Christine is delighted that soon you'll discover the extraordinary adventures that make our Valley unique. You will enjoy scenic fiery sunsets, a full myriad of sports, remarkable dining and a distinctive Southwestern heritage that preserves the rich diversity of Native American, Hispanic, Anglo and African American Cultures.

As you will soon see, the big sky and unparrelled beauty of Arizona is breathtaking. Certainly the first settlers admired the views, too. We know them as the Hohokam, Native Americans who first settled here in A.D. 300. They created a gentle farming culture in the Valley and left behind a gift that we still enjoy today. 

Constructing a complex maze of canals from the Salt River to irrigate their fields, the Hohokam really were developing an infrastructure that is the basis for the metropolitan area that you see today. Our communities developed along the lines of Hohokam waterways and emerged renewed, like the mythical Phoenix, from the ashes of its past life. 

The Phoenix Metro Area is made up of 23 communities such as: Apache Junction, Avondale, Carefree, Casa Grande, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Higley, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale and Tempe. For short get-aways, day trips and weekend stays, you should look into the many great cities and towns outside of the Valley such as Flagstaff, Lake Havasu City, Nogales, Payson, Prescott, Tombstone, Tucson, and Yuma.

Certainly the warm Weather is a factor in the Valley's popularity, with its 300-plus days of sunshine each year, mild temperatures and just 7.66 inches of annual rainfall.

Other things to be considered are the extremely reasonable cost of living, the exciting high-tech industries and the positive business climate found here. Many also point to the fine hotels and resorts, and the remarkable shopping, dining and recreational opportunities.