Since its launch, Culdesac Tempe has sparked debate and curiosity as the self-proclaimed “first car-free neighborhood in America.”

Built with the vision of prioritizing walkability and community over car dependency, the $200 million development in Arizona now boasts 288 apartment units and approximately 300 residents.

While critics question its scalability and broader urban impact, those who live there offer a different perspective—one shaped by experience rather than speculation.

A Community Built for People, Not Cars 🚘

Culdesac Tempe was designed to challenge the deeply ingrained car culture of the United States, especially in a region known for its urban sprawl. As one of the few car-free communities in the USA, the development eliminates personal vehicle parking in favor of alternative transportation options. Instead of garages and driveways, residents are provided with free public transit passes, e-bike access, and affordable car rentals for occasional trips.

For Sheryl Murdock, a postdoctoral ocean researcher at Arizona State University, the appeal was immediate.

“We were really interested in reducing our carbon footprint, and Culdesac Tempe made it easy with free e-bikes and transit passes,” she says.

Having relocated from British Columbia while her family remains in Canada, she appreciates the convenience of an environment designed around people rather than cars.

Who Owns Culdesac Tempe?

Culdesac Tempe is owned and developed by Culdesac, Inc., a real estate startup based in Tempe, Arizona. The company was co-founded by Ryan Johnson (CEO) and Jeff Berens with the goal of creating walkable, car-free communities across the U.S.

The development was backed by investors such as Khosla Ventures and LenX, the venture capital arm of homebuilding giant Lennar Corporation.

Culdesac, Inc. partners with local businesses and transit services, including Valley Metro, Bird scooters, and Waymo self-driving cars, to provide transportation alternatives for residents.

The company plans to expand its car-free community model to other cities in the future (source).

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The Resident Experience: A Work in Progress

Despite its ambitious vision, the neighborhood’s early days were not without challenges. Delays in retail openings and amenities left some initial residents feeling underwhelmed.

“The retail spaces didn’t have tenants right away, and people were annoyed the pool hadn’t been built yet,” Murdock recalls.

However, much has changed.

Today, Culdesac Tempe features a variety of local businesses, including a bike shop, a Korean market, and a James Beard-nominated Mexican restaurant.

A two-story fitness center, remote workspaces, and a dog park further enhance the car-free neighborhood in Arizona.

“I’m hopeful the retail will keep expanding,” Murdock says. “This could become the ideal ‘15-minute city’ where everything is close by.”

Urban Utopia or an Isolated Experiment 🔬?

Critics argue that while Culdesac Tempe is a compelling model, its impact on urban development remains limited. Culdesac Tempe reviews have been mixed, with some praising the innovative concept while others question whether isolated projects like this contribute to systemic change. Strong Towns, a nonprofit focused on urban sustainability, has argued that true urban resilience requires organic, incremental growth rather than master-planned enclaves (source).

Residents, however, remain largely positive about their experience.

“The sense of community is strong here,” says Murdock. “The walkways encourage interaction, and seasonal markets bring people together.”

She also notes that management has been responsive to feedback, refining aspects like gate noise and expanding community events.

The Future of Car-Free Living in the U.S.

As one of the most innovative walkable neighborhoods in Arizona, Culdesac Tempe stands as an experiment in urban design, testing whether Americans—accustomed to the convenience of cars—can embrace a fundamentally different way of living.

While the development alone won’t revolutionize city planning overnight, it provides a glimpse into what a less car-dependent future could look like.

As residents settle in and the neighborhood evolves, the question remains: Could car-free communities in the USA become a broader movement, or will Culdesac Tempe remain an ambitious but isolated anomaly?

Only time—and the voices of those who live there—will tell.

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Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/

Source: Culdesac.com

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