Phoenix

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Services: During  the 1970s and ‘80s, Phoenix grew in population and sophistication as a home to  small-scale enterprises, branch offices, and secondary research facilities. It  was in the last decade of the 20th century that Phoenix truly reinvented  itself—pulsating almost overnight with gleaming high-rise towers, stunning  arenas, and widespread economic expansion. New high-tech enterprises sprung up  and flooded into the Valley at a phenomenal rate. Corporations from domestic to  international began to consider Phoenix as a prime location for regional or  headquarter offices, while entrepreneurs planted roots in the state’s fertile  economic soil.

Real  estate construction and sales, both commercial and residential, broke records  on every front. Throughout the incredible growth cycle that spanned the 1990s,  the city managed to maintain an enviable position on the cost of living  index—particularly in the area of housing. Phoenix began construction on a  massive highway system in 1985 that represents the largest locally funded  endeavor in the nation. Strategic freeway connections have greatly reduced  travel times within the city itself and to surrounding communities. The metro  bus system and ride-share programs offer mass transportation alternatives,  while Sky Harbor International Airport continually expands to accommodate the  Valley’s  exponential growth.

State-of-the-art  medical facilities, research institutions, specialized health centers, and  hundreds of highly skilled professionals serve the Phoenix community. Phoenix  is home to more than 20 hospitals, medical centers, and specialized centers  that include the highly respected Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Dedicated  facilities like Barrow Neurological Institute and Banner Baywood Heart Hospital  complement a selection of wellness centers to meet every need from advanced  care to proactive programs like public health screenings.

Committed  to providing a quality education, Phoenix schools harmonize leading-edge  classroom technology with traditional core values and a progressive attitude.  Basic skills are emphasized in the strong basic curriculum. Opportunities for  the expansion of self-expression and involvement in other positive learning  experiences are provided by art, music, health education, physical development,  foreign languages, vocational training, or career studies. The result is a well-rounded  and enriched education. On the primary level, reinforcing each child’s  self-esteem is at the core of the educational environment, providing lessons  that allow discovery, problem solving, and mastery.

The  metropolitan region’s public charter schools develop and implement bold and  creative approaches to education, stressing themes from “high-tech” to the fine  arts. Private schools that are either independent or parochial are plentiful  throughout the Valley, providing parents with alternative educational choices.  The quality selection of institutions of higher education ranges from community  colleges and universities to vocational and technical schools, adult education  resources, and leading business academies. Students of all ages can pursue  almost any career path close to home.

Lifestyle: From  sports to the fine arts, newcomers of all ages and interests will discover many  rich treasures in Phoenix. The city’s cultural jewels have become more polished  and abundant with the increase in population, supporting permanent companies  for ballet, opera, theatre, and symphony. Dazzling venues showcase the latest  Broadway hits as well as stellar national and international talent. Venues  range from the magnificently restored historic Orpheum Theatre to the popular  open-air Cricket Pavilion or the reconfigurable Dodge Theatre. Fine galleries  join the Phoenix Art Museum in providing a visual feast of sculpture,  photography, and painting. The internationally famous Heard Museum highlights  primitive and modern Native American artistry.

Lovers  of spectator sports can jump to their feet around the four seasons to cheer on  their favorite teams. Phoenix is one of the few cities in the nation to attract  a major league team in every sport. From the collegiate sports fever that never  fails to rise with ASU Sun Devils football to the popular Phoenix Suns NBA  basketball team, the Metropolitan Phoenix sports scene is filled with  surprises. Crowds from across the Valley flock to spectacular new stadiums and  state-of-the-art arenas to watch Phoenix Coyotes hockey, Arizona Diamondbacks  baseball, and football with the NFL Cardinals.

Those  who prefer to make their own tracks in the great outdoors can enjoy Arizona’s  blue skies, vast desert, or pristine lakes. Hot air balloons, four-wheel drive  recreational vehicles, hang gliders, jet skis, and dirt bikes are just a few of  the common diversions in a state where open space and natural beauty seem  unlimited. The city maintains 200 parks for year-round enjoyment, including  desert-mountain parks. Picnic areas, trails, playgrounds, ponds, natural  attractions, and first-rate sports facilities are all available for public use  and enjoyment. The Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens and the Phoenix Zoo are  nestled in the Papago Park area of the city, presenting a magnificent display  of wildlife, trees, and plants set against the Sonoran desert’s haunting  beauty.

Neighborhoods  throughout Phoenix offer a diversity of homes in varying architectural styles,  settings, sizes, and real estate price ranges. Historic neighborhoods in the  heart of the city are climbing rapidly in value as charming bungalows and  high-rise lofts or apartments are being built or renovated for convenient downtown  living. The vintage homes nestled in the Encanto Park region showcase elegant  architecture against the backdrop of ancient trees, lush gardens, and  meticulous landscaping. The ever-popular Arcadia neighborhood spans both  Phoenix and Scottsdale, offering another selection of beautiful homes nestled  in deep lots with mature greenery. Few locations in the Valley can rival the  prestigious Biltmore area for sheer elegance and a centralized location.

The  city limits of Phoenix are amazingly far reaching, encompassing the Ahwatukee  Foothills area. This panoramic urban village has the appearance and feeling of  a separate city, stretching between the South Mountain foothills and the city  of Tempe in the East Valley. Each one of the four major quadrants of the City  of Phoenix—East, West, North, and South—plays a unique role in the area’s  vitality. Nationally recognized as the nation’s “best managed city,” Phoenix  organizes its neighborhoods into 14 urban villages—each one with its own  planning committee appointed by the city council. Some of these villages have  also developed unique and distinctive “neighborhoods” with a close-knit  community spirit. Take your time discovering and exploring all that the City of  Phoenix has to offer. With its exceptionally high quality of life, vibrant  economy, virtually limitless recreational opportunities, affordable housing,  and relaxing southwestern lifestyle—Phoenix is an ideal place to call home.

East Phoenix     The  natural Phoenix landmarks of Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain create the  scenic backdrop for this established area of the city, where mature landscaping  graces homes that were primarily constructed from the 1950s through the 1970s.  The enduring sophistication of the Camelback Road corridor adds a number of  attractions to this area, including the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa,  Biltmore Fashion Park, office towers, wonderful restaurants, and the Esplanade.  Another acclaimed resort, The Phoenician, is located just minutes away in  neighboring Scottsdale. In addition to upscale enclaves like the Biltmore area  and Arcadia, East Phoenix is home to many comfortable neighborhoods where  well-maintained homes offer a wide variety of architectural styles, periods,  and price ranges. Those East Phoenix developments closest to Papago Park, the  Phoenix Zoo, and the Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens also provide quick and  easy access to the cities of Tempe and Scottsdale, Arizona State University,  and Sky Harbor International Airport.

Central Phoenix     Dynamic,  bustling downtown cultural and professional sports centers coexist beside  well-established core neighborhoods in Central Phoenix. Neighborhoods like the  Biltmore area, Arcadia, and the Encanto-Palmcroft area are known for their  stately homes set into deep lots covered by mature greenery. Architectural  styles tend to be diverse, harmonizing sprawling ranches with an occasional  Tudor or a handsome brick colonial graced by dramatic pillars. Simple tract  homes nestled in tranquil, welcoming neighborhoods offer more affordable  housing throughout this convenient area. Some of the most celebrated  attractions in the Valley are nestled in Central Phoenix, from Papago Park with  the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Gardens to world-class venues, museums,  and stadiums. Interstates 10 and 17 and State Route 51 facilitate quick  commutes to all corners of the Valley of the Sun.

North Phoenix     Growing  exponentially, northern Phoenix sprawls from the Saguaro-studded open space  that surrounds new master-planned communities in the North Gateway area to established  neighborhoods that offer quick access to the downtown district. The area is  rapidly changing its former image as a bedroom community, welcoming an influx  of new business development and commercial activity. The addition of the  sprawling new Arrowhead Towne Center Mall has created a mecca of retail,  dining, and entertainment opportunities close to home. It is no surprise that  the area’s continually expanding employment base is driving an equally  impressive housing boom. Many families are drawn to North Phoenix by the real  estate values, taking advantage of beautiful new residential developments that  offer “more home for the dollar.” Even those who commute to jobs in other  Valley of the Sun locations have the advantage of high-speed travel on Loop 101,  Interstate 17, and State Route 51.

South Phoenix     Characterized  as an area of contrasts and diversity, South Phoenix encompasses the world’s  largest municipal park, unique attractions, historic neighborhoods, the rural  South Mountain Village, and upscale master-planned communities in Ahwatukee  Foothills Village. Interstate 10 provides a major thoroughfare with quick  connections to other Valley freeways including Loop 202 and State Route 51 (the  Piestewa Peak Parkway). Residents also enjoy a convenient location in  relationship to the world-class attractions in downtown Phoenix—from cultural  venues to professional sports areas. Ahwatukee Foothills Village is especially  convenient to East Valley employment centers. Superb city and mountain views  are complemented by first-rate recreational amenities like Pointe South  Mountain and the five-star Raven at South Mountain Golf Club. As a result, this  area is popular with developers of high-end residential enclaves.

West Phoenix     Surrounded  by the communities of Glendale, Peoria, and Tolleson, the vast area known as  West Phoenix continues to sprawl outward. Mature inner neighborhoods developed  primarily from the 1950s through the ‘70s now provide affordable older homes  with landscaped lawns and wide residential streets. Many long-established  residential developments in West Phoenix were built in response to the housing  demands for employees in the burgeoning aerospace, semiconductor, and petroleum  industries. Offering diversity in its population and environments, West Phoenix  is rapidly transforming its vast open space and fields into lovely new homes,  shopping plazas, and restaurants. Housing affordability, easy access to  downtown, and improvements in high-speed connections for commuters are driving  interest in this area. Desert Sky Mall, Peoria Sports Complex, Arrowhead Towne  Center Mall, Cricket Pavilion, and the antique capital of Glendale are among  the popular attractions.

Phoenix  Urban Villages

Ahwatukee Foothills     The  natural beauty of South Mountain, the nation’s largest municipal park,  separates Ahwatukee from Phoenix, aligning it geographically with the East  Valley cities. Many mistakenly think of Ahwatukee as a separate city,  particularly since the village has developed such a distinctive identity and  claims a rapidly growing population nearing 90,000. Bounded by Interstate 10 to  the east, South Mountain to the north, and the Gila Indian Reservation to the  south and west, the village offers an enviable lifestyle and superb amenities  in a convenient location. Everything from symphony performances to professional  sports events are available in downtown Phoenix venues. Sky Harbor  International Airport, the Arizona Mills retail complex, Arizona State  University, and East Valley employment centers are “right next door.” The  village showcases attractive residential opportunities for every taste and  lifestyle, from custom estates to family homes in beautiful subdivisions. Fine  residential developments in this area include The Foothills, Club West,  Lakewood, Pointe South Mountain, Mountain Park Ranch, Mountain Ranch Estates,  and Pecos West. Parks, golf courses, community centers, landscaped open space,  and multi-purpose paths combine with respected schools, abundant youth sports,  and activities for every age and interest. Drawn by natural beauty, newcomers  are captured by the area’s convenience, quality of life, and the warm spirit of  community.

Alhambra     The  centrally located urban village of Alhambra offers a convenient residential environment  where residents can easily access downtown employment centers as well as the  Valley’s finest entertainment and cultural resources. This area is dominated by  mature, stable, single-family homes in well-established neighborhoods.  Architectural styles vary widely, crowned by estates and luxurious executive  homes near Central Avenue in the northern section of the village. Some  neighborhoods like Rancho Solano showcase exquisite ranch-style homes on  sweeping lots that are shaded by towering trees and mature greenery. The village is primarily bounded by Northern Avenue,  7th Street, Grand Canal, the Black Canyon Freeway or Interstate 17, Grand  Avenue, and 43rd Avenue.