If your New Year’s resolution for 2016 was to get into shape, you’re in the right place, because WalletHub just ranked Scottsdale the #1 city for an active lifestyle. This might not come as much of a surprise to anyone who lives here, considering the great weather and the multitude of things to do outside. But if you’re curious as to what exactly makes Scottsdale the best place to get fit, take a look at what the study found.
For this study, WalletHub focused on 24 metrics, naming the 5 best and worst cities for each one. A few examples of those metrics include the number of parks per capita, the percentage of people who participate in physical activity, and the number of playgrounds per capita.
Sure, we all know that Scottsdale has great weather most of the year, with more than 300 days of sunshine annually. It also has lots of parks, golf courses, tennis courts, hiking trails, and gyms, and many are within walking distance of Scottsdale homes. But it’s always great to see a study that quantifies these benefits and compares them to other cities.
There were two key categories in particular that determined the winner. One was Budget and Participation, for which Scottsdale came in 11th place. The other category was Sports Facilities & Outdoor Environment, for which Scottsdale came in 4th place. Overall, Scottsdale scored 57.01 points, putting it just ahead of Orlando, FL.
Scottsdale not only won the overall title of the best city for an active lifestyle, but it also won a few individual awards. For example, it tied for 1st place for having the highest number of public golf courses per capita. If that sounds good to you, maybe it’s time to buy an Arizona golf home!
If you prefer other ways of getting in shape, don’t worry. Scottsdale tied for 1st place for the highest number of fitness centers per capita. That means you should have no trouble finding a gym that’s close to your home in DC Ranch or anywhere else in Scottsdale!
Of course, a few other Valley cities made the list, as well. Tucson came in 7th place, while Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Phoenix, and Gilbert were further down the list of 100 cities.
Last year, WalletHub named Scottsdale among the top places to retire in the U.S. We wonder what other titles this city will win in the coming years?
If you’re interested in getting to know the area better – perhaps by searching for a Scottsdale home this year – contact The Matheson Team today. We love living here and would be glad to show you around.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-360-0281
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
