Spotlight on One of the Most Diverse Cities in the U.S. : Phoenix, Arizona
By EmployDiversity
Considering a move in the near future? This month we are featuring the sunny city of Phoenix Arizona.
Phoenix is not only the capital of Arizona, but it’s also the largest city and largest metropolitan area in Arizona. It is located in central Arizona, in the southwestern United States. It is 20 minutes west of Tempe, and 20 minutes southwest of Scottsdale.
Phoenix is a bustling city in the middle of the desert that continues to grow at an increasing rate allowing many young and retiring families to relocate from all over the country. The city is also known for its high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses and vibrant nightclubs.
How do young and older couples decide if relocating to Phoenix, Arizona is right for them? What should they focus on when doing their research? To help you with your research, here are a few highlights on what Phoenix has to offer.
Diversity:
Phoenix is considered one of the most diverse cities in the United States, ranking number 57 on the “Most Culturally Diverse Cities in the U.S.” https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-with-the-most-and-least-ethno-racial-and-linguistic-diversity/10264/
Cities around Phoenix
The Phoenix Metropolitan Areas comprises of several dozen cities providing you with home purchase and rental options. Some cities might be familiar to you including :
Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Avondale, Goodyear, Chandler, Gilbert, El Mirage, Surprise, Sun City West, Fountain Hills, Casa Blanca, Maricopa, Tucson, Ahwatukee Foothills, Peoria among many more
Weather
The State of Arizona is known for its year-round sun and warm temperatures. The warmest month in Phoenix is July, with an average high-temperature of 106.2°F (41.2°C) and an average low-temperature of 83.5°F (28.6°C) and so far the all-time record high for Phoenix remains at 122 degrees on June 26, 1990
Cost of living in Arizona
According to ZipRecruiter, as of August 6, 2020, the average annual salary for the average job in Arizona is $61,942 per year. Annual salaries can range from $19,047 to $126,363 per year.
Bestplaces.net also points out that on average, the median household income of a Phoenix resident is $46,881 per year. However, the job field and experience will always play a big factor when determining a job seeker’s salary.
If you want to compare numbers and look at the possible financial impact of relocating to another city, visit EmployDiversity and plug in the potential numbers in their cost of living calculator. This can give you a fairly good idea of the financial impact of relocating to another city. https://employdiversity.com/cost-living-of-calculator
Employment
Phoenix is home to more than five Fortune 1000 company headquarters, including well-recognized names such as Avnet, Phelps, Dodge, and PetSmart. Also the nearby city of Tempe is home to US Airways.
Other companies with major operations in Phoenix include: Intel, Motorola, AlliedSignal, Honeywell, Boeing, American Express, Prudential, Charles Schwab and more.
While major employment sectors in Arizona include aerospace, electronics and semi conductor manufacturing there are other important sectors such as tourism, business services and back-office operations.
When applying for a new job, keep in mind the importance of matching your resume to the job’s requirements. Check out the resume scan tool at EmployDiversity.com and see how your resume stacks up against a particular job description. https://employdiversity.com/resume-and-job-description-comparison-tool/
Shopping Malls, Dining & Entertainment
Phoenix and the surrounding areas have amazing shopping malls with entertainment areas for children, lounges for shoppers, superb restaurants and more. Some of the best shopping malls include:
Scottsdale Fashion Square, Brass Armadillo Antique Mall, Tempe Marketplace, Arizona Mills, Desert Ridge Marketplace, Biltmore Fashion Park, Scottsdale Quarter and many more.
List of Outdoor Places to Visit and Avoid the Heat:
Water wheel fall - Home to a 40-foot tiered waterfall and surrounded by a wide range of swimming holes. It also provides great areas for hiking, picnicking and camping.
Rattlesnake Cove - Considered one of the most beautiful places to swim in Arizona, It provides a gentle slope that allows swimmers of all abilities to enjoy the cove.
Oasis Water Park at the Arizona Grand Resort - Voted into the Top 10 water parks by Travel Channel. You do have to be a guest of the resort to play here, but the eight-story tall tower and three waterslides make it an excellent place to play in the hot summer months.
Golfland Sunsplash - Located in Mesa, Golfland Sunsplash is a full entertainment zone for the family. It is a water park with slides, wave pool and toddler play area.
Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix - It is a 25-acre water park with thrill slides, a lazy river, a family raft ride, toddler pool and, of course, the wave pool.
The Lower Salt River - Tubing is a great summer pastime in Arizona and this river offers exceptional tubing conditions. You can enjoy an all-day tubing adventure for just $15.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area - It sits on the border of Arizona and Nevada. Water skiing, boating, swimming and even houseboat renting are all popular at this location.
Tempe Beach Park - Has a fun and splashy playground. Children can wade through a miniature ocean and ride on toy whales as they play in this free Tempe attraction.
Finding a Home to Rent or Own
It is always recommended for recently relocated families to rent at first so they familiarize themselves with the area and its surroundings.
Because of the heat and long distances between home, work and schools, remember to factor this in when considering where you want to live to avoid long commutes and traffic congestion.
You will find a great variety of home styles in Phoenix such as single-family residences, condominiums and townhomes. According to Zillow.com, the median home value in Phoenix is $269,175 and it continues to steadily increase every year.
School Districts
Maricopa County has almost 1000 schools in various school districts. Public schools in Phoenix Arizona have earned strong reputations for both academic and extracurricular programs. With 58 school districts in three metropolitan Phoenix counties, there are plenty of educational options for families with children relocating to Phoenix.
Interesting Facts about Phoenix Arizona
- Phoenix has received the National Civic League's prestigious "All-America City" Award four times.
- Arizona gets most of its rain in the summer months and because it is so dry, dust storms and monsoons are not rare and can become spectacular events to watch.
- Arizona is a Right to Work state which affords job security partcularly when making the decision to leave or not to join a union.
- A great place to begin your research on considering a move to Phoenix is the “Phoenix Relocation Guide”. You can also find additional information at the Chamber of Commerce offices (www.visitphoenix.com).