Phoenix is now the 5th largest city by population in the United States, however, the population is spread out over several suburbs and miles of space. In fact, New York City is ten times denser in population than Phoenix. With more land and big city amenities, life in Scottsdale is a breeze. Whether you’re search includes a great place to start your career, raise a family or retire in 2018, Scottsdale will likely fit the bill.
The Valley of the Sun is hot, but not just in temperature – with fun activities for the entire family. From a staycation at some of the Southwest’s best resorts, to exciting zoos and waterparks, there are dozens of places to cool off and have a good time. Here are several things you need to know before you move to Phoenix’s most desirable city.
Living in Scottsdale
Many think that Phoenix is just one large city spanning for miles and miles, however, each suburb has its own character and traits that make it unique. For example, you may want to live in Scottsdale if you’re looking for plenty of places to shop, eat and go out. Scottsdale also has a great waterfront with luxury condos and homes to rent and buy.
You’ll probably hear the term “the Valley” used to describe the greater-Phoenix area. This term encompasses the city of Phoenix and the many cities and suburbs that surround it. From the city of Mesa with over 450,000 residents to the college town of Tempe, there are so many options for places to live, go and see. Families flock to areas like Glendale and Gilbert where you can even find farm life and open land. Each town is only about a 20 to 30 minute drive from Phoenix because of the convenient highways systems; you can have the perks of living in a smaller town with big city amenities.
Sports
Even if you’re not a fan of the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks or NFL Cardinals, there are sports teams from around the country right here in Scottsdale. In fact, this suburb is the hub for all things spring training. Cactus League Spring Training brings thousands of baseball fans each year to see teams from around the country.
See the Colorado Rockies play the Arizona Diamondbacks right in the heart of Scottsdale. Then, enjoy the local restaurants that offer deals and activities all season long. The Cactus League hosts 15 teams in Phoenix and the surrounding cities. Many don’t realize that Scottsdale and the surrounding areas are also a destination for national sporting events, conferences and tournaments. The city has also hosted the Super Bowl as well as the NCAA Final Four.
Outdoor activities all year-round
From great shopping and tons of things to do, you’ll never want to leave. However, when the 100 plus temperatures start wearing you down, sanctuary isn’t far. Some may picture Arizona as a dry desert with no greenery, however, Flagstaff and Sedona are two hours from Phoenix with forests and ski slopes.
Scottsdale residents are very active people that enjoy outdoor activities year-round. From golf and swimming in the summer to hiking, biking and running in the other seasons, there’s no time you can’t get outdoors and enjoy your city. One of Phoenix’s most popular hiking destinations and just on the lip of Scottsdale is Camelback Mountain. Located in the middle of the city, it gives breathtaking panoramic views of the entire valley. Make your friends jealous and post a picture in shorts or by the pool in the middle of January. Then, in the summer head to a nearby lake to cool off. Lake Pleasant and Roosevelt Lake are two destinations that are less than an hour from Phoenix.
The neighborhood of Arcadia is one of the many charming neighborhoods in the area. The eastern edge of the neighborhood breaches Scottsdale’s border. This allows residents the quaint atmosphere of Arcadia with all the beauty and luxury Scottsdale offers as well.
Working in Scottsdale
Phoenix is spread out, meaning you’ll probably need a car in order to get around the different areas and suburbs. The Valley Metro Light Rail also makes it easy to commute between Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa with expansions continuing throughout other areas of the Valley. Before you move here, consider finding somewhere to live along the light rail or bus system for stress-free commuting. That said, because of the highway design, rush hour congestion is really only an issue in specific parts of the city. Most of the time, city driving is a breeze and any car will do the job.
The airport is one of the most accessible compared to other major cities. Sky Harbor Airport site in the heart of the Greater Phoenix Area. It’s just 15 minutes south of Central Scottsdale and a quick trip down the 101 from North Scottsdale. Either way, there’s no worry when the need to travel comes about.
Don’t sweat the heat
The truth is, Phoenix is fairly hot about three months of the year. However, one of our favorite lines to use when people ask about the heat is that, “you can’t shovel sunshine.” Exchange your shovels and sweaters for temperatures in the comfortable 70’s and 80’s for a majority of the year.
In the summer, many locals and tourists enjoy staycations at local resorts that offer steep discounts. It’s also a popular time to take vacations and explore Northern Arizona to cool off. Plus, Phoenix doesn’t get the extreme humidity like states in the South. But don’t say it’s a dry heat, Phoenicians are likely to disagree, especially when the monsoon comes around.
The City of Scottsdale is more than meets the eye. If you can take the heat for a few months out of the year, it truly is one of the best cities in the country. With world-class entertainment, diverse communities and outdoor activities, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t move to Phoenix a long time ago. If you’re ready to explore the gorgeous homes Phoenix has to offer, contact our experts for all your Phoenix real estate needs.