If your going to discuss Scottsdale, somewhere within that conversation you'll be talking about Scottsdale real estate. Since Scottsdale's founding in 1888 by United States Amy Chaplain Winfield Scott, Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Phoenix has grown from a collection of cattle ranches and citrus farms into a cosmopolitan community of young up-and-comers, financially comfortable middle-agers and retirees enjoying their just rewards. The city's "resort" lifestyle extends far beyond the grounds of its expansive hotels. Many housing developments feature Scottsdale real estate that include golf courses, luxury homes, recreational complexes, tennis, shopping and other amenities..

Although cattle ranching in the area is long gone, vast multi-development neighborhoods, as with Scottsdale luxury real estate communities such as McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch , Desert Mountain, The Boulders, Winfield and more, still bear the names of the early newcomers, primarily wealthy Midwesterners, who amassed the landholdings on which they are built. These neighborhoods often include a mix of residential offerings, including condominiums, townhomes, patio homes, single-family, and high end Scottsdale luxury real estate. The Scottsdale real estate for sale, is as unique and diverse as its topography.

For a city in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale, and Phoenix is remarkably green. Contributing to this verdant landscape are lush, nationally acclaimed golf courses and Indian Bend Wash, the centerpiece of Scottsdale extensive recreational amenities. This miles-long ribbon of greenbelt, which extends down the middle of the vertically drawn city, is bordered by several parks that feature bike paths, small fishing lakes and baseball/ recreational complexes that border Scottsdale luxury real estate homes. You can easily take a bike path for 20 miles and more to various destinations.

Scottsdale real estate has zoning ordinances designed to protect the city's "destination" atmosphere, commercial buildings, natural area open space (NAOS) and parks in Scottsdale. Scottsdale real estate was once restricted in height to approximately four stories. This caused the city to grow out, instead of up, and expanded its territory from one square mile in 1951 to 185 square miles today.

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It was for this reason that North Scottsdale real estate develop into some of the most expensive Scottsdale luxury real estate in the metro area. North Scottsdale is a wonderful place to live and work. The high Sonoran desert is roughly 2000 feet higher than the valley floor with scattered granite mountains, hills, ridges, and boulders. Higher elevation means cooler temperatures  (temperatures can run up to 15 degrees cooler in North Scottsdale) and opportunities for mountain and city light views. Rainfall is about twice that of the valley floor creating a thick, lush, and diverse landscape.

Until recently, luxury living in Scottsdale was relegated to the north end of town in the high desert communities such as Winfield, The Boulders, Desert Mountain, Desert Highlands, Mirabel, Troon and Estancia that offer world class golfing and other amenities. The formerly lack luster downtown area consisted of rows of art galleries, a smattering of good restaurants, a few antiquated resorts and a popular shopping mall. This current state is rapidly changing and so is the skyline. After years of debate on how to improve the downtown scene, Scottsdale is executing plans for a $2.5 billion dollar face lift on its 786 acre downtown. Plans include the construction of luxury condominiums, townhomes, lofts and boutique hotels with residential components and restaurants for everyones taste. It's an exciting time for Scottsdale and appreciation rates are expected to soar.  Scottsdale luxury real estate is will become part of downtown.

Old town Scottsdale is a fun place to explore with all of its clubs, shops, art and other fun things.  A historic walking tour map is available for some time well spent in appreciating the local historical items of interest.  Click here for a walking map of old town Scottsdale.

Downtown Scottsdale

As one of the most acclaimed tourist areas in the state of Arizona, Downtown Scottsdale provides an eclectic mix of southwestern and contemporary art galleries, specialty retail, upscale dining, active nightlife and museum elements for residents and visitors alike. 

Scottsdale retains top billing as one of the nation's favorite arts destinations.  American Style magzine recently published the results of its annual readers’ poll that identified the nation’s top 25 arts destinations for 2008. Buffalo, N.Y., rocketed to first place from last year’s No. 14 in the Mid-Sized Cities category. Scottsdale, Arizona, was ranked second place. Pittsburgh, Pa., which was last year’s No. 1 in the category, fell to third place. Santa Fe, N.M., held the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive year.

Over 69 hotels and award-wining luxury resorts host leisure travelers convention goers year-round. To cater to this crowd, much of the cities development is retail oriented. Central Scottsdale streets are lined with clothing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and stores, many of which have operated at sites for decades. Just north of Fifth Avenue and Old Town Scottsdale is the modern shopping mecca of Scottsdale Fashion Square, featuring three levels of homegrown and well-known stores. Planned growth for Scottsdale Arizona real estate continues with regional malls planned in the North Scottsdale area and a state of the art aquatics center by McDowell Mountain Ranch in North Scottsdale that just completed construction in 2007.

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