Biltmore or downtown scottsdale by fashion mall? (Phoenix: credit, apartments)

[Indylog]

After a recent visit to phoenix to look for a rental property, I narrowd down my search to biltmore (24th and camelback) and downtown scottsdale by fasion mall, given the proximity to my future work place in downtown phoenix and appeal of these two areas (thanks to many of your suggestions).This will be only a temporary residence as we will purchase a house soon (hopefuly in about 6 months).
I seem to have a tough time deciding b/w the two areas and I was hoping to get some input/help from you. Things that I care about include safety, fun factor, proximity to shops/restaurants.

Thank you

[nevercoldcall]

Biltmore area, all the way. I lived in downtown Scottsdale near Fashion Square Mall and moved out very quickly because crime was so rampant. My girlfriend lived in the same area and had her car broken into twice. If you look up the statistics you will see that that zip code (85251) is among the highest.

Biltmore area is not only safer but it has a LOT more to do ... a much wider variety of restaurants and it's more convenient to the airport, downtown and the ballparks, etc. You're also right there close to Arcadia which is fantastic, and central and north-central Phoenix which really have a lot to offer. One thing about downtown Scottsdale is that if you're over 22 and no longer into the college scene, there's nothing to do there. Biltmore area however is full of young and middle-age professionals, especially at places like MercBar or Houston's.

What's neat about the Biltmore area is you have a lot of very wealthy people living there (Robert Kiyosaki, Paul Harvey, Amore Stoudemire, just to name a few) and yet it's not snobby, unlike Scottsdale.

[Indylog]

Originally Posted by nevercoldcall

Biltmore area, all the way. I lived in downtown Scottsdale near Fashion Square Mall and moved out very quickly because crime was so rampant. My girlfriend lived in the same area and had her car broken into twice. If you look up the statistics you will see that that zip code (85251) is among the highest.

Biltmore area is not only safer but it has a LOT more to do ... a much wider variety of restaurants and it's more convenient to the airport, downtown and the ballparks, etc. You're also right there close to Arcadia which is fantastic, and central and north-central Phoenix which really have a lot to offer. One thing about downtown Scottsdale is that if you're over 22 and no longer into the college scene, there's nothing to do there. Biltmore area however is full of young and middle-age professionals, especially at places like MercBar or Houston's.

What's neat about the Biltmore area is you have a lot of very wealthy people living there (Robert Kiyosaki, Paul Harvey, Amore Stoudemire, just to name a few) and yet it's not snobby, unlike Scottsdale.

Very helpful.
Thank you.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Indylog

After a recent visit to phoenix to look for a rental property, I narrowd down my search to biltmore (24th and camelback) and downtown scottsdale by fasion mall, given the proximity to my future work place in downtown phoenix and appeal of these two areas (thanks to many of your suggestions).This will be only a temporary residence as we will purchase a house soon (hopefuly in about 6 months).
I seem to have a tough time deciding b/w the two areas and I was hoping to get some input/help from you. Things that I care about include safety, fun factor, proximity to shops/restaurants.

Thank you

It's not that tough of a choice the Biltmore area is the way to go.

[brittZ]

Biltmore hands down.

[brittZ]

uh . . . it might be to early to say this and i might be jinxing it, but has there ever been an AZ thread where everyone was unanimous in choosing where to live between two locations, especially to locations which are commonly regarded as nice more upscale places to live? WOW!!! is it snowing in Phoenix right now?

[riffrandall]

Maybe it's because one area finally finished their construction and the other hasn't

And I would agree - Biltmore.

[Cj81]

I also vote for the Biltmore!

[vegaspilgrim]

Let's give Scottsdale some credit. I think those new condos they are building by the "Scottsdale Waterfront" are really nice. There are also some nice condos just east of Old Town Scottsdale along Drinkwater Blvd and Indian school. I'm not sure if there are rentals in those areas though. The only apartments I know about nearby are in what is called "South Scottsdale," not the greatest area.

[Indylog]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Let's give Scottsdale some credit. I think those new condos they are building by the "Scottsdale Waterfront" are really nice. There are also some nice condos just east of Old Town Scottsdale along Drinkwater Blvd and Indian school. I'm not sure if there are rentals in those areas though. The only apartments I know about nearby are in what is called "South Scottsdale," not the greatest area.

I was looking at the optima camelview, lots of vacancies, looks like a two bed/two bath can be leased for about 2000/mo. which is also the about the same for the one in biltmore.