Relocating to Scottsdale Area with Family. Schools? Neighborhoods?

Both area's are very nice. I can tell you that. My son attended scottsdale schools, and has done well.

Hi T.,
I live in Fountain Hills. I am a single mom of 4 girls. WE LOVE IT HERE!!! School, community , church it is awesome. I teach preschool at a local christian preschool here. please feel free to e-mail @ ____@____.com Good Luck, and have a blessed day, M.

I love our neighborhood! We live in Sonoran Heights and im actually on this site because we are relocating to Houston Texas. I ran across this and thought i would write to you. there are tons of kids in this neighborhood and we walk to all three schools.Trail runs right to back of school. The library is also across the street. WE are sad to leave. This has been a great place to live!! If you would like to talk more please feel free to email me at ____@____.com and I can give you my contact number!!!

Hi T.! Welcome to Arizona. I'm a teacher in the Mesa Public Schools and I graduated from Fountain Hills High School. (I went there from Dec-May of my senior year.) Fountain Hills District is fairly new. It began in the mid nineties I believe which means they are still figuring things out. The community is expensive and has a high population of retirees and winter visitors. (My mom and her retired husband reside there currently.) On the upside-it is very small and safe. I would vote for Mesa , Zaharis is a phenomenal school with a fantastic principal that has a different way of looking at reading instruction. Their principal gladly gives tours and its a great area of town. (Definetely a suburb.) I also have several friends who work in Kyrene. Its also a great district. Any school from what I understand. Honestly any district in Arizona has its issues but we're all working them out. You also have the charter school option in Arizona. I've heard good things about Eduprise and Ahwatukee Foothills Prep but having not sent my kids to there nor worked there I can't give any input on those.

I am a third generation native of Phoenix. I LOVE the North Phoenix area. We currently live in the Desert Ridge area and the schools are great. The school district is called Paradise Valley and it has always (I'm 33 and been in the district my whole life) been rated in the top 3 districts in AZ. I like Fountain Hills to visit, but it has generally been known to be an older community. A lot of retired people, but I have heard there are newer families moving in there. If you want a family neighborhood, I would stick with newer built communities within what ever area you choose. There tends to be younger families with younger kids in these type of neighborhoods. Whatever you decide, you are picking the perfect time to move because the homes have never been cheaper and this time of year is the BEST as far as weather is concerned. Good luck!

T.,

I grew up in Fountain Hills and have now bought my first home there and I have a 10 month old. The public schools in AZ are terrible no matter where you go, unfortunately, and the Scottsdale system is in disaray so I think no matter where you choose to live, you need to make the most of it or send the kids to private school. The Kyrene District (Tempe/Chandler area) is the only suitable system by popular opinion.

FH is great for kids..its safe, there is the large fountain park, strong sense of community, and lots of churchs to choose from if you are religious. The only drawback is there are not large chains (I think that's a plus!) other than Target and 2 grocers, few better-than-average restaurants, and your job may not be in the area since there is not a lot of commerce. Its about a 15 minute hop out of Scottsdale proper where there is plenty of life. I have chosen to raise my daughter in FH and I want her to make friends there but I will be sending her to private schools. If you've had the chance to visit, its beautiful with a lot of outdoor activity (not in 115 degree heat, obviously) and just a smidgen cooler than being in the city thanks to the surrounding mountians. Good Luck!

you will love it here! I grew up in Kansas City and went to KU. There are so many people from Kansas City here you will feel right at home. I have lived here for 10 years and my kids have gone to Cheyenne Traditional School for the entire time. (it is a k-8) It is a public school in the Scottsdale School district. It has had the highest test scores in the city for years. Scottsdale School district as a whole has excellent test scores-some of the best in the state. Their web site is SUSD.org. You should check it out. For investment purposes it is best to move to the most desireable part of town that you can afford for re-sale value. Fountain Hills is a great part of town that is still affordable. Their school district hasn't always been so great but they have put alot of money into upgrading the school system in the last couple of years. Also, Scottsdale School District has open enrollment for all of their schools. That means if you live within there district you can choose which school you want to go to.

I moved here from CA a year ago. We live in North Scottsdale, Grayhawk area. My 3rd and 6th grader attend Grayhawk Elem. I also have an 8th grader at Mountain Trail Middle School. We all love it. It is highly rated and the teachers and staff are wonderful. The community is very family oriented. There are neighborhood parks and greenbelt areas where the kids play. We looked in Fountain Hills, Phoenix etc and found the Grayhawk area to be the best fit.
Good luck! Feel free to contact me with any questions.
C. A

We live in the Arcadia area and I highly recommend it! It is filled with beautiful ranch style homes with families. It is a small town within the city! I have a 16 year old daughter who is a Junior at Arcadia High School this year. She loves it! She stays active with Varsity Cheer, Dance, and honor classes.

hi T. - I've found this website very helpful in researching schools: http://www.greatschools.net/ Hope that helps! Good luck :)
M.

Don't underestimate the power of a short commute to work. The less time in the car, the more time you and/or your spouse get to spend with your family, which as you said, is the most important thing.

Good luck with your move! Welcome to the Valley!

Hi T.!

First, let me say welcome to your new home!! That is wonderful that you are moving to Arizona, I was born and raised here and I love it. I did a short stint in NY for college but came back here to have my kids and my sisters, mom, dad and other family live here too.

First, let me say that Fountain Hills is a very secluded and small community with a large population of retired people, 2nd home owners and winter visitors. It is also a little higher in the expense department, but I have no idea what the schools are like there. Shea Blvd is also the main artery for coming and going to Fountain Hills, and that is a very long commute, one that is packed in the morning and evening.

Are you looking for private or public school? I attended private and public here, my daughter attends a phenomenal public school in the Scottsdale School District, Hopi Elementary (she is in 2nd grade now) and my son is 2.5 and will be attending Kindergarten at Hopi when he is able to. They have incredible parent and community donations of not just money but equipment and time, it is an Excelling school which is the highest designation a school can have, and it is located at the base of Camelback Mountain in the incredible Arcadia area! I grew up in that neighborhood and fell in love with it because it was so green and different from the surrounding desert areas.

If you want me to send you some information or give you some websites, I can help you.

I am a REALTOR in Scottsdale & have lived here for 5 years. Are you currently working with a REALTOR? Are you renting or buying? What price range do you want to be in? I can definitely help you, and there is no fee to you. Let me know. My email is ____@____.com.