The Scottsdale LifestyleScottsdale, Arizona
The Journal

Notes on living well in Scottsdale.

Ten guides to the neighborhoods, the seasons, the trails, and the decisions that come with moving here.

Aerial view of Scottsdale-area neighborhoods and a golf course7 min read

Living in Scottsdale: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Guide

Scottsdale runs about 31 miles from end to end, so where you land shapes your week. Here is each major area by terrain, layout, landmarks and the drive to Old Town.

Scottsdale and the surrounding mountains seen from a desert hill6 min read

North vs. South Scottsdale: How Daily Life Differs

South Scottsdale puts you on a walkable grid near Old Town. North Scottsdale puts the desert and the preserve at your door. Here is how the two halves differ day to day.

A desert track through cactus at sunset in Scottsdale6 min read

Moving to Scottsdale From Out of State: Your 90-Day Checklist

The license, the plates, the utilities and the small surprises, in the order that saves you a second trip to the MVD.

A resort pool with palm trees and Camelback Mountain beyond7 min read

Scottsdale Summers: How Locals Actually Live in July

July in Scottsdale runs on a different clock. Here is how locals plan the day around the heat, the storms and the water.

A Scottsdale home behind saguaros and desert trees6 min read

Which Way Should Your Backyard Face in Arizona?

In the desert, the direction your backyard faces decides when you can actually use it. Here is how the sun moves over Scottsdale and what each exposure gives you.

Cactus and boulders below Pinnacle Peak in North Scottsdale7 min read

McDowell Sonoran Preserve Trailheads, Easy to Challenging

The preserve has trailheads across Scottsdale, and each one suits a different kind of hike. Here is where to start, what you will find there, and how to stay safe in the heat.

The Arizona Canal at the Scottsdale Waterfront7 min read

A Perfect Weekend in Old Town Scottsdale, Friday to Sunday

Old Town is just over a square mile, which means you can park once and walk the whole weekend. Here is how to spend Friday evening through Sunday like someone who lives here.

Palm trees and a Scottsdale golf course at sunset7 min read

Golf in Scottsdale: Public, Resort and Private Courses Explained

Scottsdale golf comes in three flavors: public courses anyone can book, resort courses, and private clubs. Here is how each works, and when to play.

Sunlight through yellow desert wildflowers7 min read

Winters Here or All Year? How Seasonal Living in Scottsdale Works

Scottsdale runs on two calendars, a busy winter and a quiet summer. Here is how each one feels, and what it takes to live here part of the year.

Aerial view of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley neighborhoods with mountains6 min read

Scottsdale HOAs and Master-Planned Communities: What to Know

Many Scottsdale homes come with one association or several. Here is how HOAs, master associations and design review work, and what Arizona says you receive before closing.

Free guide

Everything we'd tell a friend before they moved here.

The Scottsdale Lifestyle Guide puts the neighborhoods, the seasons, the preserve, dining, golf, a moving checklist, and a first-weekend itinerary in one place.

  • Neighborhood-by-neighborhood notes
  • A 90-day moving checklist
  • Trailheads by skill level
  • A first-weekend itinerary