Possibly moving to Phoenix/Scottsdale

[Jungleland]

It’s a great life out here. We live on the grounds of Desert Highlands in Scottsdale (Pima and Happy Valley). I play out of Silver Leaf, endless great golf, the heat isn’t as bad as advertised, just play early in the summer or disappear to Northern CA or Colorado for 2 months.

[fore_life]

It’s a great life out here. We live on the grounds of Desert Highlands in Scottsdale (Pima and Happy Valley). I play out of Silver Leaf, endless great golf, the heat isn’t as bad as advertised, just play early in the summer or disappear to Northern CA or Colorado for 2 months.

 

What a life!

[SilverBullets]

No one has Solar on their house? It seems like you could run a system for 200 per month and cool your house as much as you want?

 

I am in Utah and our temps get up to 100 in July but in a 4k sq foot house I don't get to $300 dollars due mostly to insulation. (90's windows which suck)

 

Quite a few people have solar but many don't. The break even point is around 8-10 years if you pay up front for the install with subsidies. I don't think it adds much value to your house though (could be wrong there). I'm not sure the average home owner keeps their house long enough for it to pay. Leased systems are a really bad idea should you decide to sell your house since you have to sell the new owner not only on your house but on your solar lease and vendor too.

 

Also keep in mind, we "get up to" 120 here. Our average daily high in the month of July is 107*. Our average LOW in July is supposedly 83 but it is not uncommon to have nights where our low is in the 90's and nights in the 70's are rare so I'm a little skeptical of that number. Cooling costs at those temperatures escalate dramatically. My worst bill of the year is around $300 but my bill in October (similar temps to what you are describing) is around $150. That 20 degree difference is huge.

 

According to my realtor, he has a lot of trouble selling solar homes. People don’t really understand them (not the solar part but the subsidies, if they are leased vs owned, if your putting power on the grid, etc). He said if they are at all visible, it’s a huge turnoff to many buyers. He actually believed solar panels actually hurt the value of the home as it lessens the pool of buyers.

 

Idk about that though. He wasn’t the brightest realtor in the world but he sure is a nice guy hahaha I understand the home buying process enough to make up for what he lacks lol

[ferrispgm]

It’s a great life out here. We live on the grounds of Desert Highlands in Scottsdale (Pima and Happy Valley). I play out of Silver Leaf, endless great golf, the heat isn’t as bad as advertised, just play early in the summer or disappear to Northern CA or Colorado for 2 months.

 

If I was a member and got to play at Silverleaf every weekend I'm sure I would say it's a great life too lol.

[mallrat]

So we really enjoyed our trip down there. A lot of brown and plants that want to hurt you (cactus). Had a fun day at Mirabel but course is fairly repetitive.

 

I honestly wish I had moved there when I was younger. Amazed at the ridiculous amount of ridiculously expensive cars. Even our friends who drove a 10 yr old Lexus SUV when they moved down now drive an X5M.

 

The pool at Kierland had some excellent scenery as well.

 

Edit... We were amazed at how clean Scottsdale was and how easy it was to get around.

 

For those that lived elsewhere, was it hard to get used to not having your kids play in the yard?

[ferrispgm]

Scottsdale certainly isn't hurting for money...though what's weird is i know several people and how much they make yet they just bought a brand new 3 or 5 series BMW and i have limited monthly expenses, make more and still couldn't afford to do it lol ....I don't know if people just put everything on a credit card or what but I have never been able to figure it out.

 

It is indeed a very clean city and very safe as well...the scenery certainly doesn't hurt either. I love Scottsdale, though i just moved to central Phoenix for a change of pace and like it down here as well...especially the centrality of the city.

 

Also, when the cactus start blooming i think you would be surprised at how much color you get down here besides brown...granted it won't be confused for the mid-west or NE anytime soon foliage wise.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Not sure why kids can't play in the yard. My folks had a huge playset/jungle gym thing for their grandkids (my sisters kids) it was not grass but fine grade landscape sand/rock. The number 1 thing around here is to ALWAYS watch your kids around water. It is heartbreaking to watch the news from like April through the summer as it seems like almost a daily occurrence of a child drowning call.

 

 

Your're not joking about cars. I walk half mile to work every day, in that 10 min stretch not uncommon to see a Mclaren, Lambo, 458/488 Ferrari, and a Bentley. Sometimes all in the same trip.

 

The brown grows on you, trust me on that one, but the foothills do get some green in them come winter and the wildflowers bloom too.

[vallygolf]

My kids spend more time outdoors here than any other place we have lived. The great equalizer is the pool. 12 months a year they can be outside.

[az2au]

My daughter is constantly outside whether yard or pool. I’d say 300-400% more than anywhere else we’ve been.

 

FWIW, I actually like downtown quite a bit and if I didn’t live in extreme Ne Scottsdale it would be my second choice. We’re strongly considering investing in a few apartments down there and potential using one as more of an Air BnB type place that we use a bit as well. Since we go to every Suns game when we are in town it would be very convenient. The main problem with living there is summer nights which just stay so hot. Paradise Valley and Biltmore would be 3rd and 4th but way behind 1 and 2.

[mallrat]

Thanks guys, guess I should say I was surprised at the lack of yards but that may very well have been because of the areas we were in.

 

No too worried about the pool as he’s already 3 years deep in swim lessons

[az2au]

I have zero grass other than the fake type that makes up my putting green. If it is up to me I’ll never have a grass yard again. :)

[az2au]

“Grass” in my yard...

[ferrispgm]

“Grass” in my yard...

 

So when can i move in? lol

[dtm6582]

Scottsdale certainly isn't hurting for money...though what's weird is i know several people and how much they make yet they just bought a brand new 3 or 5 series BMW and i have limited monthly expenses, make more and still couldn't afford to do it lol ....I don't know if people just put everything on a credit card or what but I have never been able to figure it out.

 

There are a lot of people in Scottsdale with money. There are also a lot of people in Scottsdale who don't have money but live like they do. That isn't a phenomenon unique to Scottsdale but it does seem to be more extreme there for some reason.

 

Your're not joking about cars. I walk half mile to work every day, in that 10 min stretch not uncommon to see a Mclaren, Lambo, 458/488 Ferrari, and a Bentley. Sometimes all in the same trip.

 

Perhaps one of the reasons...

 

When we first moved to Phoenix in 07' we rented an apartment over by Raintree and the 101. Our apartment was in a condo conversion that failed and reverted back to apartments. Rent for a 2 bed was around $1100/month. The parking lot was absolutely full of low end but new luxury cars. It was absolutely bizarre to me that a relatively cheap apartment complex would have a parking lot full of expensive cars. The same level of apartment in the Phoenix area (broadly speaking) is full of what you would expect. Aging Hondas and Toyotas.

[dtm6582]

“Grass” in my yard...

 

That's a great setup. I tried to suggest something similar to my wife a few weeks ago. I got, "well, we can put in some fake grass for the dog".

[SilverBullets]

Thanks guys, guess I should say I was surprised at the lack of yards but that may very well have been because of the areas we were in.

 

No too worried about the pool as he's already 3 years deep in swim lessons

 

My wife and I live in Arcadia. Part of what appealed to us coming from the Midwest was the fact that most of the homes have grass front and backyards. We found a great house with the front patio staring dead at Camelback mountain and we have a full grass front and back yard. It's def. harder and more expensive to keep green than in the Midwest, but, for us it was worth it. Felt more like 'home' or at least what we are used to. It makes the patios feel cooler at night in the summer as opposed to having a rock or fake turf yard (our rental had half gravel and half grass.. it was amazing how much hotter the gravel was than the grass).

 

Plus our dogs play ball daily so it was important for my wife to have a yard for them...

[puttnforthe8]

“Grass” in my yard...

 

Who did yours and are you happy with it? I will be putting mine in at the start of the year....just killed off all the real grass last month!

[az2au]

“Grass” in my yard...

 

Who did yours and are you happy with it? I will be putting mine in at the start of the year....just killed off all the real grass last month!

SW putting greens. Will send you a PM win full info as our rep was awesome.

[Schley]

Quite the Phoenix love fest going on here in this thread :air_kiss:

 

Anyone comment on if one had a membership at Estancia or Desert Mountain what would be the limit of housing locations to make it there in 35 minutes considering traffic? Thinking of buying a place for a single guy and not in those communities. I'm assuming you definitely can't cross the 10 or the 60 on the south sides. Ahatukee too far? Thinking of just north of ASU in Tempe maybe?

[az2au]

Quite the Phoenix love fest going on here in this thread :air_kiss:

 

Anyone comment on if one had a membership at Estancia or Desert Mountain what would be the limit of housing locations to make it there in 35 minutes considering traffic? Thinking of buying a place for a single guy and not in those communities. I'm assuming you definitely can't cross the 10 or the 60 on the south sides. Ahatukee too far? Thinking of just north of ASU in Tempe maybe?

35 min to Desert Mountain (if we’re talking one of their clubhouses and not the front gate) is seriously nearly Estancia/Troon North. I live in Troon and the last time I played Geronimo I want to say it took me ~35 min to get to the clubhouse. Apache or Renegade are ~5 minutes closer.

 

You still need to be North of Tempe to make it to Estancia in 35 min consistently as well. Probably Old Town. You can occasionally make it in less but various factors and time of year make a difference. Unless you are willing to really commit to ignore speed limits it will take you around 45 to Estancia from the airport. I make it in 35 regularly but I’m committed to ignoring :)

 

Forget Ahwautukee. You can’t even get to I10 that fast some days per people I know that live there.

[BUCKEYERBALL88]

Quite the Phoenix love fest going on here in this thread :air_kiss:

 

Anyone comment on if one had a membership at Estancia or Desert Mountain what would be the limit of housing locations to make it there in 35 minutes considering traffic? Thinking of buying a place for a single guy and not in those communities. I'm assuming you definitely can't cross the 10 or the 60 on the south sides. Ahatukee too far? Thinking of just north of ASU in Tempe maybe?

 

Grayhawk & dc ranch are nice and a good location

[dbewen]

Hey guys I'm going to give this thread a bump since I will be starting my move to Phoenix this Friday. My office is at camelback and 24th. We are considering living in the Biltmore area or Old Town Scottsdale. It will just be me and my wife, no kids. Any advice on either location? It appears the commute should be under 30 min if we choose old town?

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Hey guys I'm going to give this thread a bump since I will be starting my move to Phoenix this Friday. My office is at camelback and 24th. We are considering living in the Biltmore area or Old Town Scottsdale. It will just be me and my wife, no kids. Any advice on either location? It appears the commute should be under 30 min if we choose old town?

 

Good Choices, I'd also throw in the Arcadia area, such a cool spot and would be a hair shorter commute

[az2au]

Hey guys I'm going to give this thread a bump since I will be starting my move to Phoenix this Friday. My office is at camelback and 24th. We are considering living in the Biltmore area or Old Town Scottsdale. It will just be me and my wife, no kids. Any advice on either location? It appears the commute should be under 30 min if we choose old town?

 

Good Choices, I'd also throw in the Arcadia area, such a cool spot and would be a hair shorter commute

I'd rank them:

Old Town

Arcadia

Biltmore

Windsor

 

They're all close enough that it shouldn't matter too much. Arcadia used to be considered a value but I'm hearing that homes there are going for more than the greenbelt now. Not sure I'd be willing to pay that.

 

Honestly, I'd also consider downtown/Copper Square depending on what you like to do. There's a member here that lives down there and loves it. Glad to hook you up with him if you'd like to speak to him about it.

[azgolfer44]

If you are working at the Biltmore, Arcadia would be the best spot IMO. The prices are very high right now, however, even on the fringe areas. Arcadia has a lot to offer though, and feels more like a community than anywhere else I have been in Phoenix. Great restaurants, recreation, bars, and close to everything.

[dbewen]

Thanks for the replies.

We haven't considered the downtown/Copper Square area, but could be open to it. We are looking for a reasonable commute (<30 min), condo/townhome, and being able to walk to shops and restaurants. Good golf also a priority, but I expect to drive for that.

[dbewen]

If you are working at the Biltmore, Arcadia would be the best spot IMO. The prices are very high right now, however, even on the fringe areas. Arcadia has a lot to offer though, and feels more like a community than anywhere else I have been in Phoenix. Great restaurants, recreation, bars, and close to everything.

 

Where is the best cross-section to look in Arcadia for walk-able shops/restaurants?

[az2au]

Thanks for the replies.

We haven't considered the downtown/Copper Square area, but could be open to it. We are looking for a reasonable commute (<30 min), condo/townhome, and being able to walk to shops and restaurants. Good golf also a priority, but I expect to drive for that.

I can get to Camelback and 24th in less than 35 minutes most days and I live in way North Scottsdale so that shouldn't be too much of an issue. Even in the absolutely peak of rush hour I wouldn't guess my average time at more than 45 min and I'm 27.4 miles away :) And, yes, I drive it occasionally as I have an office at Thomas and Central that I head to around 1-2/month and that's another 10-15 min away.

 

Arcadia and Biltmore should be 10-15 min (all surface streets) in most areas. Old Town add another 5. Downtown would be similar (go straight up 7th and take a right on Camelback as I'm assuming you mean 24th st and not 24th ave).

 

As for walking to many/most things, I would have guessed that Old Town had the most variety in that way but would definitely trust others in that regard as I'm not in Arcadia or Biltmore all that often other than for a quick bite.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

If you are working at the Biltmore, Arcadia would be the best spot IMO. The prices are very high right now, however, even on the fringe areas. Arcadia has a lot to offer though, and feels more like a community than anywhere else I have been in Phoenix. Great restaurants, recreation, bars, and close to everything.

 

Where is the best cross-section to look in Arcadia for walk-able shops/restaurants?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Arcadia,+Phoenix,+AZ/@33.4996757,-111.978555,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x872b0c7a58372dd9:0x8158be72cba9e49a!8m2!3d33.494109!4d-111.9611919

 

Mostly restaurants with some shopping AJ's 44th and Camelback etc but the western edge of Arcadia from 44th/Camelback to Arcadia/Indian School ave will give you the shortest distance to the restaurants around 44th and Camelback down to OHSO on Indian School. PHX is not a great walkers metro area unless you plan out your location/wants pretty well. Many of the residents that live in/around Arcadia will use bikes to head out to eat etc over walking.

 

Exceptions would be the upper end High rise condos near Fashion Square in Old town even then if you want to get a bite in the southern end of Old Town still a longish walk. and Copper Square area being downtown. I got lucky, I dont have a car so I walk a lot. My neighborhood has a low walking score on Zillow etc, but within a mile I have everything I need if I need to pick something up in a pinch grocery store couple bars/restaurants, convenient store, pharmacy, my office etc, but a mile to me on city streets even when it is 100+ out is nothing compared to the 10+ mile hikes I do for "fun" on the weekends.

[sub150]

Hey guys I'm going to give this thread a bump since I will be starting my move to Phoenix this Friday. My office is at camelback and 24th. We are considering living in the Biltmore area or Old Town Scottsdale. It will just be me and my wife, no kids. Any advice on either location? It appears the commute should be under 30 min if we choose old town?

 

I would pass on Old Town. I live in the Biltmore area and find very little reason to go over there. I would recommend staying in between 44th St (do Avenues exist :)), 20th, Indian School, and Camelback for an ultra-short commute with access to good food, drinks/bars, shopping, and grocery selection.

 

There isn't much walking though in Phoenix. At best you will have your local place to go to but there isn't any sort of place that offers groceries, shopping, food, drink in one walkable location. Not much city-like density here. Old Town is the only place with any sort of walking culture but you are still getting in your car to get groceries.

 

Golf is better up north but also more expensive. The good munis are south of Biltmore and many "value" courses are as well.