Considering a move to Scottsdale, but not sure where to start? Are there colonial-style homes or is it all Spanish? Where are the view lots and gated communities, and where is the best freeway access? Scottsdale sprawls more than 30 miles north to south, and each stretch feels like a different city. Answer a few questions about your home preferences and the Neighborhood Quiz will point you toward the neighborhoods that fit your criteria best.
A City That Changes as You Go North
Southern Scottsdale — often called Old Town and South Scottsdale — is the walkable, energetic heart: mid-century ranches, revitalized districts, restaurants, and nightlife. Move north and the city opens into master-planned communities, desert-view lots, and gated golf enclaves against the McDowell Mountains and beyond into the high Sonoran Desert. Knowing which end suits you is half the battle.
Neighborhoods and Home Styles
- Old Town & South Scottsdale — Restored mid-century modern and ranch homes, the most walkable amenities in the city, and easy freeway access.
- Central Scottsdale — Established neighborhoods, mature landscaping, and a wide price range near shopping and top medical centers.
- North Scottsdale — Newer master-planned communities, Spanish and contemporary desert architecture, view lots, and gated golf communities like those around Grayhawk and the McDowell foothills.
- Desert Foothills & beyond — Larger lots, dramatic mountain and city-light views, and a quieter, more private feel farther from the core.
What to Weigh Here
Architecture is central to Scottsdale’s identity — Spanish Colonial, Santa Fe, and desert contemporary dominate, with pockets of preserved mid-century modern. Amenities and freeway access improve dramatically toward the south, while space, views, and newness increase toward the north; that trade-off is the single biggest decision here. HOAs are common in the master-planned north, so weigh whether you welcome the structure or prefer to avoid the fees. Summer heat also makes lot orientation, shade, and pool considerations more than cosmetic. If schools matter, check GreatSchools boundaries carefully, as they vary widely across the city’s length.
Lifestyle
Scottsdale is known for its resort amenities, championship golf, hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and a thriving dining and arts scene in Old Town. With more than 300 sunny days a year, outdoor living dominates — which makes lot size, orientation, and views especially worth prioritizing in your quiz answers.
Find Your Fit
Old Town walkability or North Scottsdale views? Let your priorities decide. See how the quiz works, then take the Neighborhood Quiz. Also shopping the East Valley? Compare our Chandler guide.