Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale (Pima Vaṣai S-veṣonĭ) is a city located in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. Named by the New York Times as "The Beverly Hills of the Desert" and by Travel Channel as one of the most luxurious destinations in the nation, Scottsdale has become internationally recognized and regarded as one of the most expensive and posh areas in the United States and a premiere tourist destination.

Geography

Scottsdale is located at 33°35'27" North, 111°53'46" West (33.590709, -111.895985){{GR|1}}.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 477.7 km² (184.4 mi²). 477.1 km² (184.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.12% water.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cityscape

The city is loosely divided into four ever-changing areas: Old Town/South Scottsdale, Downtown Scottsdale/Civic Center/Fashion Square, Central Scottsdale, and North Scottsdale.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Old Town/South Scottsdale has many streets emulating the cowboy era, stores and primarily western art galleries. Scottsdale's number of art galleries is second only to New York City. This area has also been known for many years as the much poorer region of Scottsdale. Many foodbanks and homeless shelters are located in South Scottsdale, contradicting the overall stereotype of Scottsdale being a bastion of wealth. For many years, South Scottsdale ranked among the nation's cheapest real estate with a median home resale value at $100,000. Many homes in South Scottsdale are much smaller and older than their Northern counterparts. However, in recent years, South Scottsdale has seen a drastic turn of events. According to The Arizona Republic, the average home resale value in South Scottsdale has skyrocketed to $205,000. Many deteriorating buildings will be destroyed and rebuilt in the coming years. South Scottsdale will also soon be home to the new research center for Arizona State University. Old Town/South Scottsdale extends from McDowell Road at the city's southern border, north to Osborn Road.

Related Topics:
The Arizona Republic - Arizona State University

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Downtown Scottsdale/Civic Center/Fashion Square is very close to Old Town Scottsdale, overlapping only a mile south on Scottsdale Road. This area includes many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Streets are usually filled with walking traffic after 10:00pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, as Downtown Scottsdale has one of the highest concentrations of bars and nightclubs in the country. It has also seen a renaissance of sorts in the last five years as city living is sweeping many areas in the nation. The Scottsdale Waterfront will soon anchor the once desolate Arizona Canal banks, and no less than five new ultra-luxury condo towers have been approved, and premium one-bedroom units routinely exceed $1 Million. The condos are estimated to cost between $1-4 million. Tourism has also shot up, with new trendy hotels coming to the area such as The James Hotel, and the revived Valley Ho. Recently accounced was the new W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences, taking a spot in Scottsdale's prime nightclub district. Also nearby is the high-end Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, one of the ten largest malls in the nation, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's, Robinsons-May (soon to be Bloomingdale's), and Dillard's. Loosely, this area extends from Osborn Road north to Chaparral Road.

Related Topics:
Scottsdale Fashion Square - Neiman Marcus - Nordstrom - Macy's - Robinsons-May - Bloomingdale's - Dillard's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Central Scottsdale is an area where many shows and movies, such as Silk Stalkings, Beverly Hills 90210 and Clueless have come to shoot neighborhood scenes. Real estate in central Scottsdale is certainly booming, ranked as one of the "Top 10 Hot Spots" by Fortune Magazine. According to CNN World Report, the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale real estate has boomed, seeing a 75% increase in value - the greatest change in the nation. Encompassing areas such as McCormick Ranch have seen real estate values jump from $4-500,000 to $700,000. Central Scottsdale routinely sees the demolition of older homes and new million-dollar ones constructed. Some areas, such as Gainey Ranch, remain very expensive and highly desirable in the Phoenix area real estate market; homes in this area see median values in the $1.5-2 million range with many exceeding $5 million. This area extends from Chaparral Road north to approximately Shea Blvd. This area shares many similarities with the neighboring community of Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Related Topics:
Silk Stalkings - Beverly Hills 90210 - Clueless - Fortune Magazine - CNN World Report - Paradise Valley, Arizona

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

North Scottsdale is where most new home construction takes place. North Scottsdale is by far the most expansive area in Scottsdale. The city's borders rapidly expand to the east and west in this area, occupying the McDowell Mountain range, now preserved from development by the city. Most of the city's dozens of golf courses are located in North Scottsdale, utilizing the varied desert mountain terrain to create some of the most beautiful courses in the country. Homes in North Scottsdale see median values in the $750,000 range, with a good majority in the newer areas sky-rocketing above $3 and $4 million. This area is also famous for hosting the world-renowned Barrett-Jackson Auto Show. North Scottsdale also attracts car-enthusiasts from all over the world for its collection of luxury car dealerships including Maybach, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Saleen, Lotus, McLaren, Aston Martin, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Maserati.

Related Topics:
Barrett-Jackson Auto Show - Maybach - Ferrari - Lamborghini - Saleen - Lotus - McLaren - Aston Martin - Porsche - Rolls-Royce - Bentley - Maserati

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nearby Areas

By many locals, the areas of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the Biltmore Region of Phoenix are often seen as one entity because they share one common characteristic - wealth. This collective area stretching from Scottsdale Road to 24th Street sees premiere restaurants, luxury resorts, and high-end retailers. However, most importantly, this area has some of the most expensive real estate in Phoenix, with some homes selling as much as $25 million. Many celebrities live in this quiet community for its scenic beauty including Alice Cooper, Dave Mustaine, Rob Halford, Phil Mickelson, Brandy Norwood, Jenna Jameson, Charles Barkley, Wayne Gretzky, Glen Campbell, Leslie Nielsen, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and Bil Keane. Most recently, Britney Spears purchased a home in the vicinty, claiming in many interviews that she wishes to give birth in Scottsdale for its hospital amenities and continue to reside in the community.

Related Topics:
Paradise Valley - Phoenix - Alice Cooper - Dave Mustaine - Rob Halford - Phil Mickelson - Brandy Norwood - Jenna Jameson - Charles Barkley - Wayne Gretzky - Glen Campbell - Leslie Nielsen - Stevie Nicks - Rod Stewart - Bil Keane - Britney Spears

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Climate

See .

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~