Little noise and light pollution make the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North — including the panoramic deck off the lobby — the perfect spot to escape.
Four Seasons Resorts
My family of three spent three nights at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.
Rates start at about $369 a night, and upgrades to the next category are often just $20 a night.
There were lots of complimentary or low-cost treats and experiences throughout our stay.
Fortunately, the many luxurious options often means that booking a five-star hotel in the city doesn't require taking out a second mortgage.
My husband, 4-year-old son, and I spent three days at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, renowned among many brand aficionados as the least expensive Four Seasons in the country. (Although, notably, it may depend on the time of year you book).
Rates vary but around the time of our stay they started at $369 a night for a 480-square-foot room — and the cost to upgrade to a 500-square-foot premier casita is typically just $20 or $30.
Although the experience was luxe, it didn't feel at all stuffy. Here's what our stay was like.
An hour's drive from the airport brought us to what felt like an oasis.
The adobe-style buildings blend into the Sonoran setting beautifully.
Carley Thornell
The Four Seasons is delightfully nestled into a secluded corner of the desert near the foothills of Pinnacle Peak.
The summit is visible from many of the 210 accommodations, but the layout of the casitas across a portion of 40 groomed acres with cacti and flora makes the whole property feel more intimate.
The lodgings and main buildings are designed to become part of the landscape, not tower above it. It felt like our hotel was in the middle of a botanical garden.
The adobe-style architecture and muted tones were understated but expensive-looking.
The 500-square-foot premier casita had plenty of space for our family of three to spread out.
Carley Thornell
Casita means "small home," and our premier casita felt like one.
Our well-designed 500-square-foot space had a king bed, a comfy pullout couch, and a covered outdoor patio overlooking the Sonoran Desert.
With such great views even our son wasn't tempted to turn on the patio TV — instead, he opted to spot wildlife like bunnies and lizards.
Plus, the closet had room to stash all of our luggage so we didn't trip over it and our space didn't feel cluttered.
The accommodations felt ideal for family travel.
Our bathroom at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North was spacious.
Carley Thornell
We also loved the spacious, modern bathroom. It had enough space for all of our toiletries to be stashed away and hidden, and a separate closet for the commode so multiple family members could get ready at once.
I was glad the Four Seasons kept a soaking tub, which is ideal for families with toddlers who don't want to use spa showers.
There were extras for all ages.
Littles get in on the luxe with child-sized robes and slippers.
Carley Thornell
Our room had robes and slippers for all three of us to lounge in, and my son's tiny duds were so cute.
Staff remembered our names and loaded my son up with small stuffed animals and bubbles shortly after check-in. They gave us plenty of cold water bottles, too.
Our stay also came with access to free laundry facilities, which can also be especially helpful when traveling with kids.
We loved our room's fireplace and other special touches.
Fireplaces in each room (and cactus cookies at check-in) delighted my entire family.
Carley Thornell
We loved that each our room came with a gas fireplace, a feature usually only reserved for most expensive categories at other hotels.
And we all appreciated receiving cactus-shaped cookies when we checked in.
The property's pools never felt too crowded.
The main pool had floats and pool noodles.
Carley Thornell
You can't have an oasis without water, and there's lots of ways to splash here. The property has a massive main pool, adults-only pool, and a smaller one for small children.
Our son was too big for kiddie pool, but adored standing up or floating on toys in the main one. Other thoughtful touches for families included free swim diapers in the restrooms.
There were lots of other complimentary or low-cost activities for all ages.
My son loved playing with the dollhouse in the kids' club.
Carley Thornell
Activities available to us included complimentary astronomer-led stargazing on Thursdays and free guided hikes in the morning. Tai chi and yoga classes were available to book for a small fee.
To beat the midday heat, we brought our son to the complimentary Kids for All Seasons club, where he reenacted scenes from the "Barbie" movie at the giant dollhouse, and played video games and air hockey.
The club also hosted free scheduled arts and crafts for kids daily.
The lobby bar became a coffee station in the early mornings.
The early bird gets the coffee and pastry.
Carley Thornell
As an early riser – and one on East Coast time at that – I appreciated free morning coffee and muffins in the lobby.
It was yet another nice touch at the Four Seasons.
We also enjoyed delicious regional eats at the hotel restaurant, Proof.
The smell of the smoker at Proof restaurant wafted throughout the property.
Carley Thornell
At Proof, the aroma of smoked meats drew my husband in like Yogi Bear. We enjoyed outside seating at several meals here, each time getting set up with kids menus, coloring supplies, and child-sized cutlery.
The resort was also extremely attentive to my son's nut allergy, with the chef visiting unprompted to reassure us they were aware of it.
Although we would've been happy to stay at the Four Seasons the whole time, there were other activities nearby.
We visited the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
Carley Thornell
We spent an afternoon at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, where admission is free.
There are several Western-themed playgrounds, a train museum, and massive indoor model tracks with interactive features. Tickets are required for the carousel and the steam train, but rides are under $5 a pop.
We were also able to do some light hiking with plenty of sunlight. We enjoyed walking on the Four Seasons' paved paths so much we opted to explore the area more at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
A special draw there is the butterfly pavilion, where monarchs fluttered inches from us.
Overall, we had a great time and we'd definitely come back.
The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale was beautiful.
Carley Thornell
We ventured out most days but for the real royal treatment, we headed back to the Four Seasons, at our son's request.
He told us the resort was "magical" and asked to come back. Mom and Dad would gladly, in a heartbeat.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian, Shaanxi province in May, 2023.
FLORENCE LO via Getty Images
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are meeting in Kazakhstan Wednesday.
It comes amid increasing tensions between two of the group's most powerful members.
Russia and China are competing over influence in Central Asia.
The leaders of a club of countries touted by Russia and China as a counterweight to Western global power are meeting this week in Kazakhstan.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, Russia's President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet China's President Xi Jinping.
But despite their "no limits" partnership brokered over shared enmity toward the US and its NATO allies, there are growing differences between frenemies Putin and Xi.
Ukraine has shifted the balance of power
The leaders are in fierce competition for influence over the original members of the SCO — the Central Asian Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The SCO was formed as a regional security pact, but has in recent years expanded to include India, Pakistan, and Iran. Belarus, another opponent of NATO, is expected to be admitted this week.
The Central Asian republics were formerly part of the Soviet Union and are seen as traditionally part of the Kremlin's sphere of influence.
But the Ukraine war has shifted the balance of power.
Russia's Ukraine invasion has eaten up the Kremlin's resources, money, and energy, while countries trading with Russia run the risk of incurring Western sanctions.
Meanwhile, Beijing has been quietly seizing advantage, brokering trade deals, and building political influence in the region.
"The war in Ukraine has proven to the central Asian countries that the diversification of their ties with the world is key to their successful existence in the region," Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told The Guardian.
China is building car plants and power stations in Ukbekistan and Kazakhstan, brokering surveillance software deals, and expanding its direct railway line into Kazakhstan, to further strengthen trade links.
Although Russia is likely to be concerned by the developments, it cannot do much about them.
A lopsided partnership
Russia has become increasingly dependent on China for diplomatic and economic support amid attempts by the West to isolate it over the Ukraine war.
"The importance of Chinese aid and indirect support for Ukraine takes precedence for Moscow and will shape its approach toward Beijing as long as the confrontation with the West continues," wrote Emil Avdaliani, a professor of international relations at European University in Tbilisi, in January for the Centre for European Policy Analysis.
Russia is seeking to strengthen trade with the Central Asian republics and, according to reports, is using them to obtain goods banned under Western sanctions. But it can't compete with China's economic might.
While Russia has brandished its ties with China as proof of the failure of the West to isolate it, it's a friendship that comes at a steep cost.
"We are friends with Russia but at the same time, we are looking for opportunities," Mirshohid Aslanov, founder of the Tashkent-based think tank Center for Progressive Reform, told The Wall Street Journal. "Very eagerly, we are looking eastwards."
Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held on July 4 since the 1970s.
Vintage photos of July 4 on Coney Island show crowded beaches and the annual hot-dog contest.
Coney Island has been a destination for Fourth of July celebrations for over a century.
From fireworks displays, parades, and live performances to the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Coney Island has been hosting Independence Day celebrations since the early 20th century.
Coney Island is still popular for New Yorkers who want to escape the city for the day, walk along the boardwalk, enjoy some rides, and eat a hot dog or two — or many more.
Here are vintage photos that show what Coney Island Fourth of July celebrations have looked like through the years.
Fourth of July marks one of the busiest days of the year in Coney Island.
An aerial view of the crowds on Coney Island Beach during the Fourth of July.
George Rinhart/Corbis/Getty Images
In a black-and-white aerial photo from 1920, you can see thousands of people gathered on the boardwalk and Coney Island Beach during the Fourth of July.
In the 1930s, Coney Island exploded as a popular destination for beachgoers and families on the Fourth of July.
People crowding the beach at Coney Island on July 4, 1938.
Getty Images
This photo, taken on July 4, 1938, shows crowds of people gathered on the beach. There are so many people that you can hardly see the sand.
Thirty years later, revelers still visited Coney Island Beach to celebrate Independence Day.
A pair of unidentified men in shorts pose for the camera on the crowded Coney Island Beach on July 4, 1968.
Bev Grant/Getty Images
In this photo, a pair of unidentified men in shorts pose for the camera.
The beaches were also popular in the mid-'90s.
Fourth of July crowd at Coney Island in 1995.
Susan Watts/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
In a 1995 photo, children can be seen running and playing in the water while their parents look on.
People also came to Coney Island to shop on the boardwalk.
People shop inside a store in Coney Island on July 4, 1968.
Bev Grant/Getty Images
In this photo from July 4, 1968, customers shop inside a Coney Island store that sells tobacco-related products, candy, and portable radios.
The first Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was held in the 1970s.
Contestants eat hot dogs during the 1987 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island.
Walter Leporati/Getty Images
The first official contest was held in 1972, CNN reported.
Nathan's had at one time claimed the tradition started in 1916, but PR professionals Max Rosey and Mortimer Matz, hired by Nathan's, later told The New York Times they had fabricated the legend about it starting that year.
The first official winner of the contest was a woman named Melody Andorfer.
A man eats hotdogs at Nathan's Famous in Coney Island on July 4, 1961.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
According to the Coney Island History Project, she ate 12 hot dogs in five minutes and won a paper crown as her prize.
In this photo from 1961, an unidentified man eats a Nathan's Famous hot dog outside the iconic restaurant.
Edward Krachie was the 1995 champion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
American competitive eater Edward Krachie holds a trophy in his hands as he celebrates his victory in the 1995 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island.
Walter Leporati/Getty Images
He's pictured holding up his trophy after winning the 1995 annual contest.
According to The New York Times, he won after eating 19 and a half hot dogs and beating the defending champion by just half a dog.
The contest has been successful ever since and draws thousands of in-person attendees and even more online viewers each year.
Portrait of three, unidentified contestants as they pose with plates of hot dogs prior to the 1987 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island.
Walter Leporati/Getty Images
Here, three unidentified contestants pose with plates of hot dogs prior to the 1987 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Nathan's was and still is a popular establishment in Coney Island to grab a cheap dog — on the Fourth of July or any other summer day.
A couple eats hot dogs in front of Nathan's Famous fast-food restaurant at Coney Island on July 4, 1968.
Bev Grant/Getty Images
In this circa 1968 photograph, a couple eats hot dogs in front of Nathan's Famous fast-food restaurant in Coney Island.
Polyester is one of the most popular fabrics in the world. Made from PET plastic, it is prized for its durability, lightness, and low cost of production.
While these characteristics make it ideal for various uses across the textile industry, the oversupply of polyester has also fueled an environmental disaster. Now, brands like Adidas, Nike, and Shein are trying to increase the amount of polyester made from recycled plastics — but is this the best use of old plastic?
We visited Tamil Nadu, India, to see how one company makes clothing from used plastic bottles and whether this is the best solution for this waste stream.
President Joe Biden during a visit to the DC Emergency Operations Center in Washington on July 2, 2024.
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden faces growing calls to exit the race after his disastrous debate performance.
He's due to meet with Democratic governors on Wednesday to try to reassure them of his competence.
But 25 Democratic House members are ready to call for him to quit, a House Democratic aide said.
President Joe Biden is set to meet with Democratic governors on Wednesday as dozens of House members appear ready to call for him to drop out of the presidential race.
Biden will talk to the governors in virtual meetings and in person at the White House on Wednesday, White House officials said, per Reuters.
During the debate with former President Donald Trump, Biden's performance was at times marked by vacant expressions and incoherent sentences.
Biden's campaign has offered a series of excuses, citing jet lag, a bad night, and a cold going into the event. But this hasn't stopped calls for his exit.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democratic sitting member of Congress to publicly urge the president to quit the race on Tuesday.
"Too much is at stake to risk a Trump victory — too great a risk to assume that what could not be turned around in a year, what was not turned around in the debate, can be turned around now," Doggett said in a statement.
Former Democratic House members, party strategists, and candidates have also issued similar calls, some urging Vice President Kamala Harris to replace Biden on the Democratic ticket.
Former Rep. Tim Ryan said in a social media post on Tuesday that Harris should replace Biden.
He said Harris "has significantly grown into her job, she will destroy Trump in debate, highlight choice issue, energize our base, bring back young voters and give us generational change. It's time!"
In a video message on Tuesday, Adam Frisch, a Democrat running for Colorado's 3rd congressional district, said "we deserve better. President Biden should withdraw from this race."
James Carville, a longtime Democratic strategist, told CNN that the party needs to do "something different."
"Give the people a shot, let them see who's in the party, and I believe there's staggering talent in the Democratic Party," he said, adding: "Get out of the way and let a thousand flowers bloom."
Twenty-five Democratic members of the House are now preparing to urge Biden to pull out of the race, a House Democratic aide said, per The Guardian.
In the event that Biden does pull out, several possible replacements could throw their hat in the ring.
Replacing Biden at the top of the ticket just a few months short of the November elections would be a challenge for the party, however.
President Lyndon B. Johnson dropped out of the race in 1968, and his vice president, Hubert Humphrey, entered the Democratic primary but went on to lose the election to former Vice President Richard Nixon.
ABC News said it will air parts of Biden's first television interview since last week's presidential debate on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET on "World News Tonight with David Muir."
Hi! Wickiator? Glad-to-Wick? I'm not sure about the name, but "Gladiator 2" and "Wicked" being released on the same day (November 22) could become the new "Barbenheimer."
After a dreadful start to the year, the EV maker has been running on all cylinders on a full charge.
Even when it loses, it still manages to win. Tesla's sales slumped for the second quarter. But the 5% drop from last year was better than analysts expected, writes Business Insider's Nora Naughton.
From the market's perspective, that seems to be the case. After dropping more than 42% and bottoming out in late April, Tesla's stock has rebounded sharply. It's up more than 60% in a little over two months.
But what is new at Tesla, and what sparked the company's recent market rally, are big promises from its CEO. Musk's plans for robotaxis and an affordable model in the wake of a dreadful earnings report were all investors needed.
How soon Tesla will be able to reach those goals remains to be seen. Musk has a history of punting on deadlines. But he's also delivered for the company in big ways, like defying expectations by turning the Model 3 into one of the best-selling cars in the world.
Halfway through 2024 and Schonfeld rules the roost. The $10 billion multi-manager's flagship fund's 10.3% gain this year leads the way. Steve Cohen's Point72 and Ken Griffin's Citadel are up 8.7% and 8.1% this year, respectively. But the S&P 500's nearly 15% rise in the first half of the year rules them all.
BlackRock is going to make a founder richer than the Wall Street giant's CEO. The world's largest asset manager's deal to acquire Preqin means founder Mark O'Hare pockets a cool $2 billion after tax. That will slot him above BlackRock cofounder and CEO Larry Fink, who has an estimated fortune of $1.7 billion.
Google's cookie-replacement plan is starting to crumble. Google gave adtech companies a taste of what life after cookies would be like — and it wasn't sweet. Now, the firms' pushback threatens to prolong Google's cookie phase-out, which has already been delayed several times.
The kids really, really like YouTube. A new report found that YouTube was by far the favorite content platform for kids aged 2 to 12. It also has a special power: It's really good at getting kids to buy stuff.
Shareholders won't make it rain for Salesforce execs. Shareholders voted down a proposed plan to raise compensation for CEO Marc Benioff and other execs, trouncing hopes of a Tesla-style mega payday. It's not a total loss for Benioff, though.
Lumber prices are going down like timber. Though lumber prices skyrocketed during the pandemic, they've dropped precipitously this year as supply outpaced demand. Repairs and remodels have slowed, and high interest rates have reduced new homebuilding altogether.
Housing costs will stay high even when the Fed cuts rates. Bad news for buyers and renters looking for a break when the Fed cuts interest rates: The housing market probably won't get more affordable anytime soon. Falling interest rates might slow mortgage rate growth, but won't make them decline, Morgan Stanley said.
The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin on September 9, 2021.
SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Belarus' president called Ukraine an "enemy" and said his troops are combat-ready.
Aleksander Lukashenko also said his country is increasing its military presence on Ukraine's border.
Lukashenko is a close ally of Putin and aided his invasion of Ukraine.
Russian neighbor and ally Belarus said it is boosting its military presence along its border with Ukraine, with its president saying its troops are combat-ready.
Aleksander Lukashenko called Ukraine an "enemy" in a recent speech and said his soldiers along Ukraine's border have a "high combat readiness," according to a translation of his remarks by Ukrainian outlet Euromaidan.
He also said Belarus has increased the number of its troops and missile systems.
"Special operations forces have been deployed, including not only border guards but also our military personnel. As the border guards report, they have now blocked the likely direction of enemy movement," Lukashenko said, per Euromaidan.
He added: "Air force and air defense troops are on high alert — both ours and Russian forces, with full coordination between them."
Belarus, which borders both Ukraine and Russia, is seen as loyal to Russia and something of a Russian puppet state. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The country has not been directly involved in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but it has aided Russia's efforts since it began in February 2022.
Thousands of Russian troops entered Ukraine from Belarus at the start of the invasion. Russia also launched ballistic missiles into Ukraine from Belarusian territory, and Russian bomber aircraft launched missiles at Ukraine from Belarus' air space.
Lukashenko's comments suggest that he's worried about Ukrainian troops getting closer to his border, something other Belarusian officials have also expressed concerns about.
This includes a high-ranking Belarusian military official saying in late June that Ukraine was "attempting to drag our country into the war."
In response, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said that all of Ukraine's activities near Belarus' border were just defensive, Euromaidan reported.
Ukraine has painted Belarus' statements as part of a disinformation operation. In May, Ukrainian officials said that Russia may carry out a psychological operation aimed at "stirring up mass panic" in Ukraine by making people believe Belarus' troops would join the fighting.
"We expect a series of provocative statements by the top leadership of Russia and Belarus threatening Ukraine soon," the Ukrainian Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation said.
There have been no signs that Ukraine would send any troops into Belarus, and it's something that would likely be met with a strong Russian response.
There is also no indication as yet that Lukashenko is considering sending troops into Ukraine.
He said last year that his soldiers would join the war if Ukrainian soldiers entered Belarus.
It is unlikely that Belarus' troops would make a big impact even if they did enter the war.
Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps colonel and defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider in 2022 that "the Belarusian armed forces are small and weak."
He said Belarus' military would get "eaten alive" if it invaded Ukraine and said "the Belarusians have been very careful not to get their own troops involved."
Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone flying over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran, in March 2024.
Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
Russia has relied heavily on Iran's Shahid drones to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses.
Russia is collaborating with China to build its own version, European officials told Bloomberg.
Companies started designing and testing the drone this year ahead of a shipment, the officials said.
Russian and Chinese companies are working together to develop an attack drone similar to Iran's lethal Shahed, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed European officials.
According to the officials, the companies held talks last year and began designing and testing a version of the drone earlier this year, to prepare for shipping to Russia.
The drones have yet to be deployed in Ukraine, the officials told the outlet. They didn't specify which companies were involved.
The move would be a worrying one for Ukraine and its allies.
Russia has relied heavily on Iran's Shahed drone and its newer and customizedvariants to overwhelm Ukraine's air defenses since it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
In January, Russia was suspected of using an Iranian jet-powered Shahed-238 — a significant upgrade in speed and altitude over the Shahed-136 loitering munition.
Russia has developed its own version of the Shahed drones, known as Geran-2 drones, which are similar to Shahed-136s but made with different materials, researchers at Conflict Armament Research told The New York Times last year.
However, officials told Bloomberg that one concern about the reported Russia-China partnership is that China could develop the drones at a much higher rate than Iran or Russia.
It would also be another sign of Russia's growing reliance on China as it grapples with crippling Western economicsanctions, and would be further evidence that China has become a key enabler of Russia's war in Ukraine, despite claims of neutrality.
The European officials did not name the drone being developed, but media outlets and Chinese defense websites have reported China is working on the Sunflower 200, an exploding attack drone that is described as similar in appearance to the Shahed 136, according to Bloomberg.
I recently visited Scottsdale and saw what makes this specific desert city an oasis for retirees.
In a conversation with real-estate agent Shawn Shackleton, who has been selling homes in the greater Scottsdale area for more than 20 years, I learned that many of her clients are retiring, and Scottsdale fits the lifestyle they're looking for, with year-round sun, private neighborhoods, and endless golf.
Scottsdale's weather and terrain make the city ideal for retirees.
The edge of a golf course on a sunny day in Scottsdale.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Niche gave Scottsdale an A+ for its weather score. According to US Climate Data, average high temperatures don't stoop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit all year, making it ideal for sunny winters.
However, summer days regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When I visited in April, the temperature was around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
"Our summers are hot — there's no question," Shackleton told BI. "But all of my clients that have moved here from the Midwest or East Coast say the same thing: 'I will take this heat over gray clouds, ice, snow, and freezing rain.'"
Shackleton said the weather, paired with mountainous terrain, makes Scottsdale ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, tennis, and pickleball. According to All Trails, there are more than 100 hiking paths in the city. I thought retirees looking to stay active could do so easily in Scottsdale.
Golf is the desert city's biggest draw for retirees.
A golf course in Scottsdale's DC Ranch neighborhood.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
According to Shackleton, golf is the No. 1 reason retirees move to Scottsdale.
From private clubs to public parks, "there are about 200 golf courses in Scottsdale and surrounding areas," Shackelton said.
She added that one of her biggest struggles is having clients who want to join private clubs, as all are full right now, and she has to put them on waitlists.
"But the bonus about being in Scottsdale is our public courses play almost like private courses," she said. "They're going to be a little more crowded, but the public courses are well cared for."
During my trip, I saw countless golf courses — some from the highway, some from vantage points up in the mountains, and some up close.
Since Scottsdale is in the desert, I expected to spot patches of dried, yellow grass, but there were none. Instead, the bright green spaces were a stark contrast to the sand bunkers and red-pebbled paths dotted with succulents. Against a mountain backdrop, I couldn't imagine a more ideal location to walk around and hit some golf balls.
The health and wellness scene goes beyond fitness.
Inside the Phoenician Spa in Scottsdale.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Niche ranks Scottsdale as no. 30 on its list of the best US cities for health and fitness, and it's not just because of the plethora of outdoor activities. Scottsdale has more spas per capita than any other US city, according to Go Banking Rates.
During my stay, I got a tour of the Phoenician Spa, a three-story resort spa that received Forbes Travel Guide's five-star award for the fifth time in a row this year, according to the Phoenician website.
Upon arrival, the modern interior with gold accents swept me into luxury. It had everything I'd crave for the ultimate spa experience: massages and facials, hairstyling, saunas, a nail salon, an indoor pool, and another on the rooftop with outdoor showers and cabanas.
Pampering aside, Scottsdale also ranked 19th on WalletHub's list of the best US cities for healthcare, taking accessibility, quality of facilities, and insurance coverage into consideration.
North Scottsdale is home to the city's most popular neighborhoods for retirees.
Mansions in North Scottsdale's DC Ranch neighborhood.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
According to Shackleton, her retired clients typically settle in North Scottsdale neighborhoods like Desert Mountain, Terravita, and DC Ranch — the most expensive neighborhood in Scottsdale.
About 40 minutes from Phoenix, North Scottsdale's streets, lined with custom mansions and luxury villas, climb up into the mountains for prime views of the desert landscape.
During my visit, I got a private tour of DC Ranch, a 4,000-acre residential community with convenient amenities ranging from grocery stores and restaurants to spas and private golf clubs.
I thought retirees would find it ideal to escape the hustle and bustle of Phoenix's booming tech scene without having to travel far for daily errands.
The area is full of gated communities that give residents a sense of privacy.
A gated neighborhood in DC Ranch.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
DC Ranch is made up of four villages, and each has its own set of neighborhoods within it. Most of these neighborhoods are gated and have 24-hour guards, according to according to the DC Ranch website.
Gated communities are common in North Scottsdale, and according to Shackleton, that's part of the draw for retirees.
"It's another level of not only security but privacy, which a lot of the people that come here are really seeking," she said.
North Scottsdale also has high-end shopping and dining.
Shops and dining in Scottsdale Quarter.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Shackleton said retirees also settle in North Scottsdale because the area offers luxury shopping and fine dining on par with those in a major city. For example, Scottsdale Quarter is an outdoor mall with upscale stores and fine dining establishments.
I spent an evening in Scottsdale Quarter and spotted a range of stores. Residents could shop for clothes, accessories, furniture, tech, and wellness products all in one place.
I went to Dominick's Steakhouse for dinner, where I dined like a queen on dry-aged steak and corn crème brûlée while sitting in a rooftop dining room with a glistening pool just for decoration.
It felt like the kind of dining experience I'd get in NYC, yet I was in North Scottsdale.
While Scottsdale is a popular choice for wealthy retirees, the cost of living is on the higher end.
Multimillion-dollar homes in Scottsdale.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
BI previously reported that Arizona has relatively low tax rates compared to the rest of the US. But that didn't stop Scottsdale from getting a C- for cost of living in Niche's evaluation. According to PayScale, the cost of living in Scottsdale is 13% higher than the national average, largely due to housing costs.
The price point certainly isn't accessible for all retirees, but the lower taxes make Scottsdale more affordable for wealthy boomers from places like New York or California.
Scottsdale offers retirees an upscale lifestyle with a relaxing vibe.
A private golf club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
In Scottsdale, residents enjoy the luxurious details of big-city life without sacrificing large, private residences, wide open spaces, and outdoor activities that encourage socializing, from private clubs to pristine public golf courses.
If retirement really is about relaxing in the present moment and appreciating the work it took to get there as I perceive it to be, this Phoenix suburb seems like the ideal home.
Minions in the "Despicable Me" spinoff, "Minions: The Rise of Gru."
Universal Pictures
The minions and Gru are back in "Despicable Me 4."
It is the sixth film in the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time.
If you plan to wathc, or rewatch, the series, here's the perfect order to do it.
"Despicable Me" fans watching the Minions films in the order they were released could be missing out.
Our approach, outlined below, will help you quickly feel invested in the franchise before exploring the Minions' backstory and seeing them go on ever-weirder adventures in the "Despicable Me" sequels.
After the first two "Despicable Me" movies premiered in 2010 and 2013, the franchise became a huge cultural phenomenon as kids and adults alike became obsessed with the bizarre Minions and their gibberish.
The production companies behind the franchise, Illumination and Universal Pictures, quickly took advantage of the hype, producing two more prequels and two sequels.
After "Minions: The Rise of Gru" premiered in 2022, the Minions cinematic universe became the highest-grossing animated franchise, with a total revenue of $4.6 billion across the first five films.
Now the minions and Gru are back again with a sixth film, "Despicable Me 4."
While many fans have likely watched the series in release order, we think there is a better way to experience the Minions cinematic universe in all its glory.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for the "Despicable Me" and "Minions" movies.
Start with "Despicable Me."
The Minions, Gru (Steve Carell), Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Agnes (Elsie Fisher) and Edith (Dana Gaier) in "Despicable Me."
Universal Pictures
"Despicable Me" is the perfect introduction to the wacky world of the Minions.
In this film, you meet Gru (Steve Carell) — a clumsy supervillain who is terrible at being evil — his horde of Minions, and his mad scientist, Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand).
To complete his mission to steal the moon, Gru decides to adopt three girls, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher).
Although the prequel movies explain how Gru and the Minions became who they are, the sweet relationship between Gru and his adopted children helps viewers feel invested in the characters and the franchise.
Next, jump to the past with "Minions."
Young Gru (Steve Carell) makes a cameo in the prequel movie "Minions."
Universal Pictures
"Minions" was released after "Despicable Me 2," but it could be helpful to understand the Minions backstory before watching the remaining "Despicable Me" movies.
The prequel explains that neither Gru nor Dr. Nerfario created the Minions.
Instead, they evolved to serve the most evil being they could find. (They lived in a cave in the Arctic during both world wars to avoid any awkward conversations).
After years of boredom, three Minions named Kevin, Stuart, and Bob head to 1968 New York to try to find a new evil master.
At the end of the movie, the trio meets young Gru.
Then watch the second prequel movie, "Minions: The Rise of Gru."
11-year-old Gru (Steve Carell) and the Minions in "Minions: The Rise of Gru."
Universal
"Minions: The Rise of Gru" is set eight years after the first movie, when the Minions are serving an 11-year-old Gru.
Don't think too much about how that would make Gru three years old in the first film. The timeline doesn't make sense.
In this film, Gru aims to join a supervillain team but is captured after a heist goes wrong. So Kevin, Stuart, and Bob must learn Kung Fu to save Gru and stop the supervillain team.
This movie establishes how powerful the Minions can be and introduces the Anti-Villain League, which will become important later. The mid-credit scene also explains how Dr. Nefario joined Gru's team.
Now, return to the main storyline with "Despicable Me 2."
Lucy (Kristin Wiig) and Gru (Steve Carell) first meet in "Despicable Me 2."
Universal Pictures
After learning the Minions' backstory, you can return to the "Despicable Me" movies and watch them in release order.
In "Despicable Me 2," Gru tries to raise his children and gets recruited by the Anti-Villain League (AVL).
Gru's love interest, AVL agent Lucy Wilde (Kristin Wiig), is introduced, and Dr. Nefario quits Gru's team. Also, multiple Minions are kidnapped and turned into indestructible monsters, showing the creatures' full potential.
Then watch "Despicable Me 3."
Gru and his long-lost twin Dru are both voiced by Steve Carell in "Despicable Me 3."
Universal
In "Despicable Me 3," Gru and Lucy are married but are kicked out of the AVL after a failed mission.
Gru then meets a long-lost twin, Dru, while some of the Minions, disillusioned with their non-evil master, leave him.
Finally, watch the new movie "Despicable Me 4."
Gru (Steve Carell) and Lucy (Kristin Wiig) have a baby in "Despicable Me 4."
Universal/Illumination
According to the trailer, "Despicable Me 4" follows Gru and Lucy as they raise their newborn baby alongside their adopted children.
But the AVL must put the whole family into witness protection after an old villain escapes prison.
Meanwhile, five Minions are given superpowers and are being called MegaMinions.