North Scottsdale is the newest and most highly-desired section of the City of Scottsdale. The entire city of Scottsdale has a population of over 217,000 residents and the annual household income is over $60,000 (2000 census). Its pleasing combination of year-round perfect weather and lush desert landscape has contributed to its reputation as “a little slice of paradise’. The McDowell Mountains and the Saguaro cactus add a southwest flavor that many love. North Scottsdale is also the fastest growing community in the Valley of the Sun.
North Scottsdale has some of the best mastered planned communities in the country including Silverleaf and DC Ranch. Silverleaf and DC Ranch offer a ‘resort’ quality of life where leisure activities such as golf, tennis, and swimming play a big part. Silverleaf and DC Ranch are attractive not only to retirees but to families and businesspersons. The close proximity to the Phoenix metro area and the Scottsdale Airpark, which is one of the largest industrial and office parks in the metro area, present excellent employment opportunities. Copper Ridge School (for grades K through 8) and Chaparral High School in the Scottsdale Unified School District are rated as some of the best schools in the Phoenix metro area.
One of the biggest attractions to Scottsdale is the city’s strong support of the arts. Scottsdale is ranked as one of the top art destinations in the nation with over 100 art galleries and art museums. The Scottsdale Arts Festival is one of the premiere arts festivals in the country and the Scottsdale ArtWalks have been a tradition for over 30 years.
Scottsdale has also been name “America’s Best Place to Live for Golf” by the Robb Report and The National Golf Federation named Phoenix "The Golf Capital of the World." North Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area have more than 200 golf courses. Many popular golf and tennis events are hosted in the area. It’s no wonder that golf and tennis communities are gaining popularity. It has become a life-style that more and more residents enjoy. Most of the city of Scottsdale’s golf courses are in North Scottsdale, utilizing the lush desert mountain terrain to create some of the most beautiful courses in the country. North Scottsdale’s premier golf and tennis communities, world class resorts and spas, popular sporting events, excellent shopping and popular restaurants continue to attract sport lovers, families, businesspersons, and retirees to the area.
DC Ranch
DC Ranch in North Scottsdale consists of many small neighborhoods --- each having a distinct style. DC Ranch is large and sprawls over 8,281 acres. Desert trees line the winding streets. It is common to see residents bicycling or walking in this friendly community. DC Ranch has designed the community on the small neighborhood model to enhance the spirit of friendliness. Most of the homes border open space areas, desert or greenways preserving the southwest environment as much as possible.
Many home designs at DC Ranch were created exclusively to enhance the lush desert environment; many plans feature lovely verandas and courtyards that bring the outdoors to your doorstep. DC Ranch commissions the best local builders – Camelot Homes, Columbia Communities, and Toll Brothers, to name a few. Residents may choose to build their custom home in the gated Country Club Community.
DC Ranch is not just a housing community; it has all the amenities within it to meet the family’s everyday needs. Highly ranked Copper Ridge School serves grades K through 8 and is within the community. DC Ranch is proud of the community’s shops, medical buildings, churches, police and fire station, and parks. There are miles of hiking and bike paths that traverse the community and extend out to the McDowell Mountain wilderness areas. Where else can you golf, play tennis, swim or work out in the fitness center within 5 minutes of home? In addition, Desert Camp Community Center serves the residents of DC Ranch with programs for every age level and interest.
DC Ranch is a beautiful, family-oriented community that has been designed to preserve a high quality of life. It has state-of-the-art amenities such as fiber optic cable lines. DC Ranch is designed for your convenience and that helps to make healthful activities an everyday part of your life.
Silverleaf
Silverleaf is an exclusive private golf community that is adjacent to DC Ranch. Residents of Silverleaf have access to all DC Ranch community amenities. Silverleaf is nestled in the canyons of the McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It really is the epitome of North Scottsdale’s luxury properties. In Silverleaf, the spectacular view of the desert, mountain canyons, and city below accentuate the beauty of the custom homes designed in classic Tuscan, Ranch, Hacienda or Spanish style.
The Silverleaf Club includes the private 18-holeTom Weiskopf Signature golf course and a top-of-the-line resort and spa. The par 72, 7,299-yard golf course is spacious with incredible views. Weiskopf’s appreciation for the natural beauty of this desert mountain environment is evident. Every skill level will enjoy exciting challenges at Silverleaf. Weiskopf states "The spaciousness of the land allowed us to shape a course that follows natural contour lines while providing fun, challenge and views that are simply stunning. Silverleaf's many surprises and nuances will reveal themselves only after multiple rounds of play."
LOCATION
North Scottsdale is part of the City of Scottsdale and located in central Arizona’s “Valley of the Sun”. North Scottsdale is in the Northeast Valley that includes North Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Paradise Valley. Scottsdale is approximately 13 miles from Phoenix, 14 miles from Tempe, and 16 miles from Mesa.
DC Ranch and Silverleaf communities are in North Scottsdale, Arizona. DC Ranch lies at the foot of the McDowell Mountains. Silverleaf is nestled in the mountain canyons and surrounded by the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The communities are approximately 15–20 minutes from downtown Scottsdale and 30–35 minutes from Phoenix via the new Loop 101.
Special Attractions
North Scottsdale is well known for its world class resorts, exceptional golf and sporting events, fantastic arts, shopping and lots more. There are so many attractions in North Scottsdale it is no wonder it is growing so quickly. It is truly a jewel in the desert.
The DC Ranch Health Club and Spa is fantastic. It offers facilities and programs for all ages. The club has an indoor basketball court, racquetball and squash courts, two outdoor resort-style pools along with an interactive spray garden for children, luxurious locker room facilities with steam baths, saunas, and whirlpools.
The Tennis Channel Open is held at the beautiful Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. This annual ATP tennis championship draws thousand to Scottsdale. This annual competition has played host to most of the game’s greatest stars, including John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick.
North Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area have more than 200 golf courses. It’s no wonder that The National Golf Federation named Phoenix "The Golf Capital of the World." The Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale is host to the FBR Open. Annually sporting the largest crowds on the PGA Tour, the FBR Open has gained near legendary status on the PGA Tour for being unlike any other golf tournament.
WestWorld is a premier, nationally recognized equestrian center and special events facility. It is approximately 360 acres and is available for a variety of uses and events. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is a first class show held at Westworld in Scottsdale. It has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2000 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world.
Shoppers will enjoy the great shopping centers close by. Borgata of Scottsdale features a beautifully designed old world style courtyard and offers 50 specialty stores and restaurants and The Citadel offers an array of specialty shops and services in an elegant garden courtyard. Scottsdale Fashion Square, just minutes from North Scottsdale is home to more than 40 exclusive retailers not represented anywhere else in Arizona.
Market Street is the premier dining, shopping and social district in North Scottsdale, where people gather to enjoy an early morning coffee, meet friends for lunch or dinner, or experience one of the many featured events at Market Street Park. Located at the doorstep of DC Ranch, Market Street features a main street theme incorporating 15 architecturally unique buildings and a variety of distinctive restaurants, shops, neighborhood conveniences and offices all intimately tied together.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter camp, Taliesin West, is located in northeast Scottsdale and attracts many to see this architectural wonder. The buildings at Taliesin West astounded architectural critics with their beauty and unusual form.
In addition, Scottsdale is ranked as one of the top art destinations in the nation with over 100 art galleries and art museums, including the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, The Scottsdale Symphony, The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and over 100 excellent art galleries.
A BRIEF HISTORY
For a thousand years the area now known as Scottsdale was inhabited by the Hohokam and Ansazi Indians. These Native Americans were some of the first known users of irrigation canals as a means to farming success. The Hohokam (means “vanished”) were appropriately named as the tribe mysteriously disappeared without a trace. However, the Hohokam’s irrigation system was adapted by Jack Swilling, who started the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company and was the first white man to stake a claim in the Valley of the Sun in 1868.
The City of Scottsdale was founded by Major Winfield Scott, a Civil War veteran and chaplain in the army. In the early 1890’s after paying a mere $2.50 per acre, he started a 640 acre homestead that became a small settlement called “Scottsdale." Scott promoted the area’s attractions from a health and agricultural perspective. In 1896, with close to 70 residents, a school district was established, making Scottsdale official.
Since 1951, when the Town of Scottsdale was officially incorporated, the population has grown from 2000 to approximately 217,000 (2000 census). Scottsdale is now the fifth largest city in Arizona.
The city continues to grow, particularly in its northern section. North Scottsdale is well known for its top-notch resorts, leisure communities and high standard of living.
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
