Where to Live in Phoenix Without a Car

Phoenix, Arizona is a large, sprawling metropolitan area, and it’s often difficult to navigate the city without a vehicle. However, if you’re wondering where to live in Phoenix without a car, you will find several neighborhoods where it’s possible to survive without a vehicle if you’re not afraid of the heat. From the obvious downtown area to the Central City Village, here’s a look at the best places to live in Phoenix when you don’t have a vehicle to get around town.

Where to Live in Phoenix Without a Car

Downtown Phoenix

Since the Phoenix metro area is so huge and spread out, it may be tough to live in many parts of the city without a car. However, Downtown Phoenix is one of the most walkable areas of the city. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, great shopping, entertainment, and a vibrant nightlife scene without having to leave downtown. Not only is it easy to walk around downtown, the GRID bike share program and the extended METRO light rail make it easier to move around this area without the need for a vehicle.

Tempe

Considered part of the Phoenix metro area, Tempe is an excellent place to live without a vehicle. One of the best spots in Tempe is the Mill Ave area, since it offers plenty of bars, restaurants, and stores. However, this is a hot spot for university students, which is something to consider if you’re thinking about moving into this rea. While it’s easy to walk around this area, you will be surrounded by undergrads if you settle in the Mill Ave area. If you’re attending ASU and you don’t mind a bit of noise from boisterous university students, it’s a perfect option. Tempe also boasts the highest walk and bike scores in Arizona, which means it is one of the best areas to live if you don’t want to have a car.

Old Town Scottsdale

If you’re wondering where to live in Phoenix without a car, Old Town Scottsdale is another great area to try. It’s a quieter, more affluent area than Tempe’s Mill Ave area, yet it still offers excellent restaurants and a good bar scene. You’ll find plenty of cultural things to do within walking distance, such as concerts in the park and art galleries. Shopping is easy to find nearby as well, and it’s still easy to hop the METRO light rail or a bus to head to other parts of the city if you need to go further than a few blocks.

Glendale

Glendale, another area that is part of the Phoenix metro area, offers multiple public transportation options, which make living without a car feasible. Not only does the Valley Metro bus service operate in the area, Glendale offers Dial-A-Ride transport service and the Glendale Urban Shuttle (GUS the Bus). With multiple routes, fare for GUS is only $0.25 or $0.10 for disabled individuals, Medicare card holders, and seniors at certain times of day. Many parts of Glendale offer homeowners many stores, restaurants, and more within easy walking distance too.

Central City Village

Central City Village, one of Phoenix’s well-known villages, offers easy access to Sky Harbor International Airport as well as great nightlife and plenty of history. Sporting venues are within easy walking distance, including Chase Field and the US Airways Center, and it’s easy to walk, bike, or hop a bus to local shopping. Even if you don’t have a car, it’s still easy to visit other areas of the city by using the METRO light rail to get around.

Grand Avenue Neighborhood

Located between Van Buren and Roosevelt streets, the Grand Avenue neighborhood is another excellent place to try if you’re trying to figure out where to live in Phoenix without a car. The neighborhood is packed with hip bars, art galleries, boutique shopping, and anything else you need, all within easy biking or walking distance.

Sunnyslope

Sunnyslope is located in South Phoenix and is around Sunnyslope Mountain, often referred to as S Mountain. You can see this beautiful neighborhood from across the city, since the mountain has a huge “S” painted on it, making it stand out across the Valley. Sunnyslope is a working-class neighborhood, and the reason it’s a great place to live without a car is because it offers a downtown area of its own. This area is packed with shopping centers, restaurants, and more.

F.Q. Story Historic District

The F.Q. Story History District still looks like the 1920s neighborhood it once was, and it provides homebuyers with a great mix of bungalow homes and restored 1920s period homes. If you don’t have a vehicle, this area is a perfect place to live, since it has its own revitalized dining and shopping district. Since it’s technically a part of the downtown/central area of the city, walking, biking, or riding the METRO light rail ensures that moving around town is easy.

Mesa

Mesa is located in the eastern part of the Phoenix metro area, and offers its own downtown area packed with historical sites, shopping centers, restaurants, and more. Easily head to Paradise Valley, downtown Phoenix, or Tempe by riding the METRO light rail, which now extends all the way out to Mesa.

Arcadia

Arcadia, one of the more affluent areas of the city, is located in North Phoenix. In the past, this area was a citrus grove packed with lemons, grapefruit, and oranges, and you still see the reflection of its past in the lush, large yards of the area. Since the area doesn’t have a lot of parking spaces, not having a car to worry about can be a bonus. Arcadia is packed with a wonderful selection of restaurants and cafes, and shopping is easy to find within easy biking or walking distance too.