Living in Old Town Scottsdale: What It's Actually Like (2026 Guide)
Quick answer: Old Town is the most walkable part of Scottsdale. You can get coffee, see art, catch a spring training game, and walk the canal without getting in your car. Housing here is mostly condos and townhomes, with midcentury single-family streets just outside the core.
Here's what it's actually like to live here.
What is Old Town Scottsdale?
Old Town is Scottsdale's original downtown, centered roughly around Scottsdale Road and Indian School Road in the 85251 zip code. It packs a lot into a small area: the Arts District, the Scottsdale Waterfront along the Arizona Canal, Scottsdale Stadium, the Civic Center, and blocks of restaurants and shops.
What is there to do?
ArtWalk. Galleries in the Arts District open their doors every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m., all year. November through July, the monthly Gold Palette ArtWalks add themes and start a little earlier.
The farmers market. Saturday mornings, October through June, in the City Hall parking lot. Go early.
Spring training. Scottsdale Stadium is the spring home of the San Francisco Giants, so February and March bring ballgames you can walk to.
The canal. The Arizona Canal path runs through the Waterfront and connects to miles of paths across the Valley. Morning walks, evening bike rides.
Museums. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Scottsdale's Museum of the West are both in Old Town.
What kind of homes are in Old Town?
Condos and townhomes make up most of the housing right in the core. Some are newer mid-rises; others are older buildings with lower price points.
Midcentury single-family homes sit on the streets just south and east of the core, many of them 1950s and 60s ranches.
Price range: [add Old Town condo median and 85251 single-family median, with source and month].
If you're looking at a condo, the building matters as much as the unit. Dues, reserves, and rental rules vary a lot from one building to the next. (I wrote a whole post on HOA basics for Old Town condo buyers.)
What should you know before you buy here?
Noise varies by block. Streets near the bar district are lively on weekends. A few blocks away is quiet. Visit on a Friday night and a Sunday morning.
Parking is a real question. Ask how many assigned spaces come with a condo and where guests park.
Short-term rentals. Many Old Town buildings limit or ban them. Check the HOA documents before you assume you can rent a unit out.
Seasons change the feel. January through March is busy with visitors and events. Summer is much quieter.
The bottom line
Old Town is for anyone who wants to walk to dinner, galleries, and the canal instead of driving. The tradeoff is less space for the money and more activity on the street.
Thinking about Old Town? Reach out and I'll walk you through the buildings and streets that match what you're looking for.
Warmly, Molly
Molly Rodham and Jared Rodham are the husband-and-wife team behind Jared & Molly with The Avenue Collective in Scottsdale, working in Arcadia, South Scottsdale and central Phoenix for 11+ years. Thinking about a move here? Call or text 602-748-7289.