Published August 27, 2018
The Best City Ever: Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona has a reputation as a travel destination, but it’s also a city beloved by it’s residents. Scottsdale provides abundant amenities, from vibrant outdoor activities and sports to a thriving downtown and waterfront. The reasons to move to Scottsdale are countless, including the sunny, dry climate; here are a few great ones:
The Weather
It might not be the only reason, but it is one of the best to start this list with. Not only is it warm, but Arizona residents enjoy low humidity levels in winter, not to mention the rest of the year. While average humidity levels in places like Florida can skyrocket all the way to 90-percent or even higher, the daily averages in Phoenix hover around 37-percent, and can drop to 23-percent or lower in the afternoons. With temperatures all winter long that average in the mid-60s and more than 300 days of sunshine, the Valley is one of the best places to live in the United States based on weather alone. Check out all the Homes for Sale In Scottsdale.
Family-Friendly
In spite of its reputation as a city for retirees, Scottsdale has abundant Gen X and millennial residents raising young families in the area. The city’s school districts are consistently ranked among the top in the state, including charter and magnet schools, an outstanding community college and proximity to Arizona State University. Charter BASIS High School ranks among the top 10 high schools in the country, per U.S. News and World Report. Likewise, the city has plenty of activities to appeal to families, including accredited sports and recreational activities and arts and museum culture.
In 2014, Scottsdale was named the top city in the country to raise a family. Scottsdale is also home to family-friendly parks, including the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, which connects the north side of town to the border with Tempe near Arizona State University by way of parks, splash pads, bike paths, driving ranges, and public golf courses.
Old Town
Known for nightlife, Scottsdale’s downtown has exploded with condos and urban housing for an effective mix of “live-work-play” in the area. It’s also one of the top five art markets in the country, with more than 70 galleries. It’s home to a growing tech sector. Weebly and Yelp have both opened branch offices here, among others; it’s less expensive than the Silicon Valley environment. Shopping is also a priority; Scottsdale Fashion Square sets a high standard with anchors Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard’s and Barney’s New York. Residents appreciate the blend of arts and culture downtown with business, shopping and nightlife: I love the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The grounds are green with beautiful fountains and a nice selection of restaurants. Scottsdale Fashion Square is the best place for people-watching, from hipsters to dowagers. Click here for Old Town Scottsdale Homes For Sale.
Dining & Shopping
Scottsdale’s burgeoning downtown benefits from entrepreneurism in the restaurant scene as well, with more than 790 restaurants in the city. Each year, Scottsdale hosts Restaurant Week, which had nearly 80 participants at all price points in Fall 2017.
There is no shortage of high-end shopping and dining in Scottsdale. From the Pavilions at Talking Stick to the Kierland Commons, the city is perfect for shoppers of all tastes. Scottsdale is home to unique storefronts like Calvin Klein Performance, the Scottsdale Quarter location is one of only five in the continental United States, and the Nordstrom at Scottsdale Fashion Square, is the department store’s only location in the Valley. The ultra-exclusive shopping found at the Biltmore Fashion Park is only a short drive west, while there are smaller boutiques and shopping centers scattered at all ends of town.
Spring Training
Major League Baseball Spring Training, also known as The Cactus League, has been a Valley tradition since 1947. Through the end of February to late March, 15 teams make Arizona its home in the spring, including the hometown Diamondbacks, the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs, California rivals in the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants, and many more. The 15 teams play in 10 stadiums around the Talley, two of which are located in Scottsdale: Scottsdale Stadium (the Giants’ “home” stadium), which is located near the amenities in Old Town and the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (“home” to both the Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies), which is a stone’s throw from the Pavilions at Talking Stick and the Talking Stick Casino and Resort. Three more stadiums are located nearby in Tempe (Tempe Diablo Stadium, “home” of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) and Mesa (Sloan Park, “home” of the Chicago Cubs, and HoHoKam Stadium, “home” of the Oakland Athletics), while five more stadiums are scattered a short drive west.
Fun Yearly Events
Scottsdale plays host to events like the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car events, Arizona Bike Week at Westworld, The Bentley Polo Party, Scottsdale Culinary Festival, Scottsdale Fashion week, and much more.
However, the unofficial start to the party season begins when Scottsdale plays host to one of the top golf tournaments on the PGA Tour, the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Competed at the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, 2017 was a record year for the Phoenix Open with more than 655,000 attendees and $10 million dollars raised for local charities. The most popular part of the tournament is the 16th hole, nicknamed “The Coliseum”. Though it is one of the shortest holes on the course, it is surrounded by a 20,000-seat grandstand, and is described as “one big party”. Gone are the traditional golf rules of quiet, stately observance. Instead, fans boo poor shots and cheer loudly for the best, which include Tiger Woods’ hole-in-one in 1997.
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