Phoenix
As the 5th largest city in the United States, Phoenix has maintained a growth streak in recent years and continues to grow. It is currently one of, if not the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, as of 2020. The city averages approximately 300 days of sunshine, or over 85% of daylight hours, per year.
Originally & known locally as the "Five C's", cotton, cattle, citrus, climate, and copper were anchoring Phoenix's economy. Today the city’s economy has expanded beyond the 5 C’s to include aerospace, engineering & technology, oil & gas mining, manufacturing, warehouse distribution centers, healthcare, hospitality/vacation rentals, outdoor recreation and so much golfing, to name just a few.
Since 1979, the city of Phoenix has been divided into urban villages, many of which are based upon historically significant neighborhoods and communities that have since been annexed into Phoenix, but continue to promote their unique character and identity of their individual villages. There are 15 urban villages: Ahwatukee, Alhambra, Camelback East, Central City(Includes Mid & Up Towns), Deer Valley, Desert Ridge, Encanto, Estrella, Laveen, Maryvale, Desert View, North Gateway, North Mountain, Paradise Valley, Rio vista, and South Mountain. The urban village of Paradise Valley is distinct from the nearby Town of Paradise Valley. Although the urban village is part of Phoenix, the town is independent.
In addition to the above urban villages, Phoenix has a variety of commonly referred-to regions and districts, such as Downtown, Midtown, Uptown, West Phoenix, North Phoenix, South Phoenix, Biltmore Area, Arcadia and Sunnyslope. The Phoenix Valley Metro light rail system continues to expand & will soon join many, if not all of these villages & areas together via this method of public transportation.
There is a current trend in Phoenix of people leaving the suburban sprawl behind & relocating to the City’sUrban Core. As a result of this movement, you will find many new restaurants, bars, art galleries, urban parks, condo projects, small business shops catering to locals, starting to open up & establishing themselves to be permanent fixtures of the community & as part of an urban culture never seen before in Phoenix. It is a “vibe” that will only help to brand & solidify Phoenix as one of the Great Cities of the West.
Phoenix is home to six major sporting teams, the Arizona Cardinals football team, Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, the Phoenix Suns basketball team, Arizona Coyotes hockey team, Phoenix Mercury women's basketball team & the Phoenix Rising soccer team. The Phoenix Raceway hosts NASCAR races, & the city would not be complete without the Phoenix Zoo, Papago Park & the world famous Botanical Gardens.
