HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOODS
“ Those who call Phoenix home are often found out of doors, enjoying the city’s natural beauty, including the area’s parkland, outdoor exercise and recreation facilities... as well as municipal parks, bicycling routes, running paths, and equestrian trails. ”
Surprise with a growth rate of 22 percent, Goodyear with a growth rate of 13 percent and Avondale with a growth rate of 8 percent, annually. Nowadays, it is somewhat leveling out, however, with new laws being placed in nearby states, they are predicting that it’s growth will pick up again over the next few years
A GREAT PLACE FOR A NEW BEGINNING
Many new to Phoenix are pleasantly surprised to find this city of the American Southwest is home to an international community, with the different languages heard on the street reflective of modern-day Phoenix. Spanish is often heard here, indicative of a city with a Hispanic population that comprises 34% of the city’s population, while the mix of languages commonly heard around Arizona State University in Tempe attests to the college’s international influence on the area. The Phoenix calendar is filled with festivals and events that reflect residents’ Hispanic, African-American, Oriental, Native American and Anglo cultures. Hispanic and Native American heritage is especially influential and is expressed throughout the region. Phoenix is also a critical location for the semi-conductor industry, and is the third largest semiconductor city in the nation and seals the international deal by bringing in talent from all over the world to keep on top of cutting edge technologies. Many high-tech manufacturers, including Bull Worldwide Information Systems, are based in northwest Phoenix, while Honeywell is located near Sky Harbor International Airport and in south Phoenix and Sitix of Phoenix can be found in Paradise Valley to the northeast. The result is a friendly and eclectic mix of cultures that complement and add to an already thriving business scene. Leading private sector employers include Motorola Inc., US Airways, Chase Bank, Banner Health systems, American Express travel related services, Avnet, Apollo Group and Wells Fargo. Among the many compa- nies with corporate or regional headquarters in the Valley are Intel Corp, U-Haul Interna- tional, Phelps Dodge Corp., MicroAge Inc., Allied Signal and Boeing.
In addition to being economically, ethni- cally and culturally diverse, Phoenix’s 300-plus days of sunshine a year make it a perfect match for an active, on-the-go lifestyle. Those who call Phoenix home are often found out of doors, enjoying the city’s natural beauty, including the area’s parkland, outdoor exercise and recreation facilities, a little less than 2,000 tennis courts and more than 200 golf courses, as well as municipal parks, bicycling routes, running paths, and equestrian trails. Dozens of hiking clubs lead the way through the mountain ranges that surround the city, while softball, baseball and soccer leagues for all ages and skill levels abound. Phoenix is home to the largest municipal park in the world, the 16,500-acre South Mountain Park, serves as the city’s southern border. A Mecca for hiking, biking and horseback riding, South Mountain Park is the largest link in the chain of desert mountain parks, known as the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, that encircle the city. After-work hikes to the top of Piestewa Peak and Camelback Moun- tain are a popular pastime, while another 1,900 acres of traditional city parks, some with golf courses, serve as oases of green throughout the city. Trailered boats are a common sight as they zip along the Valley’s thoroughfares on their way to one of the five lakes that are just within a short drive from metropol- itan Phoenix. Waterskiing, power boating, sailing and fishing are popular water sports, while raft trips down the alternately tranquil and turbulent Verde and Salt rivers are also popular.
In addition, the Valley has a reputation as a popular retirement destination and the retirement community scene here continues to grow. Arizona has over 2 million residents 55 years old and older, with a combined economic impact of about $22 billion. SUNNY DAYS AHEAD The three primary reasons people move to the Valley of the Sun are wages, weekends, and the warm weather. The sun does more than just generate a great tan: it attracts industries searching for a warm, dry climate that won’t interfere with their distribution networks, telecommunications systems or administrative operations. Nine months out of the year, Valley residents enjoy pleasant, spring-like temperatures. Summer brings the heat with temperatures often breaking 100 degrees during July and August, with little humidity until the monsoon season begins in late August. The returning thunderstorms replenish the water table and help bring back more moderate temperatures. While the city of Phoenix is situated in the desert, Arizona is far from being a dry, deso- late land. Vast canal works, including the Central Arizona Project canal that brings water from the Colorado River located 200 miles away makes the desert bloom. Also, the reserves of runoff water provided by rain and snow in the northern mountain range of Arizona are accessible thanks to Roosevelt Dam just northeast of the Valley. As a result of the efficiency of the city’s waterworks, landscaping designs for parks, golf courses, homes and boulevards often include palm, olive, pine and citrus trees. The sweet scent of orange blossoms fills the air in March and April. Roses, poppies and hundreds of other flowers bloom almost all year.
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