Willo, once a suburb of Phoenix, "a collection of subdivisions on the outskirts of the small, but thriving metropolis of Phoenix", is now smack in the Urban environment, right in the middle.  The Willo neighborhood between 7th and Central Avenues can be divided into two sections", one south of Encanto and then north of Encanto.

Willo is 22 subdivisions but one neighborhood.  Riding through it there is no separation from one to the other except for the changing architectural landscape, the varied streets and lot sizes.  The homes vary but so do the streets.  Some are wider then others, some a criss cross net and others wind through the center: curving around the occasional island, park of rondo.

Homes from the early 1930's come in a variety of architectural style like: including Tudor Revival, Greek Revival, American Colonial Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival and Pueblo Revival while later the subdivisions were inundated with the popular and sometimes charming ranch style homes.

The ranch style homes dominate the landscape in the northern part of Willo and this is where we started our trip.  Heading against the traffic on a one way street: 3rd Ave. then west and east on each street: commenting on, admiring the homes: sometimes critical and sometimes in awe. 

Willo as a whole is huge and so is the variety of these homes from simply impeccable to eclectic to catastrophic disasters.  If you ride all the streets you could do 20 miles which would definetly build up an appetite.  On Encanto and 3rd Ave there is small island a small sanctuary in the middle of the street where you can get out those sandwiches and wine (is that legal) and have a picnic.

Once you relaxed and before you put down roots, and maybe after the wine has worn off get back on the bike.  South of Encanto and west of 3rd Ave are some of the most spectacular homes.  Although I don't have a favorite style the red brick Tudors spark my interest, especially those with subtle architectural details but any home that well restored and of high quality.

The streets are best though riding on the sidewalk is just as interesting if not slightly rough at time -that on a road bike.  Careful when you make the transition from sidewalk to street: it's rough and the dip is capable of bending rims though I was spared this unlike riding on the northern end of Murphy's Bridle Bath.

If you like architecture, especially historic architecture, well build homes and seeing the individuality of each owner on the home then Willo is a superb neighborhood to view, especially on bike.

...by the way. The Willo Home Tour will be in early February.  More info here: Will Home Tour

View homes for sale in Willo Historic Neighborhood in Phoenix