Valley Life
The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, known as the Valley of the Sun, centers around four main cities comprising the cultural and economic heart of the area: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa. Surrounded by rugged mountains, wide-open Indian reservations and cool lakes the Valley is one of America’s most picturesque and temperate metropolitan areas. A blend of everything from old west to high-modern, the Phoenix Metropolitan Area is America’s resort-lifestyle as an everyday experience.
Tourism is an important economic driver, supported by a wide array of activities including world-class golf, water recreation (large reservoir and rivers surround the area), tennis, biking and hiking. The Valley has one of the nation’s largest concentrations of major league sports franchises including an expanding and very popular Cactus League. Although a desert environment, and subject to hotter temperatures for the summer months punctuated by cooling monsoon storms, October through May brings clear sunny days, comfortable temperatures, exotic plant life and countless outdoor recreational activities. Additionally, just a short drive in almost any direction, Valley residents can explore Arizona’s quaint towns, unique points of interest and stunning lakes, mountains, canyons and forests.
Valley residential living showcases a wide range of housing options, price levels and community amenities. The dynamic urban and suburban markets in the Valley offer a uniquely southwest influence on every housing style from traditional to modern. Whether gated to golf, family-friendly to age-restricted or production to custom-built – for every buyer there’s a fantastic home at a today’s phenomenal prices.
With its 300+ days a year of sunshine, central southwest location, high quality of life, irresistible housing prices and some of the nation’s best shopping, dining, sports and recreational pursuits it’s easy to see why the Valley is a top destination for those looking to make a smart move into an enviable and affordable lifestyle choice. slideshow credits

Recreation Links
Cool Places
Tempe Town Lake
Scottsdale Downtown
Downtown Phoenix
Cave Creek / Carefree
Desert Botanical Gardens
Historic Heritage Square
Tempe Mill Avenue
Scottsdale Civic Center
Chinese Cultural Center
The Farm at South Mountain
Taliesen West
Japanese Friendship Garden
McDowell Mountain Park
Shopping
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Desert Ridge Marketplace
Biltmore Shopping Center
Kierland Commons (photos)
Arrowhead Town Center
Arizona Center
Chandler Fashion Center
Tempe Marketplace
Mesa Riverview
Scottsdale Galleries & Shops
Tempe Mill Avenue
Westgate City Center
Arizona Mills
Attractions
First Fridays – Downtown Phoenix
Scottsdale Art Wallk
Phoenix Symphony
Comerica Theater
Jobing.com Arena
Phoenix Art Museum
Celebrity Theater
Orpheum Theater
Heard Museum
Pueblo Grande Museum
Rawhide Western Town
US Airways Center
Cricket Pavilion
For The Kids
The Phoenix Zoo
Arizona Science Center
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
AZ Challenger Space Center
Enchanted Island
World Wildlife Zoo
Phoenix Water Parks
Arizona Museum for Youth
Valley Youth Theatre
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
Valley of the Sun YMCA
Mesa Southwest Museum
Outdoors
Piestawa Peak / Dreamy Draw
South Mountain Park & Preserve
Camelback Mountain
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Indian Bend Wash
Lake Pleasant
Papago Park
Usury Mountain Park
Superstition Mountains
Pima/Dynamite Biking Trails
Skiing Arizona
Salt River Tubing
Hot Air Ballooning
Major Events
Waste Management (Phoenix) Open
Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction
Fiesta Bowl
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Parada del Sol Parade & Rodeo
Arabian Horse Show
Tempe Music Festival
Scottsdale Culinary Festival
Carefree Fine Arts & Wine Festival
NASCAR Subway Fresh 500
Tempe Festival of the Arts
Phoenix Film Festival
ZooLights
Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball
Cactus League Baseball
Phoenix Suns Basketball
Arizona Cardinals Football
Phoenix Coyotes Hockey
Cactus League Baseball
NASCAR Phoenix
Phoenix Mercury WNBA Basketball
Arizona Rattlers Arena Football
ASU Sports
P.F. Chang’s Rock-n-Roll Marathon
Scottsdale Amateur Soccer
Arizona on the Rocks
Day Trips
Sedona / Oak Creek
Flagstaff / San Francisco Peaks
Prescott / Jerome
Payson / Pine / Strawberry
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Tucson
Apache Trail Scenic Drive
Arizona Ghost Towns
Verde Canyon Railroad
The Grand Canyon
Tombstone
Patagonia
Arizona Wine Country
























