Embracing a Car-Free Lifestyle in Culdesac Tempe, Arizona

Culdesac Tempe stands as a unique rental development emphasizing pedestrian-friendly design, offering its residents a vibrant living experience without reliance on cars, as exemplified by the Rouhani-Reyes family's choice to embrace this innovative lifestyle.

In the heart of Arizona, a community named Culdesac Tempe is taking bold strides towards a more sustainable future by offering a car-free living experience. This distinctive rental development, located just outside of Phoenix, has caught the attention of many for its innovative approach to urban design. Last year, Andre Rouhani and Gabriela Reyes, a couple from the area, were delighted by their tour of the neighborhood featuring charming walkways, boutique shops, and picturesque buildings carefully arranged around shaded courtyard spaces. It came as a shock, however, when they discovered that the community doesn’t provide resident parking.

Despite the absence of a parking space, the couple, who has two dogs and a toddler with another child on the way, concluded that the benefits of living in Culdesac Tempe outweighed any inconveniences. They decided to gift their car to Reyes's father and moved into their new residence in December. "We do really, really love it here,” Rouhani shared in a recent phone interview. “It’s the best place I’ve ever lived."

Culdesac Tempe is inspired by ancient towns in Italy and Greece, designed long before cars altered urban landscapes. This groundbreaking project is marketed as the first community in the U.S. specifically built to eliminate the need for automobiles, providing a refreshing alternative for families and individuals wishing to engage more deeply with their surroundings, enjoy outdoor spaces, and relish a sense of community. As the “50 States, 50 Fixes” series highlights local solutions to environmental challenges, Culdesac Tempe serves as a beacon of innovative city planning and sustainable living.