Scottsdale, Arizona

Moving to Scottsdale

Those moving to Scottsdale might be coming for many reasons: The beautiful scenery, the nice people, the fabulous shopping -- the list of reasons people are moving to Scottsdale goes on and on. In fact, the New York Times named Scottsdale "The Beverly Hills of the Desert" - likely because Scottsdale is a stylish Arizona city that attracts many tourists. With the city's numerous attractive aspects, it's no wonder so many are moving to Scottsdale.

Cost of Living in Scottsdale

In 1993, the U.S. Conference of Mayors tagged Scottsdale as the "Most Livable City" in the country. However, the cost of living can be surprising, and Scottsdale residents like to joke about the 1993 award.

The cost of living in Scottsdale is comparable to Phoenix, since the city is actually a part of the greater Phoenix area. It's also one of the most prominent vacation spots for golf and resorts. So, the cost of living in Scottsdale is above the national average, and should figure into your calculations when you look at apartment rents.

Jobs in Scottsdale

Since Scottsdale is such a popular tourist destination, many jobs in Scottsdale are in the tourism industry. Jobs in Scottsdale in the tourism industry include positions at hotels and resorts, restaurants and other popular destinations. Other jobs in Scottsdale are at technology companies and in the aviation industry.

Scottsdale Neighborhoods

Scottsdale neighborhoods fall into five loose regions:

• South Scottsdale, a more affordable, thriving urban area
• Old Town/Downtown Scottsdale/Fashion Square, a chic region strewn with galleries, bars and restaurants, and the site of many new luxury condos and townhomes
• Shea Corridor, a central Scottsdale neighborhood full of showcase homes that often feature in TV shows and movies, and
• North Scottsdale, the biggest and most pricey Scottsdale neighborhood, location of most of the city's many golf courses.

Since Scottsdale is a part of the greater Phoenix area, Scottsdale is also not far from the neighboring suburbs of Surprise, Glendale, and Tempe.