Phoenix is the hub city for the part of Arizona known as the Valley of the Sun. With a name like that, it's easy to see how Phoenix would have the highest average temperatures of all the major cities in the United States, despite the fact that it's located at the confluence of two of the state's largest rivers. This warm climate and the city's successful economy have made it a popular destination among new residents and tourists. The city is currently home to 1,567,000 residents -- a number that is growing faster than almost any city in the country.

As you would expect, tourism and recreation are some of the largest sectors in Phoenix's economy. The others include high technology, business, finance, and the military. Phoenix is home to several Fortune 1000 companies, divisions of Honeywell, Intel, and American Express, as well as the Luke Air Force Base, a major fighter training center. As the state capitol of Arizona, Phoenix naturally has a high percentage of the population employed in state government jobs. Also, the presence of the Arizona State University means the city has a large student population.

It's no wonder all these different types of people are attracted to Phoenix; there's so much to do! The city acts as the host to teams from all four of the most popular major league sports (football, baseball, basketball, and hockey), and has more than 16,000 acres of parkland for you to explore. Water parks like Wet n'Wild and the Phoenix Zoo are popular with the kids, while golfing and shopping are the activities of choice for adults. The Arrowhead Towne Center caters to upscale shoppers while the Superstition Springs Golf Course is on the PGA tour. Art lovers will be overwhelmed by the displays of Native American and modern Southwestern art at the Phoenix and Heard Museums.

Thanks to the recent sub-prime mortgage crisis, Phoenix's average home prices have dropped dramatically to around $150,000. While this is bad for Phoenix's lending institutions and real estate investors, it is good for potential home buyers. For the first time in many years they will be able to afford more rather than less; a more expensive home in a more upscale neighborhood with more features. Whether you're interested in a historic town home in one of the city's fifteen urban villages or a new dream house in one of the nearby suburbs, if you're looking to buy in Phoenix, now is the time.