Saturday, January 30, 2010

Taking A Look At Phoenix, Arizona

By Sean Elstins

Taking a look at Phoenix, Arizona reveals a dynamic and still-fast-growing city that's probably the jewel of the American Southwest, as well as the West in general, these days. Much of this is due to its extremely temperate winter climate, for one, while other reasons have to do with a generally low cost of living and the easy availability of low-priced land in and around the city.

In addition to being the state's capital, it is also the largest municipality and is known for its continual population growth. This has seen it reach, so far, number five in terms of the ten largest cities in the country. Today, more than 1.6 million residents live there, with more expected to join the rolls in the years ahead.

The Phoenix metropolitan area is also the 12th-largest in the country, with over 4.4 million people living in and around the city. In addition to all of the above, it is also the seat of Maricopa County, and is near the top in terms of total land area among all municipalities in the country. The westward expansion of the country's population base led to its incorporation in 1881.

First founded in 1868, the town immediately took off. It was laid down near the Salt River, from which it could draw fresh water in abundance, which it would need due to its location in what was actually an arid desert. Soon enough, it became the major commercial, economic, cultural and financial nexus in the Southwest, a position it still seeks to hold to this day.

Summer months in the area can be a bit warm, again due to its location in the northwestern area of the Sonoran Desert (sometimes known as the Gila Desert). Winters are a big attraction to those seeking warm climes, though, because they're very temperate. This couples with a unique quality of life that mixes Old Spanish and Mexican influences with a modern vibrancy that's appealing and attractive, in total.

In terms of living in sunshine, the city experiences an average of 85% of sunshine on an annual basis. March is its wettest month and June is its driest, when it gets less than 2 millimeters of rain, if any at all. Median incomes in the region come in at about 41,000 dollars annually per household, with family median incomes reaching 46,000 dollars per year.

In all, there's much to like about this jewel of the southwestern part of the country. Phoenix offers much to the visitor and to the person contemplating relocation. Low costs of living and affordable housing combined with a unique cultural and historic flavor help to make the area a mecca for population growth and tourism.

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