Old Town & South Scottsdale
Walkable dining, galleries and nightlife, plus established neighborhoods of ranch-style and mid-century homes.
Neighborhood guide
Carefree & Cave Creek
Two small towns north of Scottsdale with a relaxed pace, desert space, horse properties and Old West character.
Living in Carefree & Cave Creek
Carefree and Cave Creek are separate towns just north of Scottsdale. Carefree is a quiet, planned town with a desert-garden feel and its well-known sundial. Cave Creek has an Old West personality, local restaurants and saloons, and plenty of open space.
Nearby Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area and Cave Creek Regional Park offer hiking and horseback riding. Lots are often larger, and horse properties are common in parts of Cave Creek.
Homes you'll find
- Custom desert homes on larger lots
- Horse properties and homes with room for toys and RVs
- Some patio homes and townhomes near town centers
Who it fits
- Relocating buyers who want space and a small-town feel
- Horse owners and outdoor enthusiasts
- Retirees who want quiet, starry nights and room to breathe
For 55+ buyers and downsizers
Many 55+ buyers love the pace here. Check the drive to medical care, and whether the home has a well, septic system or hauled water, which are more common outside town centers.
Market snapshot
- Typical price range: [data coming]
- HOA fee range: [data coming]
- Recent sales and days on market: [data coming]
- Schools: [verified school info coming]
- Drive times to Sky Harbor and major medical centers: [data coming]
Questions to ask before you buy
- Is the home on a well, shared well, hauled water or town water?
- Septic or sewer?
- What are the zoning rules for horses, RVs or guest homes?
Compare nearby areas
McCormick Ranch
One of Scottsdale's earlier master-planned communities, with lakes, greenbelts, paths and a central location.
Gainey Ranch & Kierland
Resort-style living: a guard-gated golf community, plus shopping, dining and condos around Kierland.
Grayhawk
A master-planned community in north Scottsdale known for golf, parks and a newer neighborhood feel.
Considering the West Valley? See westvalley55plus.com for Sun City, Sun City West, PebbleCreek and more 55+ community guides.
Visit westvalley55plus.com