Best area of Phoenix (or suburbs) for outdoor recreation? (Scottsdale: rent, house)

[Naturechick]

Let me start by saying that I recognize how hot it gets in Phoenix, but would like to enjoy the cooler months by getting outside. We are coming from an area with walking and bike trails and would like to find someplace similar here. Hitting the jackpot would be being able to safely walk directly from my house to grocery stores etc, walking for exercise, and possibly some restaurants. We have one middle-schooler, but do not want to return to an isolated suburban neighborhood like the one we have been in. Commuting relatively easily to the middle of downtown is a must. Thanks!

[DetroitN8V]

I live in N Scottsdale and my neighborhood has trails running through it. In addition, I can walk to access the mountain trail network. I'm walking distance to a grocery store and several bars and restaurants. It is very suburban though. What's your budget and where will you be working?

[Naturechick]

My husband will-very literally-be working in the middle of downtown. Looking for areas with housing under 300,000. We would probably rent to get a feel for everything before buying.

[DetroitN8V]

Renting first is a good call. I can't think of any neighborhood with housing under $300k that's within a short commute to downtown and that's walking distance to trails. Maybe someone else will have some better news.

[fennec2009]

The Scottsdale Greenbelt seems perfect for you. If you look at Scottsdale on Google Maps it is the long green swath from approximately Curry & Miller (it begins in North Tempe) up to the Gainey Ranch area (Indian Bend & Hayden). There are continuous trails for walking and biking, golfing, frisbee golf, a skatepark, a dog park, sports fields, etc. Just depends what part of the greenbelt you live on.

As far as which areas along the greenbelt to focus on:

-there is a Safeway (grocer) at Chaparral and Hayden, right next to the southern end of Chaparral Park (dog park, sports fields, and lakes)
-there is a Bashas' (grocer) at McDonald & Granite Reef, next to the northern end of Chaparral Park
-there is a Fry's at Indian School and Miller, and you would be close to Old Town and all the restaurants & the canal path for biking + a golf course
-there is a Fry's (grocer) at McDowell and 77th, near frisbee golf and the skatepark

That last option would leave you with lots of housing options since the south end of Scottsdale is more affordable, but none are in super expensive areas.

There is a page about the greenbelt on the city website: Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt

[Golden_Monkey]

Yes, the Scottsdale Greenbelt is a great choice, or also near Papago Park in Tempe/Scottsdale.

[Jnvlv247]

Greenbelt is really pretty
I need to save $$ and get me a bike so I can go to the Mcdowell trails and Pinnacle Peak too, they are close to me

[grmi66]

If you want to be urban pioneers try some of the neighborhoods around Sunnyslope. You have Squaw Peak on the east side and North Mountain/Shaw Butte on the west side of the general neighborhood boundaries. It's amazing that there are 100's of miles of trails smack dab in the center of town. Look up Phoenix Mountain Preserve on Google maps to see the area I'm talking about. Used to live in the area and I was 5 minutes from trails and 20 minutes away from downtown.

[mikejjones1234]

Phht Scottsdale has nothing.

http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/int...ent/095100.pdf

I walk out my door and down the street to the trails. At worst I drive to the other end (5 minutes ) and start there.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by mikejjones1234

Phht Scottsdale has nothing.

http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/int...ent/095100.pdf

I walk out my door and down the street to the trails. At worst I drive to the other end (5 minutes ) and start there.

There are plenty of neighborhoods in Scottsdale where you can walk out your door and be on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's vast trail network.