Urban living in Phoenix Metro Area

[Boatdrinks]

Personally, I'd LOOOOOVE to have a condo in those new buildings by Scottsdale Fashion Center. They're gorgeous and it's a great location. I think living near Old Town Scottsdale would be really neat too - you can walk to so many different restaurants.

We just checked out Arcadia this weekend - didn't see the whole thing, just the area near Camelback Mountain, but it's gorgeous too, with grocery stores nearby and close to Scottsdale's fun stuff. Though I think that's mostly houses, not condos....so nevermind For condo's, I'd go with the Scottsdale area only b/c I don't think I'd like to be smack dab in the middle of college central (ASU) in Tempe. JMO though. I'm on the older side and not big on hangin with the college kids anymore.

As for living without a car - personally I wouldn't do it. But then, I lived in DC, which has buses and metro, and I still always had a car. I'm just a car person. I feel stranded if I don't have one. I imagine it's possible to live without a car in Phoenix, but it'd be very hard. It's so hot in the summer that I wouldn't want to have to trek to bus stops or even the light rail. Again - I'm lazy in that respect.

I do think it's quite possible to chose a good location to live, close to shopping, restaurants, etc., and make do with just one car that would sit in your garage most of the time. I think it just depends on your comfort level and how much you want to depend on taxi's, buses and possibly the light rail.

[Cj81]

Yeah Scottsdale is coming along, but its just to expensive for most people. That is my problem with it. Plus they are missing out on thel light rail. I think Tempe is going to be changing in demographic as soon as all of those new highrise condos are done. ASU students won't be able to afford those so I think we will start to see a nice mix of young students with the people that will move into those condos. I think people of all ages will be living in those. So Tempe has the opportunity to become more diverse where as Scottsdale is full of upper class rich people. I guess that isn't a bad thing, just depends on what kind of crowd you prefer. Ultimatley downtown Phoenix wil be the best urban spot in town, but its going to take a little longer to develop.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Boatdrinks

We just checked out Arcadia this weekend - didn't see the whole thing, just the area near Camelback Mountain, but it's gorgeous too, with grocery stores nearby and close to Scottsdale's fun stuff. Though I think that's mostly houses, not condos....so nevermind .

Arcadia actually has a good supply of nice apartment complexes and condominiums. They are almost all south of Camelback Road, however.

[sheena]

These are the coolest loft condos I've seen. I guess they made the news again. I sold 2 of these back in 96 for 30,000 a piece. They really are something else. If I bought a couple myself I could have been in the chips. Who Knew? If anyone is interested check them out they are in Central Phx. I don't know what their status is these days.

http://www.azcentral.com/home/design/articles/0324modern24-CP.html (broken link)