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Are you planning a move to the city of sunshine? Whether you're moving to the area to take advantage of the burgeoning economy and the multiple job opportunities or to enjoy the sunny weather and warm, dry, climate, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, can be the perfect place to relocate on your own or start a new life with your family. The Scottsdale area is known for its many attractions, an abundance of outdoor activities, and a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere.
Scottsdale Weather
The Scottsdale area is known for its warm and sunny weather through most of the year, making the perfect climate to enjoy the many outdoor activities the city has to offer. The winter months are mild and have brisk night temperatures that drop to around the high 40s, with highs during the day around the high 60s. Average rainfall in this season is minimal when compared to other locations.
The spring season is the best time of the year to take advantage of outdoor activities, enjoy some outdoor dining, and get out and get active. There is little rain during this time of year, and average highs are in the high 70s, with lows dipping down to the 50s. The beginning of summer is known as the dry season in Scottsdale, and there is almost no precipitation during this time of the year. The temperatures are in the high 90s during the day and the low 70s at night, but the lack of humidity makes the outdoor temperatures pleasant as long as you have periods of time indoors.
The second half of the summer season is known as the wet season, and the highest rainfall is during this time. Though it's not considered very significant, it can significantly raise the humidity level, which can make the highs of over 100 degrees less comfortable and the 80-degree evenings rather balmy. This is a good time of year to enjoy indoor activities with air conditioning.
The autumnal season will see some rainfall, especially if it's a rough storm season along the Gulf Coast. The highs are around the high 80s, and the lows drop to the low 60.
Scottsdale Demographics
Located in Maricopa County, the city of Scottsdale officially uses the slogan "The West's Most Western Town." Even though it was only incorporated in 1951, the city has seen substantial growth year after year. It's in the top 100 of largest city populations in the U.S. and has a population just shy of a quarter of a million residents. The city has a thriving nightlife and social scene and is often compared to the social structure of the Miami South Beach area. The population is incredibly diverse, representing a wide range of ethnicities and culture.
The demographics of the area skews to a younger population, with 32% of the population between the ages of 25 and 49 and 17% under the age of 18. A large part of the working population has employment in the tourism industry, with most working in the many resorts, attractions, retail facilities, and restaurants.
History of the City
Even though the city was incorporated less than a century ago, it has a history dating back to 300 B.C. It was originally inhabited by the Hohokam, who created a series of canals used for irrigation. Many of these canals have been updated and are still being used today. The city started as a village, originally known as Vasal S-Vasoni.
The area first saw major growth in the 1880s when U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott saw its potential for agricultural ventures. He eventually bought 600 acres, and he and his brother, George Washington Scott, became the area's first residents of what was then called Orangedale. In 1894, the city was renamed Scottsdale in honor of its founder.
The town soon established a public school system, post office, and a general store. In the 1900s, it continued to expand with the development of Granite Reef and Roosevelt dams. It received its first economic boom during World War II when it produced cotton for the war effort, though the boom came to a crashing halt after the war ended.
When the Great Depression hit the country, many artists and architects made their way to the Scottsdale area to establish residence, and the town began to grow again. From the 1970s through the 1990s, many planned communities were developed. The area expanded so much that residents were afraid its natural beauty would suffer. In an effort to preserve this, 36,000 acres of the area was preserved to protect the southwestern landscape.
Today, the Scottsdale area relies on tourism as its primary economy. It's also home to many spas and a growing aviation industry.
Living in Scottsdale
Scottsdale is known as a great place for those who want to raise a family. It has an abundance of safe suburban areas, low crime, and some of the best schools in the state. It's also ideal for young adults just starting out. There are plenty of job opportunities, an abundance of nightlife, great dining, and plenty of shopping opportunities. Those who love nature will enjoy Scottsdale, which has some of the best trails in the country. Scottsdale also has numerous activities.
Scottsdale is centrally located between mountains and beach areas. A drive of a few hours can take you to some of the top ski resorts, and if you enjoy days at the beach, you can travel four to five hours to some of the best beaches in California.
Even though the temperatures get high during the year, the low humidity makes it extremely comfortable. Many homes in the area are grand, and there are numerous good areas for housing, whether you're looking to live in the suburbs or a more urban setting. For golf enthusiasts, Scottsdale is a dream come true, as it's among the best golf destinations in the world.
Hottest Neighborhoods in Scottsdale
One of the best parts of choosing to move to Scottsdale is that the city offers so many great neighborhoods, no matter what type of lifestyle you lead. While it's hard to go wrong with any neighborhood you choose, some of the most popular areas to live in the city include:
McCormick Ranch. The planned community of McCormick Ranch has a history dating back over 40 years. It started as a horse ranch, known for the raising of Arabian horses. Now, the suburban community features multiple lakes and picturesque views of the mountains. It's a family-friendly area with shopping centers, churches, health care facilities, and hotels.
Gainey Ranch. Gainey Ranch is another planned community perfect for families. The expansive suburb covers more than 560 acres and 19 different neighborhoods that are all gated. The homes in the area range from large single-family homes to townhouses. There are also several office buildings and commercial areas. The neighborhood centers around three nine-hole golf courses and a large network of trails for hiking, biking, and walking.
Downtown Scottsdale. If you're looking to be in the center of the city, downtown Scottsdale has seen significant development over the past several years. For those in love with the Western appeal of the city, Old Town may be your best option. The city is a good choice for those who enjoy active lives. Downtown boasts a bustling nightlife and art scene and offers world-class dining, shopping, and luxury apartments.
North Scottsdale. This area has seen a tremendous amount of growth and houses many employees of the Scottsdale Airpark. North Scottsdale boasts a number of residential subdivisions, each of which has a unique character, as well as commercial centers and office buildings. It's one of the greatest places to work and to play in Scottsville.
Best Schools in Scottsdale
Scottsdale is home to some of the best schools in the state. It has numerous private and public schools that include college preparation curriculum and boast high test scores and safe and productive work environments. While all the school districts in the area are highly ranked, below are some of the best schools in the area.
Best High Schools
Basis High School. This school fosters both camaraderie and competition and is known for its diverse culture.
Great Hearts Academies. This prep school features one of the most rigorous curricula around, preparing students on the college path to any University.
Notre Dame Predatory School. This private high school is known for its heavy competition and well-rounded, challenging curriculum.
Best Elementary Schools
Basis Scottsdale Primary School. This elementary school is known for its encouraging staff and incorporation of diverse cultures.
Mission Montessori Academy. This school is known for its highly trained staff and sustainable systems.
Sonoran Sky Elementary School. This school boasts a knowledgeable staff that's trained to meet both the academic and social needs of the students.
Scottsdale Job Outlook
Scottsdale is one of the top places in the country for job seekers, with most of the employment opportunities in the aviation, tourism, and health care industries. Salaries are significantly higher for those starting out than in many other U.S. cities.
Transportation
Scottsdale has a number of options when it comes to transportation, enabling those in the city to get around with ease, especially if they prefer not to drive vehicles in heavy traffic. One of the most popular ways to get around the Scottsdale area is taking one of the four trolley routes. The trolleys are free to ride and can connect you to other transit systems that can get you to the Phoenix area.
The Valley Metro Transit system is another popular public transportation option that serves both the Scottsdale area and the Phoenix metropolitan area. It also provides service to and from other valley community areas via a system of connecting buses.
Also popular is Cab Connection, a city-funded program that provides participants with vouchers each month that provide them with transportation from their residences to designated locations. The city also offers door-to-door transportation for seniors and those with disabilities through the Valley Metro Paratransit system.
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