Just thirty minutes from Phoenix, Arizona; Scottsdale is quickly becoming a big city all its own. With wide open spaces and arid weather, Scottsdale is a wonderful area for those who love history, nature and being outdoors. The city’s motto is “The West’s Most Western Town” and you will definitely see remnants of the old, wild west at every turn; from the cowboys in Old Town to the saloons and the annual month-long Parada del Sol Rodeo event. If you long for the simpler times of long ago, moving to Scottsdale might be the perfect plan for you!
Climate
Though summers can be hot, averaging over 100 degrees, it is true that the dry heat of the desert is not as stifling as other areas at 90 degrees. Sunshine abounds in Scottsdale, and the town gets less than 10 inches of rain– per year! Yes, it’s a really dry heat!
Recreation
With lots of mountains and canyons filled with pine forests and beautiful scenery, hiking and rock climbing are popular with residents of Scottsdale, as are biking, horseback riding and golfing. The area is also a hub for Major League Baseball’s spring training; fifteen teams play in the Cactus League, all within Scottsdale or in easy driving distance. Scottsdale Stadium is the spring home of the three-time World Series-winning San Francisco Giants.
The city has a symphony, a ballet and Native American history and art museums, and lots of historic buildings. There is great shopping available, from malls to exclusive boutiques to outlet centers and antique stores. Luxury resorts are scattered all over town; finding deluxe spa treatments is easy.
Economy
Scottsdale’s economy is tied to tourism; it is home to over 70 hotels and resorts. Nearly 40 percent of the city’s workforce is tourism related, and Scottsdale attracts more than 7.5 million visitors per year. Scottsdale caters to the upscale, white-collar demographic market, which accounts for the $3.1 billion infusions to the economy annually, as well as the five AAA Five-Diamond hotels around town. Scottsdale has traditionally been known as a “snowbird” area for affluent tourists; growing nightlife, shopping and culture scenes have enticed a younger white-collar crowd to travel to the area and later call it home.
With a branch of the famed Mayo Clinic located in Scottsdale and Scottsdale Healthcare as a major employer, the town is a mecca for healthcare and healthcare workers, in the west. The Airpark area in North Scottsdale houses about 2,500 businesses currently, with anticipated job growth set to eclipse the Phoenix business area in the near future. Already, Dial, Fender, GoDaddy, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, APL, iCrossing, Taser and Discount Tire are among those businesses already headquartered in this area.
The area boasts a low unemployment rate, nearly two points below the national average, with increasing employment opportunities. What’s more, working downtown is inexpensive; Scottsdale parking is free, both on the streets and in parking lots.
If Scottsdale seems like the type of place you’d like to live, compare long distance moving companies and start packing. Winter (as well as the rest of the year) is sunny and dry, so moving to Scottsdale is relatively easy.
