Battle of the Phoenix Cities: Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale

Welcome to the second addition in the blog series from CENTURY 21 Northwest Realty: Battle of the Phoenix Cities! We’ll give you an overview of two cities in the Valley of the Sun, taking a look at homes, schools, and entertainment in each. This week, two of the East Valley’s most prominent cities will be duking it out: Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale! Who will win? You decide!

Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale: Overview

Named for the towering man-made fountain at the heart of town, Fountain Hills is a city known for its thriving arts culture and quiet communities. Incorporated in 1989, this tiny town may be fairly new, but it is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, with a population of 23,000.

Scottsdale is a city known for its arts, culture, history, and thriving nightlife. Founded in 1894 and called “The West’s Most Western Town,” this bustling city is home to 230,000 residents and was once named the “Most Livable City” in the country!

Read on to learn more about these two contenders!

Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale: Homes

The best Fountain Hills neighborhoods to live in are Eagle’s Nest, Firerock, and Diamante Del Lago, though there are many luxury communities throughout this city. The median home value for Fountain Hills is $360,400, with a 2.7% increase from the past year, and a median sales price of $311,900.

The median home value in Scottsdale is $391,900, with a 3.9% increase from the past year, and a median sales price of $367,950. The best Scottsdale neighborhoods to live in are McCormick Ranch, Downtown Scottsdale (also known as Old Town), and North Scottsdale, each of them offering an experience in the Scottsdale arts and culture scene.

Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale: Schools

Fountain Hills is home to exemplary elementary schools (such as Fountain Hills Charter School, McDowell Mountain Elementary School, and Four Peaks Elementary School) and high schools (such as Fountain Hills High School and Desert Mountain High School), not to mention acclaimed school districts like the Fountain Hills Unified School District.

Scottsdale is also home to excellent elementary schools (such as Pima Elementary School, Copper Canyon Elementary School, and Freedom Academy North) and high schools (such as Saguaro High School, Chaparral High School, and Horizon High School), as well as top-rated school districts, such as the Scottsdale Unified School District and Paradise Valley Unified School District. Institutes of higher learning, such as Scottsdale Community College (home of the Fighting Artichokes!) and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, make their home in Scottsdale as well.

Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale: Entertainment

Fountain Hills’ quiet communities lend themselves to a relaxed atmosphere. The fountain in the center of town is surrounded by the man-made Fountain Lake and Fountain Park, a 64-acre passive recreation area and anchor to the town center. As a city known for its thriving culture of the arts, Fountain Hills has three annual fairs: Fountain Festival of Arts and Crafts; The Great Fair, which features art shows and a carnival; and Fountain Hills Fine Art & Wine Affaire, put on by the Thunderbird Artists. In addition, the city puts on a Stroll in the Glow lights show in December. This town may be quiet, but there’s always something to do (and somewhere to relax) in Fountain Hills!

If you’re looking for a night out on the town, Scottsdale is the place to be, with a wide variety of nightclubs and bars, such as Blur, Red Revolver, and LiveWire. While known for it’s nightlife, Scottsdale is also home to a number of relaxing luxury resorts and spas, such as the Four Seasons, Hyatt Regency, and Royal Palms. If you’re looking for shopping, look no further — Scottsdale is home to a number of high-end shopping venues, such as Fashion Square Mall and Kierland Commons, as well as upscale boutiques found in Old Town. From clubs to spas to shopping venues, Scottsdale entertainment has it all!

Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale: Who Won?

From Scottsdale’s nightlife to Fountain Hills’ quiet communities, the East Valley has a lot to offer! So, in the battle of Fountain Hills vs Scottsdale, which city do you think won? No matter who won, whether you’re looking for a home in Fountain Hills or Scottsdale, CENTURY 21 Northwest Realty is here to help, by providing you with the information you need on the homes you want. Contact us to find your East Valley home today!