Which part of Scottsdale is upscale? (Phoenix, Gilbert: rentals, condo, low crime)

[coolmib]

Yeah... don't laugh at me, I'm newbie.

I know generally Scottsdale is labeled as upscale town for the whole PHX metro. My question is: if I move to Scottsdale for an nice living, which areas should I look and which areas should I avoid?

Thx.

[Howard Roark]

Avoid buying/renting south of Indian School. Avoid east of Hayden up to Indian Bend. Drunk ASU students in rentals + I was burglarized there. I like the greenbelt though. So I would not venture further north than Shea. I love biking on the Greenbelt and the proximity to central Phoenix. A drive to North Scottsdale is easy to get to some of those upscale pubs/restaurants I enjoy. Alas, I'm living in the Ahwatukee area because a relative twisted my arm to do so...

[ivanabacowboy]

Depends just how upscale you want to go. I love the area around Kierland or Grayhawk. For big budgets are places a little north like Troon.

Howards comment about not further north than Shea is only that there isn't a greenbelt-Shea and north IS imho the nicest part of Scottsdale. Further north tends to be less green and more native desert type landscape.

The more urban type stuff I love the area by the waterfront and Scottsdale Fashion Square. If I were ever inclined to buy a condo Optima is absolutely the most gorgeous.

[observer53]

Now you REALLY need to define what YOU mean by "upscale" (we went through this on the Gilbert thread). What is your price range? What do you want your immediate neighborhood to be like in terms of amenities? Are we talking single family home? Are you looking for a larger lot, or do you care about the proximity of your neighbors? A little more info would help a lot.

[coolmib]

Originally Posted by observer53

Now you REALLY need to define what YOU mean by "upscale" (we went through this on the Gilbert thread). What is your price range? What do you want your immediate neighborhood to be like in terms of amenities? Are we talking single family home? Are you looking for a larger lot, or do you care about the proximity of your neighbors? A little more info would help a lot.

Hey observer, I'm selling my bay area house and moving to AZ. My budget to buy a new house in PHX area would be roughly 1M.

Speaking of "upscale", I mean nice and quiet neighbors (friendly,educated and liberal), good schools, clean streets, low crime, good condition houses and close to nice shopping/restaurants. In San Jose, areas meeting these criteria would be considered upscale. Maybe "upscale" in PHX has different interpretations? https://pics3.city-data.com/forum/ima...ons/icon12.gif

[Howard Roark]

Hi coolmib,

With a price range around $1,000,000 I'd pick Troon up north. Yeah back to the earlier comment: If I could afford a Million dollar house I'd focus on that area because I also like the mountain biking up there. It's extremely beautiful. I'd say the neighbors are quiet.

I'd guess quite liberal - when you have that kind of money, you tend to not worry about taxes (because you have good tax avoidance strategies) and you tend to be social liberal. I have become more liberal the older I'm getting, which is astonishing to me. It does not make me a socialist by any means, just very socially liberal.

Originally Posted by coolmib

Hey observer, I'm selling my bay area house and moving to AZ. My budget to buy a new house in PHX area would be roughly 1M.

Speaking of "upscale", I mean nice and quiet neighbors (friendly,educated and liberal), good schools, clean streets, low crime, good condition houses and close to nice shopping/restaurants. In San Jose, areas meeting these criteria would be considered upscale. Maybe "upscale" in PHX has different interpretations? https://pics3.city-data.com/forum/ima...ons/icon12.gif

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by coolmib

Hey observer, I'm selling my bay area house and moving to AZ. My budget to buy a new house in PHX area would be roughly 1M.

Speaking of "upscale", I mean nice and quiet neighbors (friendly,educated and liberal), good schools, clean streets, low crime, good condition houses and close to nice shopping/restaurants. In San Jose, areas meeting these criteria would be considered upscale. Maybe "upscale" in PHX has different interpretations? https://pics3.city-data.com/forum/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Thank you. After days and days of people trying to answer your vague questions in the other thread, you give us specific details. <sheesh> For future reference, communication is a skill. Work on it.

[pathrunner]

I vote green belt near the PV (Paradise Valley) mall. There are some upscale homes there, though it is more "middle to upper-middle class". You can't beat the area for walking, running, walking your dog, cycling, etc. There are plenty of high-end cars, people, houses, and lots of restaurants and shops in the area to choose from. Tatum/Shea is contiguous to the town of Paradise Valley itself. I think the area is much more convenient than the other end of Scottsdale (far east end).

If you're not into those types of activities then I'd agree with the other poster: Troon, etc. That's a really high-end area with plenty of shops, restaurants, resorts, golf, etc.

Super high end, town of PV itself, then you have to drive to everything and watch out for unmanned white vans with radar in the mostly 25-mph zoned area, especially on Doubletree Road between Scottsdale Rd. and E 52nd.

[LinaJo76]

Originally Posted by pathrunner

I vote green belt near the PV (Paradise Valley) mall. There are some upscale homes there, though it is more "middle to upper-middle class". You can't beat the area for walking, running, walking your dog, cycling, etc. There are plenty of high-end cars, people, houses, and lots of restaurants and shops in the area to choose from. Tatum/Shea is contiguous to the town of Paradise Valley itself. I think the area is much more convenient than the other end of Scottsdale (far east end).

If you're not into those types of activities then I'd agree with the other poster: Troon, etc. That's a really high-end area with plenty of shops, restaurants, resorts, golf, etc.

Super high end, town of PV itself, then you have to drive to everything and watch out for unmanned white vans with radar in the mostly 25-mph zoned area, especially on Doubletree Road between Scottsdale Rd. and E 52nd.

I used to live not far from Paradise Valley mall.

Yes, it's a great area. Everybody is a little more real and down to earth. But when you get further down in Scottsdale that's when it becomes "Snobbsdale" (the Ken & Barbies live there; fake boobs, gym freaks, etc, etc).

That's just right outside of north Phoenix. I prefer that part better (near Paradise Mall).

[AZJoeD]

For a $1M budget you can pretty much go anywhere. I like Grayhawk, D.C, Ranch, Desert Highlands, Windgate Ranch. Upscale, good schools, close to 101. Good property values compared to other areas of the valley.