Scottsdale Real Estate Blog - Areas

Visiting Lake Pleasant Regional Park in Peoria, Arizona

We recently had friends in from Illinois and I couldn't wait to show them our hidden gem, Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Many people don't realize that Arizona has lakes, and some are an hour or less away from the greater Phoenix area. I've taken my friends to Canyon Lake when we visited Tortilla Flat (one of my favorite double-decker boat rides). I've also taken them on a boat tour of Saguaro Lake in Mesa. But this was our first group trip to Lake Pleasant in Peoria.

My husband and I took our first trip a while back since I was studying hiking trails and where to see wildlife. I read about the wild burros at Lake Pleasant so we took a trip when my son was out visiting and we saw a herd down on a dry waterway. We even got kind of close to a family of…

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Reasons You Should Move to Scottsdale After Retiring

Choosing which city or state to retire in can be pretty tricky today. There are many things to consider before choosing a location related to the city and the home. Quite a few factors go into this decision, and you must keep them all in mind. However, while there are plenty of great spots to retire in the US, some are better than others. This can be seen in the fact that many retirees choose the same locations to retire in. Arizona’s Scottsdale, for example, has 14% of its population as retirees. So, today we’ll be going over why so many retirees choose this city and the reasons you should move to Scottsdale after retiring.

The weather is warm year-round

A typical winter in Scottsdale will not have snow or freezing temps

Scottsdale is an…

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6 Reasons Cave Creek is the Perfect Place to Raise a Family

Are you considering moving to Cave Creek, Arizona?

If the answer is Yes, keep reading because we've prepared a list of 6 reasons Cave Creek is the perfect place to raise a family. Relocating to a new city is a significant decision. Hopefully, this blog post can help you make the final decision easier. Let's get going!

1. Cost of Living

When selecting a new home, the cost of living is an essential factor. Cave Creek has a cheaper cost of living compared to most other cities in the state and the nation.

On a state and federal level, certain places may have greater expenses than others. Still, on average, housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, health care, and other products and services are less expensive in Cave Creek.

The…

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Living in Cave Creek - a Small Town with Big Town Amenities

Cave Creek has a small-town charm, as well as access to the larger cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale. With over 170 miles of hiking trails, the preserve, and nature trails, this small community is an ideal place for anyone to live. It is only about 30 minutes from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix depending on traffic.

The population of Cave Creek is just shy of 5,000 and has a high concentration of residents who own their homes. Cave Creek real estate offers many different subdivisions and areas with different home styles and lot sizes, including horse properties.

Living in Cave Creek offers numerous advantages. Here are some of the benefits of small-town living:

1 Town, 1 Zip Code

What's the big deal about that? Unlike it's much larger neighbor…

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Are Millennials Buying Property in Scottsdale?

As the years pass by, more and more millennials are becoming homeowners. Current moving trends in the United States suggest that Arizona, especially the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area, is one of the most popular places among Americans looking to relocate. Scottsdale is one of those cities in the valley that has become appealing to people from all over the US. But, the question is, are millennials buying property in Scottsdale? This age group often dictates the growth of many cities, so when a particular place becomes appealing to millennials, the potential is enormous. That's why our team has decided to analyze this topic. Throughout this article, we'll get into Scottsdale real estate and moving trends and see if millennials are interested in…

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New Laws Allow Paradise Valley to Fight Disruptive Short Term Rentals

Imagine owning a multi-million dollar Paradise Valley home (which is the highest-priced town in all of Arizona) and dealing with the noise, litter, and other inconveniences of short-term rental tenants at a nearby house. Paradise Valley, AZ, has attempted to create its own rules governing short-term rentals but has been hit with fines because its rules were going against the state of Arizona's short-term rental (STR) laws.

Why would the state allow such disruptive rental practices? Arizona is truly a destination state, and the state and towns earn revenue from STRs. These owners usually have to pay a permit fee and can be fined, plus they have to pay taxes on the Paradise Valley homes and income. 

I was surprised to hear about a commotion that…

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Carlsbad Tavern Scottsdale

Did you ever go back to a restaurant that you thought you loved and remembered why you stopped going? That was the revelation when we went back to Carlsbad Tavern in Scottsdale after many years from our last visit.

Our friend, who used to live in Arizona, was visiting us and wanted to go there. He was the person that introduced Carlsbad Tavern to us many years ago. I had such good memories.

It looks cute as soon as you walk up to the entryway, which is nicely lit at night. Then you step into the pretty patio with a waterfall. I think the last time I went was with Jimmy and we sat on the patio at a 2-person table. And I think that was the time I ordered something and had a difficult time eating it because it was so spicy. But I forgot about that.

…

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Tips for Californians moving to Scottsdale

Since Arizona and California are neighboring states, you’d expect a lot of similarities when comparing them. However, there is a significant difference in culture, climate, costs of living, and outdoor activities. Rising cities such as Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson, Scottsdale, and Chandler, attract Californians to let down their roots in Arizona with booming business opportunities, lower housing costs, and a quality lifestyle. The Grand Canyon State is a refreshing change of scenery. Still, any relocation to the unknown requires some research. To help you with it, we’ve gathered some useful tips for Californians moving to Scottsdale.

Avoid moving in summer

If you believe you’re heat-resilient after experiencing Cali summers, you’re in for a surprise.…

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Los Olivos Mexican Patio Scottsdale

Before we moved to Arizona, we had visited many times.  My Mom lived in Mesa and she took us to Old Town Scottsdale.  But I didn't find Los Olivos restaurant until a few years later when I went to Arizona on a Girl's Week Away.

During that trip, we split up a bit in Oldtown and I thought I was getting lost.  But I found Los Olivos Mexican Patio and the exterior decor piqued my interest, plus I love Mexican food.  I had to go find the rest of the group so we could have lunch there.

The fun entrance that made me want to see more

The "Blue Room"

As we walked inside the restaurant, we were amazed at the first dining area we were able to eat in.  I called it the "ocean room" with its strange blue ceiling and the aquarium.  I'll call it the…

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Scottsdale Summer Solstice Celebration 2021

We decided to brave the triple-digit weather to visit Solstice Park in Scottsdale, Arizona to celebrate Scottsdale's June Days and to welcome the summer solstice.  It was held on Sunday, June 20th, in Solstice Park (previously named Solari Plaza), which is near Oldtown Scottsdale and at the Solari Bridge by the canal, or Scottsdale waterfront.

As we drove into Oldtown Scottsdale and the Fifth Avenue Shops area, we were surprised to see most, if not all, of the parking spots taken.  It was hot out!  But I guess that didn't stop tourists and area residents from visiting Old Town.

The day before we went I wondered how many other brave souls would attend the Summer Solstice Celebration.  Even with free snow cones, ice cream, water,…

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