WaV81

Hayden Rd. runs north and south in Scottsdale. On Hayden Rd. between Indian School Rd. and Shea Blvd. is mostly where everything is. Heading north just as you past Camelback Rd., there is a park to bring your children to play on a big gymnasium. You can see it from the road but is far away from Hayden so you won't have to worrry about your children running on the road. Driving a little further north you will find a man made lake that you can fish in. Remember that you need to get a permit to fish in any lake in Arizona. You will be able to obtain one at Walmart, which is inexpensive. Again, it's far away from Hayden so you won't have to worry about loud noise and traffic. If you are walking or running on the pathway, a little further north you will see a soccer and baseball field.

If you have a dog, just head to the Dog Park. It is next to the soccer and baseball field. Your dog will be able to burn some energy, and you will be able to enjoy the relaxtion. If you are interested in golfing, there are many golf courses to choose from near Hayden. If you are looking to live in this area, I would highly recommend it. Dining and shopping is nearby, with a couple different walk/run paths to choose from, along with golf courses and grocery stores.

Indian School Rd. and 32nd St. was the area I moved to when I first moved to Arizona. This is considered East Phoenix. Indian School runs from east to west from Scottsdale to Phoenix. In this particular area that I lived in was not the greatest area. Though if you go North on 32nd St. it is totally different from this area. If you head east on Indian School you will go thorugh Old Town Scottsdale. Old Town Scottsdale is well known for their art galleries, restaurants, and clubs. Once you past Scottsdale Rd., you will there are many hotels and the Scottsdale Municipal courts and library. The traffic in this area I would give a 3 out of 5, 5 being the best 1 being the worst. There is also residential areas on Indian School Rd. I would not recommend living right on Indian School Rd., but either just north or south of it.

Tatum Blvd. runs north and south from Cave Creek to Paradise Valley. This area in particular is one of my favorites. I've also lived nearby this area and loved this area. Tatum on the Paradise Valley area side has a gorgeous scenery of Camelback mountain and the desert. But be careful in this area, because somewhere along the road, there is usually a van that'll flash you if you're speeding. Since we lived in North Phoenix, I had to bring my husband to work on Camelback and would almost, always see the van just waiting to flash you. So, that's just an FYI.

On a better note, just as you reach Shea Blvd., there is a shopping plazas, gas stations, grocery stores, restuarants and an LA Fitness. When you get to Cactus Rd., you will see the Paradise Valley Mall on the left, and a Walmart and another shopping plaza on the right. This is a great Mall!!! I love that it's not a Fashion show like Fashion Square in Scottsdale. This is a great place if you're coming to shop and eat.

Heading even more north, driving under the 101 Loop is the Desert Ridge Mall. There is everything in this area!!! Resturants, a Target Greatland, movie theater, shopping mall and clubs.

Living on Tatum is ideal and convenient. You can get pretty much everything you need, because everything is near by. Traffic isn't too bad either. Even at the major intersections. I would recommend visiting or living in this area.

Camelback Rd. runs east and west from Scottsdale to Phoenix. Camelback Rd. is the home to Camelback Mountain. A place where many people go hiking and checking out the scenery. On the east part of Camelback Rd., where Camelback Rd. meets Scottsdale Rd. is Fashion Square Mall and The Waterfront Plaza. With that said, tons of shopping and tons of eats. As you head a little further west, there is the Phoenician. A beautiful resort to visit!!!

If you go a few more miles west you will reach the Biltmore area. From personal experience, I really did not care for this area. I used to live nearby this particular area and did some grocery shopping at the Biltmore plaza. I just moved to Arizona from Hawai'i. I did the usual park and started to get out of my car. In the meanwhile, these older ladies pulled up in their brand new, top of the line Lexus and parked next to me. They got out of their car and I said hi to them, and got a snob, tsk-tsk in return. So I would say in this particular area, if you have money great you can live the life. But I think this area is targeted to people who are older and have money. I don't know just my opinion.

The traffic isn't too bad on Camelback. It's more of a quiet, peaceful, residential/small business area. Lots of orange and grapefruit trees adorn the lawns, and is a great for living. Heading west on Camelback is a whole different story. Once you get into the West part of Phoenix on Camelback, it's older and is probably not a safe area to live in. My husband was born and raised in Phoenix, and I did not get a great feeling from this area.

Shea Blvd. runs east and west passing throught Phoenix, Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. I actually really like this area. Just east of the 101 Loop on Shea Blvd. are extended stay hotels which are conveniently in the same are as a couple gas stations, both sit down and fast food restuarants and a shopping plaza on your right if you're going east bound. There is also a Fry's grocery store and Barnes and Nobles in that shopping area. I must add, that the one bad thing about this particular are is the traffic. It is aweful to drive in this area from about 2pm-5pm. You have heaving traffic coming from 90th St. (south going north, because of the 101 Loop) and on Shea both east and west (because again of the 101 Loop). I would recommend that you avoid these times of driving in this area. As you head east on Shea you will drive into the beautiful, scenic Fountain Hills. Fountain Hills is a beautiful city/town (I'm not sure which it is) and is very clean and safe area.

As you head west on Shea Blvd., past Scottsdale Rd., you are in the boader of Paradise Valley/Scottsdale and Phoenix. Between Scottsdale Rd. and Tatum Blvd., is more of a residential area. In the past, I've lived in this surrounding area and really like it. It's peaceful, safe and nearby grocery stores, gas stations and restuarants.

All in all, this a great area and would highly recommend visiting, living or staying in this area. I work for a well known hotel company and sometimes have to travel to this area and I find this area to be the most convenient, aside from the traffic.

Scottsdale Rd. has everything you can think of. Scottsdale Rd. runs North to South in the city of Scottsdale. This road is packed with shopping, restuarants, clubs, spas and businesses. Heading south on Scottsdale Rd. (just south of Camelback Rd.) is the popular Old Town Scottsdale. Old Town Scottsdale is the home of restaurants galore and the most popular clubs. Also you can browse through the museums and fancy art galleries.

As you drive north on Scottsdale Rd., as you get into the Kierland area there a still excellent restaurants, and great hotels and spas. Yet if you are looking for something to do with the family, there is a Cracker Jax where you can bring the kids to ride Go-Karts, play Miniature Golf or arcades.

All in all, Scottsdale Rd. is a great place to live, work, shop and eat. However, Scottsdale people has gotten a reputation of being snobby. I was born and raised in Hawai'i and was not really used to the people at first, but I've lived here for almost 4 years now and I really like living here. As you can see I would recommend this street for people to come to because it is very convenient and you can almost find anything you are looking for.