Scottsdale-Phoenix is a desert community that offers a rare blend of laidback living, cosmopolitan amenities, and dramatic vista. In-Scottsdale-Phoenix, you can live close to the native desert, yet be within minutes of upscale urban conveniences.

Home to no fewer than 50 major golf courses, the region attracts pro-circuit golfers and devoted amateurs alike. The regional cuisine includes Spanish, Mexican and Indian delicacies ranging from chocolate tamale to chili-cured duck. Thanks to the Scottsdale center for the Performing Arts and other vibrant cultural organizations the region offers a steady stream of musical and theatrical productions throughout the year. It’s no wonder the area is such a draw for real estate investors seeking a luxury retirement home, full-time residence., or vacation retreat. Yes, the summer heat may deter some, but residents are serious when they say they’d rather jump in a pool than shovel snow.

Arizona Realty Group

“It’s not a good time to buy a house in Arizona; it’s a good time to buy five,” says one local real estate analyst. Arizona has always been a great place to live, but because real estate is on sale practically throughout the state, there has never been a better time to move to this tranquil desert. Notably, Phoenix has experienced positive population growth through the recession, due in part to this city’s ability to attract a wide variety of successful people, including those just beginning their college or business careers, as well as people who have honed their entrepreneurial acumen in order to become facilitators of growth within the area.

Unruffled by hurricanes and other natural disasters, Phoenix and Scottsdale benefit from the desert’s predictably serene weather. While residents up north contend with frost, Phoenix is currently experiencing its most beautiful time of year. This is the perfect time to enjoy the region’s extraordinary landscape, allowing friends and family to partake in activities such as golfing, hiking and biking- outdoor mainstays that continue to draw individuals looking to relocate. Joe Morales of the Arizona Realty Group also emphasizes the fantastic downtown nightlife in Phoenix and Scottsdale, proclaiming, “It’s as good as or better than any major city. There’s a melting pot of people here infusing the city’s night scene with culture and diversity.”

Classical architectural gems featuring modern technology are hot on the market, including an array of Queen Anne Victorian homes. Luxurious brownstones within the context of urban development, featuring dramatic architecture and upwards of 5,000 square feet of living space are part of some of the most unique neighborhoods relocate to this thriving desert.

Dominion Real Estate Partners

Just a short plane ride east of Los Angeles or south of Las Vegas is another large metropolitan area, but without the constant hustle and bustle of a big city- Scottsdale, Arizona.

“There’s nothing like living in the desert,” says Todd Headlee of Dominion Real Estate Partners in Arizona. “There’s such a sense of peace with the gorgeous nightly sunsets, the sunny days, and the cool nights. I lived in Colorado and then in Los Angeles, and they don’t even compare to the laidback lifestyle of living in Scottsdale.”

Todd specializes in luxury real estate just north of Scottsdale in the aptly named town of Carefree, which is a bit more mountainous than Scottsdale and therefore cooler. Residents of Carefree enjoy a vibrant business district with fine dining and high-end shopping, just minutes away from upscale living in Scottsdale, as well as Phoenix, the fifth largest city in the United States.

As for the housing market, the outlook is positive as Todd notes that 2011 was the best business year he had. “Carefree and Scottsdale are a different story from what happened to most cities when the recession hit,” Todd says. “The two cities survived the housing downturn, because most people who live there already own their luxury homes. Homes that are for sale are moving at a fast pace.”

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

“Scottsdale provides a quality of life much like a small town, but with the benefits of a major metropolitan city,” says Bob Nathan of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty in Scottsdale. “You have many cultural activities, golf courses, a magnificent system of trails, and professional sports in the area, but the city is also centrally located in the Southwest to enjoy the best of what the surrounding states offer. The skiing in Colorado, the beaches of California, the wonders of New Mexico, and the clear ocean waters of Mexico are all easy drives from Scottsdale.”

In addition to being ideally located in the Southwest region another ideal aspect of living in Scottsdale is the weather. “There’s sunshine over 300 days of the year, with cool nights and sunny days for eight months a year,” Bob says. “It’s practically perfect.” And like most major cities in the United States, now is the time to buy due to the increasing value of properties. As Bob Notes, The Scottsdale area has many sub-markets, all of which are doing well, and prices have stabilized. Inventories are at record lows, and activity us healthy.”

The Wall Street Journal and Real Trends have acknowledged Bob as being part of one of the top luxury real estate teams in the country. “I have been blessed with selling real estate in Scottsdale’s metropolitan area for 32 years,” Bob says. “If someone’s looking to move to Scottsdale, I’m here to help them.”