[Phil05]

Since I'm a new member and a native of Phoenix, I don't see many threads on Phoenix, so I decided to share some quick pictures I took while in North Phoenix during Christmas.
The pictures include areas of Desert Ridge, Norterra, and Sonoran Foothills. These were taken with my Iphone, so I'll post better pics from my DSLR soon.


http://i51.tinypic.com/24lm0zr.jpg http://i54.tinypic.com/iei0bm.jpg http://i54.tinypic.com/2i9rqs8.jpg http://i54.tinypic.com/34pygt1.jpg http://i56.tinypic.com/vpexc1.jpg http://i56.tinypic.com/2zt8wlf.jpg http://i53.tinypic.com/1zduq04.jpg http://i55.tinypic.com/zjz80y.jpg http://i52.tinypic.com/2di0bnq.jpg http://i55.tinypic.com/2a5ylwk.jpg http://i54.tinypic.com/2h7f66q.jpg http://i53.tinypic.com/2m47plk.jpg http://i51.tinypic.com/30t280j.jpg http://i56.tinypic.com/fn4os0.jpg http://i54.tinypic.com/wi4olw.jpg

[VTnardo]

Nice Christmas displays, but these neighborhoods are very ticky-tacky cookie-cutter Anywhere USA communities.

[stepper77]

Welcome! I couldn't live in the desert, but, I always enjoy visiting and seeing the different plant life.

[Expat]

I enjoy seeing different landscapes from what I normally see, so this if fun for me.

[Shawn]

I really enjoy Southwest houses with xeriscaped yards, I'm a big fan of the local plant life. Plus, who wants to mow the lawn in the Phoenix sun??

Thanks for sharing and welcome aboard!

[dktshb]

I like that the yards for the most part embrace a plant life that is more in line with the desert. It actually looks attractive when it is well done like this.

[MolsonExport]

Let me get my melba toast and join the excitement.

[ColDayMan]

Nice honest tour and welcome!

[KEVINphx]

Nice Christmas displays, but these neighborhoods are very ticky-tacky cookie-cutter Anywhere USA communities.

I believe that there is no way anyone here in sunny Arizona would confuse themselves for being in Virginia on this day due to the "ticky-tacky cookie-cutter" homes.

It looks quite distinct to me, take you negativity elsewhere or perhaps to the streets of Cairo!

[AusHou]

Nice Christmas displays, but these neighborhoods are very ticky-tacky cookie-cutter Anywhere USA communities.

Hmmm...I'm surprised anyone would think that. Phoenix has neighborhoods like you described, but so do all cities. But these photos show very good looking designs with attractive, functional landscaping.

[Leo the Dog]

Thanks for posting. Could be anywhere along the PHX fringe from Surprise to E. Mesa to QC.

Those yards aren't as "green" as many people think. The drip systems that water the "native" plants leave rings of salt. X-scape yards are actually very labor intensive to maintain the clean look. Guaranteed most of the those yards have landscaping crews to keep them looking good. To keep the weeds out of the gravel, one must apply "round-up" or even stronger commercial grade weed killer every other week, which eventually poisons the soil. I've seen yards that are unable to grow grass years later.

[HX_Guy]

Every other week? We have the yard sprayed once a year for weeds and don't have any weeds ever.

[Omaharocks]

Welcome to the forums, Phil05! You'll find that folks around here tend to be more urban oriented in taste, but many of us will appreciate seeing photos from your corner of the country - keep posting pics!


Leo the Dog; I agree that many of the these yards aren't xeriscaped, but xeriscaping is hardly labor intensive. Here in New Mexico, most folks put down a plastic, tarp like material over the soil except in the areas where the drought-resistant plants will go, in order to keep weed growth to a minimum. But, those are the fancy xeriscaped places, many don't hardly do a thing to their "yard" all year save for cutting back the plants over the winter and cleaning up leaves...

[ThreeHundred]

Arizona suburbs always remind me of Agrestic. And I like Agrestic.

*Gold star if you get the refrence*

[ChrisLA]

I like that the yards for the most part embrace a plant life that is more in line with the desert. It actually looks attractive when it is well done like this.

I agree with this comment, I like how it looks. I also would have a hard time living in the desert, too tough on the skin, and too hot in the summer. But it doesn't mean I don't like this city. I would love to get a chance to spent more than just passing through as that's all I've done, and spend a few days checking it out. Plus I'm dying to take a ride on their new sleek trains. :tup:

[muppet]

Love the native planting, also a real local vernacular methinks.

[toyota74]

Cool looking place.

[-GR2NY-]

Brings back memories,, thanks!!