This was my first trip to Phoenix thus, first experience with the airport. While the parts I saw felt kind of tired and dingy, I did see off in the distance what looked to be a decent shopping area. I just didn't have the time to go check it out.
It was a looonnnngggg walk in between the gate I landed and where I picked up a taxi to Scottsdale (about a $25 ride). From my experience coming and going, this didn't seem like a very busy airport though it could have just been the times of day. There was virtually no wait to get through security on the way home.