OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE
Description/History
Old Town Scottsdale, also known as downtown Scottsdale, was once a bustling western town with cowboys and saloons. Now it’s an enclave that caters to the affluent. This area of Scottsdale has thrived over the last decade. Single-family homes nearby have zoomed up in value and many have either been fully remodeled or scraped and built brand new. Luxury multi-family options can also be found throughout Old Town, with really nice condos, townhomes, and penthouses available just a short walk from shopping, bars, and restaurants.
Freeway Access
Directly to the east of Old Town, ten minutes away is the loop 101, and about 15 minutes south is the loop 202.
Things To Do
Art museums, historic tours, luxury shopping, and posh restaurants are all in abundance. The nightlife is hyper-active, especially on the weekends, and draws people from all over the world. Frontier town is like stepping into the past, where you can experience an Old Western town. Just minutes from Old Town, you can play golf at a multitude of courses or even Top Golf. Camelback Mountain is a short drive away and offers challenging hiking. There is no shortage of things to do in and near Old Town Scottsdale.
Restaurant Headliners
The list is long, but some of the more well-known ones include The Mission, Olive & Ivy, Farm & Craft, City Hall Steakhouse, Toca Madera, Citizen Public House, and many more!
MCCORMICK RANCH /GAINEY RANCH
Description/History
McCormick & Gainey Ranch represent the next major enclave north of Old Town. Built primarily in the 70s and 80s, this area of Scottsdale is considered very central to most everything. The homes in McCormick Ranch were originally on the smaller side and the ones that have not yet been renovated/updated still feel very dated. But the subdivision has had a massive renaissance over the past decade, with many homes transforming dramatically. Gainey Ranch is a bit newer than McCormick Ranch and features homes that are often two stories with 80s/90s floor plans and features. Similar to McCormick Ranch, if original, the homes feel dated, but the ones that have been updated are stunning.
Freeway Access
Directly to the east, 10 minutes away is the loop 101.
Things To Do
This area of town sits directly upon the green belt which is an area designed to capture flood waters in times of heavy rain. When dry, the green belt is a great area to run, ride bikes, walk dogs, etc. Sprinkled throughout, one can find numerous man-made lakes and golf courses that add to the scenery. McCormick and Gainey Ranch also feature excellent restaurant options, cool coffee shops, and even some boutique shopping. Hiking, golf courses, and Top Golf are also nearby.
Restaurant Headliners
Grassroots, Crust Simply Italian, Pomo Pizzeria, Luci's at the Grove, The Vig, Butters Pancakes & Café, Hash Kitchen.
KIERLAND
Description/History
Not long ago, this part of the city was considered the outskirts. As Scottsdale and Phoenix grew, much of both cities expanded northwards. That expansion arrived here in the 90s and early 2000s. Known for the outdoor shopping mall that shares its namesake, this area of town has proven to be one of the most stable from a real estate perspective. One of the zip codes nearby, 85254, is even given the “magical” nickname. This is because of strong valuations, good schools, and excellent location.
Freeway Access
The loop 101 is roughly 10-15 minutes away and is easily accessible to go any direction.
Things To Do
The epicenter of Kierland is the Kierland and Scottsdale Quarter outdoor shopping malls. Set on Scottsdale Rd., these two shopping hubs feature high-end shops, boutique shopping, and fine dining. Kierland is also known for the Westin, widely considered one of the nicest resort hotels in the entire city. There are 36 holes of golf at the Kierland golf course too. Kierland is just minutes from TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale Airport, and the associated Airpark which features a number of different local shopping stops, particularly for home renovation, like tile, plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures, etc.
Restaurant Headliners
True Food Kitchen, Eddie Vs, Zinc Bistro, Dominick’s Steakhouse, North Italia, Sol Mexican, Tommy Bahama’s Café, RA Sushi Bar, and many other options are nearby!
DC RANCH
Description/History
DC Ranch is a breathtaking master-planned community built by DMB Developments in the early 2000s. Part of Scottsdale’s expansion northward, this development brought larger luxury homes set in a desert environment to the market. Located just to the north and east of the wildly popular Grayhawk subdivision, DC Ranch (and ultimately Silverleaf) set a new bar for luxury builds, with semi-custom and custom options available for the most discerning buyers. Coupled with the homes, DMB also installed Market Street at DC Ranch, which really represents our northern-most featured neighborhood.
Freeway Access
The very northeast corner of the loop 101 is accessible via a 5-10 minute drive from this area of the city.
Things To Do
Because DC Ranch sits at a higher elevation than other areas of the city, it tends to be a few degrees cooler. This is particularly beneficial come summertime. Nearby are many different trailheads for hiking and biking. Three of the most prominent are McDowell Mountain Park, Pinnacle Peak and Tom’s Thumb. All of these are spectacular in their beauty, with interesting rock formations, lots of saguaro and an abundance of other native plants. This part of Scottsdale also features some of the most exclusive private (and public) golf courses. Access to Bartlett Lake and off-roading adventures is also not far away. Market Street has boutique shopping and restaurants.
Restaurant Headliners
The Living Room, Pure Sushi, Grimaldis, Preston’s Steakhouse, Chula Seafood, Flemings, Lamp Pizzeria.