Tales of a Digital Nomad: How I Spent My First Few Months Living in Scottsdale

For as long as I can remember, I have always been infatuated with the state of Arizona. When I was younger, my family used to visit from time to time, and each trip left me wanting more. Between the warm winter months, enchanting desert scenery, and comforting mountain backdrops, I always felt at home while I was in Arizona. 

When I won the #LandingLife contest, I immediately thought about heading back to the desert for the first leg of this life-changing opportunity. In early February of this year, I packed up my car, said goodbye to my new friends in Texas, and headed west. 

Here’s how I spent my first couple of months living with Landing in Arizona and some of the amazing experiences I’ve been able to have along the way! 

Getting to know my new home

When I arrived in Scottsdale, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with happiness. My dream of moving to Arizona was becoming a reality! I immediately felt at home in my new Landing apartment and was eager to check out my new surroundings. 

My first few days in town were spent enjoying the amazing weather and exploring the area around my new home. My apartment complex was in a great location, which was one of my main deciding factors when I chose to move there. Not only was my new home near the mountains, but it was also close to High Street, a new vibrant area of town that I read about while doing research before my move. The rave reviews I read about High Street were spot on, and for the first time in my life, I was within walking distance to almost everything I could ever need, including restaurants, bars, hair salons, grocery stores, and even a yoga studio!

At the end of my first week in town, I had the pleasure of attending the Waste Management Phoenix Open (WMPO), which is one of Arizona’s premier sporting events. The WMPO is notorious for being one of the most exciting PGA tournaments, and I had heard stories of its electric atmosphere for years. 

When I first arrived at the tournament grounds, I immediately understood what all the hype was all about. Between the crowds of people walking around to the various music tents, countless beer gardens, and gigantic stadium seating areas set up, it felt like I was at a college football game inside a music festival. If you’re a fan of golf, I highly recommend attending the WMPO at some point in your life. It’s truly an experience you will never forget!

Getting down to business

Once I fully recovered from all the festivities the WMPO had to offer, it was time to get to work and focus on why I was in Scottsdale in the first place. Aside from my childhood fascination with the area, the primary reason I chose to move to Arizona was to put myself in the best situation to launch my new brand and try to turn my passion of creating sports videos into a viable career. When I won a year of free rent in the #LandingLife contest, I was provided with the financial stability to finally go all in on making my dreams come true.

In order to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I flew out my friend Jamie, who is a very talented videographer from back home. We immediately began to take advantage of the sunny days and beautiful Arizona scenery. Each day, we tried to find the most incredible locations for filming, such as stunning golf courses, baseball fields, basketball courts, and various ballparks.

Exploring the best of Arizona 

While the vast majority of our days were spent filming and editing, we did make sure to take full advantage of our days off as well. There were times when we were too tired to leave the apartment complex, but luckily for us, there were top-notch amenities right outside our front door.

On the off days when we did have the energy to go on an adventure, we often found ourselves going on various hikes in order to explore the incredible National Parks just outside the city limits. Our time spent hiking not only gave us the opportunity to unwind from the grind, but it also allowed us to experience the unique plants and wildlife that are native to Arizona. As we hiked, we looked for roadrunners, javelina, jackrabbits, and other desert critters. Surrounded by countless Saguaro cacti, the most iconic symbol of the Arizona landscape, I felt completely at peace while exploring the vast desert terrain. 

In addition to our hiking, we also made sure to explore some of the main attractions of Phoenix and Scottsdale. Some of my favorite spots included the Phoenix Zoo, Pinnacle Peak, and Old Town. In addition to all the recreational activities Scottsdale is known for, there are also countless opportunities to enjoy the thriving nightlife, whether you enjoy bar-hopping, upscale dining, live music, or clubbing.

Set off on your own adventure with Landing

As my time in Arizona is coming to an end, I am forever grateful for everything I was able to experience in just a few months. Not only was I able to jump-start my new business and career path, but I was also able to make memories and friendships that will stay with me forever. 

My fondness for Arizona has only grown exponentially since I had the chance to live here, and if you’re at all interested in experiencing life in Arizona, I highly suggest taking advantage of Landing’s furnished apartments and flexible leases to find your new desert home.