That’s the official motto of Scottsdale. It prides itself in epitomizing Western culture. Surrounded by Phoenix to the west, Tempe to the south and Fountain Hills to the east, Scottsdale sits to the southwest of the base of the McDowell Mountain Range. Incorporated in 1951, the city has an estimated population of 240,410. With an arid climate, the summers are hot and the winters are mild. The average high temperature ranges from 68° in January to 104° in July.

The city has a long, interesting history in that it was inhabited by a civilization that archeologists dubbed the Hohokam from about 300 B..C. until 1400 A.D. when they just … disappeared. That’s what their name translated means – “vanished.” This farming community was noted for building some of the most advanced irrigation canals known to modern man.

Frank Lloyd Wright, the world renowned architect, left his mark right here in this city. With his death in 1959, he left behind his winter home and school in the desert at the base of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. Taliesin West is an amazing architectural legacy, and is protected as a national historic landmark. There are other buildings in the city and surrounding areas that also bear the signature of this great architect.

The entrance of one of three Mayo Clinics in Arizona caused this city’s reputation to grow into a mecca for medicine. People come from all over the nation to receive care from this clinic. Money Magazine ranked Scottsdale 47th on their 2008 list of “Best Places to Live” in the U.S. The same magazine ranked it 7th in 2006.

Of the schools that were rated according to test scores, at least half them received a 10 out of a possible 10 rating. Stellar test scores indicating quality education is what you’d expect from a city with so much invested in everything else.

The city’s a massive tourist stop, which pulls in over $3.1 billion annually. Yep, I said B-I-L-L-I-O-N! As you can imagine, no expense is spared to make this city sparkle. If high-end nightlife is your thing, then you’ll find a covey of cozy clubs in the South Scottsdale area. Also in South Scottsdale are homes for half of what you’d pay in North Scottsdale. Don’t think you’ll be sacrificing quality, though.

Upscale restaurants, luxury shopping, world-class art galleries and legendary live theater all let you know that you’re not in Kansas, anymore. Nope, you won’t find any corn fields or tornados here; at least, not in this part of the state. Want to get around, but don’t want to drive? Use the Scottsdale Trolleys … for free! The trolleys take you to major points in the city both ways, and run every 20 minutes, 7 days a week.

The sites in this city are amazing. Flowing fountains, lovely landscaping, amazing architecture and awe-inspiring scenery make this THE city to live in Arizona. From the smallest resident to the stateliest retired, from the vigorously active to the couch potato, there are tailored activities for every age group.

The most attended of any PGA tournament events occurs right here in Scottsdale, and many use the local airport for their flight in. By the way, if you need a hangar to park your Cessna, look no further than Scottsdale Airport. It is used plenty by corporate and private individuals.

Business is bustling in Scottsdale predominantly in the service industry, finance, technology, retail, manufacturing and design fields. The religion base here is just as diverse as the influx of people who come here to vacation.

Let’s cut to the chase on the subject of real estate. Scottsdale is known to have some of the priciest property in the nation. Many don’t move here unless they’re prepared to pull out all the stops. If you want amenities and abodes made for a king, you’ve come to the right place. Keep in mind that even Scottsdale has taken a hit due to the current U.S. economic crisis, though.

If it’s something more affordable you’re looking for, you can still find it here. You just have to look around a little bit. A standard 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house with a single-car garage, 1400 sq. ft. and no amenities located in South Scottsdale starts at around $175,000. A one-bedroom, one-bathroom comfy condo with less than 1000 sq. ft. of living space goes for $31,700. Keep in mind that waterfront property currently begins at around $1 million, but it is beautiful and has all the bells and whistles.

You’ve got it all just a stone’s throw away right here in Scottsdale, Arizona. You’ll want to call this city home! Click the link if you are looking for homes for sale in Scottsdale, AZ.