Welcome to Scottsdale
Energetic and high-end, North Scottsdale boasts a luxury Sonoran desert lifestyle with ample golf courses and country clubs, fantastic shopping and dining, and views as far as the eye can see. Pinnacle Peak is at the heart of this fun neighborhood, where first- and second-home buyers can choose from upscale condo enclaves that appeal to both empty nesters and millennials, minimalist-style homes, art deco masterpieces, and more. In the North Scottsdale real estate market there are opportunities for living and playing along the revamped Arizona Canal, job opportunities in downtown Scottsdale and the innovative SkySong project at the southern end of Scottsdale, the brainchild of Arizona State University.
From Old Scottsdale, with its walkable, metropolitan feel and world-class shopping, to McCormick Ranch and Gainey Ranch, both family-friendly favorites with fantastic schools, the neighborhood choices in Scottsdale are top-notch. Affluent families seeking more green space flock to Arcadia, while those who aim for the finest things in life tend to choose private, luxurious homes in Paradise Valley, nestled up against Camelback Mountain. Go out from downtown one step farther and you’ll find North Scottsdale, with its master-planned Troon and DC Ranch communities, both of which offer a quiet, upscale lifestyle that’s still conveniently close to all the restaurants, shopping, and other amenities you could want.
What to Love About North Scottsdale Real Estate
- Numerous golf and country clubs
- World-class dining and shopping
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Great schools
- Comfortable desert climate
- Lots of neighborhood choices
Local Lifestyle
Scottsdale’s nearly constant warm and sunny weather draws residents outside to the golf courses, tennis courts, and hiking trails of the valley. Between the McDowell Mountains and Tonto Forest, there’s plenty of outdoor recreation for all. Living here allows for all the big-city amenities you may need, but the quieter, luxury desert lifestyle you crave. Most people are here not for job convenience or a bustling daily life but to relax and enjoy each day to the fullest.
With several sought-after neighborhoods, there’s a livable locale for everyone, whether you’re a family seeking the lakes and mountain view of the historic McCormick Ranch or Gainey Ranch communities or the western appeal of downtown Scottsdale and Old Town.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
North Scottsdale real estate buyers and residents love to shop and dine - and they have plenty of great choices. Scottsdale Quarter is a perennial favorite - this open-air shopping center is both beautiful and bountiful with its boutique choices and unique dining. More than 80 retailers include Restoration Hardware, the Apple Store, Vineyards Vines, and Free People. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is located here and is one of the city’s top eateries. Choose from east and west-coast oysters, crab cakes and steak tartare, and Georges Bank scallops and Norwegian salmon. Then, stick around to enjoy the Quarter’s ambient nightlife.
Give in to retail therapy at Scottsdale Fashion Square, with the best of everything in every category, from Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom to Prada to Salvatore Ferragamo and Saint Laurent. Palate-pleasing dining options include the Nordstrom Cafe, Kona Grill, Ocean 44, Nobu, Farmhouse, and Zinque. And don’t overlook Kierland Commons, an open-air shopping and dining extravaganza offering Chanel Fragrance & Beauty Boutique, Vuori, and several chef-driven eateries, such as Maestro’s Ocean Club and The Greene House.
Things to Do
All that fresh air and those sun-drenched landscapes beckon Scottsdale residents to play outside, whether their game is golf or horseback riding. North Scottsdale, in particular, is a favorite of cyclists with its wide roads and numerous bike lanes. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve Gateway Trailhead increases the number of trail options for hiking, biking, and nature walking to 142 miles. If you have kiddos, they’ll love the games and activities along the Bajada Nature Trail.
Golf is the game here, whether you’re teeing off yourself or watching the pros at the WM Phoenix Open held at TPC Scottsdale every February. This “Greatest Show on Grass” is the best-attended golf tournament in the world. With more than 200 golf courses throughout the area, every level of player will find a favorite fairway, from Rancho Manana to Troon North.
Graceful Arabian horses steal the show at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the largest event of its kind in the world. Expect exciting competitions, gala parties, family-friendly events, international cuisine, and more than 300 vendor booths with exquisite jewelry and artwork.
Prefer wheels to hooves? Check out the Barrett-Jackson Automobile Auction in Scottsdale each year, where those obsessed with cars can gather with other collectors and enthusiasts from around the world. The show features fine art, fashion, and food in addition to its classic and one-of-a-kind vehicles.
Baseball fans can check out preseason action at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home to the Arizona Diamondback and Colorado Rockies during spring training. The venue is a collaboration with the Native American community to create a stadium that both showcases the cultural history and diversity of the Pima and Maricopa Indian tribes, illuminates the scenic landscape, from Camelback Mountain to Red Mountain, and provides a world-class setting for MLB teams.
Schools
The Scottsdale Unified School District offers several excellent educational opportunities, including:
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Cheyenne Traditional Elementary School, PK-8, highly rated public elementary and middle school
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Cochise Elementary School, PK-5, highly rated public elementary school
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Cocopah Middle School, 6-8, highly rated public middle school
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Desert Shadows Middle School, 6-8, highly rated public middle school
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Cactus Shadows High School, 9-12, well-rated public high school
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Chaparral High School, 9-12, well-rated public high school
