Scottsdale has been ranked as one of the best cities for retirement in the United States, according to WalletHub. The personal finance website compared 180 cities based on 48 key metrics and found that Scottsdale was the second best suburb to live in Arizona, behind only Cataline Foothills. It was also ranked as the number one retirement city in the US. So, is Scottsdale a good place for seniors to retire? The answer is that it depends.
If you have enough money saved up to afford a pricey home in Scottsdale, then it's an ideal spot to settle down. However, if you don't have enough saved up for a comfortable retirement, then the cost of living in Scottsdale may be too high. The city is home to many employers, such as CVS Pharmacy, the City of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Unified School District, each with more than 2,500 employees. Wealthy individuals looking to move to Scottsdale are often drawn to the North Scottsdale neighborhood.
The low cost of groceries in Scottsdale (and Arizona in general) can be attributed to the state's proximity to California, which has thriving agricultural industries that export to Arizona. Unfortunately, this means that the cheapest homes in Scottsdale tend to sell quickly, making it difficult for people to move there. When it comes to dining out, Scottsdale has a wide range of Mexican and Southwestern options like Los Olivos Mexican Patio and Barrio Queen. It's also known for its trendy and exclusive spots like Olive & Ivy and Nobu Scottsdale.
Plus, it's just a short drive from Arizona State University's Gammage Auditorium, which hosts world-class musical and theatrical productions. South Scottsdale is much more affordable than North Scottsdale and Pinnacle Peak, but it's still a great place to live. It's home to more than 90,000 people with an average age of 43 years old. The city also boasts Scottsdale Stadium, designed by the creators of Camden Yards in Baltimore.
Other prominent institutions include the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, a University of Phoenix campus, Gateway Seminary and the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Because of its warm climate and luxurious housing, part-time residents living in Arizona during the winter can contribute to the high median age in Scottsdale. All things considered, it's no wonder why so many seniors choose this city as their retirement destination.
