Arizona's luxury home market has long been renowned for its awe-inspiring desert mansions and global appeal. One place in particular that has helped the scene reach new heights is Scottsdale.
Scottsdale is located in the eastern part of Maricopa County, which is ranked among the fastest-growing counties in the U.S, according to the 2019 census. This city is also part of the Phoenix metropolitan area and is one of metro Phoenix's poshest neighborhoods. It is also the seventh-largest community in Arizona.
When top luxury home markets in Arizona are highlighted, Scottsdale homes are always on the list. The city gained popularity when a 15,000-square-foot mansion in the Silverleaf community sold for $24.1 million, setting a new record for the highest-priced home sale in Arizona's history.
What makes Scottsdale an ideal place to buy a home?
While Scottsdale is famed for its beautiful desert views, the city is much more than just a desert metropolis. With its beautiful weather, great food, job opportunities, endless amenities, and a ton of fun things to do, it is no wonder the city is considered one of the most desirable places for families to live.
One of the most alluring aspects of Scottsdale for potential homeowners is a whole host of family-friendly neighborhoods to choose from. The city is home to hundreds of family-friendly neighborhoods, small and large, with great schools, amazing parks, luxury golf courses, and so much more.
If you are looking forward to investing in a rental property or searching for your next home in this city, you are probably wondering which neighborhood is right for your Scottsdale home. The best place to start is by narrowing down your options.
Top 6 Scottsdale neighborhoods to consider
Scottsdale is home to some of the quietest neighborhoods with as much privacy as residents desire. Here are the top six neighborhoods to consider for your Scottsdale home.
McCormick Ranch
Photo Courtesy of TripAdvisorConveniently nestled in north-central Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch is one of the largest neighborhoods in Arizona. It is a vibrant, master-planned community that attracts families and young professionals alike looking for the perfect place to live.
McCormick Ranch has all the amenities that dwellers could want or need, with several areas of worship, a good number of shopping centers, hotels, a medical center, and a post office.
In addition, McCormick contains a variety of residential developments and a diverse selection of small businesses and commercial properties. It has over 25 miles of pedestrian pathways and bicycle trails that make commuting to school, work, church, or any other point of interest by foot or bicycle possible.
Old Town Scottsdale
Photo Courtesy of WikipediaIf you are looking for a neighborhood with a wide range of amenities, great walkability, and quick access to transportation, this neighborhood may be your best option. Located just south of Downtown Scottsdale, Old Town has always been among the most vibrant and unique urban centers in the American Southwest.
If you pick any part of Old Town, you will be able to walk into just about anything you could need. With restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters, boutique hotels, and an impressive collection of art galleries, this neighborhood has it all.
Aside from having a wide array of amenities, Old Town also has the highest concentration of Scottsdale homes for sale. From affordable, turnkey homes for first-time buyers to luxury properties for the affluent, this neighborhood has everything for everyone.
Central Scottsdale
Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Urban SpacesLocated in the heart of Scottsdale, this beautiful neighborhood is considered to be one of the best places to raise a family. It offers its dwellers beautiful views, great places to shop and eat, and innumerable ways to get out and enjoy the glorious Arizona sunshine.
There are many reasons why people consider Central Scottsdale the right place for their Scottsdale home. One of them is that it is close to everything and full of charming niche neighborhoods. Here, you'll find many entertainment options for the little ones, working adults, and retirees alike.
As far as Central Scottsdale's real estate is concerned, homes are generally free-standing dwellings instead of condos or apartments. The houses are also a bit bigger, which means that you will get a little bit more space.
South Scottsdale
If you are looking for an inexpensive neighborhood, South Scottsdale might be the place you are looking for. Although it is known as a desert escape for vacationers, it is still a great place for those who intend to stay for the long haul.
South Scottsdale offers a balanced blend of urban living and recreational opportunities for all. You will love the mix of affordable housing choices available in both gated communities and new constructions.
Another reason why South Scottsdale is a good neighborhood for young families is that it offers many family-friendly activities at its nearby resorts. There are also smaller parks featuring tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and more.
North Scottsdale
Known for its density of luxury homes, many worth in excess of several million dollars, North Scottsdale is the largest neighborhood in Scottsdale by population. Country clubs, golf courses, and luxurious, desert-style homes are this area's draw, all of which come with high price tags. The combination of an idyllic climate and reasonable property taxes makes this neighborhood one of the most attractive places for both retired and working homebuyers to invest in.
North Scottsdale is known for its world-class golf clubs and boasts some of the most luxurious properties not just in Arizona but also in the world. It contains mostly single-family homes, with quite a large number of gated neighborhoods. Low-rise condos and townhomes are also popping up, so you can also consider that when planning to buy or build your home in this neighborhood.
Although golf dominates the neighborhood, there are many other attractions for residents. From biking and hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to luxury shopping and cultural offerings for urban lifeists, this place has something for everyone. North Scottsdale also has many spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants.
Paradise Valley
Photo Courtesy of The Crazy TouristJust outside of Scottsdale lies this stunning and affluent town with beautiful weather all year long. With an unquestionable synergy between luxury living and the natural environment, Paradise Valley is a highly sought-after destination.
Home to many musicians, athletes, and professional golfers, this neighborhood has an exceedingly expensive housing market. Nevertheless, Paradise Valley offers some great perks for its residents, including amazing golf courses, scotch distilleries, restaurants, coffee shops, and easy access to downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale.
While this neighborhood's residents lead a slower-paced lifestyle, they enjoy close proximity to multiple big cities. Paradise Valley homes are pretty much like estates – massive lots with amazingly contemporary architecture and spectacular mountain views.
How do you know which neighborhood is right for your Scottsdale home?
After narrowing down your search for your Scottsdale home to a handful of ideal neighborhoods, you can use the following list of amenities to decide what's best. Be sure to prioritize amenities that are more important to you, then cross-check your list with each neighborhood you are interested in:
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Safety
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Privacy
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Affordability
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Public transport
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Commute time to work
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Proximity to schools
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Nearby grocery stores
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Nearby hospitals and pharmacies
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Pet-friendliness
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Playgrounds
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Nearby restaurants
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Friendly neighbors
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Parks
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Sidewalks and walking trails
When figuring out which neighborhood is right for your Scottsdale home, it boils down to one thing: research. So, after deciding which amenities are important to you and your family, you should do practical research to find out what the neighborhoods have to offer.
For your research, you can decide to visit the neighborhoods in person. This exploration expedition will obviously cost you time, money, and energy. There's a better alternative – talking to a Scottsdale real estate agent.
How a real estate agent can help
When searching for the right neighborhood for your Scottsdale home, the best step to take is to find a real estate agent who knows all the neighborhoods. Real estate agents are a good resource for pointing out key amenities that you might want from a neighborhood.
Besides recommending neighborhoods that may be a good place to start your search, a Realtor may also provide other key information that you should know. This includes homeowners' association rules, tax rates, etc.
Hire an experienced Scottsdale Realtor today
If you are looking for the perfect neighborhood for your Scottsdale home, Roger Banning can help. We are a real estate agency dedicated to helping our clients to buy, sell, or rent homes in Arizona.
Once you hire our real estate agent, the agent will do much more than act as your guide on your home-buying journey. The agent will:
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Find potential neighborhoods in Scottsdale
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Show you properties that fit your criteria
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Communicate with home sellers and their agents
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Set up tours
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Help you make offers
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Represent your interests when negotiating a home purchase
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Refer you to other professionals, such as real estate attorneys, movers, home inspectors, etc.
Are you ready to find an ideal home in the right neighborhood in Scottsdale? Give us a call today to talk to our Realtor.
*Header photo courtesy of World Atlas
