Tips for newcomer to PHX (Phoenix, Scottsdale: real estate, apartment, home builders)

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

The same Albertsons on Thomas and Scottsdale that has been there for years. Fry's on Thomas and 64th, Basha's on Indian School and Hayden, Fry's on IS and Miller, a little further North there is an AJ's on Lincoln and Scottsdale, Sprouts on Camelback and Miller...

Yes, we have been to Durant's...but you all were talking about downtown. Durant's is on Thomas and Central. Arguably, it is a very good restaurant if you want that gangster with a tommy gun vibe.

OT Scottsdale? Olive & Ivy, Culinary Dropout, First Watch, Bandara's, Cien Agaves, Maestro's City Hall...if you want to go back up to Lincoln...Fogo de Chao...course it depends on what you are looking for.

I really am not going to rate a place on breweries...not my first choice in beverages anyway but OHSO is pretty darn good...not that I would go out of my way for a Brewery.

Yes, 2 major sporting arenas (both of which the teams are trying to get out of), Symphony Hall, Heard Museum, AZ Science Center, Convention Center, etc. are all downtown Phoenix. That is great for the few times you go. If the OP wants to go to a Cardinals game, they still have to go to Glendale. These are all "destinations" and I am a firm believer in "live where you are comfortable". You don't have to LIVE downtown to enjoy the amenities of downtown. Downtown. personally, stresses me out but coming from the NE, it may fit the OP fine.

If we're discussing grocery stores in the vicinity of Old Town, then you have to take into account the Safeway at 7th St. and McDowell and the Sprouts at 7th Ave. and Osborn. The difference being that downtown Phoenix will have a grocery store IN downtown Phoenix. There is also a Whole Foods much closer to downtown than there is one to Old Town Scottsdale (one of the OP's criteria).

OHSO is not in Old Town. It's Arcadia if anything.

Downtown PHX seeming too stressful for you is fine, but this is about the OP.

Old Town is largely a place for the 21-25 crowd from the west valley to spend a night out feeling swanky, or for Midwestern retirees to buy turquoise jewelry and souvenirs. Downtown Phoenix is more suited to actually living and working and has much more of a community feel, while being urban.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

If we're discussing grocery stores in the vicinity of Old Town, then you have to take into account the Safeway at 7th St. and McDowell and the Sprouts at 7th Ave. and Osborn. The difference being that downtown Phoenix will have a grocery store IN downtown Phoenix. There is also a Whole Foods much closer to downtown than there is one to Old Town Scottsdale (one of the OP's criteria).

OHSO is not in Old Town. It's Arcadia if anything.

Downtown PHX seeming too stressful for you is fine, but this is about the OP.

Old Town is largely a place for the 21-25 crowd from the west valley to spend a night out feeling swanky, or for Midwestern retirees to buy turquoise jewelry and souvenirs. Downtown Phoenix is more suited to actually living and working and has much more of a community feel, while being urban.

You can keep saying it but it doesn't make it so. Plenty of 30-somethings living in the apartments and homes in OT Scottsdale. Obviously our personal impressions of either locales differ greatly.

At least we agree that it comes down to the OP's preference but everyone just saying "Oh...you need to go to Downtown Phoenix" doesn't give them any options.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

You can keep saying it but it doesn't make it so. Plenty of 30-somethings living in the apartments and homes in OT Scottsdale. Obviously our personal impressions of either locales differ greatly.

At least we agree that it comes down to the OP's preference but everyone just saying "Oh...you need to go to Downtown Phoenix" doesn't give them any options.

Options are good but downtown Phoenix objectively hits his criteria more than others, hence why the majority have suggested it.

[KurtAZ]

Well...again...that is the "DT IS AWESOME" ilk's perspective. I don't see where DT "hits his criteria more than others". We are not talking about suggesting DT Gilbert or Chandler here. The only plus is Pro Sports.

1. I prefer to live in an area of PHX close to bars, sporting events, nightlife, etc

Both DT and OT provide this. Pro sports more so in DT but OT/Scottsdale area has a lot of Spring Training games as well. Again...you don't have to LIVE by the stadium to attend sporting events.

2. How walkable is PHX in general?

Is DT walkable? Plenty of YouTube videos saying it is not...but that again is personal preference of the OP. You'll be walking further between locations and amid ongoing construction. Or taking the light rail. OT is going to be more condensed with available pedicabs, golf carts etc. for transportation as well as plenty of sidewalks. I would argue that walking around OT proper is MUCH more enjoyable than DT but again...personal preference.

3. How is the diversity in the areas I am targeting (demographics, socioeconomics)

Diversity is becoming less of an issue in either places. My brother's friend group in OT is made up of everyone. I think he is the token "white guy". Everyone else is mixed nationalities, African American, Asian Americans etc. Probably the same DT with ASU campus.

Socioeconomic is probably a wash. There are going to be a range from homeless to serious 1%ers. Using my brother's crowd as a for instance...all of them are 30 something professionals or business owners.

4. good gym

Again a wash...most of the newer apartment complexes have extensive gyms as well.

5. Whole Foods or similar grocery store

I think we have already done this but a specific Whole Foods...closer to DT. OT has a Sprouts more readily accessible.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

OT Scottsdale? Olive & Ivy, Culinary Dropout, First Watch, Bandara's, Cien Agaves, Maestro's City Hall...if you want to go back up to Lincoln...Fogo de Chao...course it depends on what you are looking for.

Every one of them chains, although some are local chains.

[Valley Native]

If Phoenix truly had an active, thriving, big city type of downtown area, there would be:

* Numerous highrises (taller than 40 stories) which would comprise of residences, businesses, and hotels
* An entertainment/shopping district similar to the concept of Westgate, only without the massive parking lots or suburban feel
* More eateries, clubs, and bars which stay open past midnight, or even 24/7 in some instances
* A good supply of corner stores & markets for the residents to walk to & do their shopping

To add to the above point: the discussion of where the nearest Whole Foods is, or a new Fry's opening in the heart of downtown isn't indicative of any major progress whatsoever. In my opinion, the anticipation of the new downtown Fry's is more like the kind of excitement you might find in a smallish city. Phoenix may be the nation's 5th largest city, but the quality of the downtown area as a whole has never reflected this fact.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Every one of them chains, although some are local chains.

Upscale chains, yes but why is that a bad thing? I would rather know what the quality of the food being served is going into a place rather than risk the hit and miss nature of some random "Pete's Bistro", being charged way more than the food is worth all for the ability to say "but it's not a chain". Sorry, the reason there are chains of restaurants is because they have a good product, are successful and saw the business opportunity to open multiple locations.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

If Phoenix truly had an active, thriving, big city type of downtown area, there would be:

* Numerous highrises (taller than 40 stories) which would comprise of residences, businesses, and hotels
* An entertainment/shopping district similar to the concept of Westgate, only without the massive parking lots or suburban feel
* More eateries, clubs, and bars which stay open past midnight, or even 24/7 in some instances
* A good supply of corner stores & markets for the residents to walk to & do their shopping

To add to the above point: the discussion of where the nearest Whole Foods is, or a new Fry's opening in the heart of downtown isn't indicative of any major progress whatsoever. In my opinion, the anticipation of the new downtown Fry's is more like the kind of excitement you might find in a smallish city. Phoenix may be the nation's 5th largest city, but the quality of the downtown area as a whole has never reflected this fact.

To be fair...DT Phoenix has gotten better than 5+ years ago. There is construction and they just announced another apartment/live/work space being developed, albeit only about 9 stories. The problem for DT proper (below I-10) is mostly due to the flight path from Sky Harbor. Can't build tall buildings if they are in the flight path. It really wouldn't stop them from building North of I-10...if there was money in it.

[HeadedWest2020]

Thanks everyone, a lot of advice all over the map (literally).

I will be checking out all of the suggested areas when I fly there in a few weeks.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

To be fair...DT Phoenix has gotten better than 5+ years ago. There is construction and they just announced another apartment/live/work space being developed, albeit only about 9 stories. The problem for DT proper (below I-10) is mostly due to the flight path from Sky Harbor. Can't build tall buildings if they are in the flight path. It really wouldn't stop them from building North of I-10...if there was money in it.

Downtown has improved a lot in the last 5 to 10 years, but what I'm saying is it's still not on par with our population as a city or as a metro area. Other cities around our size and smaller have more active central cores and much taller skylines. One of the issues I've been saying all along is where a good share of the corporate offices are located: many of them are in suburban office parks, and that's one reason why our skyline & density are still lacking. Bring more jobs downtown and you'll see more demand for taller buildings, residences, shops, eateries, clubs, and the like. One new Fry's market and a 9 story building are not impressive in the least.