Scottsdale has a reputation for great shopping and a commitment to the arts, but according to a new report by Wallethub, it’s also one of the healthiest U.S. cities, putting a priority on residents’ well-being. 

Looking at four key dimensions across 174 cities, including the top 150 most populated and the two most populated cities in each state, Scottsdale placed 7th overall on the list of healthy cities. Couple that with the fact that it’s also one of the “most fun” cities in Arizona and it marks Scottsdale as a place that health-conscious homebuyers looking for an active lifestyle have to consider. When you add up the variety of activities, eateries, and healthy living options, Scottsdale delivers in just about every category.

Healthcare

Courtesy of Michael Hankerson/Youtube

Scottsdale residents are infamous for looking after themselves. It’s no surprise they scored 10th on the list for “percentage of adults receiving core preventative services” and “quality of public care.” At a recent event focusing on the impact of technology in healthcare spearheaded by Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane to bring awareness in the bio-life science and healthcare industries, Lane stated the city “thrived” with healthcare and bio-life science businesses.

Per AZ Big Media, Honor Health had three Scottsdale locations (HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center near Scottsdale Ranch, HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center near Old Town, and HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center near Village at Grayhawk Condominiums,) that ranked in the state’s top hospitals on the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals list.

A final point on healthcare comes by way of doctor to patient ratio. Per Data USA there is one primary care physician to every 66 patients, one dentist to every 59 patients, and one mental healthcare provider to 118 patients. Compare that with the national average of 2.3 physicians per 1,000 patients and it’s easy to see why Scottsdale has such a good reputation when it comes to healthcare.

Healthy Food

Courtesy of Old Town Farmers Market

Food is not only a necessity in this city, it is an appreciated art. Though they scored 39th in WalletHub’s rankings, the Scottsdale region is known for gourmet specialty food, healthy restaurants, and farmers markets.

Vegans and vegetarians already know the city was named one of the best U.S. cities for vegetable-based fare. There’s also a wide variety of restaurants offering vegetarian options so you can enjoy meals with your meat-loving friends.

The city has plenty of options for weekend farmers markets and specialty shops but several stand out as buzz-worthy. Old Town Farmer’s Market runs through May and offers produce, flowers, free-range meats, Amish friendship breads, and tamales from local growers and speciality food producers. Troon North Farmers Market hosted by the resort-style golf community Troon North, features handmade cheese, baked goods, and plenty of booths with artisan dishes. Sphinx Date Co. Palm and Pantry nearThe Galleryneighborhood is a specialty store that sells Arizona-made teas, jellies, spices, and pastas.

Fitness

 

Ranking No. 1 in the fitness category, Scottsdale residents have a high percentage of adults engaging in physical activity, fitness club memberships, and recreational leagues. We couldn’t mention fitness in Scottsdale without first mentioning the 51 golf courses in the city and the over 200 golf courses in the surrounding areas. 

According to Golf.com, the best course is Mountain Shadows, which features an “artful assortment” of 150-plus yard holes with a layout good for both beginners and seasoned players. Other courses you’ll want to consider are the Whisper Rock Golf Club in the Whisper Rock Estates and the Pinnacle Peak Golf Club in  Pinnacle Peak Country Club. 

There are no shortages of fitness clubs offering a variety of activities to stay in shape. Places like Jabz Boxing Fitness by Desert Estates combine rowing, shadow boxing, and speed bag work while Alpha 1 Training nearParadise Park Trails offers tailored programs like their barbell club, run club, and black and yellow club (for cardio, strength and balance). 

Green Space

 

Coming in at No. 25 with an impressive amount of parks and trails, Scottsdale outshines many other suburbs in the area. The McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers plenty of space for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Also, Brown’s Ranch Trailhead above Troon North is a favorite local trailhead with a scenic trail into McDowell. 

Most communities and neighborhoods are within biking or walking range of local parks like Scottsdale Ranch which has two parks: Scottsdale Ranch Desert Garden Park and Scottsdale Ranch Park and Tennis Center, which has basketball, volleyball, tennis, and squash courts. For a full list of parks in the area, click here.