Earlier this year, Jonathon Dalton, a Realtor who grew up in the East Valley and now lives in the West Valley, wrote a post “Eight Reasons Why Scottsdale is Overrated” and I knew I needed to respond. Thankfully, Steve Belt, another Scottsdale Realtor, responded to the post shortly after, countering with the “The benefits of living in Scottsdale are underrated“. I wrote most of a post, then and there, and just ran out of steam.
Today, I figured out why. I was trying to put into words what I love about living in this town I now call home. And when I think of Scottsdale, I think in pictures.
My family moved to east Phoenix in 1969. I finished high school and left as fast as I could (on my 18th birthday). Spending 20 years split between southern Oregon and the Colorado Front Ranch, I enjoyed living in beautiful surroundings with friendly people. When my husband and I moved back to the Phoenix area in 1993, we settled on the outskirts of Paradise Valley, and moved to North Scottsdale, and then settled in McCormick Ranch about five years ago.
Scottsdale has many faces. South Scottsdale is very similar to the East Phoenix neighborhood, I grew up in. Lot of ranch home in well established neighborhoods. North Scottsdale has larger, much more expensive homes, often with acreage and incredible views. Central Scottsdale is green, and as Calie has reminded me “10 minutes from everything.”
So today, I give you my top ten reasons for living in Scottsdale.
Schools – Consistently top rated. Expanding gifted and special education programs. A new bond to cover seven years of technology improvements. Recently upgraded high schools.
Recreation – Parks, paths, and more parks. They are everywhere.
Art - Downtown galleries. City sponsored art. Remarkable bus stops. Unique manhole covers.
People – Scottsdale is a small city in a large metropolis. I live in a neighborhood where people know my name, stop to chat, and call me if there’s a problem. I can pretty much count on running into someone I know at the grocery store or the gym.
Food – Restaurants, everywhere. Whether you want gourmet or home cooked, it’s here somewhere.
Shopping – Fashion Square is still THE destination for many shoppers from all over the valley. And then there’s Kierland, that’s so popular that finding parking can be a challenge. Plus, the downtown shops are fun to explore on foot.
Cleanliness – One of my past clients is a Scottsdale city planner. She had a colleague visit from the East Coast who marvelled at how clean the city was. I think we all take it a bit for granted that the City of Scottsdale provides excellent services.
Flowers – I guess with a last name of Bloomfield, you might expect this one. I’m not much of a green thumb, but I am surrounded by flowers everywhere I turn, season after season.
Architecture – Western home of Frank Lloyd Wright. His influence and that of many others surround and influence us.
Real Estate Values – Yes, it costs more to live in Scottsdale, than many, or most other cities in metropolitan Phoenix. But in my mind, the question to ask is one of value…. and life style…. and appreciation.
So, yes, Jonathan, I am biased, but I guess it’s just because Scottsdale is really home to me.
