Area Information

Since the popularization of air conditioning in the 1930’s, the Phoenix metropolitan area has been considered by many to be one of the best places to live in America.

The city routinely makes top ten lists across the country, including; Top Ten Most Populous Cities; Top Ten Business Hot Spots; Top Ten Metro Areas for Employment; Top Ten Best American Festivals (Chandler Ostrich Festival); Top Ten Largest State Universities (Arizona State University); and Top Ten Most Misspelled Cities in the Country. Phoenix and Scottsdale have more golf courses listed in the “USA Top 100” than anywhere else.

Most recently, Hershey Foods Corporation names Phoenix the Number 10 “Sweet Spot” in America. This compilation was determined based on acts of volunteerism, heroism, family orientation, community spirit, romantic settings, and “a lifestyle that enables residents to embrace all that is good and sweet in life.”

Undoubtedly, this is what caused the Hohokam people to settle here around 300 AD. Either that or they heard about all the great shopping. They build a complex irrigation system with 135 miles of canals, making the land suitable for farming. They left the area around 1400, most likely due to a drought. This gave them their name – Ho-Ho-Kam, or “the people who have gone.”

Rising from the proverbial ashes of this civilization like the ancient Egyptian legend, Phoenix began to see a resurgence of occupation in the late 19th century. Jack Swilling began to settle the land in 1867, starting an irrigation company. A small colony soon developed, which would eventually yield the sixth largest city in the United States.

Diversity of culture, plentiful shopping, a wealth of professional sports and entertainment, and much more combine to make the Phoenix metropolitan an ideal place to live.

Government

Explore the links below to find out more about the government of Maricopa County and the cities within its borders.

  • City of Apache Junction
  • City of Avondale
  • City of Chandler
  • City of El Mirage
  • City of Gilbert
  • City of Glendale
  • City of Goodyear
  • City of Litchfield Park
  • City of Mesa
  • City of Peoria
  • City of Phoenix
  • City of Scottsdale
  • City of Surprise
  • City of Tempe
  • Maricopa County
  • State of Arizona
  • Town of Buckeye
  • Town of Carefree
  • Town of Cave Creek
  • Town of Fountain Hills
  • Town of Paradise Valley
  • Town of Queen Creek

Business

Thanks to a diversity of income sources and widespread growth, the metropolitan Phoenix area saw 25,000 new jobs between 1999 and 2000 alone. Phoenix has been names one of the top ten business hotspots in the country, as well as one of the top ten metro areas for employment. Every sign points towards continued economic expansion.

Manufacturing, electronics and tourism are some of the major industries in Maricopa County, but thanks to the widely diverse economic base of the area, business opportunities can be found in almost any area. Explore the links below to find out more:

  • Banner Health Services
  • Desert Samaritan Medical Center
  • Mesa Lutheran Hospital
  • Phoenix Memorial Hospital
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital
  • Valley Lutheran Hospital
  • City of Phoenix – Business
  • Economic Development and Business Assistance
  • Fortune 500 Best Places to Work
  • 38 companies in the Phoenix metropolitan area
  • Greater Phoenix Economic Council
  • Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Golf

With over 320 days of sunshine a year, a mild winter, almost no humidity, and over 180 golf courses, it’s no wonder the Phoenix metropolitan area is home to some of the most highly acclaimed golf courses in the nation.

In fact, the Phoenix – Scottsdale area has more courses listed in the “USA Top 100” than anywhere else in the country.

No matter your budget or experience level, you will find what you are looking for here. From private clubs and exclusive memberships, to city courses with affordable rates, any golfer can find just what they need. You can even see the PGA Tour or the Phoenix Open.

The Phoenix – Scottsdale area offers traditional golf in a desert setting, as well as “desert golf,” which has been described as target shooting by experienced players (it has also been described as an exercise in futility). Any type of golf course or program you are looking for can be found here in one of the nation’s golf hot spots.

Explore the links below to see what awaits you.

  • AGA links (Comprehensive local links)
  • Arizona Golf Association
  • Arizona Golf News (Premier Arizona Golf Courses)
  • Arizona Republic golf section (message boards and information)
  • AZFamily.com’s golf site
  • Golf Guide USA (Information on Phoenix area courses)
  • GolfArizona.com
  • Golfing Phoenix
  • Sports Illustrated’s Southwest Golf Guide (Comprehensive guide)
  • The Arizona Golf Desk
  • Web Golf Guide (Extensive list of golf courses in Arizona)

Education

From stellar primary and secondary education, to world-class undergraduate and graduate programs of all types, the Phoenix metropolitan area is a hotspot for educational excellence.

The area includes the fourth largest university in the country, Arizona State University, as well as the internationally famous Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Explore the links below to learn more about the educational opportunities available to you.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

  • Agua Fria Union High School District (Avondale)
  • Alhambra Elementary School District (Phoenix)
  • Canon Elementary School District No. 50
  • Cartwright School District (Phoenix)
  • Cave Creek Unified School District (Cave Creek)
  • Chandler Unified School District (Chandler)
  • Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District ( Cottonwood)
  • Creighton School District (Phoenix)
  • Deer Valley Unified School District (Phoenix)
  • Glendale Elementary School District (Glendale)
  • Glendale Union High School District (Glendale)
  • Kyrene School District (Tempe)
  • Litchfield Elementary School District (Phoenix)
  • Madison School District #1 (Phoenix)
  • Mesa Public Schools (Mesa)
  • Paradise Valley Unified School District #69
  • Pendergast District (Phoenix)
  • Peoria Unified School District #11 (Peoria)
  • Phoenix Elementary School District #1
  • Prescott Unified School District #1 (Prescott)
  • Roosevelt Elementary School District #66 (Phoenix)
  • Scottsdale School District #48 (Scottsdale)
  • Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District (Sedona)
  • Tempe Union High School District (Tempe)
  • Washington Elementary School District

HIGHER EDUCATION

  • Arizona State University (ASU) (Tempe)
  • Arizona State University East (Mesa)
  • Arizona State University West (Glendale)
  • Central Arizona College (Coolidge)
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott)
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Maricopa County Community College (Tempe)
  • Scottsdale Culinary Institute
  • Thunderbird (Glendale)
  • American Graduate School of International Management
  • University of Advancing Computer Technology
  • University of Phoenix (Phoenix branch)
  • Yavapai College (Prescott)

Entertainment

Amusement parks, world class shopping, golf, professional sports, local music and much more await you in the Phoenix metropolitan area. All the diversions you would expect from America’s 6th largest city can be found in abundance.

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy public courses or exclusive clubs, while sports fans can catch the World Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. In fact, all major professional leagues house teams in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

People travel far and wide to enjoy the world class shopping available throughout the metropolitan area. Your entire family will delight in the thrills available at the Castles and Coasters amusement park and Big Surf Water Park.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find many opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, mountain biking, or just about anything else you can imagine (this side of ice fishing). Opportunities for outdoor entertainment can be found everywhere, between the mountains, the natural desert terrain and the area’s 67 natural and man-made lakes.

Visitors can stay in one of the many 5 star resort hotels, or just the local budget motel, while enjoying the incomparable cuisine available at any of our fabulous restaurants.

Music lovers can catch local bands, Arizona Opera, the Phoenix Symphony, or the latest large venue act to pass through town. National landmarks and museums will broaden the mind, as well as the aesthetic palette.

After a long, hard day, you and your guests can relax at any of our world famous spas, or just try out the nightlife. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it in the Phoenix metropolitan area!

SPORTS

  • Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
  • Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
  • Arizona Rattlers (Arena Football)
  • Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)
  • Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)
  • Phoenix Suns (NBA)

RESTAURANT GUIDES

  • Scottsdale Restaurants
  • Phoenix Restaurants

PARKS & GARDENS

  • Area Lakes
  • Echo Canyon Park
  • Encanto Park
  • Lake Havasu City
  • Home of the London Bridge
  • Lake Powell
  • McDowell Mountain Park
  • North Mountain Park
  • Papago Park
  • Piestewa Peak Park
  • Stony Mountain Park

MAJOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING

  • Anaheim Angels
  • Tempe Diablo Stadium
  • Chicago Cubs
  • Hohokam Park
  • Milwaukee Brewers
  • Maryvale Baseball Park
  • Oakland Athletics
  • Phoenix Municipal Stadium
  • San Diego Padres
  • Peoria Stadium
  • San Francisco Giants
  • Scottsdale Stadium
  • Seattle Mariners
  • Peoria Stadium
  • Spring Training Magazine

HOSPITALITY & ATTRACTIONS

  • About.com’s Guide to Phoenix
  • Arizona Trail Association
  • AZ Metro Dining Guide
  • Big Surf Water Park
  • Castles ‘n Coasters amusement park
  • Dining Guide
  • High Sonoran Adventure
  • Main Tour
  • Shopping Malls and Specialty Shops
  • Night Guide
  • Phoenix City Search
  • Guide and reviews for food, places to stay, and places to go
  • Phoenix Hotel Guide
  • Valley Shopping
  • WeekendEvents.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

  • Access Arizona
  • All About Phoenix
  • Arizona Guide
  • Artlink
  • ASU Aztec – Arts and Entertainment
  • City of Phoenix – Art Community
  • Desert Botanical Garden
  • Grand Canyon Square Dance Association
  • Movie Times and Information
  • New Times – Best of Phoenix
  • Phoenix City Search – Arts

AREANAS & STADIUMS

  • America West Arena
  • Bank One Ballpark
  • Dynamic site – follow the links to National
  • Sun Devil Stadium

Utilities

Explore the links below for information on setting up the utilities in your new home.

Telecommunication Services

  • CableAmerica – Cable Services
  • Cox Communications – Cable and Telephone services
  • Mediacom – Cable Provider serving part of Apache Junction
  • OpTel – Cable Provider, serving part of Mesa
  • CenturyLink – (877) 507-5494
  • Sprint – (800) 877-7746

Postal Service

  • FedEx
  • United States Postal Service
  • UPS

Gas Service

  • Southwest Gas Corporation – (602) 861-1999

Electric Companies

  • APS – (602)371-7171
  • Salt River Project (SRP) – (602) 236-8888

News and Media

Explore the links below to discover some of the media outlets available in Maricopa County.

Television

  • ABC – KNXV (Channel 15)
  • CBS – KPHO (Channel 5)
  • Cox9 (Channel 9 or 52)
  • KPNX Channel 12
  • KTVK (Channel 3)
  • NBC
  • PBS – KAET (Channel 8)
  • UPN – KUPT (Channel 45)

Radio

  • KBAQ 89.5 – Classical
  • KDDJ 100.3 – Modern Rock
  • KDKB 93.3 – Album Rock
  • KEDJ 106.3 – Modern Rock
  • KESZ 99.9 – Adult Contemporary
  • KFLR 90.3 – Christian
  • KGCB 90.9 – Christian
  • KHOT 105.9 – Spanish Regional
  • KKLT 98.7 – Adult contemporary
  • KMXP 96.9 – Rock Adult Contemporary
  • KNIX 102.5 – Country
  • KOOL 94.5 – Oldies
  • KPTY 103.9 – Top 40
  • KRXS 97.3/103.1 – Adult Alternative
  • KSLX 100.7 – Classic Rock
  • KUPD 98.8 – Album Rock
  • KYOT 95.5 – Contemporary jazz
  • KZON 101.5 – Adult Alternative
  • KZZP 104.7 – Contemporary Hits

News Sources

  • Arizona Business Gazette
  • Arizona Republic
  • Arizona Republic Online Edition
  • New Times
  • Phoenix Business Journal

Recommended Businesses

Business of Baskets, LLC
For Gifts With Style
www.businessofbaskets.com

PostalMax
Global Shipping
www.postalmax.com

Airpark Coffee
Fresh Roasted Coffee from around the world
www.airparkcoffee.com

APRO
We help you do more business in the Airpark
www.APROscottsdale.com

Cactus Coffee Talk
Serving Fun to the Valley of the Sun
www.cactuscoffeetalk.com

Site Mechanix
Empowerment for the web site owner.
www.sitemechanix.com

Kierland Mortgage Group, Inc.
“Your Mortgage Lender For Life…”
www.kierlandmortgage.com

The Law Office of Marc C. Paquette, PLLC
Estate and Business Law
www.thepaquettelawfirm.com

Melanie L. Miller
Licensed Acupencturist
www.turningpointacupuncture.net