Considering moving to Scottsdale

ejturn1221

Hi all!

My husband and I are seriously considering a move from CT to Scottsdale/ North Scottsdale. Married about a year and a half and about to start a family. Love to get some advice on where to live in Scottsdale...it's so hard to pick what area is right for us over the internet, so we will def. visit. Hoping someone has a few tips...PS--my husband is looking for AZ employment in finance, but any corporate job tips are appreciated...This East coast gal is ready for some AZ warmth!

Thanks! :-)

cnj050607

Coming from another East Coast girl (MA), I've been here a bit over 2 years and I love it here. I don't know anything about Scottsdale really (I live in the West Valley), others may be able to chime in on that but my only piece of advice is to make sure you have a job before you come lol.... The job market out here isn't all that great and the commute times could be horrible if you live on one side of the valley and work on another... Other then that.. good luck! It's a great place!!

ejturn1221

Thanks! Appreciate your advice :-)

Kat174

I love the Scottsdale area.  I actually live in Fountain Hills, which is right next door.  I can tell you a bit about that....

It's a great "small town" atmosphere with the world's largest continuously running fountain. (Meaning there are two taller fountains in the world, but they only go up a few times a year, whereas this fountain goes up every day on the hour for about 15 minutes, morning to night).  Fountain Hills can be a bit expensive for people to live in.  I know from looking recently for places to live, many of the condos and apartments out here are in the 700 - 900 range depending if you want 1 bedroom or 2.  I did find a beautiful 2 bedroom place (when I was looking to buy) that was only 70K. 

The town originally was a lot of older people.  It is becoming way more family oriented however.  We have dance under the stars, movies in the park and lots of more activities at the fountain park.  We have our own mini oktober fest, a st patrick's affair just like that (where they even turn the fountain green!), we have the great fair twice a year (HUGE arts and crafts fair), the wine and art affair, a small farmers market each thursday, they haul in snow before Xmas for the kids to play in during the lighting of the Avenue of the Fountains, we have our own Thanksgiving day parade (advertised as the only one west of the Mississippi - don't know if that's true) etc., etc., etc.

As a now single person, I chose to stay in this town (I had previously lived here in high school for two years) because I feel very safe.  There is no graffiti, the streets are always clean and the crime is minimal.  However, I will say if you move here your (auto) gas bills will be a bit higher than if you were in town.  It is outside Scottsdale, so you will have a bit further to travel to get to most jobs, ASU, major events in Phx and such.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

rlparry

My husband and I are both born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ. We love it here! North Phoenix by Desert Ridge Marketplace is developing rapidly and is a very nice area. It's right off of Tatum and the 101. Don't look in South Scottsdale because it isn't really the best place to start a family and the homes are really old. It's great for shopping and entertainment but not for living. Gainey Ranch has nice developments in Scottsdale and all around that area. You really can't go wrong going anywhere between North Scottsdale and North Phoenix. Norterra in North Phoenix has a ton of new development also. It's great! Good Luck, I hope this helps!

Tayrusso

What part of CT are you from?  I grew up in Durham!!! 

I've lived in Fountain Hills for 12 years now (holy cow!), and lived in Scottsdale for a verrry short time right after we got married.  We like FH because it's a small town and we know the schools.  Scottsale is great, though, especially North Scottsdale!  There are a lot of great schools, shopping, restaurants, country clubs and golfing...you name it.  I guess the only downside would be cost, it is some of the most expensive real estate in the valley. 

Also, completely agree with Jess!  Have a job before you move.  I live in FH and work in downtown Phoenix, 45-60 minutes each way.  EW!  

HawaiiLover

Another East Coaster here, from NJ.  We moved almost 3 years ago and I agree with pp.  Make sure you have jobs before you move.  Hubby was offered a job (thank god!) before we moved and I couldn't get a transfer from my corp office even though they have offices here.  I looked for a full time job for almost a year while working 2 part time jobs and then I found out I was pregnant so that was an easy deciding factor for me to stay home.  We live literally on the border of Scottsdale in North Phoenix (in Desert Ridge).  It's a nice, family friendly area with parks, schools within walking distance and lots of shopping and easy access to 101.  I'm not too familiar with Scottsdale other then it can be really expensive.  My parents live there and the houses can be much more then comparable ones near us.  But like I said I'm not overly familiar.  Good luck!