About the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe, Arizona Areas: 

Welcome to Phoenix, one of the most vibrant and livable communities in the United States, and a city where a strong, diverse economy supports a thriving and growing business community.  

Phoenix is in the heart of the fastest growing region in the country, serving all the major markets in the western United States. With a population of almost 1.4 million, Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the country and serves as the centerpiece for almost 3.4 million people in the metropolitan area. The city's location is ideal for service not only to the Southwest, but also to southern California and the international markets of the Pacific Basin and Mexico.  

Local, national, and international businesses find that Phoenix has an excellent transportation infrastructure, with frequent non-stop air connections to all major cities, easy freeway access and rail service destined to major ports. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is now the fifth busiest in the world with over 1,300 commercial flights per day. The Airport is serviced by 23 airlines with non-stop flights to 198 cities including various cities in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. It's obvious why so many businesses and companies have made Phoenix their home.  

With over 514 square miles of land, Phoenix offers plenty of room for long-term growth. Only 50 percent of the land in the city is developed. Plenty of prime industrial and commercial land is available, much of it already set with modern infrastructure and an assured water supply necessary to start operation right away. A massive canal and pump system delivers water to Phoenix from the Colorado River, supplementing the supply from local reservoirs and river and assuring a reliable water supply for the foreseeable future. Also, Phoenix voters in 2004 approved a Regional Transportation Plan that includes nearly $16 billion of spending on construction of freeways, a light rail system, and enhanced bus services.  

Thousands of companies have discovered that it pays to do business in the city of Phoenix. Among other things, the state has no corporate franchise tax, business inventory is not subject to property tax, and Arizona is a right-to-work state. The city also offers two programs for businesses located within designated areas. Qualifying businesses located within the City of Phoenix Enterprise Zone (COPEZ) can receive income tax and property tax benefits. Qualifying businesses within the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) can defer or eliminate duty on imported goods prior to entering the US market.  

The greater Phoenix area has experienced positive job growth in 50 of the last 54 years, and the growth is a function of an ever-diversifying economic base. Motorola and Honeywell are among the larger corporate citizens. Regional and national headquarters in Phoenix include American Express, U S Airways, Bank of America, Charles Schwab, Sumitomo Sitix, USAA, Viad, Avnet and Phelps Dodge. Smaller companies, too, have reaped the rewards of establishing a Phoenix location. The blend of high-tech, manufacturing, agriculture, trade and service industries found in the area contribute to a healthy and well-diversified economy.  

Phoenix is one of the most popular leisure destinations in the world, with its famous sunny climate and its proximity to the scenic wonders of Arizona.  

Phoenix is also the location for hundreds of conferences and conventions each year. The downtown convention center known as Phoenix Civic Plaza is currently undergoing expansion even as its main exhibit halls remain open. When finished in 2008, the expanded Civic Plaza will have almost 1 million square feet of exhibit space plus an adjacent 1,000 room Sheraton hotel.  

The Grand Canyon, Indian reservations, and winter ski areas are only a few hours from downtown Phoenix. Large nearby lakes offer fishing and boating. Lush stretches of beautiful Sonoran desert preserves extend right into the heart of the city. Add to that challenging golf courses, year-round outdoor activities, and an unlimited variety of attractive shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities.  

Sports enthusiasts enjoy events for all major league sports as well as baseball spring training and auto racing. Phoenix's cultural offerings are superior, and its performing arts groups meet the highest standard. The Heard Museum, Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo each have won international acclaim for quality and innovation.  

Phoenicians are proud of the city's reputation as a preferred place to work and do business, and are just as proud that Phoenix is a great place to raise a family. Neighborhoods feature quiet, tree-lined streets, manicured parks, housing costs that are among the lowest of all major cities; and quality education is a high priority for families and community leaders.  

ACCRA Cost of Living Index Top Participating Metropolitan Areas Over 2 Million In Population 1st Quarter 2005
Metro area	Composite index	Grocery items	Housing	Utilities	Trans- portation	Health care	Misc. goods and services
New York (Manhattan) NY	203.9	142.6	373.2	153.4	113.6	138.4	131.6
Boston MA	137.2	119.1	178.4	133.2	111.3	132.0	118.2
San Diego CA	146.9	109.0	229.0	97.5	118.8	122.9	117.1
Los Angeles-Long Beach CA	153.7	123.4	253.2	114.1	112.5	120.6	108.2
Seattle WA	116.5	108.9	133.0	105.2	111.2	127.7	108.9
Detroit MI	103.8	99.3	112.3	96.8	99.3	101.2	101.2
Atlanta GA	96.0	95.0	91.6	86.7	106.3	110.4	98.3
Phoenix-Mesa AZ	96.8	100.7	88.8	92.9	102.3	95.5	101.3
Dallas TX	91.7	91.6	75.5	103.8	102.3	100.8	97.8
Baltimore MD	112.4	102.9	124.3	115.5	111.7	107.5	106.1
Houston TX	88.7	84.2	74.4	102.6	97.5	98.9	94

Historic Districts

There are 35 historic districts located in Phoenix featuring homes built between 1880 and 1959. Architectural styles include Tudor, Spanish Revival, Greek Revival, Ranch, Adobe, Queen Anne, Bungalow, and more!

Click here for a list and map of all Phoenix historic districts and their boundaries.

If you have further questions about purchasing a historic home call 602-870-8737!

Camelback Corridor, Biltmore, & Arcadia

Home to high-end shopping, fine residential neighborhoods and sleek commercial complexes, Camelback Corridor and Arcadia is one of Phoenix’s most popular regions. Homeowners in this established part of the city enjoy fabulous views of two stunning natural landmarks, Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak. Residential neighborhoods, such as Arcadia and Biltmore, contain stately homes surrounded by mature trees and clean landscaping. Real estate options consist of a diverse selection of single-family homes and condominiums/townhouses. Parts of the region were originally planned out as early as 1919 and homes were built throughout the mid-century. As a result, these neighborhoods have a sense of charm and character that other, more modern areas of Phoenix lack. Approximately 142,000 people enjoy the Corridor lifestyle of convenience, style and class. There are several attractions that appeal to residents and visitors alike, including the famous Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, the Biltmore Fashion Park, the Phoenix Zoo and the Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens. The Arizona Biltmore, called the “Jewel of the Desert” and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened in 1929 and has since become one of the most prestigious resorts in the city. Naturally, the placement of this resort has encouraged the establishment of fine establishments nearby, making the Camelback Corridor/Biltmore, and Arcadia area one of Phoenix’s most popular destinations for fine dining and shopping. On the other end of the spectrum, Corridor residents also enjoy easy access to hiking and other outdoor activities at Camelback Mountain, North Mountain, and Piestewa/Squaw Peak Parks.

Scottsdale

Scottsdale is a city in the Eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, adjacent to Phoenix. Scottsdale is regarded as an upscale tourist and shopping destination and as a representation of western American style. The New York Times described dowtown Scottsdale as "a desert version of Miami's South Beach" and as having "plenty of late night partying and a buzzing hotel scene." It is bordered to the West by Phoenix and Paradise Valley, to the North by Carefree, to the South by Tempe, and to the East by Fountain Hills and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

The city is loosely divided into four areas: South Scottsdale (McKellips Road North to Chaparral Road), Old Town (Downtown) Scottsdale, Central Scottsdale (also known as the "Shea Corridor", extending from Chaparral Road North to Shea Blvd.), and North Scottsdale. The real estate market in Scottsdale is among the most expensive in the United States.

South Scottsdale has been known for many years as more or less the working class region of Scottsdale, although today it is transforming into a dynamic urban area. It contains the major nightlife for the area and is a major art center of metro Phoenix.

Old Town Scottsdale is an area with many streets, stores, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and western art galleries evoking the old cowboy era. Scottsdale's main cultural district is also in this area, which includes the high-end Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, and the new Scottsdale Waterfront.

The Shea Corridor is so named because it is in close proximity to the East-West running Shea Blvd. The homes in this region were generally built during the 1970s. Despite their older age, real estate in the Shea Corridor is still in high demand. The are a number of communities in this central region of Scottsdale that remain among the most highly-desired residential areas in the metropolitan area, including Gainey Ranch and McCormick Ranch. A large portion of Scottsdale Road in the Shea Corridor has been dubbed the Resort Corridor for the high number of resorts located on the street.

North Scottsdale is currently the most actively developed area of Scottsdale as it was historically the least built up. This portion of the city also claims many of the most expensive homes in the country, with many exceeding $5 million in value. The city's borders rapidly expand to the East and West in this area, containing the McDowell Mountain range. Troon and DC Ranch are large-scale developments in North Scottsdale. Much of the residential boom in North Scottsdale is driven by the fast growth of the Scottsdale Airpark, the second largest employment center in the Phoenix Metropolitan, and estimated to become the largest by 2010.

Tempe

Tempe is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley portion of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is bordered by Phoenix on the West, Scottsdale on the North, Chandler on the South, and Mesa on the East. Tempe is the location of US Airways' corporate headquarters, and of Arizona State University's oldest, and largest main campus.

One of Arizona's largest shopping malls, Arizona Mills, sits near the border of the town. The city also serves as the first Arizona IKEA branch location.

Tempe houses one of the best school districts in the state - the award winning Kyrene Elementary district.

Mill Avenue, located just west of Hayden Butte, is a shopping and entertainment area in the city popular with pedestrians and students. With the completion of Tempe Town Lake, commercial and high-rise development along the reservoir quickly transformed the cityscape of Mill Avenue and the skyline of downtown Tempe.

Residents also enjoy the close proximity to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

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