Phoenix Real Estate & Information
Your Introduction to Phoenix and Phoenix Real Estate & Homes for Sale
Phoenix, Arizona - Today
The City of Phoenix is also known as the "Valley of the Sun," or "Valley" for short, though this usage tends to incorporate other areas around the city. The City of Phoenix is the largest metropolitan area in the state of Arizona and the state's capital. There are approximately 1,512,000 people that reside in Phoenix which makes it the 5th largest city in the country. Phoenix is the center of the Valley and Maricopa County. All the cities such as Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, and so on in the Valley revolve around its edges. Well designed freeway systems allow residents to get across the area relatively easily.
As the state's capital, all major government offices for the state are located in Phoenix. And, decisions that are made for the city typically have an impact to the other cities around it.
The city is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns professional teams. The Chase stadium and US Airways Center are both within walking distance of each other and the surrounding area full of restaurants and entertainment venues. The Phoenix Convention Center is host to many major public events.
Phoenix has a tremendous amount to offer to corporations, small businesses, individuals and families. It will always stand as the hub of all major activity for the state as well as the Valley.
Phoenix, Arizona - A History
The land that makes up the city of Phoenix has a long history going back well before white settlers came to the area. The Hohokam Native Americans lived and farmed here for over 1,000 years. The Hohokams left behind many remnants of their time here including an extensive canal system, some of which was used as the basis for the Arizona Project Canal and other major canals in the Valley. The Hohokams disappeared from the area around the 1400s. Scientists believe this is due to an extensive 150-year period of drought and extreme flooding.
The first Europeans arrived in the area in the 1600s-1700s. At that time, Arizona as we know it was controlled by the Spanish Empire. Later, Arizona would be a territory of Mexico. Most settlements took place in Southern Arizona while the central part of the state was left largely uninhabited save for the handful of Native American tribes already in the area.
In the early 1800s, mountaineers and settlers came from the east to partcipate in the animal trade. Though the population began to increase as a result, much of the settlement was dependent on more temperate weather.
The United States took possession of the land that is now known as Arizona through the Mexican-American War which ended in 1848.
In 1867, Jack Swilling, an American Civil War veteran, stopped at the base of the White Tank Mountains. Looking around, Swilling envisioned the potential for farming and livestock and saw promise. Swilling took advantage of the Hohokam's canal remnants to construct new canals which could deliver the water needed to make his vision a reality. A town developed several miles from the area where Swilling first stopped.
There were several names for the town until a Lord Darrell Duppa suggested "Phoenix," a referrence to the mythical bird that wwas reborn out of its own ashes. Phoenix was a new town arising out of the ruins of a once great Hohokam Native American civilization. This new town was officially recognized on May 4, 1868. Over the next twenty years, the town's population, infrastructure, and needs grew. To address the town's growth and future needs, the city was officially incorporated on February 25, 1881. A railroad system running through Phoenix emerged during that same period which helped to boost trade to the west. Phoenix was becoming something much bigger than anyone had ever imagined.
Phoenix became the capital of Arizona in February, 1912. As the decades passed on, Phoenix steadily grew. By 1950, Phoenix had over 100,000 residents and the city was much more industrial than ever before, much of this due to demands of World War II.
Today, Phoenix has hit critical mass in terms of prominence and ecomomic development. Its level of industry is growing and its economy is diversifying. Phoenix's appeal has grown tremendously and is a favorite destination for visitors. Its climate in the non-summer months has made it very appealing to second-home buyers from the cooler, northern states. As well, international visitors come to the area for its temperate climate, extensive golf courses, and shopping.
Great Information & Resources on Phoenix
Read more about Great Things to Do in Phoenix.
Phoenix Real Estate
Phoenix covers 517 square miles of area so there is tremendous variety between parts of the city. Where people live in the city is typically driven by place of work and location of existing family. The City of Phoenix has 15 "villages" which comprise small suburbs such as Ahwatukee, Alhambra, Deer Valley, and Laveen. Though these areas seem small cities within themselves, they are still part of Phoenix and have Phoenix addresses.
It is a given that a residence in the more central locations of Phoenix gives residents prime access to freeways and the rest of the Valley. This changes as one gets into the outer areas of the city such as Ahwatukee and Laveen.
Downtown areas in Phoenix have been undergoing significant change over the past few years. Urban living is taking hold with several high-rise condominimum projects reaching into the sky with premiums paid for this type of real estate. Arizona State University opened its Phoenix downtown campus for nursing and public programs. The new lightrail project stands to bring about a new era in Phoenix public transit system and opens in late 2008/early 2009.
Homes in Phoenix range in pricing based on location, type and age of the property, size and other characteristics. For example, Craftsman homes located near the core of downtown can fetch anywhere from $500,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on condition and size. Lofts typically run $350,000+ for 750 square feet (size, floor, and view being pricing drivers). Single family homes can range anywhere from $100,000 to several million dollars.
 | Search MLS for Phoenix Homes |
| | What's My Phoenix Home's Value? |
Some Highlighted Neighborhoods in Phoenix
