Despite an uneasy Real Estate market at large, the mass exodus from other parts of the country to sunny Scottsdale, Arizona continues unabated. Having swapped the title of fastest growing population back and forth with Nevada over the last several years, Arizona welcomed a net gain of 173,066 residents from July 1, 2006 - July 1, 2007. While lagging Nevada's rate of growth by .1% for this period (2.8 versus 2.9%), Arizona added over 100,000 more total residents than its northern neighbor. *
Scottsdale's population has grown from 202,705 in 2000 (US Census) to an estimated 240,410 in 2007.
So what exactly is it that keeps the one-way conveyor belt full? What intrinsic value of the Arizona lifestyle keeps folks coming in droves to the Valley of the Sun? Why does the city still nostalgically known as "The West's Most Western Town" continue to add labels such as the nation‘s "Most Livable City" and be amongst the "Top 100 Cities for Young People?"
Young people? In Arizona? Bet you didn't see that coming!
Let's examine why Scottsdale might appeal to people of all walks of life.
Is it the 330 days of crystal blue skies and sunshine? The sky so open that the occasional passing cloud is quickly chased away like tumbleweed through the desert? The average high temperatures of 85 degrees, and mere 7 & a half inches of annual rainfall?
Possibly.
Is it the Scottsdale Unified School District which routinely ranks atop the state in performance and outpaces local and national averages by a wide margin in critical categories such as SAT and ACT scoring? Which boasts an off the charts percentage of schools categorized as "excelling?"
Possibly.
Is it the vibrant nightlife and fine dining that boasts an inordinate amount of upscale eating establishments, wine bars and the like? Where you can't fall down without landing on the finest Fillet Mignon or Prickly Pear Margarita you have ever tasted? The more than 125 art galleries which make Scottsdale a bastion of high culture? Is it Taliesin West, the former winter home and school of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright which now serves as a popular tourist attraction?
Possibly.
Is it the golf? The more than 40 courses which can be found within Scottsdale‘s city limits alone? From Par 3 executive courses to PGA venues, there is something for every skill level. You are moving to Scottsdale, Arizona. It has to be for the golf, right?
Possibly.
Is it the strong local economy? The one with the ultra low unemployment figures and strong median income levels (median family income of $95,361 per 2006 estimates)? The one powered by tourism (39% of city workforce), convention revenue, 2ndhome buyers, strong aviation industry presence centered around the Scottsdale Airpark, medical field stalwarts such as the Mayo Clinic, etc? Notable businesses include the Fortune 500 company, Allied Waste, as well as Rural Metro (private fire protection), Go Daddy, Cold Stone Creamery and TASER International. Is it the strong job market and sought after Real Estate? **
Possibly.
Is it the shopping? The spender's paradise which boasts Kierland Commons, Fashion Square Mall, The Promenade, Old Town, Gainey Village, The Borgata, just to name a few? Where you will find that perfect something that you can't live without in every shop?
Possibly.
Is it the unbelievable location and access to the rest of the Valley? Minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport, Scottsdale is connected to the rest of the greater Phoenix area by freeway. Bisected by the Loop 101, previously distant reaches of the Valley such as Chandler/Mesa/Gilbert to the south and Glendale/Peoria to the west are now readily accessible. Could the prime central location be the reason for Scottsdale's popularity?
Possibly.
Is it the resorts? After all, being a resort town is what put Scottsdale on the map in the first place. With over 70 resorts and hotels, half of the Valley's resorts are located in Scottsdale. Might the lure of an afternoon at the Hyatt Regency's pool or the Westin Kierland's spa be the source of enticement? Is it afternoon tea and relaxation at The Phoenician? Reaching out to touch the mountains at The Four Seasons in Troon?
Possibly.
Is it the immediate access to escape from the daily grind? The ability to trade the heat of a July day for an afternoon in the high mountains with only an hour and a half's drive north as payment? Or to dip toes in the Pacific Ocean by making the 6 hour drive to San Diego? Heck, less distance than that puts a traveler on a lazy beach in Rocky Point, Mexico. Is it these convenient getaways that attract all of these new Scottsdale residents?
Possibly.
These are all very strong possibilities, but I think it boils down to something far more simple. Most people move to Scottsdale, Arizona for the very reasons that I have never left. Those reasons are hard to describe in words. Here is why this native son continues to call Scottsdale home after 33 years.
** Wikipedia
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Considering relocating to Scottsdale, Paradise Valley or Phoenix, Arizona? I would love to be of assistance. As a Valley native and 2nd generation Scottsdale Real Estate Agent, there is nothing I enjoy more than showing off the land that I love. For more information regarding any facet of your move, please feel free to visit my site, send me an email or call me today!
Paul Slaybaugh: proudly serving Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley home buyers and sellers since 1999.
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Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley AZ Real Estate. A Slaybaugh family tradition since 1974! We haven't sold every home in the Valley, but we're working on it!
The Scottsdale Unified School District
McCormick Ranch Real Estate Market Report (January 2008)
Day Trips from Scottsdale: The Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Dreaming of Scottsdale, Arizona
Day Trips from Scottsdale: The Farm at South Mountain (Phoenix,AZ)
McCormick Ranch Real Estate Market Report (December 2007)
More Resolutions from a Scottsdale Realtor
Scottsdale's 12 Days of Mischief
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Tell you what bro, beautiful area indeed!!! Nice job on this. Would I move there....Possibly:-)
Terrific Paul! Ok, unlike Sardi, I am NOT moving there. But I do love to visit and I'm especially partial to the Phoenician :) I have family just up the mountain, so it may be sooner rather than later...
Nice submission for a guy whose a local expert in 50 states!!
The Valley could always use a good lender, Sardi ... possibly ;)
The Phoenician is amazing, Jen. You obviously travel in style. It would be great to meet you if you do come down to visit your family, so make sure to look me up! Off to work on the other 49 states now ;)
It's the weather. No, it's the homes. No, it's the countryside. No, it's the golf. It's the. . . . . . . . .
Exactly right, Lenn!
PAUL - You've made a compelling argument for relocating to Scottsdale. Or did you? Just kidding. Great stuff as usual. There is certainly no shortage of reasons to live in, or relocate to Scottsdale.
Paul, you forgot the number one reason of why to move to Scottsdale.
Good stuff, but if their looking to reminisce of the Wild West please send them to the Old Pueblo. AKA... Tucson
Brilliant post my friend. Naples did not make the list...not because we hate kids by the way! :)
I love Kierland Commons- so many great restaurants and shops.
Paul~You know how to capture your readers with localism posts my friend. This is fantastic! My dad wants to purchase in Arizona when my mom retires. He absolutely loves it there. I'm in awe of how many blue sky days you have in Arizona and that would be my reason for living there. I would suppose AZ has a 0% rate of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Young people? You have young people? I thought Az was a bunch of old geezers in plaid pants and funny looking hats swearing while chasing a little white ball.. hmmm... Come to think of it I wouldn't mind killing an afternoon playing a round at the Phoenician or Camelback. Of course, I would have to do it in the middle of night or I would be the old geezer in the plaid pants and funny looking hat heat-stroked out on the 9th hole.
Nicely done, Mr. Slaybaugh. I enjoyed this one immensely. I have done a couple that are similar to this for Austin. I am also happy to see that it made it into Family Ties. :-)
Paul ~ Very nicely done. It is nice to hear about a place that is livable for young people, especially since we lose quite a lot of our young people here on Long Island due to the affordability factor. My grandparents lived in Arizona, and I remember on my very first trip there at 16, my grandmother pointed out Camelback Mountain to me. Every time I visited after that I always looked for it.
Adam: Thanks, my man. It is actually quite difficult to encapsulate all of the wonderful things about Scottsdale into one post, so this serves as a basic summary. More detailed posts on each aspect touched on here are to follow. Thanks for looking in on me.
Danny: Check is in the mail, boss!
Kevin: Will do, but I'll expect full reciprocation ;)
Shannon: No town that boasts you as a resident would ever be accused of hating anything. Naples is lucky to have you. Thanks for reading.
Ginger: Kierland Commons is great! I love to take the boys there to play in the fountain while I sip my eight cup of Starbucks coffee. I could hang out in Restoration Hardware all day.
Julie: If anyone has Seasonal Affective Disorder while living in Scottsdale, he/she must also have no affinity for food, water, shelter and oxygen! It's just not possible. Thanks for your generous praise, and I look forward to the day that your folks become Valley residents.
Jesse: Coming from your neck of the Arctic woods, you might suffer heatstroke right now with our 65 degree temps! I don't need that hanging over me, so maybe we'll have to break you in slowly. I'll duct tape dry ice to your limbs to make you feel more at home!
Jason: Thank you, sir. I'm really calling your bluff this week with two posts in Family Ties!
Kathy: That's a beautiful mountain isn't it? It's in two of the pictures above. Here's some extra credit: do you know where the praying monk is on Camelback Mountain?
Actually Professor Paul, I recall from your last class. : ) The praying monk is off to the far right, (in the first picture on the left, in that grouping of pictures you have).
Now that is what we call "total recall," Kathy! Very well done!
Or is it, the good people at Realty Executives who know how to Always Be Closing, and therefore never miss a good (or bad) cup of coffee.
Yes, you might even end up with TWO photos in this week's Family Reunion.
Paul... very nice breakdown of the area... I like how you asked questions and answered them on different topics, relating to the area. Question... how are values holding up? Steady? Slight decline? Again, nice job on this. Hopefully one day soon, I will make a visit to play some golf.
Paul, What a wonderful post about Scottsdale Arizona. I actually makes me feel like I know the area and an understanding of why it appeals to so many. I would move there! Stunning topography, landscape and architecture.
Matt: A set of steak knives goes to second place ;)
Jason: You have your work cut out for you, my friend! Maybe I'll work on a few more!
Jeff: Slight decline in values. Inventory is still inflated, but we are much less impacted here in Scottsdale than in other parts of the Valley. With our high season just getting started, expect to hear some positives reports on our market in the coming months! I'm going to hold you to that golf trip. Pick a weekend and get on down here!
Kathleen: Thank you! With all the area has to offer, putting together relocation pieces is virtually idiot-proof. All I really have to do is wander outside with a camera and the community promotes itself. Thanks for reading.
LOL Dry ice and duct tape? Man, that sounds like an Alaskan fix if I've ever heard one.
Paul,
I want to move to Scottsdale after reading your post....Great job!!!
PAUL- I am sure Restoration Hardware would hire you if you truly wanted to hang out there all day. :o )
I've got the perfect house for you, Harold! Come on over!
Ginger: The problem with what you propose is that they wouldn't take too kindly to an employee spending an entire shift in one of those comfy, oversized leather chairs. I like the arrangement we have now :)
True Paul. I am sure they prefer to take your money, rather than give theirs away to someone snoozing in their big chair!
Paul- Very nice relo work in this post. Many great reasons to move to sunny Scottsdale Arizona.
Paul, I just love your area. I just got back Friday. This is the first time I was in the area and didn't climb camelback, i went directly to Sedona.
Ginger: Most likely. But if they ever opt to change their policy on this ... ;)
Katerina: Thank you much. The area really does sell itself.
Chris: It would have been a logjam on Camelback anyway. Not only with the seasonal residents already in town, but with the increased traffic for the Super Bowl and FBR Open ... let's just say that I stayed away from the visitor meccas for the past week. Hope you had a great time in Sedona!