Culdesac is building an over 700-apartment car-free community in Tempe, Arizona.
Culdesac
Culdesac is building a car-free neighborhood in Tempe, Arizona.
When complete, the over 700-apartment community will have amenities like a grocery store and restaurant.
The first batch of residents moved in May with more coming over the next few months.
If you've dreamed of living in a car-free utopia, it's time to pack your bags and move to Tempe, Arizona.
No, it's not a desert mirage for folks who want to ban cars. Culdesac is in the process of completing what it calls the "first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the US." And when complete, the over $200 million project will have over 700 apartments to house public transit and micro-mobility enthusiasts.
Culdesac's story first begins in 2018. Five years later, it's now welcoming its first residents.
Culdesac
The startup received the permits for this Tempe, Arizona community in April 2021. And in May, the first batch of residents finally moved in.
Let's be real — Americans love their cars.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images
If car sales in the US are any indication of Americans' attitude towards personal vehicles, living in a car-free community "is not for everyone," Ryan Johnson told Insider. Before Johnson co-founded Culdesac, he was part of the homebuying company Opendoor's founding team.
But folks may tell you life could be better in a walkable public transit-enabled city.
Culdesac
According to a June survey from the National Association of Realtors, most Americans agree: Almost 80% of the survey's participants said living in a walkable neighborhood is important. The majority of these participants also reported they would pay more to live in such communities.
Now, there's a neighborhood being built just for them: Culdesac.
Culdesac
As Johnson puts it, "For folks that still want to have a car, there's lots of other great places they can live."
This mentality is a stark contrast from Culdesac's car-loving neighbor Phoenix, Arizona.
Culdesac is sprawled across 17 acres in Tempe, Arizona about 13 miles from downtown Phoenix and seven miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Culdesac
It's located by a light rail station, making access to downtown Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and the airport both convenient and personal vehicle-free.
But the community isn't just made up of young pro-public transit meme artists.
Culdesac
Instead, the people who have applied for apartments here run a gamut of demographics. And according to Johnson, the first batch of between 16 to 20 residents are already "satisfied, loving it, and excited for more new neighbors to come soon."
When complete, Culdesac will be home to over 700 apartments.
Culdesac
In the first phase, the company is rolling out 174 units, some of which are now open.
Within the next six months, units in another 12 apartment buildings will open.
Culdesac
According to Johnson, "leasing is going well," although the co-founder couldn't discuss specifics.
The floor plans span from studios to three-bedroom units, some with balconies and patios.
Culdesac
Studios generally start in the $1,300 range while three-bedrooms are listed in the $3,200s.
No matter the layout, all of the units include amenities like in-unit washers and dryers.
Culdesac
They also come with stainless steel appliances and plenty of natural light, of which Tempe receives an abundance of.
For visiting guests or people interested in "test driving" the community, there are options for both short-term and extended-stays.
Culdesac
The furnished rentals are great for these longer-term guests.
There are currently 45 15-month and 46 12-month leases available, according to Culdesac's website.
Culdesac
Several six and 10-month leases can still be reserved as well.
Living car-free doesn't mean you'll have to walk everywhere, of course.
Culdesac
Every new resident is given an electric bike and a free light rail pass. The community also has Bird rental scooters.
For journeys that require cars, residents also get a 15% discount for Lyft trips.
Riding in a driverless Waymo car.
Taylor Rains/Insider
John Zimer, cofounder and president of Lyft, sits on Culdesac's board.
For other options, Culdesac has Waymo — a ride-hailing service using autonomous cars — pick-up and drop-off areas and a fleet of Envoy electric car shares.
Besides convenient access to transportation, Culdesac has plenty of amenities akin to a luxury apartment complex.
Culdesac
The car-free utopia has 44,000 square feet of amenities and stores.
Over half of the neighborhood is made up of open spaces with landscaping.
Culdesac
There are over 50 public courtyards with barbecues, fountains, fire pits, and hammocks.
The company calls these spaces "outdoor living rooms" where residents can gather together.
Culdesac
"A lot of people would rather have that than a big parking lot," Johnson said.
Besides these community spaces, there's also a two-floor gym with classes, a pool with a hot tub, a coworking and office space, and an event space.
Culdesac
Furry friends are welcome too: Residents with dogs can use the dog park.
And there's no need to leave Culdesac to run any errands or grab a meal.
Culdesac
The community's design also includes a restaurant and bar, electric bike shop, coffee shop, and grocery store.
For those who are now comfortable using grocery delivery platforms, Culdesac has a refrigerated space for grocery deliveries as well.
If you've been keeping up with the news, you may have noticed Arizona's debilitating heat has been a hot topic, literally.
Culdesac
To combat it, the tall buildings keep the narrow walkways shaded, Johnson said. And because there's no dark black asphalt, the community won't retain as much of this extreme heat.
The project is still in the process of welcoming its residents.
Culdesac
But looking ahead, Johnson is already talking about future plans to potentially expand this Tempe community as well as enter new markets.
Culdesac proves building walkable neighborhoods is possible, he said.
Culdesac
"That's going to unlock it for others," he said. "We're already hearing from others that this is helping them pursue conversations to build walkable neighborhoods."
