← Part of Your Guide to Living in Scottsdale
Old Town · Downtown scottsdale, ARIZONA
Your Guide to Living in Old Town Scottsdale
The one part of the Valley you can live in without a car that includes galleries, fifty-plus restaurants, the Waterfront, and Fashion Square, all on foot.
~$650K
Median Sale Price
~$483
Price / Sq Ft
109
Avg. Days on Market
Buyer’s
market type
is this the place for you?
The walkable, urban heart of Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale is the one part of the Valley where you can actually live without a car at the center of everything. It’s the urban heart of the city with galleries, more than fifty restaurants, rooftop bars, the Waterfront, Fashion Square, and Spring Training, all within walking distance. Scottsdale is recognized among the top ten international destinations for art, and this is where that scene lives.
Unlike the golf communities up north, Old Town is a condo, loft, and townhome world, and the range is enormous: from $285,000 entry condos to multimillion-dollar high-rise residences at the Waterfront, Optima Camelview, and The Mark. You’re buying a lifestyle as much as a home that has walkability, energy, and being in the middle of it all.
It suits young professionals, lock-and-leave second-home owners, downsizers, and investors drawn to the vacation-rental market. If a walkable, urban, arts-and-nightlife life sounds right, here’s what to know before you make a move.
PRICES BY PROPERTY TYPE
In Old Town, the building is everything
A building’s location, amenities, and its rental rules drive value as much as the unit itself.
| Property Type | Typical Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry condos & lofts | ~$285K – $600K | Older mid-rises and loft communities like the 3rd Avenue Lofts; the affordable way in |
| Mid-range condos & townhomes | ~$600K – $1.2M | Updated units walkable to the Arts District and Main Street |
| Luxury high-rise condos | ~$1.2M – $3M | Optima Camelview, Scottsdale Waterfront Residences, The Mark with concierge, pools, views |
| Ultra-luxury penthouses / new towers | $3.5M | Top-floor residences and the newest high-rises |
Tell me whether you want a walkable loft, a turnkey rental, or a luxury high-rise with Camelback views, and I’ll send you exactly what fits.
Cost of Ownership
The one thing that trips people up in Old Town
Short-term-rental rules vary building by building. Confirm before you buy: Old Town is one of the Valley’s biggest vacation-rental markets, but the rules aren’t uniform: some buildings allow nightly rentals, some require a 30-day minimum, and some prohibit them entirely. Arizona allows STRs by-right and Scottsdale requires a city license and insurance, but your specific HOA’s rules decide what’s actually possible. If rental income is part of your plan, I confirm a building’s current rules before you make an offer. It directly affects value.
HOA: Condo dues vary widely by building. High-rises with concierge, pools, fitness, and security carry higher dues than older mid-rises; I’ll get you the exact figure and what it covers.
Property taxes: Arizona property taxes are relatively low compared to much of the country which is a plus across every price point here.
Lock-and-leave by design: Most Old Town homes are built for low-maintenance, lock-and-leave living — ideal for seasonal owners and travelers.
Life Here
What people fall for
The Arts District
One of the country’s great concentrations of galleries, with Western, Southwestern, and contemporary art, plus the long-running Thursday-night ArtWalk.
Civic Center
A green, sculpture-dotted heart with the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, the Center for the Performing Arts, and the Main Library.
Dining and nightlife
More than fifty restaurants and a famous Entertainment District that comes alive at night and on weekends, from Barrio Queen to Olive & Ivy.
The Waterfront & Fashion Square
Canal-front dining and luxury high-rises next to Scottsdale Fashion Square, one of the Southwest’s premier shopping destinations.
Spring Training & events
Scottsdale Stadium and a packed calendar of festivals, art shows, and events on the canal.
Walkability & access
A rare walkable core in a car-dependent metro, and the closest neighborhood to Sky Harbor where even the architecture has pedigree, with mid-century buildings by noted Arizona architect Bennie Gonzales.
Commute & Travel
Getting around
Old Town’s biggest practical edge is access. It’s central, walkable, and close to everything.
| Destination | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | ~15-20 min |
| Scottsdale Fashion Square / the Waterfront | Walkable |
| ASU / Tempe | ~15 min |
| Downtown Phoenix | ~20 min |
| Camelback / Arcadia | ~10 min |
Times vary with traffic and time of day. Within Old Town itself, much of daily life including dining, shopping, galleries, nightlife is on foot.
Ready When You Are
Buying or selling – let’s talk
For Buyers
Old Town rewards knowing the buildings, because two condos a block apart can be worlds apart on dues, rental rules, and resale. Whether you want a walkable home base, a turnkey vacation rental, or a luxury high-rise with Camelback views, I’ll help you sort the building-by-building details, especially the rental rules and see the right homes first.
Get first look ->For Sellers
Selling in Old Town means marketing to the right buyer for your specific building whether an investor weighing rental income, a downsizer wanting walkability, or a luxury buyer after Waterfront views. Pricing to your building and highlighting what makes it stand out is what gets the most money.
What’s My Home Worth ->Good to know
Old Town Scottsdale FAQs
What’s the average condo price in Old Town Scottsdale?
The median is around $800,000, with condos ranging from about $285,000 for entry units to $3.5M and beyond for luxury high-rise residences and penthouses. The building drives most of the difference.
Can I use an Old Town condo as a short-term rental?
Sometimes. It depends entirely on the building. Some allow nightly rentals, some require a 30-day minimum, and some prohibit them. Arizona allows STRs by-right and Scottsdale requires a license and insurance, but the HOA’s rules are what matter. I always confirm a building’s current rules before you buy.
Is Old Town walkable?
Yes. It’s one of the only genuinely walkable neighborhoods in metro Phoenix. Dining, galleries, shopping, and nightlife are largely on foot from most homes.
Who lives in Old Town?
A mix of young professionals, lock-and-leave second-home owners, downsizers, and investors. It’s more an urban-lifestyle and investment neighborhood than a family-and-schools one.
How far is Old Town from Sky Harbor?
About 15 to 20 minutes by car.
Thinking about Old Town Scottsdale?
Whether you’re buying here or selling a home you already own, let’s talk. I’ll give you a straight, no-pressure read on your options.
