Carefree

Thirty minutes north of Scottsdale and Phoenix lies the desert rural township of Carefree, home to approximately 3,600 residents living in about 1,900 homes. Carefree is relatively small at about eight square miles but it is bursting with its own unique personality. At about 2,400 feet in elevation, Carefree is nestled south of Black Mountain. Its elevation is over 1,000 feet higher than Scottsdale and Phoenix, leading to temperatures that on average are 5-7 degrees cooler. Residents love the town for its slower pace, clean air, and less traffic. Street names speak to the town’s character: Meandering Way, Tranquil Trail, Long Rifle, and Ho and Hum Roads are a few examples. The crown jewel of the town are the Carefree Desert Gardens. These gardens are one of only two public botanical gardens in the Valley. Located along pedestrian-friendly Easy Street in downtown Carefree, the gardens are free to visit and open 365 days a year for everyone to enjoy. Dining in Carefree has a little bit of everything: from cafés to authentic southwestern flavor, to more sophisticated European restaurants. Sundial Plaza celebrates the arts with galleries, exhibitions, and stores, and the roads are lined with locally-owned stores and museums which tell the story of its western and Native American heritage. Carefree is home to several art festivals and shows throughout the year. If you are looking for a tranquil setting among the beauty of the western desert, the town of Carefree doesn’t disappoint.