They just don't make them like they used to.
And the ones they used to? They're in different states of repair. While some old neighborhoods have fallen on hard times, there are other historic 'hoods that are not only alive and well, but thriving. These home tour hotspots have kept themselves in mint condition, creating nooks that look straight out of a storybook. Whether you're looking to buy or just plain looking, these are five historic neighborhoods worth driving through in Phoenix.
See also: 5 Best Midcentury Modern Neighborhoods in Metro Phoenix
Encanto-Palmcroft Average price of homes for sale: $683,000 Cross streets: Encanto-Palmcroft is located between McDowell Road and Encanto Boulevard, between Seventh Avenue and 15th Avenue. Technically, the area south of Palm Lane is Encanto and the area north is Palmcroft.
When we think of luxury historic living in Phoenix, Encanto-Palmcroft always comes to mind. The residents of this picturesque neighborhood comprised of 330 homes dating as far back as 1927 have become accustomed to everyday pedestrian gawkers, seasonal home tours, and the occasional film crew. While the homes vary in revival style, from tudor and colonial to pueblo and ranch, this labyrinth-like cluster of homes is constantly well maintained.
Roosevelt Average price of homes for sale: $499,000 Cross streets: Roosevelt, not to be confused with Roosevelt Row, is located between McDowell and Fillmore streets, between Central and Seventh avenues.
For those who really want to travel back in time, there's no better place to start than the Roosevelt Historic District. The neighborhood, which predates Arizona's statehood, was a residential destination for Phoenix's early movers and shakers and incidentally the first Phoenix neighborhood officially to be designated as historic. The houses predominately resemble California bungalows with features like sloping roofs, attic windows, chimneys, and generous porches.
F.Q. Story Average price of homes for sale: $293,500 Cross streets: F.Q. Story can be found between McDowell Road and Roosevelt Street, between Seventh and Grand avenues.
The full scope of F.Q. Story's 602 homes is hard to grasp thanks to the interruption of Interstate 10. But regardless of the changes that have occurred since its developer, Francis Quarles Story (hence the name), first began construction in 1920, the historic neighborhood has retained its charm. These quaint historic homes are generally on the smaller side and come in a variety of styles including tudor, Spanish revival, and the early twentieth century bungalow.
Windsor Square Average price of homes for sale: $495,000 Cross streets: Windsor Square is nestled roughly between Seventh Street and Central Avenue, between Camelback Road and Oregon Avenue.
Behind the hustle and bustle of one of central Phoenix's most happening corners, Central Avenue and Camelback Road, lies the scenic Windsor Square. Although development of the area began in the late 1920s, many of the homes were ultimately built in in the 1940s, due to the financial constraints of the Great Depression and World War II. As a result of delayed development, the styles of the homes are fairly varied but, for the most part, custom designs have been well-executed and the exterior are extremely well-manicured.
Willo Average price of homes for sale: $447,000 Cross streets: Willo is bound between Thomas and McDowell Roads, between Seventh and Central avenues.
Despite all the commercial development around this early twentieth century 'hood, Willo has managed to retrain its sweet and surprisingly quiet demeanor (we credit the one-way streets, roundabouts, and speed bumps in part for that). Homes in this historic neighborhood have narrow lots that extend backward, giving residents space without being spread out. Featuring such styles as tudor, American Colonial, Spanish revival, and pueblo, Willow is as eclectic as it is adorable.
Editor's note: This post has been edited from its original version to correct the boundaries of the Roosevelt neighborhood.
