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Old 12-20-2014, 01:53 AM
 
Location: Phoenix, AZ
518 posts, read 866,840 times
Reputation: 692

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In my late 20's now, I've been fortunate to live or travel to some highly touted areas nationally. Up and down the California coast to the pricey NYC suburbs where I have family. I feel I have a point of reference to some degree regarding how Scottsdale stacks up against other highly regarded places in the USA.

From what I've seen of Scottsdale, it's pretty much in a league of its own. From the impeccable roads, stunning landscape, many attractive (blond hair is alive and well) and fit residents and plentiful amenities. It has it all. Furthermore, there is a distinct sense of pride... a seemingly collaborative effort between city government and residents to maintain the high quality of life that Scottsdale is renowned for. For example, I had family in town last month (who stayed in S'dale) and we drove around town without noticing an litter. That is a credit to the city and residents alike. People care.

It feels like the best of America and appears immune from much of the societal issues plaguing the rest of this troubled country. I aspire to live there some day in the foreseeable future. Sadly I am currently poor and thus undeserving to live in such a fantastic place . But it is certainly an attainable goal and Scottsdale, in a way, inspires me to better myself in hopes of living is such a blessed piece of the country.

There may not be a better place to live in the entire United States of America

 
Old 12-20-2014, 03:29 AM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
389 posts, read 591,041 times
Reputation: 530
I lived in Scottsdale for four years, and my parents still live there. I feel that it is highly overrated. Every city has their own upscale suburb, and Phoenix is no different. I believe much of the reputation comes from tourism, as Scottsdale is second to only NYC when it comes to the amount of 5-star hotel properties (at least that was true at one point, and still may be).

In the end, living there is no different from living anywhere else. It is a typical Phoenix suburb, with Walmarts, Targets, Costcos, Best Buys, Starbucks, etc. It might be wrapped in a slightly fancier package, but it is by no means world class. Paradise Valley on the other hand is definitely closer to being world class.

Also, I don't consider attractive people, physically fit people, or impeccable roads to be signs of a place in a league of its own. I considered things such as diversity, access to culture, access to the ocean, etc., important, which were all things that I felt Scottsdale was lacking in.

I was up in The Woodlands, Texas, which I suppose you could say is Houston's answer to Scottsdale. It had modern wide roads (contrasting our pothole filled ones in Houston). It had a southern type forested landscape with dense pine trees, and businesses (such as gas stations and fast food outlets) hidden behind the pine trees, with nothing but microscopic signs (thus reminding me of Scottsdale). Market Street there looked like a carbon copy of Scottsdale Quarter or Kierland. I believe that every city has upscale suburbs very similar to Scottsdale. There is also the comparison of Scottsdale to South Orange County, California.
 
Old 12-20-2014, 04:01 AM
 
Location: Phoenix, AZ
518 posts, read 866,840 times
Reputation: 692
Quote:
Originally Posted by SK115 View Post
I lived in Scottsdale for four years, and my parents still live there. I feel that it is highly overrated. Every city has their own upscale suburb, and Phoenix is no different. I believe much of the reputation comes from tourism, as Scottsdale is second to only NYC when it comes to the amount of 5-star hotel properties (at least that was true at one point, and still may be).

In the end, living there is no different from living anywhere else. It is a typical Phoenix suburb, with Walmarts, Targets, Costcos, Best Buys, Starbucks, etc. It might be wrapped in a slightly fancier package, but it is by no means world class. Paradise Valley on the other hand is definitely closer to being world class.

Also, I don't consider attractive people, physically fit people, or impeccable roads to be signs of a place in a league of its own. I considered things such as diversity, access to culture, access to the ocean, etc., important, which were all things that I felt Scottsdale was lacking in.

I was up in The Woodlands, Texas, which I suppose you could say is Houston's answer to Scottsdale. It had modern wide roads (contrasting our pothole filled ones in Houston). It had a southern type forested landscape with dense pine trees, and businesses (such as gas stations and fast food outlets) hidden behind the pine trees, with nothing but microscopic signs (thus reminding me of Scottsdale). Market Street there looked like a carbon copy of Scottsdale Quarter or Kierland. I believe that every city has upscale suburbs very similar to Scottsdale. There is also the comparison of Scottsdale to South Orange County, California.
Yes, every major city has its upscale suburbs but I have yet to visit one that (in my eyes) compares favorably to Scottsdale everything considered. Most of those suburbs simply lack the amenities Scottsdale has. Paradise Valley is a small wealthy enclave... while undoubtedly beautiful it is simply too small to have the necessary amenities to make it a true all-encompassing "Shangri-La". Residents there need to use Scottsdale or Phoenix. You need to leave the city often for recreation, shopping, dining etc. Whereas, the City of Scottsdale, truly has it all at your fingertips all withing one city. For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area, the upscale suburbs tend to be small or medium sized cities. You don't have the cross section of amenities that Scottsdale offers all within the city limits. The availability of outdoor recreation within the city boundaries. The landscape, etc. are all factors.

Scottsdale, to me, has such a variety of world class offerings that you simply don't have elsewhere. If you're a golf aficionado, is there a better place in the country? Restaurants? there's a ton to fit every palate and budget. There's even a friggin casino there! And it's a shoppers paradise from high-end to Marshall's. It has it all... that's what I keep coming back to. It has everything you need and then some. All this within a nicely manicured and efficient city of over 200k+. You used a suburb of Houston as a comparison to Scottsdale. I like Texas and all but I guarantee you most would say the scenery in Scottsdale is better. And I didn't even mention the great weather here in Az which is monumental positive for S'dale. The only somewhat competitive argument I can but those parts of Orange County or the San Diego suburbs. But again, I think everything considered, I'll take Scottsdale. The only thing those places have is the ocean and better summer weather. There may not be an ocean but the views of the McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale is stunning.
 
Old 12-20-2014, 12:46 PM
 
717 posts, read 1,049,978 times
Reputation: 2250
Some might argue that a treeless blast furnace with extremely limited public transit and terrible walkability would be a hard sell as the best place in the country. Scottsdale is just like almost every other suburb of Phoenix, except that it's less laid back. IMO, Tempe is the real beacon of hope for metro PHX.
 
Old 12-20-2014, 02:21 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
389 posts, read 591,041 times
Reputation: 530
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot
Yes, every major city has its upscale suburbs but I have yet to visit one that (in my eyes) compares favorably to Scottsdale everything considered. Most of those suburbs simply lack the amenities Scottsdale has. Paradise Valley is a small wealthy enclave... while undoubtedly beautiful it is simply too small to have the necessary amenities to make it a true all-encompassing "Shangri-La". Residents there need to use Scottsdale or Phoenix. You need to leave the city often for recreation, shopping, dining etc. Whereas, the City of Scottsdale, truly has it all at your fingertips all withing one city. For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area, the upscale suburbs tend to be small or medium sized cities. You don't have the cross section of amenities that Scottsdale offers all within the city limits.
So what if you have to leave the city? Boundaries are artificial. Does it bother you if the nearest mall is in a place with a different name? Scottsdale covers 183 square miles. It better have amenities.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot
Restaurants? there's a ton to fit every palate and budget.
I disagree here. I found the ethnic options to be severely lacking. Many of the restaurants are pretentious, like those overrated Fox Restaurant Concepts. I often had to leave Scottsdale if I wanted something more authentic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot
You used a suburb of Houston as a comparison to Scottsdale. I like Texas and all but I guarantee you most would say the scenery in Scottsdale is better.
So what if I used a suburb of Houston? My point was that natural beauty can be found anywhere. Not everyone would say the scenery of Scottsdale is better, because not everyone likes living in a desert. I actually left because I missed greenery, and I know for a fact that there are many that agree with me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Jackpot
And I didn't even mention the great weather here in Az which is monumental positive for S'dale.
Again, this is a matter of opinion. I prefer a place with more rain, and more cloud cover, with my complexion. I felt that the Phoenix winters were comparable to my Houston winters, except our summers are more mild. I never bought into the whole dry heat myth. My point is that Phoenix/Scottsdale winters aren't sufficiently better than other places within the sun belt.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maroon197 View Post
Some might argue that a treeless blast furnace with extremely limited public transit and terrible walkability would be a hard sell as the best place in the country.
I would fall into that camp.

Last edited by SK115; 12-20-2014 at 03:02 PM..
 
Old 12-20-2014, 02:38 PM
 
20,524 posts, read 15,818,474 times
Reputation: 5943
Each to their own. I lived in Scottsdale and; def preferred Tempe. Tempe feels "freer" in a way even tho it ain't as "pretty" or fake looking as Scottsdale. THo many parts of Scottsdale below Indian School nice looking with the "Mid Century" buildings.
 
Old 12-20-2014, 03:21 PM
 
9,189 posts, read 16,538,586 times
Reputation: 11290
Quote:
Originally Posted by SK115 View Post
So what if you have to leave the city? Boundaries are artificial. Does it bother you if the nearest mall is in a place with a different name? Scottsdale covers 183 square miles. It better have amenities.

I disagree here. I found the ethnic options to be severely lacking. Many of the restaurants are pretentious, like those overrated Fox Restaurant Concepts. I often had to leave Scottsdale if I wanted something more authentic.


So what if I used a suburb of Houston? My point was that natural beauty can be found anywhere. Not everyone would say the scenery of Scottsdale is better, because not everyone likes living in a desert. I actually left because I missed greenery, and I know for a fact that there are many that agree with me.

Again, this is a matter of opinion. I prefer a place with more rain, and more cloud cover, with my complexion. I felt that the Phoenix winters were comparable to my Houston winters, except our summers are more mild. I never bought into the whole dry heat myth. My point is that Phoenix/Scottsdale winters aren't sufficiently better than other places within the sun belt.

I would fall into that camp.
I think Scottsdale is hands down the best place to live in the valley. With that said, I completely agree that the ethnic food is sorely lacking. To the rest, I'm not sure your point. You like Houston better? OK, cool.
 
Old 12-20-2014, 04:41 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
389 posts, read 591,041 times
Reputation: 530
Quote:
Originally Posted by DetroitN8V View Post
I think Scottsdale is hands down the best place to live in the valley. With that said, I completely agree that the ethnic food is sorely lacking. To the rest, I'm not sure your point. You like Houston better? OK, cool.
My point about the weather is that Scottsdale/Phoenix does not have a monopoly on warm winters. There are other places with subtropical climates.
 
Old 12-20-2014, 05:01 PM
 
9,189 posts, read 16,538,586 times
Reputation: 11290
Quote:
Originally Posted by SK115 View Post
My point about the weather is that Scottsdale/Phoenix does not have a monopoly on warm winters. There are other places with subtropical climates.
Duly noted. I'd take a Phoenix summer over a Houston one any day. Heat itself isn't terribly uncomfortable. Humidity and the sweaty, stickiness that comes with it is.
 
Old 12-20-2014, 05:24 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
389 posts, read 591,041 times
Reputation: 530
Quote:
Originally Posted by DetroitN8V View Post
Duly noted. I'd take a Phoenix summer over a Houston one any day. Heat itself isn't terribly uncomfortable. Humidity and the sweaty, stickiness that comes with it is.
You are certainly entitled to that opinion. But once monsoon season hits, its just like a hotter version of Houston.
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