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I'm a New Yorker who spent 2 days in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. 8 things surprised me about Arizona's wealth hub.

I visited Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona. I was surprised by walkable neighborhoods and luxury estates in the desert hills.

For a New Yorker, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley in Arizona were a surprising luxury suburban experience in the desert. After two days spent in these Arizona suburbs, I found myself enjoying the walkable pockets, hillside estates, and short commutes to the international airport. The drive from Phoenix to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley was quick, taking only 20-15 minutes by cab during off-peak hours.

The area is a millionaire enclave, with Scottsdale growing into America's fastest-growing wealth hub and Paradise Valley being the richest municipality in Arizona. My stay was at The Phoenician, a 600-acre mega-resort in Scottsdale, and the Hermosa Inn, a boutique hotel with a more intimate and cultural atmosphere in Paradise Valley.

I was initially surprised by the warm, dry heat of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, unlike the typical April weather in New York. Despite the heat, the luxury and variety of activities in Arizona made it an appealing destination for all types of travelers.

Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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