Scottsdale Homes for Sale, Scottsdale Real Estate, Scottsdale Condos, Arizona, AZ

Scottsdale Real Estate Overview

Scottsdale 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.

As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 202,705, while a July 1, 2004 Census estimate put the city's population at 221,130--a 9.1% growth rate.

History

Scottsdale was originally inhabited by the ancient civilizations of the Hohokam and the Anasazi, descendents from the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations of the Mayans and the Aztec. From cerca 300 BC to 1400 AD, these ancient civilizations farmed the area and built some of the most ingenious irrigation canals the world has ever known. The name Hohokam translates as "vanished," for one day they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

The Hohokam's unbelievable legacy was in their creation of more than 125 miles (200 km) of canals to provide water for their agricultural needs. The remnants of this ancient irrigation system were adapted and improved upon in 1868 by the first Anglo company to stake a claim in the Valley of the Sun, when Jack Swilling set up the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company.

Twenty years later Scottsdale's future would turn sharply upwards, when a U.S. Army Chaplain, Winfield Scott, paid the paltry sum of $2.50 an acre for a 640 stretch of land where the city is now located. Winfield's brother, George Washington Scott, was the first resident of the town that was then known as Orangedale and later changed to Scottsdale in 1894.

In 1951 the Town of Scottsdale was officially incorporated with a population of 2000. Since then it has grown to a 2004 Census estimation of 220,000. It has grown to become Arizona's fifth-largest city, and one of its most celebrated. Today, Scottsdale is routinely defined by its high quality of life, and was named the "Most Livable City" in the United States by the United States Conference of Mayors. It is continually ranked as one of the premier golf and resort destinations in the world, with a sizable portion of tax revenue being derived from tourism. It is also home to the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament held at the Tournament Players Club, which carries the distinction of the best-attended event on the PGA Tour. It is also home to Taliesin West, the summer campus of world renowed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The city continues to see rapid growth, mainly in the northern areas of the city.

City Layout

The city is loosely divided into four ever-changing areas:

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. It will also soon be home to a 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.

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. Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall is one of the ten largest malls in the nation, with many high-end tenants including Neiman-Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy's, Burberry, Lacoste, and Louis Vuitton. Loosely, this area extends from Osborn Road north to Chaparral Road. 
Central Scottsdale, an area where many shows and movies, such as Silk Stalkings, Beverly Hills 90210 and Clueless have come to shoot neigborhood scenes. Real estate in central Scottsdale is certainly booming, ranked as one of the "top 10 hot spots" by Fortune Magazine. 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 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 $1-2 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.

North Scottsdale, 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 $6-700,000.00 range, with most in the area exceeding $3-4 Million in value. Many of the most expensive homes in Scottsdale are located here, selling over $20, sometimes $25 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.

The city is served primarily by Sky Harbor International Airport, which is located in Phoenix. Also serving the city is Scottsdale Municipal Airport, one of the busiest single-runway facilities in the nation. While the airport does see some tour and commuter airline flights, it is used mainly by corporate jet traffic. Most high-profile individuals, including actors, executives, and athletes use one of Scottsdale Airport's two private terminals to avoid crowds at Sky Harbor International Airport.

Transportation

Scottsdale is located 10 miles from Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport, the area's primary transportation hub. 

In addition, residents of Scottsdale have access to Scottsdale Municipal Airport, which is serviced by various charter and commuter airlines, and offers excellent access to businesses located in the adjacent Scottsdale Industrial Airpark.

Also, Scottsdale offers direct access to the valley's major freeway systems and a well planned road system that follows a simple grid pattern.

Education

Scottsdale's public school system, ranked among the best in the nation, consists of 35 elementary and middle schools, seven high-schools, including Scottsdale Vo-Tech and one alternative school, and Scottsdale Community College.

The Scottsdale Public School District provides evening adult education courses. Scottsdale Community College (SCC) offers an associate degree program, as well as various technical degree programs. Continuing education programs are also available. In addition, Northern Arizona University, in partnership with SCC, offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Tourism

Scottsdale is a premiere tourist destination in the western United States. With its plethora of exquisite eateries, 5-star hotels and resorts, luxury golf course, high-end boutiques, and famed night-life, Scottsdale contributes millions of dollars to the economy of Greater Phoenix.

Art

Ranked as one of the "Top 25 Art Destinations" in the nation, Scottsdale's number of art galleries are only second to New York City. Home to more than 125 art galleries, Scottsdale has quickly become a mega-center for art in the United States. The famed Scottsdale Museum for Contemporary Art, Heard Museum, and Scottsdale's Center for the Arts boast unique art from contemporary to musicals to historic Native American.

Golfing

With more than 330 days of sunshine and perfect weather, Scottsdale is best known as the premiere destination in the United States and the world for golfing. Recently named "America’s Best Place to Live for Golf" by the Robb Report, Scottsdale is home to more than 200 area courses offering layouts that range from the rolling green fairways of traditional course architecture to the cactus-studded excitement of desert golf designs. The combined quality and quantity of the city's daily fee golf clubs and courses have labeled Scottsdale a "must-visit" destination for the avid golfer. Scottsdale is home to the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament held at the Tournament Players Club, and later in March, hosts the Ping LPGA Tournament. Scottsdale is also home to many famed professional golfers: Mark Calcavecchia, Heather Farr, Tom Lehman, Tom Weiskopf Billy Mayfair, Phil Mickelson, Annika Sorenstam, Andrew Magee, Hale Irwin, Jim Carter, Brandel Chamblee, Kirk Triplett, Jonathon Kaye, Tom Purtzer, Curt Byrum, Gary McCord, Mike Nicolette, Dan Pohl, Jerry Smith, Grace Park, Carin Koch, Danielle Ammaccapane and Dina Ammaccapane.

Awards

• Troon Mountain Course ranked "Best Golfing" by Golfweek Magazine.
• Pinnacle Golf ranked "Best Public Golfing in the US" by "Golf Digest.
• Two Scottsdale courses, Grayhawk and DC, were ranked among the "Top 10 Courses You Can Play in the US" by Golf Magazine.
• Eleven golf instructors were named as "Top 100 Teachers in America" by Golf Magazine.
• The Boulders and Desert Highlands named respectively 1 and 2 for "Best Golf Courses in America" by Golf Magazine.

Resorts and Spas

Home to more than 70 resorts and hotels, the city boasts one of the highest numbers of Five-star resorts and hotels in the nation. The City of Scottsdale estimated more than 6 million tourists visited Scottsdale for its horde of nationally-renowned resorts and spas. Named by the Sunset Magazine as the ideal destination for relaxation, Scottsdale's numerous luxury spas have gained national recognition.

Shopping

Scottsdale is the premiere shopping destination of the southwest, home to many upscale and high-end boutiques and shops. With more than 15 shopping centers, Scottsdale is home to myriad designers. Scottsdale Fashion Square, Biltmore Fashion Park, Kierland Commons and Gainey Village are among some of the most popular, hosting a score of stores from Juicy Couture to Gucci to Louis Vuitton.

Nightlife

Home to more than 80 night clubs and bars, Scottsdale has one of the highest concentrations clubs and bars in the United States. Rated as one of the "Top 10 Cities for Best Nightlife" by the Travel Channel, downtown Scottsdale has become a sea of young people after 10 PM.

Key Areas of Interest

FBR Open (Tournament & Players Club), Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, Scottsdale Historical Society, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, Scottsdale Civic Center, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale Stadium, Borgata, Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Airpark, Stagebrush Theatre, El Pedregal.

Scottsdale Neighborhoods

North Scottsdale, Pinnacle Peak, South Scottsdale.

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