Andre Rouhani and Gabriela Reyes, along with their two dogs and toddler, made the decision to live car-free in Culdesac Tempe, Arizona. This planned community, inspired by traditional European towns, is designed without resident parking, encouraging walking and alternative transportation.
Culdesac Tempe is presented as the first car-free neighborhood in the United States, emphasizing walkability, boutique shops, and community spaces. The Rouhani family found the many benefits outweighed the challenges of carlessness.
Despite initial concerns, the family reports overwhelmingly positive experiences living in Culdesac Tempe, highlighting its appeal as the best place they've ever lived. The article is part of a larger New York Times series focusing on local solutions to environmental issues.
Last year, when Andre Rouhani and Gabriela Reyes toured Culdesac Tempe, a rental development outside of Phoenix, the place looked pretty sweet. It had winsome walkways, boutique shops and low-slung white stucco buildings clustered around shaded courtyards.
The only surprise came when Mr. Rouhani, 33, a doctoral student at Arizona State University, asked about resident parking and was told there was none.
The couple had two dogs, a toddler and another baby on the way. “Long story short, we decided that all the pros outweigh the cons,” Mr. Rouhani said in a recent phone interview. The family gave its car to Ms. Reyes’s father and moved into Culdesac in December. “We do really, really love it here,” Mr. Rouhani said. “It’s the best place I’ve ever lived.”
50 States, 50 Fixes is a series about local solutions to environmental problems. More to come this year.
Modeled on towns in Italy and Greece built long before the advent of cars, Culdesac Tempe is what its developers call the country’s first neighborhood purposely built to be car free.
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