< Previous68 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC ETheConnected Placerom Goodyear to Mesa and Scottsdale to Tolleson, Greater Phoenix’s 22 unique and dynamic communities offer unparalleled access to people, technology and global markets. Already one of the fastest growing metro regions in the country with a population of 4.7 million, the region is expected to reach 6.4 million in the next two decades. Greater Phoenix is located within a single day’s drive of more than 35 million consumers, six hours to Los Angeles and San Diego, and only three to the Mexican border. With one of the lowest labor costs in the country and the third largest labor pool in the western U.S., it’s easy enough to understand why more than 1,000 global companies choose to do business in the Greater Phoenix region. by SAVA NN A H K I N GF22 C O M M U NI T I E SG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 6970 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC Eby SAVA NN A H K I N GQ U A LI T Y O F LI F EG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 71here can you enjoy a lower cost and higher quality of living, improve your golf game year-round, hike in the mountains and see your business succeed? Greater Phoenix, of course. U.S. News & World Report ranks Phoenix No. 19 in its Best Places to Live index — and it’s easy to see why. With average temperatures in Greater Phoenix hovering near 75 degrees and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, there are more opportunities to enjoy the area’s ample outdoor activities. In fact, the Greater Phoenix area boasts more than 325 golf courses and hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. And of course, there’s South Mountain Park and Preserve. This spectacular park is the largest municipal park in North America with its sprawling 16,500 acres and more than 1,500 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. With more than six lakes within a 75-minute drive of the city, even water lovers can find fun in the desert. “We have a really diverse lifestyle,” says Christine Mackay, director of community and economic development for the city of Phoenix. “You can have everything WLife in Greater Phoenix offers a unique set of advantages. here can you enjoy a lower cost and boasts more than 325 golf courses and hundreds of miles of hiking WLife in Greater Phoenix offers a unique set of advantages. 72 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC Efrom an incredible urban living environment to a horse farm, all within a 30- or 40-minute commute from downtown Phoenix.”As one of the most rapidly growing regions in the country, living in Phoenix is affordable. According to PayScale, the cost of living in Phoenix is 5 percent less than the national average. WalletHub ranks Phoenix at No. 11 for affordability. The median home price in the region is lower than the national average at $254,400. Personal income tax rates range from 2.59 percent to 4.54 percent. And the median household income in Greater Phoenix is $55,227. More than 40 universities and institutions of higher learning are located in the Phoenix region including world-renowned universities like Arizona State University in Tempe, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Phoenix-Mesa campus, Maricopa Community Colleges, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Phoenix. In addition to universities, the area is also home to “You can have everything from an incredible urban living environment to a horse farm, all within a 30- or 40-minute commute from downtown Phoenix.”— Christine Mackay, director of community and economic development for the city of PhoenixG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 73three of the nation’s top 10 public high schools. The region’s 1,100 public schools also offer a strong system of charter schools, many of which have been ranked among the best nationally. With 22 unique communities comprising the Greater Phoenix metro area and an average commute of 26 minutes, finding a place to plant roots is a matter of choosing which community suits your interests. For instance, WalletHub ranked Scottsdale No. 7 in its 2018 Best Cities for Recreation report, it’s also long been recognized as a top retirement destination. The website also ranked nearby Mesa at No. 15 for its 2018 Best Big Cities to Live in report. Cyclists can travel 175 miles of bikeways in Tempe to reach other surrounding communities, like Glendale, which is a well-known hub for sports lovers, having hosted two Super Bowls, three college football championship games, the Fiesta Bowl and the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four.“Phoenix is the newest big city and as people relocate here, they find what they’re looking for,” says Mackay. “They find this urban environment where they feel connected. They feel like people want them to succeed. … If you look at other big markets, if your grandpa wasn’t part of the Local Union 77 or your dad wasn’t at the right high school or you didn’t grow up in the right neighborhood, you’re never going to be on a board or commission. But here, we’re all from somewhere else, and you can be here for two weeks and you’re connected and introduced to people and now you’re on a parks board and you’re meeting people and your family’s meeting people. You’re connecting with people. We want everyone around us to succeed.” 74 G R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC EP H OT O G A L L E R YG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 75A hiker takes in the view of the valley from the Mormon Trail in South Mountain Park.All images courtesy of Visit Phoenix unless otherwise notedTop Left: Arizona Grand Resort Family PoolTop Right: Phoenix Convention CenterLeft: Greater Phoenix offers ample nightlife and entertainment.Bottom Left: Paddleboarders on the Salt RiverBottom Right: Mural from Roosevelt Row in downtown PhoenixPhoto by Stefanie Carson, GPECOpposite: Civic Space Park in downtown PhoenixG R E A T E R P H O E N I X : T HE C O N N E C T E D P L AC E 77Next >