Scottsdale N. Scottsdale questions... (Phoenix, Tempe: apartment, condos, refinancing)

[GirlinAZ]

I think you need to add what your finances will be. There is a big difference in prices. What are you looking to spend? I would advise north Scottsdale as there is nightlife all over Scottsdale and north is much more desireable in my opinion. There are lots of areas in Scottsdale for singles. There are restaurants and nightblubs and resorts and hotels and so on, on nearly every corner. Also, if you work out at a gym, there are plenty of those here as well to meet people. I live in the area. I would watch out for condos that have been converted from apartments. I have been told that they end up having mold issues. (There was a time here a couple of years ago where the prices were so outrageous that everyone was trying to cash in and converted a ton of apartments to condos. Many of them are now still on the market due to the change in the market.) I will check back after you reply and see if I can give you some ideas. I would check on the mls for zip codes: 85254, 85255, 85258, 85260, 85259. Those are in no particular order. All of those areas have nice options. Hope this helps.

[ivanabacowboy]

Condos converted from apartments have no more likelihood than any other building to have mold so I am not sure where you got that information? And in fact I can tell you most of those recently converted buildings are probably LESS likely to have mold. I work in lending-we finance the folks who do condo conversions. Any decent lender requires mold studies BEFORE financing the conversion and requires that any issues identified are remedied. Whereas there is not that same level of diligence on mold in residential single-family lending or even brand new construction. And definitely new construction CAN have mold issues. We were refinancing some under construction buildings. Out of the 20 or so buildings, only 2 were completed and had just been completed and issued their Certificate of Occupancy less than 30 days before we closed the transaction. Both had big mold issues that we made them gut and clean up.

Retiredcop, I am close to your age and relocated here. This entire area is very nice. Not "urban" but tons of "nightlife/restaurants/shopping/golf/spas" within a give or take 5 mile radius.

Do realize that most of the areas people are identifying (Kierland, Desert Ridge) are pretty close to one another. It is maybe 4 or 5 miles if that from Kierland to Desert Ridge. There also is a new mall/live/work area under construction that is supposed to be fairly high end just north of Kierland at the 101 or so.

Suggestion: Rent for a year or so and scope out the areas you like, lifestyle you want.

[RetiredCop]

Thanks Nana, I have been primarily looking in N. Scottsdael...85255 zip code. Nana, do you know of any names of gated communities that you can pass along to me so I can look into them here from NY and then schedule some viewings?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Condos converted from apartments have no more likelihood than any other building to have mold so I am not sure where you got that information? And in fact I can tell you most of those recently converted buildings are probably LESS likely to have mold. I work in lending-we finance the folks who do condo conversions. Any decent lender requires mold studies BEFORE financing the conversion and requires that any issues identified are remedied. Whereas there is not that same level of diligence on mold in residential single-family lending or even brand new construction. And definitely new construction CAN have mold issues. We were refinancing some under construction buildings. Out of the 20 or so buildings, only 2 were completed and had just been completed and issued their Certificate of Occupancy less than 30 days before we closed the transaction. Both had big mold issues that we made them gut and clean up.

I agree. I don't know where people get their information.

There was a condo complex I went to up at Cave Creek and Union Hills that had black mold all over the place. The sales guy took us up to a few units that wasn't finished yet, just the skeleton still and there was this black mold all over the wood. We were a bit grossed out. It was during the monsoon season where it would pour on these half built homes.

[azloft]

Hi. From what you're describing it sounds like you want to be near the nightlife and the younger scene. You really won't see that in North Scottsdale in the way you seem to be describing. You visited Old Town previously. The Scottsdale Waterfront is near Old Town and has some $1.5 to $2.5+ million dollar condos that would blow your mind, very urban (for Phoenix/Scottsdale area!), with lots of very young, trendy nightlife. There are also lofts in the same zip code for much less, perhaps in the $700K+ range. Try a search on realtor.com or a similar site with the zip code 85251 and your criteria. Your home life will probably be quiet, but the neighborhoods will be very busy and as close to urban as Phoenix gets...that area and the Biltmore area.

Don't get me wrong, N. Scottsdale has excellent gated condo communities, but you'll get a much greater mix of families, much older retirees, and some divorced/singles. A lot of older (not 36 y/o) retirees like the gated communities in N. Scottsdale for perceived security. If you don't care for a mix of all age groups, then you're probably better suited to the 85251 zip code, the whole Scottsdale Waterfront residences, lofts in that area, even Biltmore. I moved here from Chicago and it's the closest I've come to urban living, a far stretch, but the closest, and growing.

If you don't mind living amongst families and retirees, you can always live in N. Scottsdale and drive the estimated 25 minutes down to S. Scottsdale for your nightlife. There's also some nightlife up north, just not as "young" and urban as 85251, more of a mix and spotty for the young and single crowd. N. Scottsdale is very suburban, so I guess you'll need to decide whether you want to live in an more urban atmosphere or in the burbs.

Since you're retired, you might want to consider N. Scottsdale (Kierland, Grayhawk, DC Ranch) if the mix of generations doesn't bother you and then just drive around the area for the hot spots locally or drive directly to S. Scottsdale for really trendy spots. The drive won't be long, like I said about 25-30 minutes with traffic as I recall; most Phoenicians are used to driving.

I just did a quick Google search and found this helpful site for locating condos in most of the areas discussed here. Good luck!

Browse Scottsdale Condos, Lofts, Townhomes and Scottsdale Condominiums by Area.

[RetiredCop]

Thanks for the info azloft.

[James Brown]

retired @ 36...wow

[artisanstore]

Hello There:

On my trips I have to pass by this city. It is the entrance to AZ coming from LA and during summer time it gets really hot but which place doesn't

All people I've met so far are so friendly..what I would recommend to you is to spend some time there first and see how life would be for you. Go shopping, check night life, visit the Galleries, and most important talk to real people that lives there

Good Luck!

Artisanstore

[azloft]

RetiredCop...Do you read the Arizona Republic online already? There's usually a section (I believe everyday) that it's in the upper right corner with small pics. It's separated into Dining, Music, or Nightlife. I think you'll like reviewing those sections and other info on that website. For whatever it's worth, when young celebs visit the Valley, they've been known to pop up just about anywhere, but many young celebs love downtown Scottsdale in the 85251 area. I've seen a couple at the clubs. For whatever that is worth....Good luck. Cops are heroes, retired or otherwise

[gigi927]

Definitely check out the Toscana condominiums at Desert Ridge. It's considered NE Phoenix but is right on the Scottsdale border. Tons of shopping, restaurants, etc. There is a large scale development going across the street called City North that should bring even more retail and nightlife to the general area. The condos have been built in the last 2 years or so. I know there was a rumor about them becoming a resort property only but I think they are still selling them as regular condos (I moved out of Phoenix a year ago so it's been awhile).

Good luck!