If you’re looking to move to Scottsdale soon, you probably have questions in mind, and rightfully so. But, fear not—Scottsdale has necessities and charms that make it a special place to live in or visit. Its rich history enables the art industry to thrive, evidenced by the presence of museums and historical sites to see. There’s an array of vacation activities to explore, luxurious hotels, and restaurants to visit. Furthermore, it’s an especially great place for those people who enjoy the heat as it’s hot throughout most of the year.
In this article, find the great things about Scottsdale and learn about how it fares when it comes to the basics—healthcare, cost of living, transportation, and more. Change isn’t always comfortable. But perhaps this article can provide valuable insights into what Scottsdale is all about. That said, read further to discover things you should know before moving to Scottsdale, Arizona.
1. Cost Of Living
Life in Scottsdale is relatively expensive. It exceeds the average cost of living in Arizona, which is something you ought to know before moving here.
Scottsdale is a high-class area, and real estate is on the pricier side here. Living expenses, food, and transportation costs can get pretty steep, too. For example, essential food items like bread and milk cost slightly more than the national average in Scottsdale. The same applies to name-brand clothing.
Since the cost of living is relatively high, this may be a big adjustment for people moving from different states. But don’t let this deter you from moving here because the costs of living in Scottsdale fare better than in other expensive states in the USA. Plus, the other things that Scottsdale offers could make up for that.
2. Tourism
Since Scottsdale has pleasant weather for most of the year, it attracts a lot of tourists. There are plenty of luxury spas, restaurants, hotels, and retail shops to see and visit. There are also a lot of bars and nightclubs that contribute to Scottsdale’s vibrant nightlife scene. Places like the Scottsdale Waterfront also house a lot of high-end stores that tourists may find interesting.
However, the downside of having many tourists is that they can instigate a lot of traffic jams in the city. While an influx is good for the economy, it may cause a lot of congestion, making navigation difficult in peak periods. Scottsdale experiences the most influx between the spring and fall months, ranging from late September to April.
3. Outdoor Activities
If you’re an outdoorsy person, you’ll definitely like Scottsdale. Some of the outdoor activities here include guided ATV adventures, desert Jeep tours, guided hiking tours, and canyoning. There are also a lot of fun activities in Scottsdale for kids and for the whole family. Go tubing or kayaking at the Lower Salt River. Its riverbanks are also great afternoon picnic spots.
For sports like golf, which favor warmer climates, Scottsdale is the perfect place. Golf enthusiasts and those committed to the sport would benefit greatly from living here. It is home to premium golf courses and has also slowly become one of the more popular places for hosting golf tournaments.
4. Weather
Arizona is known for its hot, arid climate, and Scottsdale is no different. It receives approximately 299 days of sunshine in the entire year. Stock up on sunscreen and stay hydrated if you plan on moving to this city.
Temperatures can get extremely high during summer, and people can barely stay indoors. Without an air conditioner system, it’s hard to live through the peak of summer heat in Scottsdale.
However, temperatures drop at night during winter. But even so, the desert heat still warms up the atmosphere, preventing extreme coldness. You could say that Scottsdale, much like other areas in Arizona, experiences relatively warm winters. This is one reason why it’s a great tourism spot and the top pick for vacation homeowners.
Although they’re not common, weather hazards also occur. Excess rainfall could lead to flooding, lightning strikes can ignite fires on the dry mountainsides, and wind storms can affect drivers. Keep a keen eye on the weather reports once you’re there.
5. Car Registry
Great news for all local drivers—the car registry is situated in Scottsdale. This saves you a lot of time and fuel. If you own a vehicle, get a license as soon as possible. Living in Scottsdale has perks: the registration process is quite efficient, and the license plates are also affordable.
6. Economy
Now, Scottsdale’s production of goods and services is a huge contribution to the state of Arizona’s gross domestic product (GDP). All activities that go on, from tourism to manufacturing, contribute significantly. But they also help to improve employment rates.
The unemployment rate in Scottsdale is approximately 4%, which is an impressive figure compared to the national average. Therefore, the job market is fairly good, and jobs keep on getting created, which is a bonus for people looking to move here. The average salary is around US$65,000, higher than the average salary in the US in 2021.
Moreover, some of the most active industries in Scottsdale are retail, tourism, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, among others. So, for those who are seeking employment in these industries, you’ll likely be able to secure a job here.
7. Crime
Since Arizona is a border state, its law enforcement has to be effective. In an era where security is of prime importance to most individuals, places like Scottsdale are well worth considering. Crime rates are not at 0%, but it’s astonishing how the law enforcement services in Scottsdale can keep crime rates approximately 15% below the national average.
Moreover, Scottsdale is home to some of the most secure neighborhoods and gated communities in America. So, if safety is a big deal for you, consider moving here.
8. Education
There’s an array of schools that are available in Scottsdale. But the quality of education is great across the board, so you’re guaranteed that your child will get access to top education programs. Some of the top schools (in no particular order or category) are Arizona State University, Basis High School, Notre Dame Predatory School, Mission Montessori Academy, and Benedictine University.
For families with little ones, there are also top childcare and daycare services in the city. This is perfect for young families with working parents who want to advance both their families and their careers.
9. Real estate
Real estate takes a sizeable chunk out of the costs of living in Scottsdale, for sure. The average prices for real estate fluctuate depending on market forces and location. More upmarket areas such as Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale will have higher property prices, but Downtown Scottsdale and Arcadia may be more affordable. At least the property taxes in Scottsdale are relatively low compared to the national average.
Bear in mind that, since buying property is expensive, most people will prefer renting houses and apartments. If you’re moving there, rentals should be your first consideration. Even so, note that the average prices may exceed the national averages.
10. Transportation
Much like every big city, Scottsdale is plagued with city traffic jams. Lucky for the locals, Scottsdale has a decent public transportation system. For those people who need affordable and accessible transportation services, Scottsdale Valley Metro and Rail have got you covered. While it doesn’t have all the routes, it covers most of them. There’s a fair number of bus stops at which you can find buses.
Furthermore, rideshare platforms also operate in Scottsdale. Plus, for those who’ll be using air travel, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will be most accessible. However, there are other small ones, such as the Southwest Jet Centre and Scottsdale airport, too. These smaller ones might be more appropriate for those who wish to charter planes.
There are plenty of walking trails and sidewalks in the city you can use to move from point A to point B on foot or with a bike. However, distances between locations can be too long. And during the hot summer months, walking isn’t the greatest idea because it can get hot.
11. Healthcare
Now, if you’re moving to any new place, you need to consider the state of the health system. The quality of health service is vital. Thankfully, Scottsdale has a robust network of healthcare service providers from the public and private sectors. The costs between public and private will differ. But generally, you can rest assured that regardless of the facilities you go to, they’ll be good.
Conclusion
There are undoubtedly many lovable aspects of Scottsdale. Chief among them is probably the weather, and it’s a safe place to live, especially for those who have families. Plus, it’s an excellent place for those who enjoy being outdoors. Its security, education, transportation, and healthcare are accessible and great benefits for its residents. However, the relatively high living costs may require a significant adjustment for some people. Given the perks, it’s definitely an upgrade for most and will be well worth it in the long run. Remember these things as you decide to move to Scottsdale.
