Scottsdale is technically an independent city, although it is considered part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Scottsdale extends from Carefree in the north to Tempe in the south, a distance of more than 20 miles. The Phoenix metropolitan area is hundreds of miles away from any other metropolitan area with a similar population. For example, the nearest metropolitan area with nearly the same population size is the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California metropolitan area, which is 300 miles away.
Most of the major highways in the Phoenix metropolitan area are drawn on a regular grid, following the section lines established in the Public Land Surveying System. As a result, major highways in cities that were once geographically separated may have been given different names while occupying the same stretch. When these roads were extended to adapt to the growth of the area, they eventually merged into a single road, while the previous sections retained their current names. This results in several cases where a road changes its name abruptly; for example, Dunlap Avenue in Phoenix becomes Olive Avenue west of 43rd Avenue, in Glendale.
Amtrak serves the Phoenix metropolitan area with its Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle trains, which stop at Maricopa, located about 40 miles south of downtown Phoenix. Amtrak's Stagecoach Express offers Amtrak Thruway service from Maricopa Station to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Tempe Station. Amtrak also offers an additional Thruway bus service from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Flagstaff Station, served by the Southwest Chief. Amtrak's Los Angeles-New Orleans Sunset Limited served the city of Phoenix directly from 1971 until it was diverted on June 2, 1996 to a more southerly route between Tucson and Yuma, Arizona, to accommodate the Union Pacific Railroad's desire to abandon part of its western line from Phoenix to Yuma. This made Phoenix one of the largest cities in the country without direct passenger service.
There are several municipal and regional airports in the metropolitan area that commercial airlines don't use for passenger flights. They include, but are not limited to, Glendale Airport, Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix Goodyear Airport, Scottsdale Airport, Falcon Field, Chandler Municipal Airport, Buckeye Airport, Phoenix Regional Airport, Pleasant Valley Airport, Estrella Sailport Airport, Stellar Air Park, Skyranch at Carefree, Gila River Memorial Airport, and Pegasus Air Park. Scottsdale is located in Maricopa County, about 20 minutes' drive from downtown Phoenix and is the fifth largest city in Arizona by population. There's no question why Scottsdale's real estate sector has experienced such immense growth, offering a diverse housing stock, a consistent combination of parks and urban services, and a close trip to Phoenix. Surrounded by mountain ranges, the Phoenix metropolitan area encompasses more than 500 square miles of the Sonoran Desert and is comprised of a total of 24 municipalities, each with a distinct set of features, attractions and flavors that offer visitors a unique view of the country's fifth largest city.
The Phoenix metropolitan area is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, with approximately 5 million people living here. Scottsdale, Arizona, is located in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, at the foot of the picturesque McDowell Mountains. It is bordered by Phoenix to the west, the Tonto National Forest to the north, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Salt River to the south. Scottsdale housed a German prisoner of war camp at the intersection of Scottsdale and Thomas highways, in what is now Papago Park.
The downtown streetcar runs through downtown Scottsdale, and the neighborhood streetcar runs from downtown Scottsdale to neighborhoods across South Scottsdale, connecting to the city of Tempe's free public transportation network, the Tempe orbit at Roosevelt and Scottsdale Road. The Scottsdale Jaycees Sun Parade, an annual month-long event that has been held in Scottsdale since 1954. Scottsdale Fashion Square presents the Old Town Scottsdale lifestyle with approximately 2 million square feet of luxury retail space. Scottsdale Fashion Square features the old town of Scottsdale, which is among the 30 largest shopping centers in the country and offers exclusive and luxury stores. Notable regional centers include Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter in north Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Fashion Square in downtown Scottsdale, a major destination for upscale shoppers. In 1999, the school opened a second campus at Scottsdale Airfield, allowing it to serve the business community and north of Scottsdale.
The largest is the Scottsdale Main Street Arts District, which houses the largest and most diverse collection of styles and genres, the more contemporary Marshall Way Art District, and the more touristy and Western-themed Old Town district, which features the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
