Best Urban Area in Valley

[Mac58]

I like the Indian Bend Wash bike and walking trail that runs from Tempe through McCormick ranch and also like the canal trails and desert Equestrian trails sprinkled through North and east Scottsdale. Do either Downtown or midtown have "go-to" open spaces or greenbelts? I rode my bike through Encanto Park and liked it. I also liked what I saw of Papago--not sure how far from downtown that is. Tempe Town lake looked like a nice place to put in a kayak.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by Mac58

I like the Indian Bend Wash bike and walking trail that runs from Tempe through McCormick ranch and also like the canal trails and desert Equestrian trails sprinkled through North and east Scottsdale. Do either Downtown or midtown have "go-to" open spaces or greenbelts? I rode my bike through Encanto Park and liked it. I also liked what I saw of Papago--not sure how far from downtown that is. Tempe Town lake looked like a nice place to put in a kayak.

Noc it’s downtown. The closest ones are camelback and Phoenix mountain preserve up at like northern/51 or camelback in Scottsdale

Not like those are really “far” but they aren’t in walking distance

Do you want to live in an urban area or do you want to live close to the desert preserves? The best of both would be Scottsdale, Arcadia or biltmore but you lose some urbanity in favor of nature

[Mac58]

How's the evening street life in Biltmore area? Downtown near Chase Field? My impression is that Scottsdale downtown and old town is buzzy pretty late into the evening during non/summer season

[DougStark]

OP, why not go all out? Look for something awesome in the town of Paradise Valley (you didn't mention your budget.) You have to see the place in person.

[Mac58]

C'mon, Doug. I'm coming with Orygun money not Bay Area.
Paradise Valley is out of my budget. I'm looking at urban highrise or loft condos.
My housing dollars seem to go furthest in Downtown, followed by Biltmore, then Old Town. And, as someone pointed out, Downtown seems like a more "pure" urban experience. I'm just wondering if things clear out after work, such is the case in some urban cores. Or, is downtown Phoenix a destination in itself, after hours?

[DougStark]

^^^^ OK, haha.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by Mac58

How's the evening street life in Biltmore area? Downtown near Chase Field? My impression is that Scottsdale downtown and old town is buzzy pretty late into the evening during non/summer season

Biltmore isn’t a walkable neighborhoods there are bars and restaurants but you need to drive between locations

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Mac58

Paradise Valley is out of my budget. I'm looking at urban highrise or loft condos.
My housing dollars seem to go furthest in Downtown, followed by Biltmore, then Old Town. And, as someone pointed out, Downtown seems like a more "pure" urban experience. I'm just wondering if things clear out after work, such is the case in some urban cores. Or, is downtown Phoenix a destination in itself, after hours?

Downtown used to be dead after working hours, and it still can be to a certain extent, but it's a lot more active now than it was back in the day. It's probably the most urban you're going to get in this metro area, followed closely behind by Tempe's Mill Avenue district. Old Town Scottsdale is also urban, but in a more upscale type of way. Keep in mind that the true Biltmore area is mainly a greenbelt area made up of exclusive homes. The area around 24th Street & Camelback is often mistaken as being part of Biltmore, but it's really Camelback East, and not all that urban. It still would be an area you might like based on fairly easy access to parks and mountain preserves.

[Mac58]

Thanks for the valuable feedback, Obadno and Valley Native. It confirms my impressions.