I often hear the question, "Where is Arizona City?".  When signing up for AOL service the operator, who was a Tucson resident, said he had never heard of it.  He is only one of many I have heard the expression from.  I must admit that I had never heard of Arizona City before moving here 6 1/2 years ago either.  I am from all over, which is to say I have moved around a lot.

My parents moved often when I was growing up after the death of my last grandparent when I was 11, my father's mother.  We lived in Michigan where I was born until that point and then from there on we moved all over in several states.  We never stayed more than a few months anywhere.

This went on until I moved to Indiana in November of 1995 with my family.  By then I was an adult.  I lived in Indiana for about 6 years and then in 2002 I moved to Arizona City, AZ...officially the smallest town I had ever lived in.  

Growing up in the midwest I was very unaccostomed to the dry air, hardly any plant life, the heat and dirt everywhere.  However, The picturesque mountain views make up for the lack of trees.  Sounds like a great place to live, right?  .  

My older sister, with whom I am very close to, moved out here about a 1 1/2 and a half or so before I did.  I have hardly ever been somewhere without her and so my husband and I packed up and moved to the small town just south of Casa Grande, AZ.  

The estimated population of Arizona Cityin 2000 was 4,385.  I hear rumors these days the estimate is near 9,000.  However, there is no actual data supporting that figure.  Whether acurately measured or not, Arziona City is one of the fastest growing areas within Arizona.  It is nestled between Tucson and Phoenix...approximately 56 miles either way.  

Arizona City is quaint little town with a welcoming feel.  There is not a lot to see, but plenty of friendly people and a host of real estate companies running along the town's main street, Sunland Gin Rd.  Founded in 1960, Arizona City has an 18 course golf course, smalll shops and a 48 acre lake.  There are even a few restaurants, one of which, Chris's Diner opened very recently.  The Arizona City Post Office has been a topic of debate for several years.  View my earlier blog on strret delivery.

Arizona City is approximately 10 minutes from the newest attraction in Casa Grande, AZ...the Promenade at Casa Grande, a Westcor Shopping Center.   The Promenade is home to an array of shops including Kohl's, JC Penny's,  Target, Staples and many more.  Restaurants such as The Olive Garden, Runio's and Mimi's Cafe are available when hunger strikes and of course my favorite part...The Harkins Theatre with 12 screens.  The Promenade Store Directorycan be found online.

The Promenade stores began opening in October 2007 and new stores are opening every month.  While the economy has certainly slowed the growth in the area down, growth is still occuring.  In 1990 the population of Pinal County was 116,397, in 2000 179,727 and in 2007 327,670 according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security and The US Census Bureau.

So "Where is Arizona City?"....sandwiched between Tucson and Phoenix.  If you live around the area and haven't heard of Arizona City, stop in some time and check out the area and maybe even stop by Chris's Diner for Greek influenced food or in the Sport's Grill at the golf course for casual dining.