Scottsdale is conveniently located just 13 miles from downtown Phoenix, making it an ideal base for those looking to work in the area. However, despite how close it is to the larger city, it’s on the outskirts of the metro area and also offers proximity to a wealth of nature preserves, mountains, and forests. Despite its small-town vibe, there’s no shortage of entertainment options, making it an attractive city for a wide array of people. Let’s explore what the city has to offer to help you decide whether it’s the right place for you to relocate to:
1. How big is Scottsdale, AZ?
Located in the Valley of the Sun, Scottsdale encompasses 184 square miles. It is bordered by Phoenix on the west and by Tempe in the south. The city is divided into four main areas, including North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale – where downtown is located – and Central Scottsdale.
2. What’s the weather like in Scottsdale, AZ?
With mild winters and hot summers, Scottsdale has an arid climate. Overall, you get to enjoy warm weather most of the year. In spring, the weather is ideal for enjoying outdoor activity, with very little rain recorded and a comfortable average in the 70s. Summer is when the heaviest rainfall is expected, with high temperatures and humidity recorded in the second half of the season.
Living in this type of climate, you want to make sure your belongings are protected. Instead of keeping seasonal items and other household items that you don’t use every day in areas of your home that don’t get AC (such as garages or attics), you should put them in storage. A climate-controlled unit in Scottsdale is ideal, especially for sensitive items such as furniture, clothing, appliances, books, musical instruments and more. This way, you’re helping preserve their qualities while your home remains breezy and organized.
Scottsdale, AZ, waterfront canal scene
3. What are the employment opportunities in Scottsdale, AZ?
Scottsdale employs people across a wide array of industries, healthcare being the most common. Professional, scientific and technical services also see notable representation, as do retail, finance and insurance. The tourism industry is also a major sector within the city, catering to a regular influx of visitors and temporary dwellers, such as snowbirds, throughout the year.
Scottsdale is home to several large companies, such as Cold Stone Creamery, Go Daddy, Advisor Group and others.
4. Getting around in Scottsdale, AZ
Valley Metro provides public transportation in Scottsdale and throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, offering local, commuter, and express services across the region. Despite good public transport, almost 77% of commuters drive alone to their place of work, while walking, cycling, and public transit are all far less common. The average commute time is 19.5 minutes, much lower than the national average of 25.7 minutes. Meanwhile, an increasing number of people work from home.
5. What are the education options in Scottsdale, AZ?
Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) provides a number of public schools in Scottsdale, including five high schools. In terms of higher education, Scottsdale Community College offers a variety of courses and degree programs with an emphasis on business. The Scottsdale Culinary Institute creates opportunities for budding chefs with a variety of renowned programs and certifications. Scottsdale is also home to the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, the University of Phoenix and Gateway Seminary.
If you’re a college student from out of town, you might find that self storage can help you better manage your belongings and your living space. You can keep seasonal items in a storage unit instead of cluttering your dorm room or your apartment. Moreover, you can put all your belongings in a storage unit during summer break, instead of moving everything back home, which can be more costly. This way, you can easily retrieve everything when the new term resumes in the fall.
6. What are the entertainment options in Scottsdale, AZ?
With a rich tourist scene, there’s plenty to do in Scottsdale. The Old Town District is home to a vibrant nightlife. Indeed, downtown Scottsdale is widely considered the most active nightlife area in the Phoenix Metro Area, with a huge number of venues within walking distance. Scottsdale is also known for its arts and cultural scene, with a huge range of galleries, theaters and museums to explore, as well as numerous annual events and festivals.
7. What is Scottsdale, AZ, famous for?
Famous for its year-round good weather, exciting nightlife and bustling arts scene, Scottsdale has become a popular tourist city, attracting visitors from across North America. The city is also rich in history, with a number of historic buildings and neighborhoods. It also lives up to its nickname, “The West’s Most Western Town,” providing a wealth of western activities and events to enjoy. With the great outdoors on its doorstep and endless sunny days, Scottsdale is also a renowned destination for everything from hiking the many trails in and around the city to rock climbing in the nearby mountains.
Scenic hiking trail in North Scottsdale, AZ
8. What does the moving process to Scottsdale, AZ involve?
Once you’ve found your ideal home in Scottsdale, the moving process is relatively straightforward. However, proper planning will ensure your relocation is smooth and care-free. To ease the load, it always helps to hire a professional, high-rated moving company.
Warm weather throughout the year means there’s never a bad time to move to Scottsdale. However, summer months can be more expensive due to higher demand. Book in advance for the best prices, and be sure to pack your sunscreen. Moreover, to make your moving process run smoother, you can send your belongings ahead of time to sit in a storage unit close to your new home. This way, with a few trips to your unit, you can gradually decorate your home without being overwhelmed by a cluttered space.
9. Is Scottsdale, AZ, a good place to live?
Scottsdale has a lot to offer to a wide range of people. Young professionals can enjoy a vibrant job market, while students have a plethora of choices in terms of both higher education and entertainment. The city is particularly attractive to families, or those looking to start a family, with various publications ranking Scottsdale among the top 10 cities for families in the U.S. With a rich entertainment scene, endless outdoor activities, and a treasure trove of events, there’s always something interesting going on too, making moving here an appealing prospect. Here’s where most people come from when they relocate to Scottsdale, AZ:
Moving to Scottsdale, AZ, from NYC
When you’re moving to Scottsdale, AZ, from NYC, you’re not only leaving behind the colder Northeastern winters, but you’re also getting to enjoy a lower cost of living in the Arizona city, whether we’re talking housing costs, utilities, groceries or other costs. You’re also only a few hours away from the Pacific Ocean and you also get plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors locally, whether you’re hiking, biking or going horseback riding with Camelback Mountain located close to the city.
Moving to Scottsdale, AZ, from Phoenix
If you’re looking to escape city life from Phoenix, but still want to stay in the area, Scottsdale might be ideal. The city is family-friendly and offers excellent schools if you have school-age children. There are also various family-friendly events, such as the Scottsdale Arts Festival, featuring art, music and activities for all ages. If you have four-legged friends, you might be in for a pleasant surprise, with Scottdale being home to several dog parks, including Chaparral Dog Park.
10. What are the housing options in Scottsdale, AZ, and how can self storage help?
Your housing choices for Scottsdale, AZ, will mostly depend on your lifestyle. If you’re looking to be close to restaurants, show venues and other entertainment venues, the downtown area, also called Old Town is your best bet, where you can find high-end apartments.
For more family-friendly communities, you can set your sights on McCormick Ranch or Gainey Ranch both offering planned communities with access to commercial areas and other desirable amenities. If you’ve moved here into a single family home, you might discover that you can use self storage well beyond the moving stage. You can put seasonal and bulky items in storage to avoid cluttering your home. Moreover, if you’re working remotely and need to set up your home office, you could also put some items from the newly-designated area into storage instead of keeping them around the home. Moreover, if you’re planning on doing a home remodeling project, you could also use self storage to help you temporarily rehouse household items from the area under construction. Remodeling typically takes a few months, so keeping these items away from home can help your home be more organized until the completion of the project.
Brand new luxury home in Scottsdale, AZ
11. What are the storage options in Scottsdale, AZ?
After moving to Scottsdale, you might discover that self storage is a service that’s useful well beyond the moments of transition.
Scottsdale is offering plenty of storage options, so you’re sure to find your ideal storage unit. The best way to approach it is to look for a storage facility in your neighborhood for your ideal Scottsdale storage unit to avoid driving too far when you need to visit your unit.
With the storage facility selection out of the way, you need to consider which storage unit size is ideal for your needs. For seasonal clothing and smaller outdoor gear, you can rent a 5’x5’ unit, but a 5’x10’ unit is better if you have larger gear. A 10’x10’ unit is ideal to hold furniture and appliances. If you’re moving from a one-bedroom apartment, a 10’x15’ unit can hold all its contents. If you’re thinking of putting your car in storage while you vacation away, a 10’x20’ is ideal to fit a standard car. You can upgrade to a 10’x30’ if you have a larger vehicle.
You can browse your storage options in Scottsdale on the StorageCafe portal.
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