Neighborhoods · Phoenix Metro, AZ
Scottsdale
Desert golf, Old Town nightlife, and some of the valley's best public schools.
~243,700
Population
$960K
Median Home Price
+6.7% over the last 12 months
49
Median Age
$110,886
Avg. Household Income
1951
Incorporated
~184 sq mi
Land Area
Living in Scottsdale
Scottsdale incorporated in 1951 with about 2,000 residents in under a square mile and grew into one of the largest cities in the valley, stretching roughly 30 miles from South Scottsdale near Tempe up to the high Sonoran Desert north of Dynamite Boulevard. Home prices track that geography: North Scottsdale's golf and gated communities run well above $1M, while South Scottsdale, closer to Old Town and the airport, is considerably more attainable.
The city built its identity on tourism and golf, but it's also a genuine tech and biotech employment hub (Motorola's early Arizona plants were here) and home to Old Town's walkable core of restaurants, galleries, and nightlife. It's one of the few valley cities where you can walk to dinner and still be five minutes from a trailhead into the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Golf & Resorts
Dozens of courses and a dense cluster of resorts, several open to the public for golf and dining even if you're not staying there.
Old Town
A walkable core of restaurants, galleries, and bars, anchoring the city's nightlife and weekend scene.
Outdoor Recreation
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, one of the largest urban preserves in the country, borders the city's northern edge with miles of hiking and biking trails.
Golf
3 courses in the area, all within a short drive of each other.
TPC Scottsdale
Stadium and Champions courses, home of the WM Phoenix Open, both open to public play.
Troon North Golf Club
Monument and Pinnacle courses wrapping the granite boulders at the base of Pinnacle Peak, semi-private with public tee times.
Grayhawk Golf Club
Talon and Raptor courses, a daily-fee club that's hosted NCAA championships.
Where to Eat
A handful of standout tables in and around Scottsdale.
FnB
Farm-to-table New American in Old Town from chef Charleen Badman, built around Arizona produce and wine.
Citizen Public House
Upscale gastropub known for barrel-aged cocktails and elevated comfort food since 2011.
The Mission Old Town
Modern Latin cooking from chef Matt Carter in a striking Old Town space.
Cafe Monarch
Family-run fine dining tasting-menu restaurant tucked into a historic Old Town house.
Schools
Zoned to Scottsdale Unified School District, with a cluster of top-rated private options nearby. Fair housing law means I can't offer an opinion on school quality, always confirm boundaries with the district and check independent ratings below.
Cheyenne Traditional School
PublicK-8 school of choice, no geographic boundary
Chaparral High School
PublicA-rated, established 1972, draws students from across the county
Desert Mountain High School
PublicA-rated, the only SUSD school offering the IB program
Saguaro High School
PublicSTEM focus, part of Scottsdale USD
Notre Dame Preparatory
PrivateCatholic, grades 9-12, college-prep curriculum
Dig Into the Data
Independent, third-party sources for the numbers that matter before you buy.
GreatSchools.org
Independent ratings and reviews for every school zoned to this area.
Niche.com
Crime, demographics, and resident-reported livability scores.
Walk Score
Walkability, bikeability, and transit access by address.
Crime Statistics & Transparency
Official crime data and accountability reporting from the Scottsdale Police Department.
Homes for Sale in Scottsdale
Active and recently sold homes in Scottsdale, pulled from the map above.
Thinking about Scottsdale?
Let's talk about what's actually on the market and whether it fits what you're after.