Living in Old Town Scottsdale: The Local Guide
Old Town Scottsdale is the most walkable urban core in the Valley, where Old West history, a serious arts scene, and a high-energy nightlife district all sit within a few blocks. Whether you want a lock-and-leave condo or a character home near the action, here is the honest local read.
Why people choose Old Town
Old Town Scottsdale gives you a true walkable lifestyle in a metro better known for driving. Within a compact footprint you have the Scottsdale Waterfront, the Marshall Way Arts District, dozens of galleries, the Entertainment District nightlife, and an easy stroll to restaurants, museums, and Old West landmarks. A complimentary trolley connects the districts, and Scottsdale Fashion Square sits right at the edge.
That walkability plus the resort-grade amenities keep demand strong, especially for buyers who want a second home, a lock-and-leave base, or a low-maintenance place near the energy.
The districts, in plain terms
Old Town core. Main Street, Brown Avenue, and the surrounding blocks hold the historic shops, the Sugar Bowl, the Old Adobe Mission, and a mix of dining and lounges. This is the heart of the walkable scene.
Marshall Way Arts District. Galleries, public art, and the Thursday ArtWalk give this stretch a quieter, creative feel, ideal if culture and strolling matter more than club energy.
Entertainment District. Near Scottsdale Road and Camelback, this is the nightlife hub. Living close means the nightlife is at your door, which some buyers love and others want a few blocks of buffer from.
The Waterfront. Along the Arizona Canal, the Waterfront and Scottsdale Fashion Square area offer high-rise and mid-rise condos with shopping and dining downstairs.
Condo or historic home?
Most of the walk-everywhere inventory in Old Town is condos and lofts, from Waterfront high-rises to boutique mid-rise buildings. Just outside the core you find historic and character homes on larger lots in established neighborhoods. The right answer depends on whether you want a true lock-and-leave or a yard and more space, and on the building's HOA, rental rules, and fees.
How I help
I help buyers target the right Old Town pocket for the goal, whether that is a Waterfront condo, a quiet block near Marshall Way, or a character home a short walk from Main Street, and I give you the straight read on price, HOA terms, and what to verify before you write. Call or text (623) 826-0888.
Common questions
- What is it like to live in Old Town Scottsdale?
- Old Town is the Valley's most walkable urban core. You can live within steps of restaurants, galleries, the Scottsdale Waterfront, museums, and the Entertainment District nightlife, with a complimentary trolley linking the districts and Scottsdale Fashion Square at the edge. Most walkable inventory is condos and lofts, with character homes just outside the core.
- Can you buy a condo in Old Town Scottsdale?
- Yes. Much of the walk-everywhere inventory is condos and lofts, from Scottsdale Waterfront high-rises to boutique mid-rise buildings. Fees, HOA terms, and rental rules vary a lot by building, so verify those for any unit. I can pull the details on a specific building with you.
- Which Old Town district should I live in?
- The Old Town core puts you in the historic, walkable heart; Marshall Way Arts District is quieter and creative; the Entertainment District near Scottsdale and Camelback is the nightlife hub; the Waterfront offers condo living over shopping and dining. The right pick depends on how close to nightlife you want to be.
- Is Old Town Scottsdale good for a lock-and-leave second home?
- It is one of the most popular areas in the Valley for exactly that. Condo living near the Waterfront and Old Town core gives you walkability and low maintenance for part-year owners. Confirm the building's lock-and-leave and rental policies before buying.
- Is Old Town Scottsdale walkable?
- Very. The districts, dining, galleries, museums, and the Waterfront all sit within a compact, flat footprint, and a free trolley connects them. It is one of the few places in the Valley where you can genuinely live with less driving.
- How do I find a home in Old Town Scottsdale?
- Start with a short call about your goal, whether it is a Waterfront condo, a quiet arts-district block, or a character home near Main Street. Jon Hegreness, Associate Broker with Howe Realty, works Scottsdale and the wider Phoenix metro. Call or text (623) 826-0888.
A real opinion on Old Town Scottsdale, not a sales pitch
If this guide has you thinking about living in Old Town Scottsdale, the next move is a short conversation about your timeline and what you are working toward. If Old Town Scottsdale is not the right fit, I will tell you that too.
Jon Hegreness
REALTOR / Associate Broker · Howe Realty
AZ License BR540940000
Full-time Phoenix North Valley REALTOR and Associate Broker with 24 years in Arizona residential real estate. A negotiator and problem solver who works the way you would want a friend in the business to work: direct, on your side, and steady through the parts that get complicated.