Cave Creek and Carefree Real Estate
Cave Creek  

Search MLS   For homes available in Cave Creek and Zip Code 85331

In the 1860's miners came west during the "gold rush" era and met conflict with the Tonto Apaches who had long roamed the area now known as Cave Creek.  Soon the government built a road connecting the Forts of Whipple in Prescott and McDowell on the Verde River along the indian trail. When the indians became less menacing a road from the small village of Phoenix (Cave Creek Rd) was built north. More settlers began to arrive for cattle and sheep ranching in the settlement of Cave Creek Station and by 1886 there was need for a school house, post office and general store.  Stricter grazing laws, drought and the rerouting of Cave Creek Road east caused Cave Creek Station as it was then known to slide into oblivion.  However not all of the ranchers gave up and there are still remnants of those ranches and prospecting mines present today.

In 1930 the Cave Creek School reopened and some of the former cattle ranches became Dude Ranches.  The building of Bartlett Dam in the late 1930's and Horseshoe Dam in the 1940's brought another boom for the village. In 1946 electricity and phones arrived and Cave Creek Rd was paved from Phoenix.  In 1986 The Town of Cave Creek was incorporated and today has a population of 4700+ and growing, as the new SUV settlers look for the more serene laid back western lifestyle away from the city boom of Phoenix.  

Cave Creek is at an elevation of 2500 feet with a temperature ranging 5-6 degrees cooler than Phoenix, with a serene saguaro studded landscape and wildlife of desert dwellers!  Residents of Cave Creek enjoy easy access to highway 101 for downtown city life entertainment as well as a quick drive to I17 and the northern cities of Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff.  The town itself has a distinctive western atmosphere and laid back feel with casual dining and entertainment.

In 2008 there were 401 homes sold in the 85331 Zip code (Cave Creek) ranging from 1062 SF Condo for $163,000 to an 8000 SF Luxury Custom with views for $2,500,000.

Carefree

Search MLS  for homes available in Carefree and Zip Code 85377

And then there is the wonderful slightly whimsical town of Carefree with it's many unique boutiques
on Easy Street and banks on Wampum Way.  Originally conceived as a planned community, the first buildings went up in 1958 and it quickly became popular for winter visitors or second home owners as well as young active retirees.  Golf courses and resorts meander through the 8.5 square miles of Carefree on streets named Ho and Hum, Longrifle and Bloody Basin!  The latest census shows the population of Carefree to be approx. 3700 residents, the majority enjoying the open and simple side of life on gorgeous saguaro studded acreage!

In 2008 there were 56 homes sold in the Carefree area Zip code 85377 varying from an 1100 SF Condo for $235,000 to a Gated Custom home with fabulous views and 8113 SF for $2,200,000.