North Gateway - Phoenix, AZ

Much of northern Phoenix began as mining colonies in the 1800s. Rugged settlers and their hopeful loved ones flocked to North Gateway from around the nation to try their hand at life in the Wild West. When the mining industry waned, the colonies faded into ghost towns. For many years, North Gateway was strictly horse-trod trails and recreational parks. It wasn’t until recent decades that retail centers and housing developments transformed the rural region into a thriving residential community accessible by Interstate 17 and Deer Valley Airport.

Echoes of Arizona’s proud heritage linger on in the Victorian architecture at North Gateway’s Pioneer Living History Museum, where kids and adults can watch theatrical re-enactments, tour the blacksmith’s shop, and take a picture in the sheriff’s office. The neighborhood’s current health and environment conscious residents work closely with an active chamber of commerce to promote clean, energy-efficient, water-conservative living.

Tramonto Marketplace and the surrounding streets serve as a dining hub for the neighborhood. Start the day with a hot breakfast at Hot Bagels. This deli serves cold and warm sandwiches, cookies, wraps, and fresh, hand-made bagels. When you're finished with your with your chorizo bagel sandwich and you're feeling inspired to whip up your own concoction, you can buy cream spreads, cheese, and Boar's Head meats by the pound at the counter. When you're having more of a coffee and a donut kind of morning, walk to Desert Donuts, also in Tramonto Marketplace. Go simple with cinnamon and sugar or splurge with a bacon blast donut coated in maple icing and topped with chunks of crispy bacon. Pair it with a cup of freshly ground coffee or a latte.

Plaza Bonita, a family Mexican restaurant a half-mile away from Tramonto Marketplace, has a lunch and dinner menu with pages of simple, filling dishes. You can call in an order and pick up your food at the counter, but you'd miss the warm, ambient orange and yellow walls, hacienda-style archways, and out-of-this-world selection of tequila. The menu features traditional Mexican fare and cultural fusion cuisine like the dos amigos: garlic sauteed scallops and prawns with a side of rice and beans.

After dark, locals hit up North Gateway's comfiest bars. NFL and UFC fanatics huddle around the screens at Connolly's Sports Grill, where the fish 'n' chips comes piled high in a basket and the burgers come medium rare. The bar's home-style fare fits the dark, dive bar decor. Stop in before 2 a.m. for a Reuben sandwich and wash it down with an Irish ale. Wednesday nights mean karaoke at Azool Bar and Grill, so grab your friends, order a few drinks, and sing the night away in the blue lounge.

Many North Gateway residents remain commuters, driving southbound on Interstate 17 toward the city in the mornings and following the freeway north at quitting time. Though North Valley Parkway has a dedicated bike lane, hiking and biking are generally reserved for the miles of trails in Deem Hills and the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve.

Deer Valley Airport, a reliever airport for Sky Harbor, may seem small, but it’s the 25th-busiest airport in the world, receiving private charters and civil aviators, hosting flight schools and storing aircraft carriers. Locals search for flights into the airport to avoid the traffic-heavy drive from south Phoenix to North Gateway.

Valley Metro routes only go as far as Happy Valley Road, south of the North Gateway boundary, so bus rides are not yet available in this portion of Phoenix. While Lyft doesn’t service North Gateway, Uber does cover ride-sharing in the Tramonto/Desert Hills area. Parking is typically free and readily available in the area's open neighborhoods and shopping centers.

Tramonto Park, North Gateway’s very own 12 acres of green space, boasts an amphitheater, a basketball court, exercise stations and a playground. Centered in a large area near Sunset Ridge School, the park’s adult- and child-friendly amenities draw families from all over the North Phoenix area.

The Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve has miles of well-marked trails for hikers and bikers of all skill levels. The peaks and mountains on the preserve — home to desert hares, owls and hawks — afford amazing views of the valley below. The Apache Wash Trailhead entrance has ample parking, as well as maps that indicate the location of restroom facilities and covered ramadas where you can admire the scenery while you rehydrate and refuel. Remember to bring a water bottle, sunscreen and lightweight clothing with good coverage, as you're likely to encounter a branching cactus or two. Pets are welcome on leashes.

North Gateway residents are lucky to be a short drive away from one of Arizona’s most popular getaway spots. Lake Pleasant Regional Park's 23,000 acres of mountains, mesas and sandstone cliffs overlooking the Colorado River can get crowded on holidays. Boaters, fishermen, hikers, and campers share summers and long weekends in trailers and tents around the lake.

The cost of living in North Gateway runs slightly higher than the city average. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $896 per month. Expect to pay $5 for a burger, $3 for a coffee and $2.50 for a beer at local establishments. Gas prices tend to be just over the national average.

North Gateway residents depend on the convenience of shopping centers like Tramonto Marketplace. The huge roster of national chains and local shops provide access to clothes, home goods, electronics repair and health care.

The Kohls in Tramonto Marketplace works well for quick purchases, but locals looking for true retail therapy take a trip outside of the neighborhood. A 15-minute drive north on Interstate 17 deposits you at a very popular mall — The Outlets at Anthem. The wide range of factory outlet stores advertise everything from upscale designer duds at Coach to affordable accessories at The Gap. Busy parents can take advantage of the mall’s indoor food pavilion, free strollers and the tot lot play area and splash pad.

What The Shops at Norterra lacks in clothing stores it more than makes up for with luxury services. The outdoor mall on West Happy Valley Road houses multiple spas, an old-time barbershop and a Harkins Theatre. End your day of shopping with a deep tissue massage and facial at Norterra Salon and Spa, or treat yourself to a Hawaiian bikini martini sorbet at Yogurtini, a self-serve frozen yogurt bar.

At Bicycle Vibe, the customer comes first. The boutique bike shop has been in the North Valley for years, serving the community with a huge selection of sport and leisure bikes. While you browse inventory for the perfect set of wheels, the friendly, knowledgeable staff fields questions and offers payment programs, including 6-month financing on purchases over $1000, to get you on whatever cycle suits your needs. Alongside repair and maintenance services, the shop hosts weekly off-road rides through the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve.

Locals rely on Albertsons for weekly grocery runs. Gourmet and specialty items require a 30-minute drive east to AJ’s Fine Foods on North Scottsdale Road. The Sprouts on Deer Valley Road represents North Gateway's nearest farmers market.