Cinder block walls around all yards in phoenix?

http://phoenix.about.com/od/phoenixfactsandfiction...

Why Are There So Many Block Fences in Phoenix

by Judy Hedding

I receive many questions at About Phoenix about living in the Valley of the Sun. When I notice recurring themes, I try to address those issues. Here's one that I get every few months, either by e-mail or posted in the Phoenix Forum: What's up with all the block fences?

Yes, many homes in the greater Phoenix area have solid fences around the backyard that are made of cinder block or masonry. There are many reasons that people build block fences:

Privacy

Many of the lots in the greater Phoenix area are very small, and a block fence adds privacy to the yard. Not many people want their neighbors to be watching them from 20 feet away while they are lounging in the pool, barbecuing burgers, or sitting on the patio in the evening. Not only might you not want them to see you, but you might not want to see your neighbor sunbathing nude either.

Security

Block fences of a reasonable height are more difficult to climb than chain link fences. From a general security standpoint, if people can't see what's in your yard, or watch you through the windows in your house, they are less likely to know what's in your yard or in your home. Additionally, people with swimming pools want to make sure that neighbor children won't become endangered by getting into the yard and falling into the swimming pool.

Low Maintenance

Block fences last a very long time and are easy to maintain. People will often paint the block walls to match the house, or add stucco and paint to match the house. In that case there is some maintenance, as the fence will probably need to repainted as often as the exterior of the house is repainted.

Noise Abatement

Homes and neighborhoods that are close to well-travelled streets use block walls to minimize the noise. Even if a home doesn't back up to a through street, a block fence can help reduce noise from neighborhood dogs, kids, fountains, and generally loud neighbors.

Sturdiness

Block fences don't blow down during monsoon storms, and they aren't impacted by Phoenix summer heat. Block walls don't rust or warp, and they don't rot.

No bugs

Block walls are not associated with bug problems or termites, as wood fences might be. Block fences don't attract mold.

Critter Control

A block fence can keep some desert critters out of your yard, and will keep most dogs in your yard.

Fireproof

Not much more to say about this category. Blocks don't burn. Wooden fences, or natural fences (hedges) do.

Weed/Plant Barrier

Block fences do a relatively good job of keeping the stuff that's growing on the other side of the wall from coming into your yard. Block fences will also keep the neighbor's sprinklers from watering your yard.

I grew up in the north where every back yard was an extension to everyone else's back yard, you could be gardening and talk to neighbor's 3 houses down, so when my husband and I moved here 20 years ago, we were surprised by all the fences as well.

I assumed that they were to protect the swimming pools as there are pools in almost every back yard.

I like the fences because we don't have to put our dogs in dog runs, like we did back home, and I like the fences because I never had to worry about my kids when they were in the back yard though if you have a pool, obviously you don't let them be out there alone, EVER.

The thing I don't like fences is they tend to stop you from knowing your neighbors. You have to make a HUGE effort to get to know people here because they pull into their garage go into the house and then spend their time in the fenced in back yard. The only time you see them is if they have to "rake the rocks" or sometimes mow their lawns.

If you are interested in non-cinderblock fenced areas you might try places like Black Canyon City or Queen Creek...they are on the edge of town, one to the north and one to the south and they are more rural and have chain link fence ... generally with more property.

Actually, there's no one guy to really put the blame for the Mets this year, but sometimes their bullpen makes me want to smash my head through a cinder block wall. This is weird cause normally there's always someone that makes you want to do that if you're a Met fan.

i have lived in az all my life and the older neighborhoods (circa 1970-1980) were built with wooden fences but all new developments are being built with cinderblock walls, and most people have upgraded to them. I am not sure why I thought it was like that everywhere lol

and its also likely become fashionable here. builders all follow the same style trends here as the sprawl spreads.

It's hot out, so we like to walk around in the nude!......LOL