Your Introduction to Scottsdale and Scottsdale Real Estate & Homes for Sale
Scottsdale – Today
Scottsdale, with a current population estimated at over 230,000 and located to the west and south of Phoenix and to the north of Tempe, is a thriving Valley city that still retains a hint of the old west charm Arizona is known for. Old Town Scottsdale preserves the original flavor of this community, and is central to plenty of shopping and dining venues. Old Town Scottsdale also features several western and southwestern art galleries and is considered the cultural center of the city.
Visitors and residents from across the Valley of the Sun flock to Scottsdale for resorts, spas, and shopping. Scottsdale offers luxurious hotels and resorts, pampering spas, outstanding recreational options and sweeping desert views. Indeed, Scottsdale represents the most affluent destination the Valley has to offer. Shopping in Scottsdale features several world-class stores and upscale boutiques in several venues across the city.
Annual events such as the horse-drawn Parada del Sol parade and the FBR Open golf tournament bring diverse crowds to the city. The city is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants and the local Scottsdale Stadium hosts several games in the growing Arizona Cactus League spring training roster.
Scottsdale is a premier destination for championship level golf. The FBR Open Golf Tournament is held annually in Scottsdale, and the city is home to more than 200 area courses. In 2006, the Robb Report cited Scottsdale as, “America’s Best Place to Live for Golf.” The Boulders Resort & Golden Spa and Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North were selected in 2005 as the second and fourth best golf resorts in the nation, respectively, by Travel & Leisure Golf Magazine.
Scottsdale – A History
The town of Scottsdale had its origins in 1888 when a U.S. Army Chaplain, Winfield Scott, paid $2.50 an acre for a 640 acre stretch of land where the city is now located. Winfield’s brother, George Scott, was the first resident of the town when he moved to the land in December, 1888. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1893, Winfield Scott returned to the area to join his brother. The brothers planted several crops including barley, peanuts, citrus and other fruits, and built a vineyard. In 1894, the town was officially named “Scottsdale” in honor of the two brothers.
In 1937, internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright established what is now known as Taliesin West at the foot of the McDowell Mountains. His influence can be seen on several Phoenix area landmarks including the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, which he designed.
In 1951, The Town of Scottsdale was incorporated as a city and Malcom White was elected mayor. At the time of incorporation, Scottsdale consisted of one square mile and had a population of 2,000!
Great Information & Resources on Scottsdale
Scottsdale Center for the Arts
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Taliesin, The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
Scottsdale Real Estate
Scottsdale, simply is the most affluent city in the Valley. Scottsdale real estate, whether it be residential, land, or commercial, commands a premium over other Valley cities. So, if one took the same home and compared its value in different cities, you would find that Scottsdale will be the most expensive.
The location, climate, terrain, shopping and amenities make Scottsdale very popular for both Valley residents and visitors. Indeed, Scottsdale derives a significant amount of tax revenue as a result of tourism to the area. For residents, it isn’t unusual to spend a weekend ‘away’ from home in one of the many fine resorts in the area.
Scottsdale’s more central location in the Valley and its rich complement of fine shopping, golf courses, and the like give Scottsdale a certain, affluent air. If you ask Valley residents where they would like to live. if they could live in any place in the Valley, and many will choose Scottsdale.
Housing in Scottsdale tends to vary substantially across the city. Homes can be decades old in the more established central areas moving north and south. In northern and northeastern parts of Scottsdale, development is much more recent and so properties have much of the same design characteristics that you see in other communities in the Valley such as Chandler and Peoria where growth has been extensive this past decade. As one might imagine, Scottsdale has a high concentration of custom homes spread across the city. Particular areas of interest are Arizona Biltmore area, Ancala, Desert Ridge, Gainey Ranch, and McCormick Ranch to name a few.
