Scottsdale, Arizona, is a popular destination for people looking to live in a warm and sunny climate. The city offers plenty of amenities and opportunities for recreation, making it a desirable place to call home. If you’re considering making Scottsdale your new home, here’s what you need to know.
A Brief Overview of Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a beautiful city located in the desert of Arizona. It is known for its luxury resorts, golf courses, spas, and shopping. Scottsdale is home to an assortment of some of the best restaurants in the state, as well as many art galleries and museums.
Scottsdale is a desert city in the Valley of the Sun, founded in 1888 by U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott. The Hohokam people originally inhabited the area, and they created a sophisticated system of canals for irrigation.
When Scott arrived, he found that the land was perfect for farming and ranching. The city grew steadily over the next few decades, attracting retirees and vacationers from across the country.
Today, Scottsdale is home to over 70 golf courses and scores of luxury resorts. It’s also a shopping mecca, with high-end stores lining its pedestrian-friendly streets. Scottsdale may have changed a lot since its early days, but it still retains its small-town charm.
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Education in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona, has much to offer in the way of public schools, private schools, and access to a plethora of colleges and universities, as well as tech and trade schools.
Public schools are governed by the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), which has a total of 33 schools, serving more than 25,000 students, and employing 3,862 residents. Portions of the area are also serviced by the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), which has 47 schools, has over 30,000 students, and employs 3,800 locals.
As for higher education, Scottsdale is home to Scottsdale Community College, one of the largest community colleges in the state of Arizona. Students looking for a traditional four-year university experience have access to the many schools in nearby Phoenix, including Arizona State University, University of Phoenix, and Grand Canyon University. There are also a number of trade and tech schools in the area, including the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and The Art Institute of Phoenix.
The Climate in Scottsdale, Arizona
One of the things Scottsdale, Arizona, is known for is its generous amounts of golden sunshine, creating ample opportunity to enjoy the wide variety of outdoor activities the area has to offer. Scottsdale tracks about 299 sunny days annually, which is far above the national average of just 205 days. Summer high temperatures in July can reach about 104 degrees.
The area does get a touch of rain, though, to the tune of about 11 inches in a year, far below the national average annual rainfall of 38 inches. There are a total of about 38 days throughout the entire year when the precipitation can be measured. It doesn’t snow in Scottsdale, and low winter temperatures in January stay well above freezing at 42 degrees.
Public Transportation in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona, is a city that lends itself well to walkability. In fact, the City of Scottsdale has been awarded the prestigious Walk Friendly Community designation from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. While many residents do enjoy walking around town, there are also other options for getting around, including buses, light rail, and taxis.
The Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority operates a bus system throughout Phoenix and the surrounding municipalities.
The light rail system, operated by Valley Metro Rail, connects downtown Phoenix with Tempe and Mesa. The City of Scottsdale has two light rail stations- the Indian School Road Station and the Old Town Transit Center.
Taxis can be hailed from anywhere in the city, and many of the resorts and hotels offer shuttle services as well.
For international air travel, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main airport for the area and offers service to more than 150 destinations. There are also a number of smaller regional airports in the Phoenix metro area.
Living in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona, encompasses an area of 184.4 miles in Maricopa County. The community is home to a population of about 262,647, with a median household income of about $72,455 and median home values of about $673,400.
Conclusion
Scottsdale is a vibrant and diverse city that offers residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the good life. With its many golf courses, resorts, and spas, the city has long been a favorite destination for those looking to escape the cold winters of the northern states. The area’s ample sunshine and warm weather make it a great place to live, work, or play year-round.
