Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a nurse at the local hospital and With a population of 242K, Scottsdale is a mid-size city. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Thanks! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
22 upvotes
27 Replies
Lucas King
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The community vibe is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
David Gomez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Houston it's challenging.
37 upvotes
Wesley Brooks
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much reasonable but now it's better than expected.
34 upvotes
Maverick Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Ryan Campbell
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
31 upvotes
Olivia Wright
great question, following
30 upvotes
Jose C.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Amelia Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Oliver C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
clara_vibes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Sara H.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Donald R.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The school system is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Piper C.
big facts right here
26 upvotes
Jordan Bennett
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Andrew Allen
great question, following
24 upvotes
Logan Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Emilia B.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Eastside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Arianna M.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Lillian Wright
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
14 upvotes
Lily Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Caleb Mendoza
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Piper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Amy P.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Elijah Torres
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Julia B.
literally same
3 upvotes
Wesley Morales
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Southern places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
1 upvotes
Eli
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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