Scottsdale Lifestyles

Scottsdale encompasses 184.5 square miles and is characterized by natural beauty, preservation of the environment and the pursuit of an outstanding way of life. In fact, 60% of the land is undeveloped. The average elevation is 1,248 above sea level and the median temperature is 72.6 F. The communities that have grown and continue to grow here emphasize quality, harmony, leisure and luxury in harmony with the Sonoran desert.  City ordinances protect native plants and natural open spaces from rapid development ensuring the preservation of this special place for future generations.  The City champions programs such as the raising of money to purchase land in the McDowell Mountains and preserve the area's natural ecosystem, wildlife habitats and stretches of pristine land. Whether you prefer old-west style shops and the humming activity in the restaurants and bars of "Old Scottsdale" or a high Sonoran retreat from the hustle and bustle of city living, Scottsdale has it all. 

 Public School Information:

Scottsdale Unified School District #48 Education Center 602-952-6100

Paradise Valley Unified School District #69 602-867-5100

The Scottsdale School District has been rated number one in the southwestern U.S. District scores on standardized achievement tests are consistently well above national averages. It is expected  that approximately 90% of the graduating students will continuing their formal education.

FREEWAY INFORMATION - THE 101 LOOP

By the end of 2001, an additional 20 miles of freeway will loop around the valley.  One of the two biggest beneficiaries of these additions is Scottsdale, where 14.5 miles of the Loop 101 will be completed.

The construction of the Loop 101 has been somewhat of an inconvenience for residents of northeast Scottsdale and the Pinnacle Peak area primarily because of detours.  The completion of certain portions of the freeway, however, will eliminate much of this frustration.  By February 2001, 4.5 miles of the Loop 101 are expected to be completed from Shea Boulevard to Princess Drive.  By summer, 10 miles of the loop in northeast Phoenix should be finished from Interstate 17 to Scottsdale Road making it easier to travel east and west between northeast Phoenix and northeast Scottsdale.

The Pima Freeway will not be completed until Spring 2003, when the final two-mile leg between Scottsdale Road and Princes Drive is opened.  Crews will begin construction on the $30 million project in the fall.

Master Planned Communities

The time for master planned communities has definitely come and they are thriving.  The goal of these communities is to provide most everything for everyday life within the bounds of the community.  They welcome all generations while celebrating the civic, cultural and artistic virtue of the City of Scottsdale and the Southwest.  These communities emphasizes everyday living that fosters human interaction and champions healthy, outdoors lifestyles.  The setting is designed maintain the natural environment as an integral part of life.  To bring neighbors together to share common interests and participate in a wide array of activities.   Some communities, such as McDowell Mountain Ranch at the foot of the breathtaking McDowell Mountains are breaking new ground and creating “Net Neighbors”, linking residents together via the internet and creating a central location for homeowners to access community information, share ideas or chat on-line.  The communities are large and offer homes across a broad range of values ranging from around $300,000 to in excess of $1million.  

The two primary planned communities in the northeast Scottsdale/Pinnacle Peak area are Grayhawk and D.C. Ranch, both of which have a variety of choices in housing that is attractive to residents whether they are single, families, retirees or executives.  Each offers a wide variety of builders and price ranges in both gated and un-gated subdivisions.

        GRAYHAWK

The master-planned community of Grayhawk features several fine homebuilders; two restaurants; 30 miles of hiking, biking and jogging trails; both private and public schools; senior living; a medical campus, and two world-class golf courses, Talon and Raptor.  Also available are tennis, neighborhood pools and the clubhouse providing a location for community gatherings.  The new Thunderbirds Branch of Scottsdale’s Boys & Girls Clubs has broken ground.  The new branch is located at Hayden Road and Thompson Peak Parkway in Grayhawk and hopes to serve more than 2,000 children and teens annually.

RESIDENTIAL:  Resale single-family homes are from the low 200’s to over $1,000,000 in the custom-home subdivisions.  Resale townhomes, condominiums and patio homes are from the high $100’s to mid $400’s.

There is an abundance of choices in new homes depending on your price range and preference.  This includes townhomes from the $230’s to $270’s, townhome/apartment living from $1050 per month, condominiums from the $170’s to $250’s, villas from the low $300’s to mid $320’s, and single-family homes by Monterey from the low $300’s to Geoffrey H. Edmunds homes starting from the $600’s.  Other builders include Engle, T.W. Lewis, and Columbia Communities.  Prices start from the mid $300’s for Columbia Communities to Engle homes starting from $540’s. 

Lots in Grayhawk are currently available from the mid $300’s with an average lot selling for just over $400,000 in this community’s custom home area.

GOLF:  The Grayhawk community offers two fine golf courses, Talon and Raptor, which provide both challenging play and breathtaking views of the surrounding McDowell Mountains and the desert.  Former PGA and US Open Champion, David Graham and architect, Gary Panks designed the 6,973-yard, par-72 Talon course.  Talon was selected as one of Golf Magazine's "Top 10 You Can Play."   Raptor, Grayhawk’s second golf course, is a 7108-yard par-71 course designed by award-winning golf course architect, Tom Fazio.

     D.C. RANCH

D.C. Ranch is not just another master-planned community.   It is a place where intimate neighborhoods have returned so that residents have more of a sense of community and belonging.  Encompassing over 8,000 acres, some of which is incorporated into the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, almost every home site in D.C. Ranch borders open space or desert.  Grass parks are aplenty where children can gather to play, and the community center comes complete with staff to help coordinate activities. 

The latest additions include a City of Scottsdale police station and a Rural/ Metro fire station located right in the ranch at Pima Road and Thompson Peak Parkway.  Each provides community and surrounding area patrol.  The area is also awaiting the opening of Market Street, a 300,000-sq.ft. upscale shopping, dining and entertainment destination scheduled to open this year.  Copper Ridge School, which is part of the Scottsdale Unified School District, will open in the fall of 2001.  D.C. Ranch may be nestled in the McDowell Mountains yet it’s accessible to downtown Scottsdale and the surrounding valley.  Residents here have the benefit of both mountain and city-light views.

RESIDENTIAL:  All homes are uniquely designed with elevations and styles that will not be found anywhere else in the valley.  Homes offer front porches or courtyards as well as garages off to the side for additional aesthetic appeal.  Resale single-family homes range from the mid-$300’s to custom homes as high as $3,000,000.

New home builders include Camelot Homes, Geoffrey H. Edmunds & Associates, Standard Pacific Homes, and Columbia Communities.  Villas start from the high 200’s for Camelot Homes and Columbia Communities and single-family homes are available starting from the mid $600’s for Monterey or the low $700’s for Edmunds.  Growth of this Tuscan-style community will continue to focus increasingly in the custom-home market. 

Lots in D.C. Ranch are currently available from the high $100’s with an average lot sales price of about $450k.  There are at least eight exclusive custom builders offered by DMB Realty and the Custom Home Sales Center is open daily.

GOLF:  The private, par-71 6,864-yard golf course caters to players of all skill levels and was designed by Scott Miller, a leading golf course architect. With a targeted completion date of Fall 2001, a spectacular new Tom Weiskopf designed, par-72 championship course will span about 225 acres at the McDowell Mountain foothills and offer breathtaking city and desert views.

Luxury Gated and Golf Communities

Scottsdale has always represented luxury in harmony with the beauty of the natural setting.  There are some communities where the outstanding beauty of the area, and the superb quality and size of the homes is such that their value is typically in excess of $1million.  Tucked around the stunning McDowell Mountains and Preserve, these communities honor the old Arizona ranch tradition by creating a feeling of space and celebrating the natural beauty of the Sonoran desert.  The ambience is one of Golf Coarse Communities

Golf is as much about the way of life in Arizona as the beautiful desert into which our outstanding courses have been crafted.  Luxury communities have been designed around these small oases in the Sonoran landscape.  Some, such as Ancala, nestled at the base of the majestic McDowell Mountains, reflect the new style of homes, which seek to harmonize with the colors and textures of natures setting.  Others, such as Gainey Ranch, a little further South, are characterized by an elegant, European style with lush, lawns and luxuriant landscaping.  All of them benefit from the outstanding amenities that are so important a part of the Scottsdale lifestyle.  These communities integrate the finest of luxury homes and a range of smaller residences more suited to our many winter visitors.  People come to these communities seeking leisure and tranquility in the stunning natural setting that is Scottsdale.