I’ve taken family photos for years, and when I got into real estate, expanded into housing a little bit, always using a Point and Shoot.  Last year, I bought a DSLR, and was immediately overwhelmed by all the technical details of this new camera.

I signed up for a Photography class from the City of Scottsdale Parks & Recreation. Four classes later, I’m so glad I did. I’ve had two instructors, each with a different focus on photography.

My current instructor, Joshua White, a graduate student as ASU, has stretched me at an artist, while giving me the tools and techniques to understand and effectively use my camera.  Some of the first assignments that he gave were fun and excruciating at the same time.  I learned so much.

Josh is graduating in a few months, and moving to Pennsylvania.  He got married last week, and I was delighted to be invited to the ceremony and celebration at WestWorld.  I took my camera, of course!

Our homework for this past week was “Love, in black and white”, and I shared these two photos for critique in class.  Above, the post-ceremony antics, with the best man and woman overseeing the wedding photographer.  Below, I was able to sneak in a little closer and catch Josh and Liz – totally in love!

Thank you, Josh, for being a photographer, an artist, and a teacher who has made a huge impact on me.

Thank you, City of Scottsdale, for hiring Josh.  We are so going to miss him, while wishing him well on his next journey of life!

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.

Some of the the excellent places to walk and hike in Scottsdale include:

• The Indian Bend Wash, running the length of South and Central Scottsdale along Hayden Road.  Great for walking, running, skating, and cycling.
• McDowell Mountain Sonoran Preserve, in north Scottsdale – 12,000 acre preserve with a variety of hiking trails.
• Pinnacle Peak Park, in north Scottsdale – great views from this moderately challenging trail
• Downtown Scottsdale – for more leisurely walking with lots of opportunity for window shopping in the many galleries and retail shops that line the streets.

Visit the City of Scottsdale web site to get information about additional trails and parks, as well as trail and bike path maps.