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

Scottsdale effectively runs on two calendars. From roughly January through March, the city fills with events, visitors and seasonal residents, and the pace picks up everywhere. From June through September, it slows down, empties out and belongs to the people who stay. Whether you live here all year or only part of it shapes your traffic, your reservations, how you care for your home and, in some cases, your paperwork.

How the year actually feels

Winter and early spring: high season

The cool months bring the big events, and they cluster tightly:

• Barrett-Jackson holds its Scottsdale collector car auction at WestWorld each January.
• Western Week fills Old Town in late January and early February, anchored by the Parada del Sol historic parade.
• The WM Phoenix Open comes to TPC Scottsdale, a city-owned course, in early to mid February.
• The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show runs in mid February at WestWorld.
• Spring training follows from late February through March. The San Francisco Giants play at Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town, and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies share Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

This is when the city feels busiest. Popular restaurants book further out, weekend tee times go quickly, and roads near Old Town, WestWorld and the stadiums get crowded on event days. Locals adjust by reserving early, running errands on weekday mornings and treating a quiet Tuesday dinner as a small luxury.

Summer: the quiet stretch

By June, much of the seasonal crowd has gone. The heat is serious, with the National Weather Service's normal July high at Phoenix Sky Harbor at 106.5°F, and monsoon season runs from June 15 through September 30. Life shifts to early mornings and evenings.

The tradeoff is space. Reservations are easier, many resorts offer summer packages and lower rates, and the trails at dawn feel uncrowded. Some independent restaurants adjust their hours or take a summer break, so check before you go.

Fall: the return

As temperatures ease in the fall, patios reopen, seasonal residents come back and the calendar starts filling again. For many households, this is the most comfortable stretch of the year.

Two ways to live here

All year

Living here full time means experiencing the whole cycle: the energy of winter, the soft spring evenings, the monsoon storms rolling over the McDowell Mountains in late summer and the quiet of a July morning. It also means adapting to summer rather than escaping it, which locals do with early schedules, shade, pools and the occasional trip to the high country.

Part of the year

Seasonal living usually means arriving as the weather cools and leaving as the heat builds. You get the best weather and the busiest social calendar. The tradeoff is a home that sits empty through the hottest, stormiest months, and that takes planning.

What part-time owners typically arrange

Home watch

Many seasonal owners hire a home watch service to check on the property while they are away. Visits typically include walking the house, looking for leaks, confirming the air conditioning is working, checking for pests and storm damage, and running water through the fixtures. When you choose a provider, ask about visit frequency, written reports with photos, and their insurance. Ask your homeowners insurer, too, whether your policy has requirements for a home left unoccupied.

Air conditioning: set higher, not off

Summer heat inside a closed house is hard on finishes, electronics and anything stored there. Many seasonal owners leave the air conditioning running at a higher setting rather than turning it off, and some use a smart thermostat so they, or their home watch service, can see the indoor temperature remotely. Have the system serviced before you leave in spring.

Pool care

A pool left alone in summer can turn quickly. Heat and sun change the water chemistry fast, and evaporation lowers the level. Most part-time owners keep a regular pool service on schedule through the summer.

Water service

The City of Scottsdale allows customers who will be away for an extended period to suspend water service. Under the city's rules, the suspension must cover at least six consecutive months, any outstanding balance must be paid first, and the change takes effect within three to five business days of the request. It cannot be backdated. If your pool, landscaping or home watch visits need water while you are gone, suspension may not fit, so think it through before you file. Utility Billing (480-312-2461) can walk you through the options.

Storm prep before you leave

Monsoon storms can bring strong wind and heavy rain while you are away. Before you head out for the summer, secure or store patio furniture and umbrellas, clear drains and gutters, and have trees near the house trimmed.

The car you leave behind

A vehicle parked through the summer benefits from a garage, a battery maintainer and a sunshade. If your vehicle will be out of state for an extended period, Arizona's emissions program may allow an exemption; check the details at myazcar.com.

Renting while you are away: check the rules first

Some seasonal owners consider renting their home during the months they are gone. If you do, start with the rules. The City of Scottsdale requires an annual city license for each short-term or vacation rental (stays under 30 days), plus an Arizona transaction privilege tax license, minimum liability insurance and notice to neighboring properties. See the city's vacation and short-term rental page for current requirements and fees.

Your HOA may have its own rules on rentals, lease lengths or guest registration. Check your community's rules before you list anything.

Residency: know where the lines are

Spending part of the year here can raise residency questions, and different agencies use different tests.

Vehicles and driver licenses. ADOT says state law requires an Arizona vehicle registration and driver license if you remain in Arizona for a total of seven months or more during any calendar year, even if Arizona is not your permanent residence. Working in Arizona or registering to vote here also make you a resident for MVD purposes.

Income taxes. The Arizona Department of Revenue determines residency by domicile, meaning the place where you have your permanent home. A temporary absence does not end Arizona residency, and people who move in or out during the year may file as part-year residents. Your other home state has its own rules, too.

These rules interact in ways that depend on your situation. Before you change your domicile, or count days in either state, talk with a qualified tax professional.

Choosing your calendar

There is no wrong way to do Scottsdale. All year gives you the full rhythm of the desert, including a summer slowdown that many locals come to appreciate. Part of the year gives you the best weather and the busiest calendar, with a home that needs care while you are gone. Either way, the city rewards people who plan around its seasons.