Neighborhood Spotlight: Scottsdale, AZ

Known as “The West’s Most Western Town”, Scottsdale, Arizona, is an affluent suburb of Phoenix. And while Scottsdale is steeped in the history of the Old West, it is also a modern city filled with art, culture, food, and fun.

Scottsdale at a glance

Scottsdale is located in the eastern section of Maricopa County and is part of the Greater Phoenix Area. It is situated in the Salt River Valley, called the “Valley of the Sun” in the Sonoran Desert. Scottsdale has a current population of approximately 258,000 and shares a border with many other municipalities including Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Carefree, Tempe, Fountain Hills, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. It’s also adjacent to the Tonto National Forest and the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Scottsdale has an arid climate, with warm winters and very hot summers. The city experiences 299 days of sunshine per year on average.

Scottsdale real estate and neighborhoods

Scottsdale has a wide variety of homes for sale, and the median home price is approximately $482,000. The city is loosely divided into four different areas:

• South Scottsdale — Known as a working-class neighborhood, South Scottsdale has some of the city’s most affordable homes.
• Old Town Scottsdale — Also known as Downtown Scottsdale, this is where you’ll find art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Here you’ll also find many new condominiums.
• Central Scottsdale — Sometimes referred to as the Shea Corridor, Central Scottsdale contains some of the most desirable residential areas in the city and includes high-end resorts.
• North Scottsdale — This is the most actively developed area of the city and is home to some of the most expensive homes in the state.

Scottsdale history

The city of Scottsdale was founded in 1894 by U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott. Originally known as Orangedale because of the citrus groves that Scott planted, it soon became a hub for artists and writers. The public school system was started in 1896 and the first resort was built in 1909. The city experienced a boom between 1908 and 1933 because of the construction of the Roosevelt and Granite Reef dams and became a small market town. More artists and architects moved to the area during the Great Depression, including Frank Lloyd Wright who built his winter home, Taliesin West, at the foot of the McDowell Mountains. The town was officially incorporated in 1951 and began to experience rapid population growth. It is now the state’s sixth-largest city and in 1993 was named a “Most Livable City” by the United States Conference of Mayors.

Scottsdale amenities

Tourism is Scottdale’s largest industry. In fact, the New York Times has described Scottsdale as the “desert version of Miami’s South Beach” because of its nightlife and hotel scene. There are many upscale resorts located in the city attracting visitors from around the world.

Scottsdale is also a great place to experience the outdoors. Hike in the Sonoran Desert, kayak on the Lower Salt River, or look for wild horses in the Tonto National Forest. You can even watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon!

Most of the excitement is concentrated in Downtown Scottsdale. Here you’ll find the Scottsdale Arts District which includes the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Scottsdale also has a booming restaurant scene, with many independent restaurants featuring a wide range of cuisines.

Scottsdale schools

Students in Scottsdale are served by two public school districts — Scottsdale Unified School District and Paradise Valley Unified School District. Many schools in Scottsdale are highly rated, with several earning an A+ rating on Niche. In addition, there are several institutions of higher learning located in Scottsdale. They include Scottsdale Community College, the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, the University of Phoenix, Gateway Seminary, and the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Arizona State University is located in nearby Tempe.

Explore Scottsdale today!

Are you ready to experience the art, culture, and nightlife of this thriving desert city? Then view available properties in Scottsdale and schedule a private showing today!