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

Business Insider's reporter encountered a few surprises during her trip to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona. Joey Hadden/Business Insider As an NYC resident, I didn't expect a luxury suburban lifestyle in the desert to appeal to me. But my 48-hour trip to Arizona's millionaire hot spot was full of surprises. Scottsdale and Paradise Valley wooed me with walkable pockets, hillside estates, and short commutes. I'd been to Phoenix many times, but I had never ventured 15 miles east to Arizona's millionaire enclave until April 2024. I flew from my home in NYC to the familiar Southwestern city to spend 48 hours in two nearby suburbs — Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Scottsdale is America's fastest-growing wealth hub, with a 125% increase in millionaire residents between 2014 and 2024, according to the 2025 USA Wealth Report by Henley & Partners. Nestled between Scottsdale and Phoenix, Paradise Valley is the richest municipality in Arizona by per capita income, according to the US Census Bureau. The desert mountain town of grand estates and billionaire residents is known as the "Beverley Hills of Arizona." Real-estate agent Shawn Shackelton, who has been selling luxury homes in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale for over two decades, told Business Insider in 2024 that incoming residents are typically entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, medical professionals such as doctors and PAs, and young retirees. I spent one night in each Phoenix suburb. After seven years of calling NYC home, I couldn't imagine ditching the big-city life, but Scottsdale and Paradise Valley surprised me in many ways. Some of those surprises made me think I could get used to the luxury desert lifestyle. Coming from NYC, I was surprised by how quickly I could get from Phoenix to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I grew up in a New York City suburb, and every trip to the airport took at least an hour. So, I was thrilled when my cab ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Downtown Scottsdale took only 20 minutes. And when I was headed to the airport on my way home from my hotel in Paradise Valley, it only took 15 minutes. It was easy to see the appeal of living near an international airport. I took both cabs around noon, so traffic was minimal. However, according to Google Maps, commuting between Phoenix and Scottsdale or Paradise Valley can take 30 minutes or longer during rush hour. Ultimately, I found that the three areas were close enough together to navigate easily throughout my trip. While staying in Paradise Valley, I grabbed dinner in Scottsdale, which was less than 30 minutes away by car. Back in New York, getting to nearby cities can take over an hour, depending on which borough you live in. I wasn't expecting the area to have so much to offer for all types of travelers. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Arizona has a lot to offer in the luxury travel scene. Scottsdale alone hosted more than 10 million tourists in 2025, and together they spent $2 billion on their trips, according to a research report conducted for the City of Scottsdale. During my trip, I stayed in two of the state's top hotels — first, at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, "Arizona's Leading Resort," according to the 2025 World Travel Awards. I spent my second night at the boutique Hermosa Inn, which ranked as the second-best hotel in Arizona in Travel + Leisure's 2026 World's Best Awards. I was expecting to feel like a VIP in both accommodations, and I did. However, the experiences were so different that I realized the area suits a wide range of travelers — and not just in hotels. Scottsdale has mountain hikes for adventurers. I spotted luxury spas for those looking to recharge, high-end department stores and boutiques for shoppers, public sculptures for art enthusiasts, and an old town area for history buffs. In Scottsdale, The Phoenician felt like a mega-resort. Joey Hadden/Business Insider The Phoenician was massive. The 600 acres were filled with five pools, eight restaurants, several shops, a spa, and a sprawling golf course. Inside, the hotel had a modern, Southwestern style with warm hues, geometric details, and 645 rooms. The hotel reminded me of a mega-cruise ship. There was so much to do that you could spend your entire trip to Scottsdale on the property without getting bored. But not without getting lost — if you're directionally challenged like me. I spent 30 minutes looking for my room after exploring the property. In Paradise Valley, the Hermosa Inn provided a more intimate experience. Joey Hadden/Business Insider With six acres of gardens, adobe structures, 43 stand-alone casitas, and one pool, the Hermosa Inn was smaller than The Phoenician and had a more cultural feel. The inn, originally built by a cowboy and artist in 1936, is rooted in history. From the lobby to the casitas, the property transported me back in time with traditional Southwestern architecture and interior decor, including rustic fur