Scottsdale, AZ lies just adjacent to Phoenix. Scottsdale has become internationally recognized as a premier and posh tourist destination, while maintaining its own identity and culture as "The West's Most Western Town."

The real estate market in Scottsdale is among the most expensive in the United States. In 2005, both Scottsdale and Paradise Valley were among the top ten markets in the nation for luxury home sales, and the only two cities outside of California. Old Town Scottsdale is an area with many streets, stores, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and western art galleries evoking the old cowboy era. New development is being built in the area.

The tourism industry is Scottsdale's primary employer, accounting for 39% of the city's workforce. The city is home to more than 70 resorts and hotels, with four of them listed as AAA Five-Diamond hotels in 2005. Scottsdale also boasts the highest number of resort spas per capita of any city in the U.S, earning the city a national recognition as an ideal destination for relaxation.

The primary institution of higher education in the city is Scottsdale Community College. Many students also commute to nearby Arizona State University in Tempe.