The Top Family-Friendly Neighborhoods In Phoenix, Arizona

In Phoenix, a city where the population grows and changes far more than that of the average, it can be particularly tough to decide where exactly to plant roots. After all, as a city's population grows, factors such as crime rate, commutability, and more tend to change in response — all important factors to consider when determining where to raise your family.

According to the City of Phoenix, the state's capital city consistently has an annual population growth rate that is higher than anywhere else in the country and has led all other U.S. cities in measured 10-year population growth — which begs the question: is Phoenix still a good place for families?

While it's fair to be skeptical about raising your family in such a fast-growing metropolis that is constantly changing, the reality is that even as the population of Phoenix grows, it still remains an excellent place for families to call home — and there's a reason the city attracts so many people.

According to Arizona's Family, the desert metropolis sees an average of 300 sunny days a year, making it an attractive destination for families looking to escape colder, wetter climates and comfortably take advantage of outdoor activities year-round while also being a top destination for foodies and shopaholics.

While plenty of families reside in all parts of Phoenix, here are five of the city's most family-friendly neighborhoods.

If you are concerned about Phoenix's booming population leading to an increased crime rate, you might be hesitant about moving your family to the city altogether. However, there are plenty of safe neighborhoods for your family to call home, with Desert View being among the safest.

Mentors Moving and Storage ranks this affluent neighborhood as the safest in Phoenix for families and notes that the crime rate in Desert View is 68% below the city's average and 48% below the national average — making it an incredibly safe place to reside. In fact, 77% of respondents on Trulia said they feel safe walking through the neighborhood alone at night.

According to Rent Cafe, the residential neighborhood has nearly 20 square miles of parks and natural area, with a large network of hiking and biking trails — making Desert View a popular destination for families who love the outdoors.

Desert View also has a large selection of upscale shopping and dining options and even a decent nightlife scene, allowing residents to take advantage of Phoenix's big city perks while still being able to reside in a quiet area with plenty of rural beauty. Rent Cafe says that in some areas of Desert View, you can even see the stars — a treat rarely able to be enjoyed in most other parts of Phoenix that are far too light-polluted to see the night sky.

According to Mentors Moving and Storage, the neighborhood of Deer Valley is also among the safest in Phoenix and is an excellent choice for families on a budget.

There is plenty to do in Deer Valley to keep the kids busy, and a fan favorite is Hurricane Harbor water park, where the whole family can enjoy water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and other activities and amenities.

Deer Valley is also a great destination for families who love the outdoors, and living here comes with the ability to take advantage of plenty of nature preserves and parks, such as CaveButtes Recreational Area and the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve (per Living in Phoenix AZ).

With entertainment options for the whole family and plenty of dining and shopping, it's no surprise that Deer Valley is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Phoenix. Rest assured, however, that the area's rising population has not led to a rise in crime, as Living in Phoenix AZ reports that despite its recent spike in popularity, the crime rate in Deer Valley is still 17% lower than the rest of the city.

The neighborhood of Ahwatukee Foothills is widely considered to be the best all-around neighborhood in Phoenix and an excellent place to raise a family. In fact, Ahwatukee Foothills was ranked as the #1 Phoenix neighborhood to live in by Niche after receiving an overall A+ ranking when assessing factors like safety, education quality, and standard of living for families.

Arizona realtor Jeff Barchi says that while Ahwatukee Foothills has no shortage of eateries, shops, and entertainment like the rest of Phoenix, the area has also maintained much of its rural, western charm — reflected in the leisurely lifestyle adopted by residents, the Spanish architecture, and the multitude of rugged natural areas, parks, and hiking trails.

While Ahwatukee Foothills might seem like a sleepy neighborhood to Phoenix residents used to the noise and vibrant atmosphere of the city's downtown area, it is conveniently located right next to all major expressways — meaning it's only a short drive to world-class nightlife if you are looking to get away for a child-free night out.

According to Visit Arizona, Ahwatukee Foothills directly borders South Mountain Park, the largest municipal park in the U.S. — making the area ideal for hiking, biking, and horseback riding and attracting families of all ages who love to spend time outdoors.

The quality of the local education is also consistently ranked above average, with Niche giving the public schools in Ahwatukee Foothills an A rating.

Camelback East is another neighborhood that blends the natural world with all the benefits and amenities of living in a big city. As one of Phoenix's more affluent areas, Orchard notes that Camelback East offers a variety of boutiques, eateries, coffee shops, and bars while still being a hub for those who enjoy the natural beauty of the desert mountains. Because of this, many families choose to take advantage of the neighborhood's "best of both worlds" reputation and raise their children here.

According to Mentors Moving and Storage, 21% of Camelback East's population is under 18, as the area is widely considered to be an excellent place to raise a family.

Camelback East is also home to some of the city's best attractions for family fun, including the world-class Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. There are also plenty of Camelback Mountain hiking trails of all degrees of difficulty that are perfect for getting the family out of the house and into some fresh air.

Paradise Valley is an excellent neighborhood for families looking to escape the hustle, bustle, and noise experienced in areas closer to Phoenix's downtown area.

Paradise Valley reaps all the benefits of being Arizona's wealthiest municipality and boasts a reputation of being safe, quiet, and an excellent place to send a child to school (per Living in Phoenix AZ). Many Phoenix families choose to raise their children in Paradise Valley due to the elite reputation of the area's public schools and the neighborhood's safety track record. In fact, Mentors Moving and Storage says that kids under the age of 18 make up as much as 20% of Paradise Valley's population.

According to Living in Phoenix AZ, homes in Paradise Valley tend to have larger lots than houses in most other areas of Phoenix, making the real estate market particularly enticing for families with children and pets looking for extra space to run and play outside.

The Crazy Tourist adds that Paradise Valley is home to world-class shopping and dining, though it is also a popular destination for hikers and golfers alike. There are plenty of hiking trails and golf courses to choose from, and in fact, several Paradise Valley courses regularly host PGA Tour events — and the striking desert mountain backdrop while strolling the green is an experience unlike any other.