moving to scottsdale (Phoenix, Tempe: houses, live in, restaurants)

[mav85]

Hi,
Im a 25 year old female and will be moving in about a week or so.
I have a few questions to people who live or have lived in the area;

1. I am car-free, i have a bike. Whats the public transport like? If I got a job in Phoenix, would a commute be realistic? Is the area bike friendly? Are there any group rides I could join to meet people?
2. I will probably wait tables till I saved up some money to do something that interests me. Any servers out there know of any good places to make money?
3. Any cool little coffee shops? not a starbucks! or ethnic groceries in the area?
4. Whats fun to do at night? any independent or classic movie houses?

thanks guys

[observer53]

Public transit is not the best between Scottsdale and Phoenix, but between your bike and an express bus (which can be put on the bus bike rack) it might work, depending on your exact home and work location.
Valley Metro | Welcome for bus info. You should not plan on doing a long commute just on a bike.

Why did you pick Scottsdale? Tempe is a bit more bike friendly in terms of more bike paths, etc. Or, you could just live closer to work, whereever that turns out to be. Phoenix is not particularly bike friendly (I'm not a bike rider, so my perceptions come from the lack of bike paths/lanes, and some motorists' attitudes toward bike riders.)

EDIT: There actually isn't an express bus that serves the central (Old Town) Scottsdale area, so you would need to use the crosstown local routes. Slower, but they will still carry your bike along with you!

[PAZ4U]

Where will be u moving from? don't expect unique coffee shops... there are a lots chain restaurants up here. Riding a bike might be fun only for a few month out of the year, it gets really hot in the city, so learn the route and the schedule for the bus. Good luck!

[hts]

Given the info you've shared with us, I think you might be better off in Portland, but welcome to Phx!

[mav85]

I'm going to stay with family for a short while to save some funds. Chicago is where I want to end up ultimately.
I'm moving from fort worth, texas. I didn't have a car here either, so I'm used to the heat, and the public transport can't be as bad in az as it in Texas. Or at least I hope not
Scottsdale wouldn't be my top pick of locations, but I need to visit with family and earn some money. Thanks for all your help.

[mistygrl092]

Be VERY careful on your bike and stay on the sidewalk. This is not a bike friendly town.

As to 100s of restaurants? If the poster was referring to Old Town Scottsdale, I think not.

Just be careful. Oh, and I live in Scottsdale, albeit North Scottsdale.

[observer53]

Well, what you said in the first post was "hundreds" which is different than "100+" While it depends somewhat on how you define the limits of Old Town, 100+ is possible , but it would be close. 200 or more, which would be "hundreds"? I don't think so, but it would depend on how broadly you are defining the "vicinity of Old Town".

Now, let's try to stay on topic and answer the OP's questions.

[mistygrl092]

Originally Posted by DixieWrecked

[mod cut -- rude/personal] I can easily name 100+ restaurants in the Old Town vicinity.

Not even.

[mistygrl092]

Originally Posted by DixieWrecked

There are hundreds of restaurants in the area, easily 200 if not more. How are you claiming this is off topic when this is exactly what the OP asked for?

Actually, the OP asked if anyone knew of good places to make money. New York Joe's is not one of them, and it is in Old Town Scottsdale. Old Town Scottsdale really isn't all that big. Now, to answer the question, I would say The Breakfast Club might be a good spot.

[mistygrl092]

Originally Posted by DixieWrecked

Actually, they asked good places to serve at and make good money.

Old Town is not that large, like I said there are hundreds of restaurants in the vicinity, meaning within a few miles, considering the OP is relying on public transportation to get to and from work.

In the old town area alone, there is 127 bars and restaurants, all of which the OP could serve at. Expand that area to a few miles radius of old town and it opens up 150-200 more.

Well, hardly hundreds in Old Town. Look, I am trying to give the OP a realistic preview of what to expect. No, this is not a bike friendly town. One must be careful. And now, why don't you list the restaurants at which the OP could make good money (of course serving was implied).