A Postcard From Phoenix, AZ
We just bought a great second home outside of Phoenix.  The climate is perfect, everyday is sunny and we have so many interesting things to do.  Tomorrow we'll visit the Kachina Gallery to check out a new exhibit.  

  

About Phoenix
For those that love the city life, sunshine, and great golf, Phoenix is the place to own your next home, whether it is a vacation home or a golf vacation rental. With 300 sunny days a year and an average temperature of 72 degrees, there is plenty of sunshine available to golf several of the nearly 200 golf courses or play tennis at any one of the dozens of nearby courts. Can't golf or play tennis everyday? How about boating or bicycle riding in the outlying Sonoran Desert area. If you happen to have a green thumb, you don't want to miss the Desert Botanical Gardens, or the several wildlife preserves and national parks that protect the history of Arizona and the desert for future generations.  No city is complete without culture, and Phoenix holds its own with the Art Museum, Kachina Gallery and many other private art galleries. No matter where your interests lie, Phoenix has something to offer everyone from the city slicker, to the down-home golfer.  Phoenix is desirable; it's beautiful and, most importantly, its cost of living is very reasonable. This explains why it's an affordable choice for young families.

Housing
Real estate in the Valley of the Sun is doing very well. With its year-round warm, dry climate, flourishing economy and comfortable lifestyle, the Valley is attracting new residents at an increasing rate. This growth has created one of the hottest real estate markets in the country with properties appreciating at an average of 10 percent per year.

For latest housing statistics, see Arizona Statistics.

Climate
Warm weather is certainly a factor in the Valley's popularity. The sun is shining more than 80 percent of the time on an annual average. The area receives about eight inches of precipitation yearly, and the average annual daytime temperature is about 82 degrees. Phoenix's climate is terrific, especially to those used to having to deal with snow, sludge and gray skies. And, yes, it is possible to relax by the pool on Saturday and spend Sunday on the ski slopes.  The Phoenix climate allows for a wide range of recreational activities. More than 184 golf courses offer year-round opportunities on the links, and the Phoenix Open and the LPGA Turquoise Classic are among the five professional golf tournaments played in the area. 

Things To Do
Phoenix has more than 1,130 tennis courts, 100 plus miles of great hiking trails and camping facilities, many parks including the largest municipal park in the United States, short driving distance to lakes, it's easy and convenient to enjoy favorite recreational activities.

Cultural Events
Phoenix has more than 20 museums in the metro area and numerous performing arts groups. A sampling of museums include the newly renovated and expanded Phoenix Art Museum, with more than 13,000 works of art including an impressive collection of Western art, a Chinese art selection and an extensive collection of contemporary work; the internationally renown Heard Museum of Anthropology and Primitive Arts, which houses more than 75,000 artifacts of Southwestern Indian culture.

Closest Cities
Paradise Valley, AZ (8.3 miles)
Glendale, AZ (9.2 miles)
Scottsdale, AZ (13.1 miles)

Getting to Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Population
Population: 1,321,045
Median Age: 30.7 Years

Economics
Median household income: $41,207

Higher Education
University of Phoenix
Phoenix College