Moving to N Scottsdale (Cave Creek, Carefree: apartment, house, movie theater)

[Jnvlv247]

Moving to N Scottsdale (Thunderbird and 101) in an apartment and will be working at Greenway and Scottsdale Rd. I have visited as a tourist to this area with my family at timeshares, but I am sure living there is different. Any suggestions? Tips? Warning? LOL

I guess any local info that one might not be aware of. I know the airport is there, I have been to Frank Lloyd's house and the auto loop with restaurants, etc. I guess it's close to Desert Ridge too.

[AAAplus]

watch out for the Scottsdale red light cameras. they seemed to be timed to specifically get those of us tourists, who travel just a little bit under the speed limit (so that we can see the surroundings). so, we unsuspecting tourists are not traveling together with the "wolf packs" of other cars. then the red light cameras get us since we're not meeting the state of Arizona's standard, to drive AT the speed limit, NOT UNDER the speed limit. scottsdale road is notorious for trapping people in yellow lights.

my style of explanation won't be the only one you'll hear on this forum. fortunately I was never issued a ticket but I went through about 10 yellow lights in about a week. the cameras are dangerous since it causes unsuspecting tourists to floor the accelerator at intersections.

[azdr0710]

just some random thoughts:

some drivers can be self-important speed demons, and very me first.....you'll probably have to get in the car for even a gallon of milk, so be ready for driving all over for anything....the area is new-ish and doesn't have much soul, but is safe and pleasant.....you're pretty convenient to the popular Gateway (??) trailhead area for the preserve in the McDowell Mountains, so drive (of course) over there for free hiking and pretty desert....lots of business/consumer choices in the huge Airpark area, so make use of that (Costco, WalMart, McDonald's, the whole bit!)....

[DewDropInn]

I don't live near there but have friends who do. It's a VERY nice area. Big Walmart supercenter. There's a Target on the east side of the 101. The Arriba Mexican Grill is good but I'd avoid the $1.00 margaritas during the week. Desert Ridge shopping center is five minutes on the freeway. It has a GreatLand Target (with a food section) and a lot of restaurants. I can recommend the BJ's and Wolfley's. (Wolfley's is a sports bar/restaurant but is very family-friendly.) There's also a Barnes and Noble at DR and a movie theater.

The Mayo Clinic hospital (which has an excellent ER) is in the area.

Be sure and check out the Musical Instrument Museum which is on Tatum just south of the 101. It's a museum like none other. The kids will not be bored. And they have concerts in the theater and special events. Plus the food in their cafe is excellent. The shops and stores in Cave Creek/Carefree are a quick drive north via Scottsdale Road. Touristy but fun and there are some good places to eat. El Encanto has GREAT margaritas and there's a duck pond the kids enjoy.

Best of all: There's an In n Out Burger on Tatum in the Desert Ridge Center!