Valley Neighborhood Rankings: Scottsdale’s Top 5

What makes a neighborhood awesome? It’s more than home values. It’s also cultural density – nearby restaurants, theaters and museums. And safety. And schools. And, since we’re talking about the Valley of the Sun, hiking and golf. And so much more. We crunched the data to offer you this: our semi-scientific ranking of the Valley’s most desirable ’hoods. See all 25 here.

By Colton Cagle | Original Photography by David Blakeman, Camerawerks, Brian Mecinas, Mirelle Inglefield, Madison Rutherford

1. Paradise Canyon Foothills & Club Estates/Paradise Valley
Score: 85.75
Located at the base of Camelback Mountain, Paradise Canyon Foothills & Club Estates boasts a mix of grandiosity and seclusion. The neighborhood features large estates and manicured lawns, giving residents an unobstructed view of the landmark mountain. “We love that our street feels tucked away, and only residents typically drive through, which makes it quieter and safer for kids and pets,” says Gina Bounds, who has lived here since 2013. With miles of walking trails, top-rated schools and access to an elegant armada of resort restaurants and amenities like Elements, Lincoln Steakhouse & Bar and El Chorro Lodge, it’s our favorite of Paradise Valley’s many high-scoring micro-’hoods. As Frank Aazami of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty notes, “Our exclusivity has historically attracted many celebrities, business moguls and athletes to reside here,” a nod to its quiet prestige and enduring appeal.

Our overall highest scoring neighborhood in the Valley!

2. Silverleaf, North Scottsdale
Score: 81.4
What sets Silverleaf apart from Troon North, Estancia and other tony North Scottsdale neighborhoods? Well, the views it affords from its proprietary western slope of the McDowell Mountains are pretty special. And, yes, the homes are rather above-average, too – the Valley’s most lavish and expensive, in fact, crafted with uncompromising quality and architectural distinction. “The views are endless – mountain views to the east and city lights to the west,” says homebuilder Anthony Salcito, of Salcito Custom Homes, who has many clients in Silverleaf. Naturally, Silverleaf offers a bonanza of outdoor and wellness delights, including a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course and resort-level spa at the community club, and countless trails in the McDowells. The only drawback: You have to drive a bit to find a theater, bar or restaurant scene.

Perfect 10/10 marks in Housing, Employment/ Income and Nature/Fitness.

Spotlight on a Builder

Anthony Salcito of Salcito Custom Homes
For the Valley native, who learned the art of homebuilding from his father and company founder, Tony Sr., being hired to build in Silverleaf is like being handed the keys to a McLaren supercar and free reign of the I-10. In one instance, a client’s world-caliber art collection led to a Tuscan-inspired gallery floorplan spilling into a Lake Como-like patio pool. “This community has allowed us to push creative boundaries and build at an incredibly high level.”

3. Old Town Arts District
Score: 79.4
Living in Old Town offers a complex proposition: The access to restaurants, arts and entertainment is arguably the best in the Valley (our highest scoring ’hood, along with Roosevelt in Phoenix), but the energy can get a bit squirrelly, no? Our grand compromise: this micro-’hood south of Indian School Road and west of Goldwater Boulevard. You’ll find a diverse mix of housing, from luxury apartments and modern infill townhomes to beautifully restored midcentury residences. Picture this: adobe buildings with a hint of Western character tucked among a maze of art galleries and locally owned boutiques offering everything from vintage finds to modern treasures. Wander through the streets and stumble upon the Scottsdale Waterfront, where the Arizona Canal creates an idyllic backdrop to riverside cafés. Explore cultural treasures like Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, grab a bite at favorites like Craft 64, or soak up the retro vibes at Hotel Valley Ho. As the sun sets, Old Town comes alive with a nightlife scene that’s equal parts classy and eclectic, whether you’re sipping cocktails at a swanky rooftop bar or stumbling into one of the city’s legendary dive bars. Historical Old Town provides an experience both beautiful and enriching.

Opa! 7.9% of residents have Greek ancestry.

4. Ancala/Central Scottsdale
Score: 78
Near Shea and Frank Lloyd Wright boulevards in North Scottsdale, Ancala blends luxury living with the raw beauty of the desert. Homes here are built with natural materials and low-slung designs that mirror the curves and colors of the surrounding landscape, giving the neighborhood a seamless, organic feel. This guard-gated community offers seclusion along with sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains. While Ancala is less lively on the entertainment front, it scores high on quality-of-life metrics: low crime rates, excellent schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District and a more than $2 million median home price. There is easy shopping and dining at Ancala Village Shopping Center, including local favorites like Preston’s Steakhouse. With miles of adjoining trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Ancala Country Club amenities, outdoor recreation is a major part of daily life.

High marks in Community/ Education (9/10) and Housing (10/10).

5. Canyon Ridge Estates/Cave Creek
Score: 66.1
Located on the far side of Cave Creek’s signature Black Mountain, this bucolic, xeriscaped neighborhood features custom homes with expansive lots and breathtaking mountain views, creating a setting that’s as quiescent as it is stunning. Less than a mile north, downtown Cave Creek buzzes with independent spirit and local character, manifested in one-of-a-kind shops like geology boutique Rare Earth Gallery and legendary watering holes Harold’s Cave Creek Corral and Buffalo Chip Saloon. Local resident Manny Alvarez, the self-proclaimed “Caveman of Cave Creek,” puts it best: “Where else can you enjoy fine dining while cowboys ride by on horseback?” When it comes to its Old West roots, this once rough-and-tumble playground of bikers and broncos doesn’t mess around. The result: one of the Valley’s most singular and focused civic identities.

36.8% of Cave Creekers work from home, the highest rate on our survey.

How We Ranked Them

The fastest growing U.S. metro from 1970 to 2000, Greater Phoenix continues to draw residents at an astounding clip, adding 85,000 people in 2024 alone. But the pace of physical expansion has slowed, creating infill pressure that has forced neighborhoods to coalesce around entertainment districts, tech hubs and other hallmarks of a thriving urban community. Whether you wish for the highest rated schools, proximity to outdoor activities or a lively arts scene, this semi-scientific guide attempts to quantify it all. Focusing on seven key criteria drawn from various public data sources, our researchers aggregated the scores and found the highest performing housing regions in each of the Valley’s four distinct quadrants: Phoenix, East Valley, West Valley and Scottsdale, selecting the neighborhoods that scored highest and capping the list at 25. Ultimately, it’s just about discovering that perfect spot where convenience and lifestyle intersect – and why can’t you get a little enjoyment out of it, too?

• Key: Housing (18%): Average real estate value and homeownership rate.
• Community & Education (12%): Number of schools per 1,000 children; public library access within 5 miles; and inclusion in one of the seven top school districts in the Phoenix metro area.
• Health (12%): Proximity to trauma centers, emergency rooms and urgent cares.
• Employment & Income (12%): Unemployment rate and average household income levels.
• Entertainment & Culture (17%): Number of 4-or-more-star Yelp restaurants, live music venues, museums, theaters and major sports facilities within a 5-mile radius.
• Safety (17%): Crime index score based on overall crime rates.
• Nature/Fitness (12%): Number of hiking trails, state/regional parks and public golf courses within 5 miles.
• Rule of 100: All scores represent a weighted aggregate of our seven criteria, with 100 representing a perfect score.