Special offer

Phoenix Arizona and the Valley of the Sun - A GREAT place to live

By
Real Estate Agent with MavRealty

I (Adam) was very impressed by Jeff Belonger's series of blogs touting the great city of Philadelphia.  It was of particular interest to me, as I was born and grew up in Philadelphia.  He did a great job on that series.  We have posted some general information on Scottsdale, but now we hope to do for Phoenix and Scottsdale what Jeff did for Philly. 

 

 This series of blogs will be a bit different though.  Phoenix is a relatively new city from the historical standpoint.  The Phoenix metropolitan area, or Valley of the Sun, is comprised of many cities with Phoenix at its core. In addition to Phoenix, there is Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Glendale, Cave Creek and Carefree.  Lest we not upset others in the area, we must point out that over the past decade some other towns and cities that are further out from the center of Phoenix have been growing at a phenomenal rate, and surely have many citizens that commute into the Phoenix core.  They include Goodyear, Avondale, Tolleson, Surprise,  Queen Creek and Buckeye.  We, as real estate agents, tend to specialize in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, so most of the info will cover those cities.  We will cover some of our other cities in the future as well.  Phoenix was ranked # 6 on Forbes Magazine's list of "Best Places to do business."  Scottsdale was ranked #7 in Money Magazine's list of "Best Places to live."  There are many other great rankings for Valley cities that we will discuss during the series.

Phoenix Skyline at night

The Valley of the Sun is so named because Phoenix has more than 300 sunny days a year and an average temperature of 74 degrees - an unbeatable combination that has made the city a prime destination for tourists, business and industry.  The Valley part is also as obvious, as the view in all directions includes mountains. Phoenix Sunset

 

The remainder of the series will be broken into the following sections with more detail in each separate blog.  Credit to Jeff, as I am borrowing a bit from his layout.

 

History and famous Phoenicians  The history of the area is not like that usually found in the American history text books - like that of eastern cities and our nation's founding.  Phoenix wasn't incorporated until 1881, and Scottsdale, although named officially in the 1890's, wasn't incorporated until 1951.  The Valley's history lies in its Indian origins.  Phoenix and Scottsdale were originally inhabited by the  Hohokam. From circa 300 BC to 1400 AD, these ancient civilizations farmed the area and built some of the most ingenious irrigation canals the world has ever known. The name Hohokam translates as "vanished," as the civilizations mysteriously disappeared without a trace.  The most accepted theory for their disappearance is prolonged drought.

 

Famous Phoenix area people include: Barry Goldwater (Senator), Steven Spielberg (Filmmaker), David Spade (actor/comedian), Alice Cooper (Musician), Sandra Day O'Connor (Supreme Court Justice), John McCain (Senator), Wayne Newton (Mr. Las Vegas).  Countless others may not have been born here, but make the Valley their home.

 

Sports- This is a sports town coming into it's own.  Phoenix has long been a town with fans of other teams.  There is such a large number of people moving here from other major cities that you can find many bars or clubs with their own "hometown" fan base.  That is changing as new  "Original" Phoenix teams are added.  Phoenix has the 4 major professional sports teams:  Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns.  Other major professional sports teams include the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), Arizona Rattlers (Arena Football), Arizona Sting (Lacrosse).  Add to that rabid ASU Sun Devil fans, Cactus League Spring Training Baseball, Arizona Fall League Baseball, and Phoenix International Raceway, home of auto racing including premier NASCAR events.  The Phoenix area is known for its golf, and that is capped off by the FBR Open (formerly the Phoenix Open) on the PGA Tour.

 

 

Museums, the Arts and Parks: Phoenix may not have the classic, columned buildings many people think of as art museums, but we have some great institutions nonetheless.  The Heard Museum is considered the foremost showcase of Native American art and culture in the U.S.  The Phoenix Art Museum, AZ Science Center, Pueblo Grande Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, & Ballet Arizona all offer great cultural experiences, as well!

 

Local Education:  Arizona State University (ASU) is a dominant force in the Valley, especially in Tempe, where its main campus is located.  Founded in 1885, the university has grown to be the largest in the country based on enrollment.  It currently has four campuses throughout the valley, with another being built in South Scottsdale.  The university is highly recognized for its engineering and business programs, and has been an integral part of space exploration with NASA.  Thunderbird - The Garvin School of International Management, located in Glendale, AZ - is globally recognized as the premiere school for International Management.  The University of Phoenix and - many Community colleges - also provide educational opportunities.

Local places of interest, restaurants: The Valley is known for outdoor activities.  If golf is your game there are well over 100 courses throughout the Phoenix Metro Area, with more than half in Phoenix and Scottsdale. If hiking gets your blood flowing, there are numerous mountain park opportunities including Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak), South Mountain Park, the McDowell Mountains, and many hiking and biking trails throughout the cities. Cultural history parks and museums, as well as water parks are found throughout the valley.  The Phoenix metro area is fast becoming known as a wonderful culinary destination as well. There are too many to cover, but we will cover some of the gems.

 

 

Surroundings and travel - Let's face it, we're in the middle of a desert.  There aren't many close major cities like on the east coast.  When I was in Philly, NY, Baltimore and Washington, DC were all within a 2-2.5 hour drive.  Tucson and its attractions are only 1.5 hours' drive.  Many people spend time in the cooler climes of northern Arizona during the summer.  Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon are easy drives to the north.  Rocky Point (Arizona's Beach although it's in Mexico) is a 4 hour drive and Las Vegas, San Diego and L.A. are a 5-6 hour drive (1 hr flight).

 

We hope you have enjoyed this overview and we look forward to providing the meat to these categories in the upcoming posts.


Adam and Sharon

Phoenix Arizona and the Valley of the Sun - A GREAT place to live P.2

Phoenix Arizona and the Valley of the Sun - Pt.3 Sports

Comments (19)

Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Adam and Tarr....   Thanks for the pleasant mention. This is nice and a job well done. I look forward to learning more about Phoenix and it's surrounding area. Maybe something to add...or later, that Phoenix is the 6th largest city now. And the way it's growing, should surpass Philly within a few years. I can't remember the stats, but it can happen and possibly happen soon. Last.... I can't take all the credit in regards to that Philly series. Being on the East coast and so much history surrounding Philly, did make it easier to gather information.  Thanks again and good job.

Dec 10, 2006 11:29 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Good job, Adam. Love the review - I know very little about that area but we get a lot of folks relocating from, and to, there. This is a great source of info.

BTW I grew up in Philadelphia myself (well, out on the Main Line)...many years ago.

Dec 10, 2006 11:29 AM
Brian Brady
Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL
858-699-4590

I'm loving this.  Jeff blogs about my childhood town, you are blogging about my early adult home; Phoenix.  I live in the Valley from 1992-2003.  I'll be offering lots of comments:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/17285/The-West-s-Most 

Great post and how about those Arizona Cardinals?  They always win the last 3 out of 4 games of the season to keep me hooked! 

Dec 10, 2006 11:30 AM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Adam...  I was going to mention about Brian Brady also... and he already made a comment. This is perfect for him.

Another thing that you have up on Philly... sports... The Diamond Backs winning it one year and The Suns always doing well.....  a lot more than what Philly has done in a few decades.   ;o(

Dec 10, 2006 11:32 AM
Adam Tarr
MavRealty - Phoenix, AZ
PC -GRI, ABR, CDPE, RSPS, ePro - Designated Broker

Jeff B-Actually, Phoenix surpassed Philly earlier this year and is the 5th largest city in terms of population.  I forgot to link to your series and will do so.  Doing this, I can really appreciate the work you put into it.  And I will agree, there is more history and more to post in Philly.  That makes if more difficult just picking what to use.

Jeff D.  We'd be happy to help with any of those relo referrals

Brian, since you see an invasion of "Zonies" every summer in the San Diego area, it should really still feel like home, and not only how 'bout the Cardinals, but how about the Eagles w/o McNabb! Come on wild card.

 

 

Dec 10, 2006 11:45 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection
Great post, I am delighted to learn about your area.
Dec 10, 2006 12:53 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection
Great post, I am delighted to learn about your area.
Dec 10, 2006 12:53 PM
Brian Brady
Matthews Capital Markets - Tampa, FL
858-699-4590
I am truly an AZ Cardinals fan... which is why I drink.
Dec 10, 2006 02:25 PM
Jolynne Photography, Creative Wedding Photography, Family Portraits, Bar Mitzvahs
Jolynne Photography - Hemet, CA
Bat Mitzvahs, Senior Pictures, Event Photography

74 degrees average temperature...really?  I would have guessed higher.

Combine that with Wayne Newton and maybe I should consider moving to AZ!

Dec 10, 2006 04:19 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Enjoy reading about Phoenix - it's good to have on hand when clients are moving there, and just for our own knowledge. Did you know that St. Petersburg, Florida, is called the Sunshine City because it averages 360 days of sun a year? The evening paper, before it closed a few years ago, was known for giving away papers free on any day that the sun didn't shine (of course their day ran from 4 pm to 4 pm so they had a double shot.)
Dec 10, 2006 10:18 PM
Keith Jeppson - Salt Lake City Real Estate
Everest Realty Group - Holladay, UT

It is snowing outside my office window.  I had to shovel the walks this morning before coming to work and drive 25 mph on snow packed roads.

So, your post on the Phoenix area and the "Valley of The Sun" looks pretty good right now!

Dec 11, 2006 01:53 AM
William Collins
ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ
Property and Asset Management
Adam, Thanks for the post. It has been some twenty years since my last visit to Arizona. Thanks for the update.
Dec 11, 2006 01:55 AM
Suzanne Marriott
Keller Williams Arizona Realty - Anthem, AZ
Associate Broker, CLHMS, e-PRO
Don't forget Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame was born and raised here - and still lives in Paradise Valley!  This is the start of what looks to be a great series!
Dec 11, 2006 02:01 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

I'm flying out to drag my kids up Camelback on Christmas Eve.

You folks still have that tough Sheriff out there making the prisoners wear pink? 

Dec 11, 2006 03:06 AM
Adam Tarr
MavRealty - Phoenix, AZ
PC -GRI, ABR, CDPE, RSPS, ePro - Designated Broker

Joey - Average high in mid summer about 105-106, average high this time of year 66.  then factor in the lows.

Keith, Sounds sort of why I moved here in the first place!

Suzanne, I could never forget Stevie!.  She'll be including in an upcoming part of the series.

Chris, Yes Sherriff Joe is still here and they still wear pink. Have fun on Camelback.  I love the view from up there.  I am thinking of taking my son up Sqauw Peak (ooops, I mean Piestewa Peak) next week.

Dec 11, 2006 08:03 AM
Home Design
Alpharetta, GA
Home Design and Real Estate
Awesome pictures and great info!  Thanks for sharing!
Dec 11, 2006 01:37 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Nice photos and a good start to the series. You have a lot of work ahead of you, but it will be worth it when your blog starts generating consumer visits and business.

Dec 11, 2006 04:08 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
There are a few people in my family that still call it Squaw. ;)
Dec 11, 2006 09:31 PM