Scottsdale, Arizona stretching 31 miles north to south, is located less than 30 minutes northeast of Phoenix in the heart of the lush Sonoran Desert. With an average of 330 days of sunshine every year and some of the best golf courses in America, it is no wonder Scottsdale is considered "America's Best Place to Live for Golf"! The Scottsdale area is unique when it comes to golf. There are almost 60 public golf courses in close proximity to the city, some with greens fees as little as $30 a round in the off season. Additionally, there are more than 40 private golf courses in the area. If you like to play golf, Scottsdale and the surrounding areas can offer a course that will match your golfing ability and your pocketbook. For those who prefer to live on the course they play, there are over 15 member-only golf communities in Northern Scottsdale that require ownership of a lot or home to be a member. For good measure if golf holds no interest for other family members, 125 art galleries, museums and a number of performing arts groups are located in Scottsdale proper. Hiking, horseback riding trails and 58 miles of public bike paths provide an outlet for those so inclined, and over 600 restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisine to feast on after a day in the outdoors. Once considered a retirement mecca Scottsdale has changed its reputation and is attracting more families with children. In fact, September, 2005, saw Scottsdale named as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, a national group founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell to recognize towns and cities in the United States which offer healthy, safe, and caring environments for young people. Scottsdale is also conveniently served by two airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Scottsdale Municipal.
Outside of the gated communities, private homes and condos are springing up everywhere. There is a building boom in Scottsdale with residences ranging in price from ? 115,000 to over ? 570,000. Real estate values and costs have gone up over 30% in the last year due to the influx of people wanting to become a part of Scottsdale's relaxed lifestyle. The job market continues to grow as more and more corporations move into the area. In a recent report from the National Association of Realtors, the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area ranked number one on a list of the twelve fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. that are still relatively inexpensive. Simply stated, with its fantastic climate, cultural options, and world-class golf courses, Scottsdale can confidently claim to be one of the best places in the U.S. to live the golf lifestyle.