Let's start with a list of some very popular cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area. I can help you work through all of these communities to help you make a decision about where you want to live.
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Anthem is the result of a Del Webb development on a large parcel of land adjacent to the town of New River , Arizona. It is a planned suburb 34 miles north of downtown Phoenix that opened in 1998. Although Anthem is currently unincorporated, Phoenix is slated to annex the community by 2020 as documented in the City of Phoenix General Plan. Anthem has grown substantially since its founding and now has an estimated population of about 40,000 people.
Featuring sweeping mountain vistas, golf, hiking and other recreational opportunities, Anthem has been described as one of the best places to live in Arizona by Phoenix Magazine and the best place to raise a family by Parenting Magazine in November of 2003. The community now has a high school, Boulder Creek High School, serving the area. Interstate 17 is the only connection to the area from the rest of the Phoenix metropolitan area, which sometimes causes traffic delays and problems.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has plans to widen I-17 from Loop 101 to Anthem Way. Construction starts in 2007 to widen I-17 from 2 lanes to 4 General Purpose lanes and a HOV lane from Loop 101 to Carefree Highway and in 2009 I-17 will have 3 lanes in each direction from Carefree Highway to Anthem Way.
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Welcome to the City of Avondale, Arizona! With 60,000 current residents and ranked as one of the fastest growing communities in Maricopa County, Avondale has come a long way from its agricultural past.
Today, Avondale is a modern city, near the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The current population is over 60,000, and is expected to reach 125,000 by the year 2020. The anticipated build-out population is estimated to be 170,000 residents. That rapid growth makes Avondale one of the fastest-growing communities in the valley, and the nation. Over the last decade, housing starts grew more than 700% with a current average home price of $157,000. Household income has steadily increased and is currently estimated at $68,000.
To keep pace with the rapidly growing population, a variety of cultural, economic, recreational and educational advantages have evolved. Resources range from the programs of the West Valley Arts Council to the academic resources of Estrella Mountain Community College and Universal Technical Institute. From the soccer fields of Friendship Park to the high excitement of Phoenix International Raceway, (PIR) Avondale has something for everyone. PIR is billed as the world’s fastest one-mile paved oval and plays host to NASCAR, Indy Racing League and USAC open-wheel cars. PIR hosts two NASCAR events annually, each attracting nearly 400,000 enthusiasts and hundreds of race teams, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars into the state and local economy.
Friendship Park is a recently completed $5.6 million youth sports complex funded in part by the Maricopa Tourism and Sports Authority. This facility has become host to various sporting events including soccer, Pop Warner Football, baseball and softball. The park features 11 soccer fields, 4 baseball fields, a dog park, and a sculpture garden with a traditional Japanese gazebo generously donated by the community of Kaizu, Japan.
Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is one of the fastest growing educational centers within the Maricopa Community College system; enrollment is projected to grow to more than 20,000 students in the next 15-20 years. Located adjacent to the EMCC campus will be the future home of the West Valley Arts Council, a regional organization that is striving to bring arts and culture in its many forms to the region.
Avondale prides itself on service to the public. To better serve the residents, the Avondale Civic Center opened in December 2003 providing a one-stop-shop government center complex. Located on a 60-acre parcel along Avondale Boulevard, just south of Van Buren Street, this 105,000 square foot facility includes City Hall, the Police Administration Building and the Avondale Municipal Court.
Avondale is a dynamic City with a wide variety of opportunities and a great future. The City Council, volunteers, citizens and staff have worked as a team to not only keep up with the surge of growth, but also have actively partnered to control how and where growth occurs and to ensure it adheres to a high standard. Avondale’s goals are to develop as a sustainable community that offers amenities, residential choice, employment opportunities and quality of life to all residents, both old and new alike. The time is right to take a step forward and discover Avondale.
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The following information provided courtesy of the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1888, this western most community of the Valley of the Sun is home to over 20,000 people. For the past 20 years, growth in the greater Phoenix area has been robust in three of our four quadrants of the region. With those areas rapidly nearing build out, the last frontier rests in the southwest valley and the Town of Buckeye. Town planners project that it will take at least 30 years for the nearly 600-mile planning area that stretches from almost Wickenburg to Gila Bend, the Hassayampa River to Perryville Road, to be built out.
As Arizona’s biggest “small town,” we still enjoy the great feeling of a small community. Buckeye celebrates Country fest in the fall, Pioneer Days in the spring, and a great family Fourth of July.
Currently there are over 240,000 homes planned in Buckeye. Given the size and number of the master planned developments within the Town limits, the population will explode to over 100,000 by the year 2010. Along with homes, there are world-class retail, entertainment, health care, education, and employment uses planned. Buckeye is fortunate to be intersected by five highways, home to a general aviation airport, and served by the railroad. Virtually every major mode of transportation makes Buckeye accessible from multiple points. In addition to this, the Town of Buckeye sits on the state’s largest untapped groundwater aquifer, the Hassayampa River Basin. And the majestic view of the White Tank Mountains from every vantage point creates a unique and unparalleled landscape.
Being located just 35 miles west of Phoenix makes it convenient for work, sightseeing, and an exciting nightlife, yet far enough away to retain a comfortable small town feeling. Therefore, residents can take advantage of the amenities found in a metropolitan city and throughout its western suburbs, and then return to the quiet comforts of home. This once sleepy agricultural town is at the dawn of a new era, and those residents who are proud to call Buckeye home have found a great place to live, work and discover the best that Arizona has to offer.
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Cave Creek is located two miles north of Carefree Highway (Hwy. 74) on Cave Creek Road, about 25 miles north of Phoenix. The temperature is slightly cooler with even lower humidity. This is truly a desert environment that supports an endless variety of outdoor activities to include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, golf & tennis. The landscape is highlighted by the natural beauty of the crested mountains and the contrasting open desert with all varieties of indigenous cacti.
A true sense of the 'Old West', things move a little slower in Cave Creek, now a haven for people looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With several places to stop and meet with other enthusiasts, it is also an area that supports the 'Weekend Warrior' motorcycle riders. Contrary to popular belief, this is a well-behaved influence and welcomed by Cave Creek merchants and residents alike.
Statistics & Facts
- The population is approximately 2,925.
- The approximate number of families is 1,363.
- The amount of land area in Cave creek is 64.214 sq. kilometers.
- The distance to the Arizona state capital is 20 statute miles.
- The town was settled in 1877 and founded in 1890.
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Clinging to the base of Black Mountain, Carefree began as a planned community in the 1950’s. With such streets as Eazy, Wampum Way and Ho & Hum Streets, Carefree is a laid-back town amid desert landscape. One of the largest sundials in the Western Hemisphere, an impressive 90 feet in diameter, is found off Cave Creek Road.
The desert foothills offer unique shopping, dining and provide a beautiful spot to reside in the high Sonoran Desert. Old gold mines, huge boulders, spectacular sunsets and beautiful cactus gardens cover the landscape. Golf is a very popular activity in this upscale area. The unique design and integration of the golf courses into the desert landscape and jagged hills has been done seamlessly.
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Located on the Western edge of Phoenix, Glendale Arizona is a convenient 20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. As Arizona's fourth-largest city and home to the 2008 Super Bowl, Glendale Arizona offers travelers a wide variety of amenities including the famous Historic Downtown shopping district, legendary special events and festivals, museums and cultural attractions, and a growing number of professional sports facilities.
Glendale Arizona is a well-planned blend of Old West and New Economy. It's one of the fast-growing Arizona cities, yet remains most famous for its well-preserved charm. We welcome you to discover Glendale.
Glendale, AZ Climate- From the desert floor to the highest mountain peak, Arizona's renowned sunshine ensures that nearly every day is a perfect one for sightseeing, playing golf, skiing a slope, or simply relaxing by a sparkling swimming pool. Generally, peak season in the desert lasts from January through March, shoulder season is from April to May and September through December, and value season is June through August. Peak and value seasons in mountainous regions are the opposite of the desert areas.
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Goodyear, Arizona . . . a city with a rich, rewarding quality of life and great community spirit. Nestled near the base of the Estrella Mountains, Goodyear is one of the fastest growing cities in the State. Yet it offers all the advantages of a small community – less traffic, safe neighborhoods day and night, and a friendly atmosphere that lets you feel at home right away.
A mere 20 minutes west of downtown Phoenix, Goodyear AZ also benefits from the cultural and entertainment resources of the Phoenix metro area with its diverse population and wide range of resources. The theater, the opera, the symphony and the big four professional sports – baseball, basketball, football and hockey – provide an endless variety of events
Goodyear Arizona - Scenic mountain views, desert vistas, pastoral open spaces, golf courses, lakes, parks and trails have already attracted 33,000 residents of all ages. Beautiful master-planned communities ensure solid home values for all lifestyles – singles, young families, household with teens, empty nesters and retirees
Great walking, hiking and biking trails, along with year round sunny days, provide an active outdoor lifestyle for everyone in Goodyear Arizona. Almost a hundred miles of bike paths and 33 miles of mountain trails await you in Goodyear Arizona!
Even more breathtaking than its blue skies and rugged mountains are the vibrant sunsets – each one better than the last. With all these incredible amenities plus more than 85% of its 115 square miles of affordable land still available for development; Goodyear, Arizona is truly a city of phenomenal opportunity!
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Litchfield Park Arizona is a planned residential community, 16 miles west of central Phoenix. It is a unique suburban community boasting a small town atmosphere and casual lifestyle. Litchfield Park AZ is just north of Interstate 10 with easy access to metropolitan Phoenix.
Litchfield Park Arizona Principal Economic Activities: The Wigwam Resort hotel, a four-star establishment, is a highlight of Litchfield Park. It was originally built for Goodyear executives visiting the farming operations. In 1929, The Wigwam opened to the public and soon became a fashionable and exclusive resort. The Wigwam provides some 700 jobs to the local economy.
Luke Air Force Base, two miles north of Litchfield Park, is the largest training center for F16 fighter pilots in the world. Many Litchfield Park residents are retired military personnel. Morton Salt has a facility just north of Litchfield Park. Nearby Goodyear is home to Rubbermaid, Inc., Lockheed Martin and Lufthansa German Airlines Pilot School. Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is 30 miles away and provides additional job opportunities.
Scenic Attractions: White Tanks Regional Park is located west of Litchfield Park. It is named for natural rock water tanks once used by local Indians. Many unusual petroglyphs or rock carvings are found in the 26,000-acre park. Estrella Mountain Regional Park to the south has 19,000 acres with an 18-hole golf course, as well as camping, horseback riding, hiking and picnic facilities. The Wildlife World Zoo, located four miles northwest of Litchfield Park, provides a natural habitat for many endangered species.
Nearby Desert Sky Pavilion has seating for 18,000 with about 50 major shows each year. Phoenix International Raceway hosts major auto races including Indy cars in March and NASCAR in October. Phoenix also has a symphony, many theater groups, a host of museums, professional football, basketball, hockey and baseball, and a wide range of popular entertainment.
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Northwest of the city of Phoenix, considered part of the greater Phoenix area. Settlers from Peoria, Illinois founded it in 1886. Peoria was incorporated in 1954, with boundaries covering one square mile of land.
Peoria Arizona is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. More than 60% of the residents of Peoria have had at least some college education. There are more than 122,000 people living there, making it the 9th largest city in Arizona. The median annual income in Peoria is $52,199.
Peoria Arizona used to be basically agricultural, but it has grown into a modern city with workers in both commercial and service industries. Major employers include Peoria Unified School District, Bell Rd Auto Dealers, City of Peoria, Plaza Del Rio Campus, and Freedom Plaza Care Center.
Peoria Arizona Education: There are 25 public elementary schools and five public high schools in Peoria. The area is served by the Peoria Unified School District. Nearby, in Glendale, there is a community college, the American Graduate School of International Management (also known as 'Thunderbird'), and A.S.U.'s West Campus.
Peoria Major Attractions: Peoria is home to the Peoria Sports Complex, where two Cactus League teams play Spring Training baseball games, and where various events and festivals take place throughout the year. Lake Pleasant and the Challenger Learning Center are in Peoria.
More Peoria AZ Facts: Peoria covers about 117 square miles. The nearest mall is the Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale. Peoria is located in Maricopa County.
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If you are visiting Phoenix, Arizona considering moving to Phoenix, or even if you've lived here for 20 years, there are some things about Phoenix that you might not know. Some of these items are important when evaluating a community. Some of these facts are downright useless, but fun nonetheless! Please keep in mind that statistics vary greatly depending upon the time they were obtained, the source and the exact population measured. Therefore, none of these numbers represented here are exact, but are merely the most recent and reasonable numbers I have been able to collect.
Phoenix, Arizona has been known for many things. This city receives much recognition for being in the top ten cities in the country. For instance, it is one of the ten largest cities in the country. It is considered a 'business hot spot' being ranked one of the top ten cities to relocate or start a new business. Greater Phoenix was one of the top ten metro areas for jobs, based on both the percentage increase and the real increase in the number of jobs. The Chandler Ostrich Festival has been ranked one of the ten best festivals in the country. Phoenix is one of the top ten most misspelled cities in the country. Arizona State University in Tempe of one of the top ten largest universities in the country. And the list goes on. Some of our claims to fame are, well, not that positive. For instance, Phoenix is known for having one of the highest (if not THE highest) vehicle theft rates in the country
Phoenix is Arizona's state capitol. When people refer to Phoenix, they are often discussing the greater Phoenix area, which includes about 23 cities and towns of the metropolitan area. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and with its size and growth it has developed into a major city--with all the advantages, and many of the disadvantages. Many people are surprised to learn that Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the United States.
Phoenix Tidbits: Phoenix was incorporated as a city in 1881. Geographically, Phoenix covers about 470 square miles. Phoenix Vital Statistics (as of 2000 Census) The population of Phoenix at the last census was about 1.3 million. Only 11% of the people in Phoenix are over the age of 60, and 49% are between the ages of 25 and 59. Almost 23% of the population of Phoenix has at least one college degree. The median household income in Phoenix is about $41,000.
Phoenix Major Attractions: There is a great deal to see and do in Phoenix. Some of my favorite attractions are the Arizona Science Center, the Heard Museum, the Desert Botanical Garden, Bank One Ballpark, The Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix Art Museum and the Phoenix Symphony.
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Sun City means many things to many people, but all agree it is a place of cleanliness and friendliness, a wide variety of interests and activities, an ideal adult community where all residents can be as active as they wish.
Sun City Arizona: Seven recreation centers,
8 golf courses, 3 country clubs, 2 bowling centers, Sun Bowl, and Viewpoint Lake constitute the largest concentration of year round recreational facilities in the United States.
Single Family Dwellings – These comprise the majority of our homes and are from 920-Sq.ft. to more than 3,500-sq.ft. Choose from homes on large lots, small lots, golf course lots or homes in neighborhood associations that take care of landscaping and other services for a monthly fee. Prices range from $110,000 to more than $500,000 depending on age, size and location. The balance of our homes is in several styles located within Homeowners’ Associations (HOA), which look after common grounds and other services for a monthly fee.
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Poised on the northwestern edge of the thriving Valley of the Sun, Surprise is one of Arizona’s fastest growing cities, Surprise Arizona – and for good reason. Against the backdrop of pristine desert and stately Saguaros, Surprise is building a City beyond expectations – a well-rounded community where residents love to live, work and play.
Arts: The well-respected West Valley Art Museum delivers a wide variety of art to Surprise’s doorstep, while a satellite location of the world-renowned Heard Museum celebrates the culture of Arizona’s Native people.
Activities: From a par-three chip and putt to championship courses designed by golf legends, test your skills on one or all eight of Surprise’s public/private courses. Cool your heels in the Surprise Aquatic Center, tour Luke Air Force Base or head up the road to historic Wickenburg.
Baseball: Surprise’s award-winning stadium is the Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, and host to a charter Golden Baseball League team: the Surprise Fightin’ Falcons
Community: The Surprise Recreation Campus, home of big-league baseball, a dynamic recreation program and special events roster, is at the center of the activity. Buoyed by a regional library, aquatic center, recreation center, community park featuring a five-acre fishing lake, giant playground and doggie park – and soon – a 25-court championship tennis complex with center court seating for 5,000.
City-sponsored events such as Surprise Party, Fourth of July, Movies in the Stadium, Performances in the Park foster fun and family, while clubs and churches provide a place to belong.
Renowned retirement communities and award-winning master-planned family neighborhoods are filled with parks, walking paths and plenty of front-porch attitudes. Commerce. New stores and restaurants are opening almost daily and more than a million-square-feet of retail and office space is master-planned. An upscale regional mall, auto mall and two power centers are scheduled to break ground in 2007.
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Tolleson Arizona is a self-contained community, 10 miles west of downtown Phoenix.
Tolleson Arizona measures about six square miles and was incorporated in 1929. Once dependent on agriculture, Tolleson today has a strong commercial and industrial base.
Principal Industries of Tolleson AZ.
The City of Tolleson AZ has become a strong distribution hub for companies wishing to deliver products to southwestern markets. This is primarily due to its excellent location just south of the I-10 and the interchange with the loop 101. The city of Tolleson hosts several large employers, including Sunland Beef, Kroger’s, Albertson’s, Salt River Project, and Sysco Food Systems. In addition to distribution and food, fiber and natural products, the community has a strong manufacturing structure.
Tolleson Arizona has a prime location along a major transportation corridor, the Papago Freeway, which is a segment of Interstate 10. The Union Pacific rail line runs through Tolleson, providing a number of industrial sites with rail access. Air transit is accomplished through the nearby Phoenix-Goodyear Municipal Airport and Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport, located approximately 20 - 25 minutes away.
Tolleson Arizona Education
The Tolleson Elementary District and the Tolleson Union High School District serve the City of Tolleson. Estrella Mountain Community College also serves Tolleson, and nearby ASU West in Glendale provides Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral programs in a variety of disciplines. Glendale Community College and the Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management are also located in nearby Glendale.
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Henry Wickenburg came to the area in search of gold. He was rewarded with the discovery of Vulture Mine, where over $30 million in gold was found. There are still relics around the area that stand as a tribute to these early adventurers as well as a walking tour around Vulture Mine and Robsons Mining World.
Ranchers and farmers discovered the fertile flood plain of the Hassayampa River and settled in the area.
The Hassayampa River Preserve lets you escape to a literal oasis in the desert with lush, streamside habitat that include many endangered birds and animals.
Together with Henry Wickenburg and the miners, they helped found the young community of Wickenburg in1863. The Town of Wickenburg was incorporated in 1909.
It was a rough start for the town with Indian wars, mine closures, desperados, drought and a disastrous flood in 1890 when the Walnut Creek Dam burst.
Despite these trials and tribulations the town continued to grow.
In 1895 the railroad arrived in town.
The historic depot still stands today as the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce building.
For a more in depth history or event information, please visit the Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.wickenburgchamber.com.
The Chamber has a self-guided walking tour of the downtown including the jail tree that once served at the town jail and 23 structures that are on the National Historical Register. Don’t miss Gold Rush Days, in February.
For the past 57 years we have celebrated our rich western heritage, including a shootout, one of the largest parades in Arizona, gold panning and a rodeo.
The Desert Caballeros Western Museum, filled with western art and frontier history, has been identified as "one of the finest small museums in the state, maybe in the nation". (Copley News Service).
Today Wickenburg is known for its clean air, wide-open spaced, guest ranches, tourism and medical services sector. It is the Dude Ranch Capital of Arizona with four ranches that still offer a unique Western experience ranging from a cozy adobe hacienda to a modern ranch resort complete with championship golf course. Wickenburg is growing as a leader in the medical services sector with Remuda Ranch, for eating disorders, the Meadows, for treatment of addictions, and Gatehouse Academy, for drug rehabilitation of young adults.
For more information on Wickenburg please visit the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce or Out Wickenburg Way Website.
For current events and classified ads visit the local newspaper at Wickenburg Sun.
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