Best Gated Communities in N Scottsdale? (Phoenix: fit in, real estate market, townhome)

[ajgranda]

Hi,

My wife and I are thinking of relocating from Westchester, NY to Scottsdale within the next 2 years or so. We are planning a trip to Scottsdale in September to check out the real estate market. We have a 10 mos old daughter with no future children currently in our plans. We are pretty much settled on moving to Northern Scottsdale. Our priorities lie in a safe and family oriented community with excellent education, well built homes and within an hour drive of downtown Phoenix. We are looking in the $700K-$850K price range for a 3-4 Bed, 2500-3000sq ft home in a gated community with mountain views. Can anyone recommend which are the nicer communities?

Thanks, AL

[sablebaby]

It sounds like you have very realistic plans to move to N. Scottsdale. You shouldn't have a problem finding a nice home in that gen area in your price range. I know there are people here that live in N. Scottsdale that can help you more. Good luck to you!

[Steve-o]

You might want to check out Saguaro Highlands off of Dynamite Rd (just west of Scottsdale Rd).

[courtneyN]

There are a few communities around Troon, Grayhawk or DC Ranch that would fit in your budget.

Moderator cut: No promotion of realty businesses, please.

[SpeedyAZ]

I've lived in Grayhawk in N. Scottsdale for nearly 7 years. It's a great community and I really wouldn't want to move anyplace else. If you golf, this is the place for you; we have 2 of the best courses in the Southwest and arguably the US. Your price range will get you a fairly large home, probably not on the course though.

The townhome I live in is appx. 2700 sq ft and has views of the course and mountains, it's worth right around the $720,000-$740,000 range.

Here's an example of what you can get for $800,000 in Grayhawk:
http://armlspictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/25/hr2745425-1.jpg (broken link)
http://armlspictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/25/hr2745425-5.jpg (broken link)
http://armlspictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/25/hr2745425-6.jpg (broken link)

Just ask if you want to know anymore about N. Scottsdale or Grayhawk, I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Other gated communities I'd recommend are DC Ranch and Troon North.

[ajgranda]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Anyone familiar with McDowell Mountain Development? The mountain views from there seem to be incredible. Also, would you consider 85255 and 85262 zips to have the nicest communites in N Scottsdale? Is there one particular Highschool in N Scottsdale that is better than the other? I've heard very good things about Chaparral HS but not any others.

Thanks again, AL

[ajgranda]

Sorry, one more thing is that we definitely want to stay away from retirement type communities. Our daughter will be around 3 by the time we move. So we want a community made up of mostly young-middle age parents.

Thanks, AL

[SpeedyAZ]

All of the N. Scottsdale communities will have a good mix of young, single, middle-age, retirement-age individuals and couples. The slight majority in any community will likely be middle-age couples (late 30's and 40's). It's rare to find a vast amount of young couples in any given community due to the high housing prices.

McDowell Mountain Ranch is the oldest development in N. Scottsdale with the majority of homes being built in the 80's and early 90's. It has a beautiful entrance and has fantasic views of the McDowell Mountains. Since the community is older, the housing is less expensive than say a newer community like Grayhawk or DC Ranch. Desert Ridge is another great option to add to your list.

You really can't go wrong with any community in N. Scottsdale. Just stay away from the extremely pricey ones such as Estancia, Desert Mountain, Desert Highlands, Whisper Rock, Sincuidados, and Silverleaf; you won't get anything for less than a million (and at least 2 million in Estancia and Whiper Rock).

[ajgranda]

Thanks, how about the High Schools? Is Chaparral any better than the others? We are coming from an excellent school district here in NY and don't want to give that up.

AL

[ajgranda]

One more thing, what exactly is considered to be N Scottsdale? Is it north of 101? Are 85259 and 85260 zips in N Scottsdale?

Thanks agains, AL