Family friendly areas in Scottsdale? (Phoenix, Chandler: rental, house, job transfer)

[gldenwalls123]

Hello, i am looking to move to the Phoenix area soon and think Scottsdale would be the best choice. What are the more family friendly areas in Scottsdale? I heard something about McCormick ranch area and the 85259 zip code from people i know. I think i can afford Scottsdale so the price is not a major issue. I would greatly appreciate any advice.

[gldenwalls123]

i forgot to mention, would the arcadia area be family friendly as well as the biltmore area?

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by gldenwalls123

Hello, i am looking to move to the Phoenix area soon and think Scottsdale would be the best choice. What are the more family friendly areas in Scottsdale? I heard something about McCormick ranch area and the 85259 zip code from people i know. I think i can afford Scottsdale so the price is not a major issue. I would greatly appreciate any advice.

I live in 85260 and in a great neighborhood - perfect for families.

[exit2lef]

What does family-friendly mean to you? The one Scottsdale neighborhood (McCormick Ranch) and two Phoenix neighborhoods (Biltmore and Arcadia) that you have named are all family friendly in the sense of having good schools, nice parks, and a generally safe environment. I'd feel comfortable raising my offspring in any of them.

On the other hand, for some people family friendly means that most of their neighbors have kids and that there are numerous kid-centric businesses (e.g. Upchuck E. Cheese's) and attractions (e.g. water parks) nearby. The neighborhoods you have named aren't really like that. Their populations are more mature and varied. Not everyone in those areas has kids and not every business is geared toward young children. Personally, I prefer it that way, but for those who want to live in a place where most households have children and life revolves around children's activities, certain outer suburbs may hold more appeal.

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by silverbear

What does family-friendly mean to you? The one Scottsdale neighborhood (McCormick Ranch) and two Phoenix neighborhoods (Biltmore and Arcadia) that you have named are all family friendly in the sense of having good schools, nice parks, and a generally safe environment. I'd feel comfortable raising my offspring in any of them.

On the other hand, for some people family friendly means that most of their neighbors have kids and that there are numerous kid-centric businesses (e.g. Upchuck E. Cheese's) and attractions (e.g. water parks) nearby. The neighborhoods you have named aren't really like that. Their populations are more mature and varied. Not everyone in those areas has kids and not every business is geared toward young children. Personally, I prefer it that way, but for those who want to live in a place where most households have children and life revolves around children's activities, certain outer suburbs may hold more appeal.

I agree with your assessment of the term "family friendly". I think Gilbert, Chandler, Surprise...these are "family friendly".

Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch, Grey Hawk, DC Ranch, etc. are very nice areas to raise kids in...where the kids actually can bike to each others house ALONE because it is pretty safe. But, there are plenty of people in these areas that don't have kids and DC Ranch, Grey Hawk are pretty far away from the uber strip mall areas.

There are PLENTY of nice areas in Scottsdale, Arcadia and Biltmore area where raising kids would be relatively safe and fun. I suggest the OP find the school district they feel best then look in that area.

[az4good]

We just did this same thing. Here is what we learned from looking and from our realtor.

*McCormick ranch is very nice, established, older homes, but also a lot of older people.

*Same goes for most areas of Scottsdale. There are pockets of families, but you do have a lot of older people and older families (high school kids and up). We looked in Scottsdale Ranch, Cactus/Sweetwater area east of 101, Shea/Cactus in the 50th St. - 65th St. area. Also looked out off Shea in the 100's, but it was just too far from the 101.

*Greyhawk is very nice, lots of families, good schools, etc. Also looked just north of Greyhawk in neighborhoods off Pinnacle Peak. Very nice also.

*We settled on a house in McDowell Mtn. Ranch (85255). Loved the area, already know a whole bunch of people who live in this neighborhood. The new water park looks great (haven't checked it out yet). Nice to have a library right here. Very family friendly.

We are renting for a while and I like the fact that there are many different sections right here. You have McDowell which is older and has neighborhoods with less expensive homes (relative to Scottsdale). Then you can move up in price to Windgate (new Toll Bros community), DC Ranch, Rosewood (I think it's called) and then up to Silverleaf ($1 million +). This way if situations change and you want to upsize or downsize you have all these options within a 5 - 10 mile area. Kids can keep their same friends, same school and it isn't a big hassle to get them there.

Good luck!

[Suzanne Helman]

My family & I movieng to Arizona at the end of this month from Orange COunty due to a job transfer and have the same concerns as far as finding the right neighborhood. schools etc...I found a very nice rental online in an area called ashton. I am going out there next week to find the right place. Does anyone know anything about that development?
Suzanne Helman

[Kay Emery]

We are moving to scottdale area in OCtober. Did you find you liked the AShton rental. What did you find out about schools. I have a 8 year old daughter with a learning disability.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by silverbear

What does family-friendly mean to you? The one Scottsdale neighborhood (McCormick Ranch) and two Phoenix neighborhoods (Biltmore and Arcadia) that you have named are all family friendly in the sense of having good schools, nice parks, and a generally safe environment. I'd feel comfortable raising my offspring in any of them.

On the other hand, for some people family friendly means that most of their neighbors have kids and that there are numerous kid-centric businesses (e.g. Upchuck E. Cheese's) and attractions (e.g. water parks) nearby. The neighborhoods you have named aren't really like that. Their populations are more mature and varied. Not everyone in those areas has kids and not every business is geared toward young children. Personally, I prefer it that way, but for those who want to live in a place where most households have children and life revolves around children's activities, certain outer suburbs may hold more appeal.

Extraordinarily well put. For some reason I'm unable to give you reputation points for this, but I will once able.

IMO, it is easy for one to feel inundated by kids in other areas of the valley. Scottsdale offers a nice mix; I've never felt that way. It's clearly a very good and safe place for families, but it's also good for singles, parents of kids, mature adults--pretty much anyone who wants a nice area.

[Ren31]

Originally Posted by Suzanne Helman

My family & I movieng to Arizona at the end of this month from Orange COunty due to a job transfer and have the same concerns as far as finding the right neighborhood. schools etc...I found a very nice rental online in an area called ashton. I am going out there next week to find the right place. Does anyone know anything about that development?
Suzanne Helman

Hi Suzanne,

I just came across this post. We are moving with my 15 month old to Scottsdale from OC for my husband's job and am researching the area. What area did you decide to go to?

Ren