Scottsdale is an extremely popular suburb of Phoenix, and it’s growing with each passing year. Known for its nightlife and foodie scene, there is much more to Scottsdale than the perfect pint of craft beer! If you’re thinking of moving here, make sure you have considered these factors before you decide where to live in Scottsdale Arizona.
What does your typical day look like?
What do you do on an average day? Do you like to take walks? Go for a bike ride? Do you want to be close to a coffee shop or café to grab breakfast? Do you work out before or after work? Is it important to you to live in a walkable area versus a more spread out, spacious area? Arcadia is one of the most walkable areas in the Phoenix Metro Area, and the outskirts of Scottsdale offer incredible views.
Do you commute?
With the advent of the work-from-home lifestyle, the daily commute has changed for many Americans. If you happen to be one of them, considering a daily commute might be less important to you. If you do still go in and punch the clock, think about the traffic before picking a spot in Scottsdale; it can get pretty rough. If you need to be closer to the action for work, McCormick Ranch is centrally located and close to almost everything.
Do you have kids?
If you have children, what does your family dynamic look like? Do you have a school of choice? Is it important to you to be near parks, green space, or sports complexes? Does your family enjoy going out and doing activities together, such as seeing concerts in the park, or dining out? Some parts of Scottsdale are more family oriented than others, and some are more geared toward singles and nightlife.
Is a view important to you?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and a beautiful view is no exception. Think about what a nice view would be like for you. Do you need a view of the desert, or mountains? Do you like looking out at golf courses and manicured grounds? Does it even matter to you what is outside the window?
If gorgeous views are on your list of must haves, DC Ranch is known for its stunning views of the McDowell Mountains and close proximity to the 101. If you really want to live in a place with great desert views, and you don’t mind sacrificing amenities, there are probably other neighborhoods that are actually a better fit for you than Scottsdale.
Do you travel often?
For the frequent flier, Phoenix is a great city to call home. It offers an international airport, and many direct flights all over the country. Living in Scottsdale will put you about 30 minutes from the airport, more or less. If you live on the northern end of town, you can expect that drive to be more like 45 minutes. Still, compared to living in most big cities, this is a close airport commute. It’s usually relatively easy to find a taxi or rideshare as well living in Scottsdale.
Is privacy important to you?
If privacy is paramount to you, it’s important to make sure you look for one of the Scottsdale neighborhoods that offers a bit more space. Some of the neighborhoods in this suburb are very tightly packed, and you might find yourself right on top of your neighbors.
Many city dwellers are quite used to this type of living, so if you’re relocating from perhaps the west coast, you might not even notice. Closer properties are also a great fit for those who leave their home unattended often, as there are neighbors nearby to keep an eye on things, and it becomes more difficult for burglars to access the property unseen.
Are you looking for a primary residence or a second home?
Scottsdale is a very popular neighborhood for second homes. If you’re looking for a primary home, and enjoy having the company of neighbors, make sure you don’t end up in a neighborhood full of snowbirds with windows that are dark for half of the year! If you happen to be looking for a second home yourself, this might be just fine with you. Make sure you find out about other homeowners in the area and what the general neighborhood vibe is when it comes to full or part time residency.
Do you enjoy nightlife?
You don’t have to live in Phoenix long to recognize that Scottsdale has a bit of a reputation for its nightlife. If you are young, single, and ready to mingle, Scottsdale is the place to be! If you like going out for a drink with friends or nice dinners, being more centrally located to Old Town Scottsdale will keep you closer to the action. There is plenty of family friendly activity as well, but some parts of town are just designed with a more adult patronage in mind.
Do you like to entertain?
Perhaps you are not too keen on going out to the bars every Saturday night, but that doesn’t mean you don’t like to have fun! Scottsdale is a place where you’ll notice many neighborhoods have big, beautiful back yards with pools, decks, and even outdoor kitchens. This is all to accommodate wonderful entertaining. Whether you like to invite over the whole neighborhood, or just want to have a beautiful space for the family to enjoy, if you like to entertain, a nice yard might be of importance to you.
Do you need amenities?
Do you like having everything you want and need in your own backyard, or would you rather enjoy the communal amenities of a master-planned community? If you enjoy large pools, entertainment areas, a golf club, tennis courts, and walking paths, a gated community might be the right fit for you. These amenities won’t come free; likely you will pay for them with your monthly HOA fees. But if you will get a great deal of enjoyment out of having these amenities, it could be more than worth it to you. (If you do want amenities, DC Ranch offers a lot).
What do you do on the weekends?
Lifestyle plays a huge role in finding the perfect place to call home. Scottsdale has a lot to offer for many types of people. What are your hobbies? Do you enjoy hiking? Shopping? Dining out? Boating? Think about what you enjoy doing on the weekends and then try to consider how easy that will be to accomplish in different parts of town. If you fall in love with a home in a part of town that doesn’t fit your lifestyle it certainly isn’t the end of the world, but accessibility can really make your life easier.
Do you like it cooler?
Phoenix is hot, but some parts of town actually offer a bit of a respite! The temperature in northern Scottsdale can sometimes be as much as ten degrees lower than the rest of the city! It can get so cold, in fact, that snow will fall and collect on the ground once in a while. We aren’t talking about snowman building snowfall…but it does indeed snow in the desert in northern Scottsdale! If you can’t stand the heat but still want to call Phoenix home, this part of town could be perfect for you.
Are there other areas of Phoenix you should consider?
As a rule of thumb, when looking for a home in the Phoenix Metro, try to not rule out any area entirely, you might find something just right for you in the place you least expected. With that being said, if you are really sold on Scottsdale, there likely are not any other neighborhoods in Phoenix that replicate what it offers; it is a pretty unique place. Fountain Hills offers much of Scottsdale’s charm without quite as many amenities. Paradise Valley offers gorgeous homes and stunning views, but is very private, quiet, and expensive. Arcadia and Central Phoenix are both good areas to consider if you are really looking for walkability.
What is your budget
We had to save the most important factor for last…what is your budget? What can you spend on a home? What do you want, what do you need, and what can you be flexible on? It is unlikely in any neighborhood that you will find everything you want for a total steal, and Scottsdale isn’t an extremely affordable area. Still, there is always a great fit for you out there somewhere, you just have to find the perfect realtor who knows exactly what you want and where you and your family will be the happiest.
