Reasons to Relocate to Phoenix, Arizona

Relocating to Phoenix? Welcome home!

Enjoy mountain views, 300 days of sunshine a year and big-city life without the big-city cost

By Amelia Riedler

Home is where the heart is—not to mention where the shopping is, the art venues, the schools and the job market. Of course, it does take a certain something to make a place feel like home, but it’s often a combination of creature comforts and basic necessities blended together to fit your lifestyle.

It’s also important to find that special sense of community. And Greater Phoenix offers just that—a unique blend of all things demanded and desired.

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the Valley of the Sun sits in a bowl surrounded by the beautiful rocky terrain of Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, the Superstition Mountains, South Mountain and the Estrella Mountains.

If you tire of the city, you can jump in your car and head for Sedona, Picacho Peak or the Mogollon Rim, all a short ride away. With numerous hiking and biking trails in and around the Greater Phoenix area, you’ll find it easy to maintain an active lifestyle. And with more than 300 days of sunshine each year, you’ll find an uncomplicated beauty as your daily backdrop.

The Valley of the Sun offers all the diversity of big-city life without the big city cost. Phoenix ranks as the nation’s fifth largest metropolitan area with 3.5 million residents in Greater Phoenix, according to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

“The Greater Phoenix region offers a quality of life that keeps it at the forefront of the most livable cities,” says Katie Pushor, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. “With low unemployment, reasonably priced real estate and a geographic location with easy access, Phoenix offers opportunities for someone new to come into town and create an impact.”

Location, Location, Location

“One of the primary advantages of our area is our location. We’re located very close to three much larger economies: Mexico, California and Texas,” says Tracy Clark, economist at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University— one of three state universities. “We have a cost advantage over California and have clearly attracted a lot of business expansion from our neighbor to the west.”

Among the Valley’s advantages are flat terrain, simple transportation routes and a light rail system that’s under construction. Not only is the transportation system evolving, but housing communities also continue to be developed across the Valley, offering comfortable homes for new and longtime residents.

More than 30,500 homes sales were recorded for the third quarter of 2005 alone, and almost 51,000 single-family housing units were authorized in 2004, according to the ASU Real Estate Center.

The homebuying environment is highly favorable with low interest rates and a wide selection of housing types. “What has become increasingly important is the expanding housing market business within existing communities in the form of urban lofts and condominiums, housing renovation, infill projects and historical districts,” says Dr. Jay Butler of the ASU Real Estate Center.

Recent reports state the median rate of home appreciation has greatly exceeded the rate of inflation, creating opportunities for new homeowners.

A Growing Job Market

Housing isn’t the only thing increasing exponentially. Employment in Greater Phoenix shows higher percentage increases in almost all job categories compared to the rest of the United States, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security. With 1.7 million in the civilian labor force, most residents find themselves in professional or technical roles, with the next largest group being administrative support or service positions.

A 3.7 percent employment increase is expected for 2006, according to the Arizona DES and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Top industries for the Phoenix region are high-tech manufacturing, professional and technical services and health care services, Pushor says.

“The Greater Phoenix metropolitan area was the second fastest growing major employment market in the nation in 2005,” she notes. “Phoenix was ranked either first, second or third throughout most of the 1990s. With continued growth in population and business-friendly policies in the region, we expect the employment market to continue to grow at the current rate.”

Big City Amenities

Entertainment and shopping venues abound in and around the Valley, and there are more than 200 golf courses in the Phoenix area.

Arizona is also home to four major professional sports teams: basketball, football, baseball and, amazingly enough, hockey in the desert. Not to mention three unique venues for motor sports.

Arizona also is rich with history, with ruins from ancient civilizations lying among the 23 Native American reservations that represent 21 different tribes.

Although thoughts of cowboys, cactus and Gila monsters invariably come to mind when contemplating Arizona, there’s so much more to this remarkable region. Find out what the true meaning of home is, here in the heart of the Valley. Welcome to Phoenix, Arizona.

If you are thinking about relocating to Phoenix, AZ, call Laura Boyajian, aka, Laura B. TODAY! She is an expert at helping people relocate. She will help you with finding the right school districts for you children, help you with finding a home that will be conducive to all your needs and SO much more.

Visit her website today at:

http://www.phoenixrelocationspecialists.com

or:

http://www.historiccentralphoenix.com