Relocating to Scottsdale (Phoenix, Paradise Valley: apartment complex, renters, homes)

[lpvinyl21]

Hi everyone,
My husbands job is relocating us to Scottsdale in 8 weeks and neither of us has ever been there. His office will be on N Scottsdale Rd in the 85254 zip code area and we would like to live relatively close to there. I am a stay at home mom to a 3 year old and a 4 month old, so it is important that the area we live in has lots to do with the kids, shops within walking distance and other young families around. We are going to rent since we will only be out there for about 2 1/2 years. Ideally we would like to have 3 br/2 baths and a family/rec room in addition to a living room for about 1800 a month. We are both from the East Coast so an area with an urban/downtown vibe would be a bonus.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

[observer53]

You won't get a strong urban/downtown vibe anywhere in that zip code, but it's a very nice area. There are lots of nice neighborhoods, good to great shopping, including walkable shopping areas like Kierland Commons. I'm sure there are a lot of realtors familiar with the area who could help you with a rental in that price range. It will feel very different from the East Coast, though.

[TheRosesCenter]

I just moved to 85254 from NJ (just outside of philly). I'm real happy with the apt complex i'm at and you can definitely get 3 br 2 baths for 1000 with a living room and dining room. I live right off N. Scottsdale Road. Been here only 3 weeks though. The place is Scottsdale Meadows and you can find it has pretty good ratings online.

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[AZJoeD]

The 85254 zip and the areas around it are pretty far north in the suburban part of town. It is a great neighborhood with many nice rental homes in your price range. Homes with nice yards, quiet streets and maybe even a pool. DM me and I will send you a few examples.

You will enjoy Kierland and Scottsdale Quarter for shopping, dining, etc. Or you can take a ride into downtown Scottsdale for dining, and entertainment.

Unfortunately, urban and Arizona do not really go together except for some small areas near dowtown Phoenix or downtown Scottsdale. Why not just adapt to your new surroundings? We don't walk to the store, but we do go hiking in the mountains. We don't take public transportation but we go 4 wheeling. Most of the grass we cut is done with a 5 iron.

[ivanabacowboy]

Also be aware that "walking distance" when it is 115' outside is a lot more limited than when it is 75'.

The closest to a psuedo-suburban-take-on-urban-walk-to-stuff you will find in this area would be the areas around Kierland, Desert Ridge or around the intersection of Shea and Scottsdale (the apartment complex linked in the earlier post is in this area), maybe around Paradise Valley Mall. I can walk to a lot of stuff from where I live. I have Whole Foods and a shopping plaza with a movie theater across the street. Another large plaza with Trader Joes and more stores about a mile away. Then Kierland and Scottsdale Quarter. Mayo Clinic just 2 miles down the street. Resorts nearby. I live just a bit north of Kierland.

[lpvinyl21]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Also be aware that walking distance when it is 115' outside is a lot more limited than when it is 75'.

Good point. Thank you very much for the information everyone.