What can you tell me about Scottsdale, AZ

[JakeLewis22]

Hello Van's Fans!

This is loosely RV related but I have to ask. My wife has a job prospect in Scottsdale, Arizona and it may be her dream job. She has been supportive of my dream of building an RV so I feel compelled to return the favor. I am self employed so I do have the option of moving my business or starting something new???

I've lived in Southern California for over 30 years and my wife is a native so the thought of Scottsdale's 100+ degree heat is not appealing but what are the other pros and cons?

I was wondering what you could tell me about the area as far as which airports are best for RV activity, hanger rental rates and anything else I might be forgetting.

Thanks!

[Mike S]

You need to talk to Darwin, look for "RV7guy", and send him a PM.

Couple others on VAF in the area too, I believe.

[Calvin25]

I lived in Scottsdale for 30 years and the last ten years I have lived just north in Carefree/Cave Creek.

I have visited most of the United States and wouldn't want to live any where else.

As far as airports,

Scottsdale is a nice one, but a lot of biz jet activity.

Deer Valley is good, but a lot of training activity.

I picked the lesser of the two evils and in line at Deer Valley.

There is Sky Ranch just north of Scottsdale, it's a private air park.
That way you can get a new home and a hanger all in one shot.

I'm on a 3 year wait at Deer Valley for a standard T hanger. They get just under $200 a month.

I'm in Realestate for the area and I have never seen prices as low as they are now; even more so then SoCal.

[RV7Guy]

Jake,

Feel free to contact me back line for Scottsdale information. I grew up there and still own a home in Scottsdale. Since you are from Mission Viejo it is much the same life style. Real estate is still pricey unless you go further South.

For flying activity, Scottsdale airport is quickly turning into a jet port with a push to minimize GA activity. Deer Valley, Chandler and Glendale are much better places for Experimental activity.

You might be interested in Stellar Airpark in Chandler, (P19). There is a new section being developed that will be very nice. Stellar is 1 mile from the 101 Freeway and the direct route to Scottsdale.

You can reach me at ktlkrn@cox.net or my house 480-946-8955

[David-aviator]

Garcia's has very good Mex food.

[rwhittier]

I have lived here in the valley for 50 years and flown it for half that. SDL is a nice area, but its airport is by far the most expensive in area to base at. Plus as others have pointed out it is quite a popular jet destination. I have heard that SDL is the world busiest single runway operation. If its not, just the fact that someone thinks that gives you an idea that it can be busy.

But you have many airports to chose from. In the east valley you have SDL, CHD, P19, FFZ and the old Williams AFB. More to the west is DVT, GEU and GYR. If your gonna live in North Scottsdale, the best choice is probably DVT. If your willing to drive more than that, the others might work.

If want to fly the area to see let me know, be glad to take you around the valley.

[ventus2c]

I live in North Scottsdale - apart from the long waitlists for hangars at SDL and DVT, as others have said they are both extremely busy airports, in particular Deer Valley which has very active training operations (= students flying big patterns) and waiting in line in 100+ temps is not appealing, so I chose to be based at Carefree Skyranch which is just north of Scottsdale.

SKyranch is a private residential airfield with houses and condos; 40ft hangars are currently renting for around $400pm, selling in the mid-200's after having reached 400K (!) 2 years ago. Skyranch has very low activity, reasonably-priced fuel, and is outside the Phoenix Class B. Perfect for RV-type flying. See http://www.skyranchcarefree.com.

Stellar down to the south in Chandler is also a nice residential field to fly from with a few RV's on site.

[MrNomad]

Sorry to rain on the positive parade, but truth is better learned in advance. I've lived in AZ since 1974 including Glendale, Phx, Carefree and finally N. Tucson. Cave Creek/Carefree is much friendler and safer than Scottsdale. Carefree is definitely cooler than Scottsdale but not by much, so if you cannot stand 114 degrees and higher, think again.

Given the enormous heat island known as Maricopa County, night time temps remain in the 90s, and the summer monsoons make it as humid as Tampa so forget the yarn about a dry heat. Of course, I love a/c and have the bills to prove it. Even my workshop has a/c.

Air quality in Cave Creek/Carefree is better than Phx too but that's not saying much.

The best choice in AZ if a major city is required is N. Tucson and La Cholla Airpark. At 2940 MSL, night time temps still decrease. The other choice is Ruby Star Airpark but that's south of Tucson at 4000 MSL. Ruby enjoys an occasional snowflake or two & is utterly beautiful.

Of course, your wife cannot commute to Scottsdale from Tucson.

Consider visiting Scottsdale this week. A heat advisory has been issued and that ought to separate the survivors.

[azav8or]

Originally Posted by MrNomad

Sorry to rain on the positive parade, but truth is better learned in advance. I've lived in AZ since 1974 including Glendale, Phx, Carefree and finally N. Tucson. Cave Creek/Carefree is much friendler and safer than Scottsdale. Carefree is definitely cooler than Scottsdale but not by much, so if you cannot stand 114 degrees and higher, think again.

Given the enormous heat island known as Maricopa County, night time temps remain in the 90s, and the summer monsoons make it as humid as Tampa so forget the yarn about a dry heat. Of course, I love a/c and have the bills to prove it. Even my workshop has a/c.

Air quality in Cave Creek/Carefree is better than Phx too but that's not saying much.

The best choice in AZ if a major city is required is N. Tucson and La Cholla Airpark. At 2940 MSL, night time temps still decrease. The other choice is Ruby Star Airpark but that's south of Tucson at 4000 MSL. Ruby enjoys an occasional snowflake or two & is utterly beautiful.

Of course, your wife cannot commute to Scottsdale from Tucson.

Consider visiting Scottsdale this week. A heat advisory has been issued and that ought to separate the survivors.

I gotta disagree. Yes it can be brutal at times but to say Tucson is that much cooler simply isn't true. Five degrees or so just doesn't make that much of a difference. Having lived in the Phoenix area and Tucson I would pick Scottsdale every time. You will find that people living in Tucson have no use for Phoenix. I think it's something in the water There is so much more to do and see plus your are 2 hours closer to the pines and cooler temperatures. I know they have Mount Lemmon but it's not the same. As for aviation the folks that have said good things about Deer Valley and Skyranch are right on. It's a nice atmosphere for aviation. There are many RV owners at DVT. The first year you will wonder why you are in this heat and by the second year you will be used to it. Once the sun goes down it is mostly pleasant. There is truth to the old adage "it's a dry heat". If this is your wifes dream job I see no reason to not do it.

[Pmerems]

I'm a Tucson guy and don't have much use for Phx (must have drank the water).

No question that Phx is hotter then Tucson. But it isn't a show stopper. Just don't own a black car or touch shiny metal during the heat of the summer and you will be ok.

Someone might want to post more information about traffic flows in and out of Scottsdale. It might help them in their residence search.

If this is your wife's dream job, go for it. Get a house with a swimming pool and enjoy.

Paul