Scottsdale

About Scottsdale

Scottsdale is a thriving city in Arizona's Phoenix metro area, home to a diverse mix of young professionals, families and retirees. Its slogan may be "The West's Most Western Town," but the city balances Old West history with cosmopolitan night-life, high-end dining and top shopping destinations. With more than 300 days of sun every year, Scottsdale is an ideal place in which to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Sonoran desert.

Over the years, Scottsdale has garnered awards for its popularity as a retirement destination, its water-conservation efforts and its attractiveness for family "staycations," among other recognition.

Living in Scottsdale

With such a diverse population, Scottsdale offers things to do and see for everyone. There are hundreds of restaurants within city limits, offering everything from casual bar fare to high-end dining. Shopping is also a popular Scottsdale activity, with places like Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and Old Town Scottsdale being home to hundreds of local boutiques, designer shops and well-known retailers.

Scottsdale is also home to a thriving arts and culture scene, with one of the highest concentrations in the nation of professional galleries and studios: more than 125 within its 185 square miles. Many of the galleries feature Native American and Western art as well as a number of contemporary art pieces. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is a recent addition to the arts community, and is Arizona's only museum dedicated to contemporary art. Another major presence in the arts scene is Taliesin West, the former winter home and school of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Other popular activities include golf, gaming and hiking. The city is also the home of the MLB's San Francisco Giants' spring training facility and within easy driving distance of most of Phoenix's professional sports stadiums.

Jobs in Scottsdale

Scottsdale's primary industry is tourism, which supplies close to half of all jobs in the city. There are more than 70 different resorts and hotels throughout the city, all of which supply a variety of jobs. Scottsdale is home to the highest number of destination spas per capita in the U.S. — another major part of the local economy. Because the city experiences year-round visitors thanks to its warm weather, regular events and popular attractions, you can generally count on the stability of any hospitality-related job.

Healthcare is another pillar of the Scottsdale economy. One of the Mayo Clinic's three major branches is in Scottsdale, and there are many local hospitals and medical practices throughout the city as well. The Scottsdale Airpark, an area surrounding the Scottsdale Airport, has evolved into a hub for commerce. Tens of thousands of people work in retail, finance, service, design, manufacturing and technology roles at the thousands of businesses housed within the Airpark's few square miles.

The city's top employers include Honor Health, CVS Health, the Scottsdale Unified School District, Vanguard and the City of Scottsdale. A number of major companies are headquartered here as well, including Cold Stone Creamery, Discount Tire, Fender, Go Daddy, United Blood Services and Dial.

Scottsdale Schools

Scottsdale Unified School District is the award-winning school district responsible for the majority of public schools in Scottsdale. There are many private schools in the city, including college prep, parochial, international, special needs and faith-based campuses.

The city's primary higher education provider is Scottsdale Community College, though you can easily make the short drive to other college and university campuses in the area, including Grand Canyon State University and Arizona State University.

Resources for Moving to Scottsdale

Here's some useful information to help you plan your move to Scottsdale:

• Utilities: Major utilities providers in the Scottsdale area include Arizona Public Service Electric Co., Salt River Project Power and Water, Southwest Gas and the city utilities department.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recycling are collected curbside for all single-family homes in Scottsdale. Multi-family communities typically use shared dumpsters, which are also regularly emptied.
• Transportation: Valley Metro operates a network of bus routes and a light rail system that serves the Phoenix metro area. The Scottsdale Trolley circulates to many of the city's major destinations.

Scottsdale Housing

Increasing home values have created a favorable housing market in this city, which can give you the opportunity to make a good, long-term investment. The median home price in Scottsdale is well above the national average, driven upwards by the numerous luxury homes in the city. However, you'll find that there's actually a wide variety of homes to choose from, many of which are fairly affordable. Single-family homes, townhouses and apartments are all available throughout the city. Many rental communities include amenities like private swimming pools, fitness centers and community rooms.