Carefree: Quiet, Quirky Charm
Carefree: Quiet, Quirky Charm
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the Phoenix with a chance to view majestic mountain vistas, towering saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert, and a chance to feel the peace of midnight-black skies at night are what draw people to Carefree. Often considered a twin town to Cave Creek immediately to the west, Carefree is a primarily residential enclave with a population of nearly 4,000.
Unlike Cave Creek, which has its roots in the Old West, Carefree was conceived in the 1950s as a planned community by business partners K.T. Palmer and Tom Darlington. Many visitors to the town get their first glimpse of Carefree as they pass north through the gigantic granite boulders rock formation on Tom Darlington Drive. This cheerfully laidback town is full of whimsical street names like Easy Street, Lucky Lane, Nonchalant Drive, and Ho Hum Drive. If you’re looking for a place where you can be yourself, Carefree is for you.
Leisurely and Luxurious Neighborhoods
Carefree ‘s neighborhoods may be characterized as leisurely living experiences. The overall community is popular with retirees who want secluded property instead of a condo or townhome existence. Buyers will find more expensive homes on the northeast side, including Ranchitos del Ray, a custom home development with properties up to five acres in the foothills of the Continental Mountains, and the gated community of Cow Track Estates, which offers homes of varying sizes, horse properties and fantastic views of the town. Carefree Too, near the town center, has some mid-sized homes well-price for growing families. Boulders Carefree and Black Mountain Foothills in the southern part of town offer homes in Sonoran Desert Settings.
Luxe Life Pursuits
Even though Carefree is primarily residential, it has two leisure destinations almost next to one another. Desert Forest Golf Club is a unique facility that offers a respite from valley heat. The course is routed over the landscape rather than through it, resulting in a playing experience over a unique topography.
Next to Desert Forest is Civana, a destination wellness resort that offers a regenerating, serene and healthy experience. Civana provides a spa, salon, and personalized wellness experiences through its classes and retreats.
Shopping and the Arts Intertwine
Carefree’s town center is where you’ll find all the fun. A cluster of several small outdoor shopping centers offers a mixture of grocery, hardware, and drug stores, plus quirky boutiques, gift shops, and restaurants. Most notable is the Spanish Village, home to a diverse group of artists and their galleries. The town center hosts an art walk every third Thursday from May through October. The four-acre Carefree Desert Gardens anchors the area, hosting 55 unique plant species, a splash pad, playground, trails with art, and the town’s famous giant sundial. You’ll also find the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion here, home to live entertainment, community events, and wellness activities.
Deliciously Diverse Dining
You’ll never get bored dining in Carefree. Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, in the Spanish Village, is one of the town’s newer offerings, serving a top-quality steakhouse experience, plus fresh seafood, chicken, and American specialties. At the other end of the spectrum is the Black Mountain Coffee Shop, a favorite breakfast and lunch destination with a simple but tasty menu. Do you fancy a spot of tea? Head to the English Rose Tea Room, an oasis in the desert where you’ll find a classic high tea experience.
