Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Hi

I currently live in the UK and my husband has been offered the opportunity of a job in Scottsdale AZ. I have a 7 month old baby.

Does anyone know anything about the area? What are the best neighbourhoods? What is living there like? Is there much to do for mums and babies? Etc etc...

Sorry it's a bit general but am just trying to get some initial information.

Many thanks

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Depends on where in Scottsdale. It's long and thin (ooh err), the northern end being posh and full of gated communities the south end being older more mixed community. Don't forget the neighboring cites, Paradise Valley (if you really have money to burn) Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe etc etc.

I have a toddler and to be honest there isn't much great for moms and babies. Particularly in the summer months. Check out the Children's museum. There's a free indoor playground at the Fashion Square mall. Some of the parks have outdoor splash pads.

There are a couple of good parenting groups that meet up occasionally. North Central Parenting group does some cool stuff.

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Just to get it out there, but what's the visa?

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Hi

Not sure about the Visa. I know they have headhunted my husband specifically for this role as it is quite specialist. Their HR department have said the Visa is "no problem" - not that that helps much - sorry!

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Just flicking through your previous posts, did anything come of the move to Virginia?

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

No - the job fell through there so we didn't go. I was quite glad in a way because I wasn't sure about living there. I have family in California so Arizona would be better as we'd be somewhat closer to them.

This time the job is through someone who knows him (and has worked with before) so I'm thinking it's more likely to happen.

I'm still not 100% sure about it though, hence why I was hoping for some help/advice on here!

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Scottsdale is beautiful but hot! We went to Sedona for a few days and then spent a day in Scottsdale on our way to San Diego last year in June. I remember getting out of the car and being unable to breathe - it was so hot. Straight in to the hotel and then literally ran to a bar and only came out when the sun went down. I'm sure for 7/8 months of the year it is fabulous but the summer! And I lived in the caribbean for 14 years.

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Good luck. Getting the visa stuff nailed down is the first priority, hopefully the HR department know what they are doing.

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Well it's important.

If it's a H1, they can't apply till April for a October start and you'd not be allowed to work. So it could affect your budget for location. Also this visa is over subscribed so there's a lottery and no guarantee you'd get it.

There are other visa options, all with their own differing limitations or requirements and there's no such thing as "no problem" really.

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

It's a little easier if you build up to it over the early summer months. I've done two summers now, and it's not toooooo bad. You have to think of it like a European winter - that there's 3-4 months when you don't really want to be outside unless you have to. Early mornings are ok - I do all our own yard work, and even in July and August could go out before 9am and mow the lawn in relative comfort. And even in mid-afternoon you can still potter about to the shops, collect the kids from school, generally get on with your everyday life; you just don't linger outside. Unless you have a pool, in which case you can float in a gorgeous bubble of coolness. Plus it's handy for day time yard work if necessary - I did some last year where I worked in my swim shorts and top for 15 mins, jumped in the pool for 5, worked for 15, rinse and repeat.

I live in Mesa, OP, about 15 mins from Scottsdale, so if your move comes off can help out with general queries about the area.

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

I'll also throw my hat into the mix if any area-specific help is needed. It is hot in the summer, but it is beautiful this time of year :)

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Scousepete, Kodokan - thanks so much - area specific information is the kind of thing I was looking for.

We are open to suggestions about location for where to live as a short(ish) commute into Scottsdale would be acceptable - say about 30 minutes drive. Which are the nicest neighbourhoods? Is there anywhere that is more suited to families/young children?

I have heard a lot about the temperature. I take it most homes have AC?!!

Also - how easy was it to get an AZ drivers licence (if you have one) if you already had one in the UK?

Thank you.

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Me, too! I live in Mesa and work in Tempe. The best thing about Scottsdale are the two Persian restaurants (Persian Room and Pars)! hehehe.

Summers are ungodly hot, true, but at least it's dry and you don't have to spend time outdoors. Make sure whatever you live, has a pool.

Rene

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Not most... ALL!! You can't live without it here.

Your UK license will get you by for the first month or so after you arrive, but you need to get an AZ DL as soon as you can. You'll have to start over. You'll take the written test, then the road test, then you'll get a license. It's not difficult at all.

Rene

Re: Moving to Scottsdale AZ
 

Not quite - technically you need an AZ license 'immediately' you start acting like a resident rather than a visitor: starting work, putting the kids in school, etc. Hubby did his the first week; I did mine about a month or so after we arrived, a day or two after the kids started school (I didn't want back seat driver comments during my test, and technically I was still ok on the UK one at that point). Scroll down almost to the bottom of this FAQ list for the rules for international arrivees: http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/faq/driver-services

The test is scarily simple. Mug up on the AZ Highway Code-a-like; it's online and there are also test apps available for phones. There will definitely be questions about teen driving rules and alcohol - learn these even if you aren't a teen - and school buses. Take a multi-choice computer click test, drive around the block for 5-10 mins (mine only had right turns in it, it was literally round the block!), then ta-da! You have a license.