re: Phoenix Arizona

i know that exact spot - fish creek hill as you're climbing out of the canyon just past that old bridge and almost back to the pavement. i've ridden my bike up and down that a bunch of times between canyon lake and apache and roosevelt lakes.

and wow, so much hate for downtown phoenix! there is a lot to love about downtown, and wouldn't make too much of the homeless problem. especially if she is staying in the cluster of condos and apartments near asu downtown or the arizona center or even further up central. there is a new fry's (grocery) being built in the heart of downtown, and high-rise condos going up on every block. lots of great restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightlife. also close to the symphony, theatre, and basketball arena and baseball stadium. living downtown is certainly a different feel from living in tempe or scottsdale, but i think would appeal to someone a bit older than college age or someone more career-oriented than party oriented.

we used to live on central and encanto in a great high rise, with lots of nice surrounding residential neighborhoods (willo and encanto). to be sure, that is more mid-town, but 2-3 light rail stops away from downtown downtown. apart from that, creighton university is putting a huge new medical school/campus in midtown at a light rail stop. and high/mid rise condos are going up all around it.

we're in a lovely house uptown now (or technically north central) just off the murphy bridle path and love it. easy 5-10 minute drive into downtown, and quiet neighborhoods with friendly neighbors.

if your sister is working downtown and values her time, a place downtown/midtown/uptown is not a bad choice. commuting from tempe/scottsdale and the suburbs can be rough.

*after reading other responses: agree that biltmore/arcadia area is nice.

so is paradise valley/gainey ranch if you can afford it.

someone mentioned keirland commons, which is a shopping mall with condos on top of it. not the most appealing living arrangement, at least IMHO.

also just not the biggest fan of the idea of living in scottsdale - maybe it's because i'm not into going out. besides that, lots of south scottsdale just feels like suburban tempe to me, and the area around old town is full of dudebros and scottsdale douchebags. north scottsdale is very nice, but a longer drive and really expensive (i am thinking dc ranch/troon/silverleaf/MMR).