North Peoria or North Scottsdale: Deciding Which Area is Right for You

The greater Phoenix area is truly a wonderful and special place to live with nearly year-round sunshine and abundant opportunities to take in the natural desert lifestyle. Choosing a specific area to settle down in, though may be challenging due to the amount of growth occurring all over the Valley. If you’re thinking about moving to the area, and are looking for great neighborhoods that offer quality home builders and amenities, there are two areas specifically that you may want to consider. Both North Scottsdale and North Peoria offer residents amazing choices and a great selection of new home options that are hard to match in the Phoenix area. In this article we list the benefits both areas have to offer so you can make the best decision for your lifestyle and family.

North Peoria vs. North Scottsdale

North Scottsdale is one of those notorious places to live that tends to rank favorably amongst locals and out of towners alike. However, the Phoenix area has grown so much that there are now a host of cities that offer similar attractions worthy of comparison. North Peoria is one of the best places to live in the area and precisely the kind of upcoming community that can match much of what North Scottsdale has to offer and even provide its own unique cultural flare to the Valley of the Sun.

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Which is best for families?

Peoria and Scottsdale both have some similar overall options to what they offer for families. Each provide a variety of restaurants, family-friendly entertainment centers and retail conveniences with plenty more slated for the future. Scottsdale however is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the state which can lead to increased traffic and crowds during certain times of the year. Peoria is a growing city with less crowds and is appealing to many families as it offers more affordable housing choices away from the hustle and bustle.

Schools

Scottsdale and Peoria both have similarly ranked public schools and both offer a variety of private school, public and  charter school options. Both Peoria Unified School District and Scottsdale Unified School District consistently rank in the top 10 and have schools that offer modern classrooms and a diverse curriculum.

Parks and community centers

Scottsdale has a wonderful system of established community centers and parks as does Peoria. Peoria currently offers more than 30 parks, 20 miles of trails and is in the process of expanding to include even more with a new 120 acre multipurpose park in North Peoria.

Which is best for retirees?

Scottsdale and Peoria are both great places to retire with beautiful desert surroundings, year round warm weather and an abundance of housing options. While Scottsdale is a  retirement destination, North Peoria also has many communities that are specifically for active adults and retirees. There are several 55+ communities, including Trilogy at Vistancia; and due to the fact that Peoria neighbors well established 55+ communities such as Sun City, Sun City West, and Sun City Grand, there is an abundance of support for active adults in the area and many amenities and events that active adults can enjoy.

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Which is best for golf?

Scottsdale is well-known for golf and many consider it one of the best places to play golf in the country, if not in the world. However, the West Valley offers some amazing courses as well including the Trilogy at Vistancia golf course,Quintero golf course and numerous other public courses in Sun City, Glendale, and surrounding areas. In addition, the one of a kind private Blackstone Country Club golf course, recently voted the # 1 private golf course in Arizona is located in the North Peoria area.

Which has the best shopping and restaurants?

Scottsdale is known for its selection of upscale and unique shopping destinations featuring a large selection of luxury shopping with high quality brands including Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale Quarter, and Kierland Commons. Peoria, also offers a great variety for both retail and dining. The Arrowhead Towne Center Mall, new retail developments on Happy Valley Rd, and the District P83 shopping and entertainment district just to name a few; all offer something for everyone. As the area continues to grow, Peoria’s more high-end offerings should continue to expand as well. Which area is right for you will depend on your budget and your taste but either way it’s great to know there are so many options in both cities to choose from.

Which has the best access to nearby hiking and recreation?

Scottsdale has many of great recreation options including the Green Belt, Bartlett Lake, and the McDowell Mountains. Peoria has Lake Pleasant, plenty of hiking and horse trails, and access to adventurous activities like ATV riding, para-gliding and more. Both communities are absolutely perfect for those who love to live outdoors as they neighbor beautifully scenic desert preserves.

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What city is right for you?

Scottsdale is a great place to live, but Peoria is hard to beat if you’re looking for more affordable housing prices in a city that offers many of the same attributes of Scottsdale just outside the crowds of the city.  North Peoria offers many amazing neighborhoods with some of the best desert views in the Valley. If you’re ready to learn more about the home of Vistancia and what it can offer you, make sure to visit us at the Vistancia Information Center to learn more about all Vistancia has to offer.

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