The author in a cowboy hat and sunglasses stands smiling in front of cacti and an adobe building in Scottsdale
Business Insider's reporter encountered a few surprises during her trip to Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona.
  • Scottsdale and Paradise Valley are among Arizona's wealthiest areas.
  • I recently visited the two Phoenix suburbs for the first time and was surprised by their offerings.
  • The walkable neighborhoods, luxury stores, and stunning homes made me think I could live there.

In April, I flew from my home in NYC to Phoenix to spend 48 hours in Arizona's wealth enclave.