North Tempe vs. Old Town vs. Uptown vs. Downtown for a yuppie? (house, living)

[starla]

Originally Posted by PhureeKeeper

I was trying to convey the OP should live within their means. Not be focused on living in a "yuppie location" or whatever that means. They would save money by living elsewhere. Do you need to be by nightlife every day of the week? I like to visit downtown Phoenix, or go to Old Town Scottsdale, but I wouldn't want to live near either place.

Well I must not be as privy to her financial situation as you are. I wouldn't assume downtown or Old Town are above her means.

[BIG CATS]

Uptown is where I would choose if I was your age. Why? Its close to everything, without all the pitfalls of living downtown (read: traffic, bums, conventions, sporting events, etc). Downtown is cool and hip (I guess), but is a major inconvenience when any game is going on, or in winter when they block off Central to put in that stupid ice skating rink. I also loathe all the one-way streets downtown. Uptown is nice, and getting better and better, but with none of the hassles that come with living downtown. And you're still a 5-10 minute light rail ride away from downtown if you feel the need to go there.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Uptown is where I would choose if I was your age. Why? Its close to everything, without all the pitfalls of living downtown (read: traffic, bums, conventions, sporting events, etc). Downtown is cool and hip (I guess), but is a major inconvenience when any game is going on, or in winter when they block off Central to put in that stupid ice skating rink. I also loathe all the one-way streets downtown. Uptown is nice, and getting better and better, but with none of the hassles that come with living downtown. And you're still a 5-10 minute light rail ride away from downtown if you feel the need to go there.

Is McDowell/Central not uptown? Plenty of homeless folks there too and most of us desiring urban living understand the tradeoff, you get the bad with the good in any decision. Having tons to do right outside of my door or within a 5 minute walk is far more appealing than being a 5-10 minute light rail ride away. All the games, events and conventions means lots of restaurants, bars and nightlife. The furthest north I would consider is probably McDowell or just 1/2 a block past it.

And just wondering, does closing the tiny stretch of Central between Jefferson and Washington actually impact anyone? I go downtown all the time and never find a need to drive that stretch of central.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by locolife

Is McDowell/Central not uptown? Plenty of homeless folks there too and most of us desiring urban living understand the tradeoff, you get the bad with the good in any decision. Having tons to do right outside of my door or within a 5 minute walk is far more appealing than being a 5-10 minute light rail ride away. All the games, events and conventions means lots of restaurants, bars and nightlife. The furthest north I would consider is probably McDowell or just 1/2 a block past it.

And just wondering, does closing the tiny stretch of Central between Jefferson and Washington actually impact anyone? I go downtown all the time and never find a need to drive that stretch of central.

Central and McDowell isn't considered uptown ... it's midtown or the Central Corridor. The area around Central and Camelback would be considered uptown or north central. What's amusing is the title of this thread pertaining to "yuppies". Seems like a throwback to the '80s! Back then, they were the youngish 30 somethings who were materialistic. Those types are mostly retired and living on fixed incomes by now.

[pbenjamin]

The designations are pretty arbitrary, but I would put "uptown" as starting north of the Grand Canal, midtown south of there to either McDowell or I-10, and downtown south of that. You actually don't hear uptown used all that much except in reference to Uptown Plaza.

Hilarious how suburban people have difficulties with one way streets. Way too challenging for them I guess.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by starla

Well I must not be as privy to her financial situation as you are. I wouldn't assume downtown or Old Town are above her means.

They aren't, but it's important to consider the areas have higher rents.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by locolife

Is McDowell/Central not uptown? Plenty of homeless folks there too and most of us desiring urban living understand the tradeoff, you get the bad with the good in any decision. Having tons to do right outside of my door or within a 5 minute walk is far more appealing than being a 5-10 minute light rail ride away. All the games, events and conventions means lots of restaurants, bars and nightlife. The furthest north I would consider is probably McDowell or just 1/2 a block past it.

And just wondering, does closing the tiny stretch of Central between Jefferson and Washington actually impact anyone? I go downtown all the time and never find a need to drive that stretch of central.

wouldn't it interfere with the light rail?

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Does anybody really use the term "yuppie" anymore? I thought that fad started in the '70s or '80s and kind of fizzled out in the '90s. In any case, if these types were to choose a location suitable for their lifestyle, I'd say Scottsdale would be the top choice. Downtown Phoenix, Central Corridor, Camelback East, Arcadia, and Kierland would be some other good yuppie areas ... however, I can't really see downtown Tempe/Mill District being one of them.

I rarely hear it said anymore, not in the last ten years anyway.

They're still around but in a different age group, and I highly doubt they refer to themselves as yuppies.

I prefer to call them plastic millionaires.

[WSPHXPELON]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Does anybody really use the term "yuppie" anymore? I thought that fad started in the '70s or '80s and kind of fizzled out in the '90s. In any case, if these types were to choose a location suitable for their lifestyle, I'd say Scottsdale would be the top choice. Downtown Phoenix, Central Corridor, Camelback East, Arcadia, and Kierland would be some other good yuppie areas ... however, I can't really see downtown Tempe/Mill District being one of them.

I think the "Hipsters" are the new yuppies...I live in downtown Phoenix and there are a LOT of Hipsters here...

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Hilarious how suburban people have difficulties with one way streets. Way too challenging for them I guess.

There's a difference between "challenging" and being a pain in the arse! The one way streets in downtown, ESPECIALLY during game time when many are blocked off, are a HUGE pain. I guess distinguishing the difference between the two is way too "challenging" for urbanites.