Discover North Scottsdale

North Scottsdale – Premier Luxury Destination

Welcome to North Scottsdale, a prestigious and sought-after area nestled in the northeastern Valley, Arizona. If you’re seeking a blend of luxury living, stunning desert landscapes, and world-class amenities, this exceptional region offers an idyllic setting for your next home. Developed over recent decades as Scottsdale’s crown jewel and continuing to expand northward with exclusive communities, North Scottsdale is home to affluent residents who cherish its championship golf courses, fine dining, and dramatic McDowell Sonoran Preserve vistas. Anchored by meticulously maintained master-planned communities and prestigious neighborhoods with comprehensive HOA standards, this area ensures an elevated living experience that appeals to luxury buyers, golf enthusiasts, professionals, executives, and those seeking the pinnacle of desert lifestyle.

Prime Location and Accessibility

Strategically positioned in the northeastern Valley along the Scottsdale corridor, North Scottsdale serves as the ultimate destination for those seeking sophistication, natural beauty, and convenient access to urban amenities. Major routes including the Loop 101 freeway, Scottsdale Road, and Pima Road provide seamless connectivity, with Old Town Scottsdale’s entertainment and dining 20-30 minutes south and downtown Phoenix approximately 35-40 minutes southwest. For travelers, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport sits about 35-40 minutes away via convenient freeway access, while Scottsdale Airport offers private aviation options. Beyond the manicured communities, you’re bordered by the stunning 30,000-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve offering world-class hiking and biking trails with breathtaking desert and mountain views, plus Pinnacle Peak for iconic Sonoran Desert experiences. Whether you’re working at major North Scottsdale corporate campuses, enjoying championship golf at dozens of prestigious courses, or exploring upscale shopping at Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter, North Scottsdale strikes the perfect balance between natural splendor and sophisticated convenience.

Community Features and Amenities

At the core of North Scottsdale is its unparalleled commitment to luxury amenities and resort-style living. Master-planned communities and guard-gated neighborhoods feature world-class amenities including championship golf courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, resort-style pools with cabanas and lap lanes, state-of-the-art fitness centers with personal training, tennis and pickleball complexes, and clubhouses with fine dining and social programming.

The crown jewels are North Scottsdale’s legendary golf communities including Troon North, Desert Highlands, Estancia, DC Ranch, Silverleaf, and The Boulders, each offering private club amenities, signature courses, and stunning architectural standards. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve provides direct trail access from many communities, with over 225 miles of hiking and biking trails showcasing Sonoran Desert beauty and mountain vistas.

Upscale shopping and dining destinations like Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter, and DC Ranch Market Street offer walkable luxury retail, chef-driven restaurants, and entertainment without leaving North Scottsdale. The sophisticated atmosphere—think morning trail runs with sunrise over the McDowell Mountains, afternoons on championship fairways, evenings at upscale wine bars and farm-to-table restaurants, and neighbors gathering for exclusive community events—creates an elevated lifestyle unique in the Valley.

HOA dues range significantly from $200–$800+ monthly depending on community amenities and exclusivity, covering extensive landscaping, guard gates, golf course maintenance (in some communities), fitness facilities, and concierge-level services. Homes showcase contemporary desert architecture, Santa Barbara and Mediterranean influences, and cutting-edge modern design with premium finishes and energy efficiency.

Homes and Real Estate

North Scottsdale showcases the Valley’s most impressive luxury real estate, from contemporary estates to Mediterranean villas and modern desert masterpieces. Expect three- to six-bedroom residences on lots ranging from half-acre homesites to multi-acre estate properties, with prices spanning $700,000 to over $10 million. The average home value sits at approximately $1.2 million, with prices per square foot around $350–$500+—reflecting premium positioning, architectural significance, and unparalleled locations.

Entry-level luxury homes in communities like Grayhawk and McDowell Mountain Ranch start at $700,000–$1.2 million, while established luxury neighborhoods command $1.5 million–$3 million for golf course estates and preserve-backed properties. Ultra-luxury custom homes in communities like Silverleaf, Estancia, Desert Highlands, and The Boulders range $3 million–$10 million+ featuring infinity pools, casitas, wine cellars, home theaters, and panoramic mountain and city light views.

With selective inventory and discerning buyers seeking the Valley’s finest addresses, sales activity remains strong among qualified luxury buyers. Year-over-year trends show resilient appreciation in premium locations with golf course access and preserve adjacency. Whether you’re eyeing a contemporary estate with disappearing walls and resort-style grounds, a Santa Barbara masterpiece on a championship fairway, or a modern architectural statement with mountain views, North Scottsdale delivers the Valley’s most prestigious real estate.

Top-Rated Schools and Family Focus

Families appreciate North Scottsdale for exceptional educational opportunities within the highly-rated Scottsdale Unified School District and Cave Creek Unified School District (northern areas). Students attend A-rated schools including Desert Canyon Elementary, Cochise Elementary, Desert Mountain High School, and Chaparral High School, with comprehensive programs in academics, athletics, and arts. Private school options include prestigious institutions like Basis Scottsdale and Phoenix Country Day School.

Demographics underscore the area’s affluence: established professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and affluent retirees, with households boasting median incomes exceeding $150,000 and many significantly higher. It’s a sophisticated, professionally accomplished community where educational excellence meets cultural refinement, blending successful business owners, corporate executives, medical professionals, and active adults enjoying luxury retirement.

Lifestyle and Endless Adventures

Life in North Scottsdale is all about embracing refined desert living with world-class amenities. Start mornings hiking McDowell Sonoran Preserve trails with sunrise over the mountains, enjoy championship golf on legendary courses, or work out at resort-level fitness facilities. Afternoons might include tennis at private clubs, spa treatments at world-class resorts, or shopping at upscale boutiques.

The community’s sophisticated energy shines through daily; trail enthusiasts exploring preserve pathways, golfers on pristine fairways, fitness classes at exclusive clubs, and neighbors gathering for wine tastings and cultural events. Fine dining options include celebrity chef restaurants, farm-to-table concepts, and upscale steakhouses. Entertainment ranges from art galleries and live music to spring training baseball and professional sports downtown.

Evening entertainment includes Old Town Scottsdale’s gallery walks, live music venues, and nightlife (20 minutes south), while North Scottsdale offers intimate wine bars, craft cocktail lounges, and upscale dining. Modern luxury homes feature resort-style outdoor living—infinity pools, built-in BBQ islands, fire features, outdoor kitchens, and covered loggias designed for entertaining against dramatic mountain backdrops.

Why North Scottsdale? Your Valley Dream Awaits

In a metro known for growth and opportunity, North Scottsdale stands as the pinnacle of desert luxury and lifestyle. It’s more than a location—it’s an elevated experience where natural beauty meets architectural excellence, and world-class amenities harmonize with Sonoran Desert preservation. Popular among luxury buyers for prestigious addresses and golf course living, professionals and executives for proximity to corporate campuses and upscale conveniences, active adults for resort-style retirement and wellness focus, and discerning buyers seeking the Valley’s finest real estate, this is where desert living reaches its ultimate expression.

Ready to make North Scottsdale your home? As your trusted Phoenix area luxury real estate expert, JoAnna Ignace is here to guide you through exclusive listings, private tours, and the buying process.