hiking, biking and walking paths in North Mountain, there are a number of additional fitness and healthy living facilities present. North Mountain Cardio specializes in preventive practices and lifelong health. You can also purchase memberships to North Phoenix Arizona Gym, Mountainside Fitness and Miracles of Phoenix Fitness. Most of these offer low, affordable memberships making them ideal for anyone in the community who wishes to increase their current fitness level.
If you are planning a trip to check out the North Mountain area, you will find the most agreeable temperatures between January and April. However, even though the heat can be quite trying at times, there are endless things to do indoors, which will allow you to escape the heat while still enjoying all that the area has to offer. However, if you plan to live there you will find the summer months are free from tourists and visitors, allowing you to really enjoy all the amenities this area has to offer. Most businesses try to account for the heat, which is why this time of year in North Mountain is not all bad.
Unfortunately there are a number of misconceptions related to desert life. There are some who believe that all that is offered is heat and dust, but one visit to North Mountain in the northern portion of Phoenix will show how inaccurate this assumption truly is. For those who live here, there are more than a few options in housing to consider. Also, there are more amenities and outdoor activities than many other areas of North Mountain due to its lower temperatures. For a glimpse of the ‘other size’ of desert living, North Mountain is a must-see destination.
