Windsor Square, Phoenix
best places neighborhoods windsor square arizona
Median household income: $61,600
Median home value: $343,500
Typical 2-bedroom rental: $1,200

Pros: Charming mid-century cottages are a hallmark of this neighborhood—in fact, Windsor Square hosts regular home tours to show them off.

But that's not all residents have to tout. The area has excellent schools, and Windsor Square's small size, array of shopping and amenities, and convenient Metro stop mean locals can often leave the car at home, an unusual option in Phoenix.

"Being able to walk to the explosion of new restaurants, the light rail, and a place to get my hair done is a great lifestyle," says 48-year-old attorney Susan Myers.

Cons: Many homes are on small lots and, for some, changes require approval from the city's historic preservation board. --Kathy Shayna Shocket

What's your favorite Phoenix neighborhood and why? Send a photo of the area and tell us why you love it to bestplaces@cnnmoney.com or #mybestplaces and your top pick may be featured in an upcoming CNNMoney gallery.

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Source: NeighborhoodScout.com, MONEY research, Maponics, OnBoard Informatics, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Methodology: Reporters began by looking at walkability, green spaces, public transport, a variety of housing, a diverse group of neighbors, easy access to stores, eateries, culture -- and more. After narrowing the list, we crunched dozens of data points from NeighborhoodScout.com to see which 'hoods rose to the top, and then visited to find our top 10 here.

Notes: All median data are for Q1 2013. Considered data include education (local school quality), crime (total crime and crime relative to other U.S. neighborhoods), housing (appreciation, vacancy rate, affordability, and diversity of choices), ease of living (walkability, family-friendliness, population density, and features like green spaces, grocery stores, and movie theaters), and diversity (language, racial, and age).
  @Money - Last updated August 14 2013 11:12 AM ET
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