Carefree is one of the smaller suburbs of the Phoenix area. The population of 3,700 enjoy a cushy median household income at $93,014, out-earning Arizona’s $51,340, according to Data USA, with only a third of the population employed due to the high rate of retirees. And though the town that borders Scottsdale is considered affluent, with a median property value at $674,900, it’s committed to providing a family-centric community with cultural festivals, art shows, and a revitalized downtown area, which is flanked by residential communities such as Reserve at Tranquil Trail, Carefree Terrace Condominiums, and Clarendon Estates.

Aerial of Carefree, AZ

According to a letter released in July 2017 by Carefree Mayor Les Peterson, he wanted to focus on creating a brand that personified “the deserts beauty however offering a progressive town.” With that, the town shifted its marketing to focus on visitors that had never experienced the town, most likely in hopes of increasing tourism revenue.

Realizing the town was becoming an artistic and cultural hub of the Northeast Valley, Peterson also noted in August that the lack of a property tax, a collection of high-quality single-family homes, and plans for luxury apartments in the downtown core were helping to create a new awareness, which he saw as exciting and promising for the community. 

Per the Phoenix Biz Journal, one of those new developments, The Residences at Sundial Circle, is set to be built next to the Carefree Sundial, a majestic 35-foot structure and one of the largest sundials in the U.S.

While Residences at Sundial Circle is situated near Cave Creek Road and Tom Darlington Drive and is slated to include 50 luxury units, design details have not yet been revealed. We do know that units will be priced between $1 million and $1.3 million. One community feature that has been revealed is a walk-under waterfall at the entrance.

Carefree Sundial photo courtesy of Marine 69-71

Carefree also recently saw the soft opening of a sustainable wellness resort located at what was the Carefree Resort & Conference Center, per a release by 3rd Story Architecture. Completion is expected by October 2018. Designed with influences by Frank Lloyd Wright, Civana will feature a 20,000-square-foot sustainable spa, three swimming pools, a fitness center, and a health-conscious restaurant. Peterson, in referring to the project and others in the works, explained that the high-income demographic in the area is constantly looking for year-round “new experiences” and that “seasonality will be a word of the past.”

Finally, a new incentive was unveiled in December between the towns of Carefree and Cave Creek, solidifying the effort to strengthen economic growth. Per the Sonoran News the Dunn Transportation Trolley offers free weekend use to and from local businesses between the two towns. While it’s current run will end in April 2018, it’s expected to return again next year. Current stops include the Carefree Sundial, Mariachi Plaza, and Historic Spanish Village.