Paradise Valley North Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix was first populated by the Hohokam Indians, who built extensive canals in the area to help with irrigation. Somewhere between 1300 and 1450, the Hohokam Indians mysteriously disappeared, many believe from a severe drought.

The area around Greenway Park Plaza does not have any museums or much of an arts scene, but several museums can be found 15 miles south in downtown Phoenix. Popular choices include the Heard Museum, The Children’s Museum of Phoenix and the Arizona Science Center. Greenway Park Plaza does not hold any annual events, but several events — such as the Arizona State Fair and the Candyland Concert — are held in Phoenix each year.

Finding dining and shopping options proves easy in the neighborhood because of its mixture of residential and commercial properties.

One local favorite, Original Breakfast House, consistently brings in large crowds. The quaint little diner, with a '70s motif, serves breakfast and lunch dishes that keep people coming back for more. Get your morning started with the deep-fried French toast topped with fresh fruit or the Big Gooey Scramble Mess. If you arrive for lunch, try the fried bologna sandwich with caramelized onions on grilled garlic toast.

Hek Yeah Barbecue boasts a menu bursting with flavor, and many patrons agree. Using authentic time-tested recipes, the restaurant delivers saucy BBQ using fresh ingredients and no MSG. Try the Big Hunk ‘O Love, a full rack of ribs, or go with the You Can Have It All, a sampling of all the meets and ribs. Don’t forget the sides of fried okra, green chili mac and cheese, and cheesy bacon fries.

Pho lovers rejoice at the fresh dishes served at Pho A.V. Located in the Greenway Park Plaza, the unassuming diner draws in guests looking for an authentic Vietnam noodle experience. Try the chicken, beef or shrimp pho, and you won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget the fresh and handmade spring rolls to round out your meal.

A handful of bars are found along Greenway Road such as Loft Again and Greenway Village Cocktail Lounge. Other options can be found along Highway 51 as well.

The Greenway Park Plaza area residents enjoy walking and biking along streets filled with mature trees and wide sidewalks. Walking in some parts of the neighborhood can be a bit dubious after dark, so make sure to travel with a partner. Some major thoroughfares contain dedicated bike lanes, and a trailway that stretches from north phoenix to Paradise Valley can be found near Highway 51.

Commuters in the neighborhood enjoy their personal vehicles for travel. Access to Highway 51 runs straight through the middle of the area and delivers access to downtown phoenix. The traffic on the highway can run a little heavy during rush hours, so consider using a Park and Ride to help alleviate any traffic burdens. Bus stops along Greenway Road and 32nd Street help alleviate the daily stress of commuting. Hailing a cab in the neighborhood isn’t possible, so you should consider calling one of the local cab companies or using your smartphone to request an Uber or Lyft ride.

All homes in the Greenway Park Plaza area have private driveways for parking. On-street parking is possible as well. Residents can park for free in most commercial and business complexes as well as the park and recreation areas.

The closest city park to Greenway Park Plaza site sits less than a mile away. Palomino Park features a playground with a picnic area, ramada and grill. Athletic fields include a lighted basketball and volleyball court. The park is dog friendly, but all dogs must remain on a leash. The closest dog park is less than 3 miles away at Paradise Valley Park. The double-gated dog park features 2.4 acres of land with two ramadas and a chilled water fountain for humans and pooches.

The cost of living the in the Greenway Park Plaza area falls approximately 10 percent higher than national average but only 9 percent higher than the Phoenix metro area. Housing costs play a large part in the high cost of living ratio; other amenities are on par with the Phoenix average. Expect a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood to cost around $737.

If you are headed to downtown Phoenix via bus, expect a commute time between 45 minutes and an hour. One-way fare should cost approximately $4; frequent commuters can buy a 31-day pass for $64. Gas prices in Phoenix normally land approximately 9 percent lower than the national average. Expect to pay around $5 for a pint of beer at nearby restaurants and bars.

Residents find grocery shopping a breeze with a Safeway directly in the Greenway Park Plaza. Other shopping such as Target and Walmart sit conveniently nearby. Less than 3 miles away, a farmers market sets up every Saturday at Roadrunner Park.

Booklovers enjoy browsing the isles of Dog Eared Pages, a used bookstore that serves the area and online bookworms. It carries a wide selection of used books that can be used for trade or purchase. It also often has rare and collectible books available.

When you need a little music in your life, visit Harmony House. The once piano tuning store now serves as a full function music store providing guitars, drums and band instruments. Students can rent their band instruments without needing to pay the full price or make payments on an instrument until it is paid off.

Head to Scottsdale Fashion Center when you need a new handbang from Carolina Hererra or want to customize a new Tesla. The high-end shopping mall is the only place to find department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Barney’s New York.