Aside from calling itself the “West’s Most Western City,” Scottsdale also prides itself as being the most livable city in the Phoenix-metro area. If you weren’t already convinced of that, the website Livability recently named it as the only city in Arizona to make its “Top 100 Best Places To Live” list this year (where it came in at number 40, making the top 50), where it joined five previous list rankings. The city scored well in areas such as education, creating a cohesive community, and the collection of amenities that make the city stand out above many others. It also has a reputation for being a safe, cultured, clean city, something that can be a pretty rare find for a place with a population of nearly 227,000.

If you weren’t already convinced of Scottsdale’s livability status, here are a few things that we think helps the city to shine. Who knows? It may even convince you to one day move there.

1. Residents in Scottsdale are well-educated.
Julochuka/Flickr
According to data from the American Community Survey in 2015, roughly 96% of Scottsdale residents had a high school diploma and more than half had a bachelor’s degree. Plus, three of its high schools made the state’s top 20 list of best high schools according to U.S. News.
2. Scottsdale is well-known for its dedication to the arts.
CEBImagery/Flickr
Museums, art galleries, culture nights, and one of the top places in the state to see art house films. One of its signature examples of this is the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, otherwise known as SMoCA, which not only serves as the home of contemporary art exhibits but also brings art to the public with free events.
3. It’s also a great place to kick back and relax by visiting one of their many, many spas and resorts.
Brent Flanders/Flickr
There’s so many to choose from, you probably won’t know where to start.

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4. The Scottsdale Greenbelt is a city perk and a perfect spot to go for a run or walk the dog.
Dru Bloomfield/Flickr
The wash-turned-flood retention area doubles as a recreation area when it’s not raining and manages to keep the city looking its best for residents and visitors alike.
5. Scottsdale combines scenic desert views with the luxurious conveniences of city life.
The Real Cloud2013/Flickr
Surrounded by exquisite mountains, the sights and outdoor activities that you can find in Scottsdale are numerous! There’s nothing that quite beats taking a hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve then heading out for a delicious brunch. That actually takes us to our next point…
6. You can find award-winning restaurants, local favorites, and everything in between.
Sugar Bowl/Yelp
In a city with more than 800 restaurants, it’s not difficult finding a favorite.
7. Scottsdale has a vibrant downtown scene.
Phil Sexton/Flickr
One of the best parts of moving to a new town or city is finding that the downtown or main street area is alive. That's what you'll find here where Old Town is a lively destination for residents and visitors alike.

If life in a large city like Scottsdale seems a little too busy for you, I recommend checking out an article from earlier this year, 14 Small Towns In Arizona Where Everyone Knows Your Name.

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