Hi,
We are considering to move Phoenix/Scottsdale are in the near future.
We (me,42 and my wife,32) live in midwest, next to Chicago area. We just want to learn more about the urban life in Phoenix/Scottsdale are. How lively is restaurant/bar scene? Are there a lot outdoor cafes/restaurants? How urban is the city culture? Is the downtown walking friendly or everything is widely separated so you need to drive to get from one point to another? Is the society cosmopolite or mostly homogeneous? We here live long, brutal winters but is the extreme heat over there bothersome for most people too? Thank you very much for your replies.
I have lived in many large cities and I am sure the ratio of restaurants and bars per person in the Phoenix metro area is by far greater than most. There is a plethora of options in cuisine, bars, and clubs. Most restauntants and bars are non smoking per a recent law and they offer patio seating ( weather permitting).
Downtown Scottsdale is mostly a tourist attraction, full of Southwestern art and shops, restaurants, clubs, 5 star resorts, spas and golf courses.
Downtown Phoenix is home to the baseball and basketball stadiums, museums,quaint little restaurants and historic homes. Do not walk this part of town at night, there are many homeless and strange looking individuals who call this home.
Weatherwise, it is pure paradise for a couple of months of the year however the rest of the year is hot. I have friends from Iowa & Ohio and it took them more than a couple of years to be acclimated. They almost never did anything outdoors for fear of skin cancer or dehydration.
The conveniences of a major city is a plus just be prepared to drive for 45 mins plus and sit in long traffic lines as the highways and streets are ALWAYS under construction.
I would recommend living in the outskirts of town such as Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe and driving into town to enjoy the night life. In short .. this is like a mini L.A… minus the ocean side properties.