Archive for May, 2014
TOP 10 REASONS WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN ARIZONA
– By: Maria Hass
If you are looking for great quality of life at an affordable price, you need look no further than Arizona. Here are 10 great reasons why Arizona is gaining popularity as a place to work, live and raise a family.
1. Cost of Living – A report by Findthebest.com shows that the cost of living index in the Phoenix metro area is 99, which is lower than the national average of 100. Las Vegas, Nevada’s cost of living index is 105; Reno is 103. For comparison, New York City’s index is 155, Denver, CO, is 121 and Portland, OR, is 108. The cost of living index factors in the cost of food, transportation, healthcare, housing, taxes, goods and services.
2. Home Prices – Home values in Phoenix are relatively affordable than most cities. Although every location is different, the general price per square foot range of homes in Metro Phoenix range from $81 per square foot in Laveen to $341 per square foot in the exclusive Paradise Valley area.
3. Quality of Life and outdoor fun – Arizona offers great quality of life for an affordable price. It offers a diverse selection of dining, relaxation, sporting events, community events, shopping, parks and recreation, academic opportunities comparable to other major cities, but at a lower cost. Phoenix is the golf capital of the nation. Hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, tennis, and swimming are among the outdoor activities offered thanks to outstanding facilities located throughout Metro Phoenix.
4. Well-planned Roads and Bridges – Arizona’s streets, freeways and bridges are among the finest in design and functionality. The roads are well-maintained and in good condition. Road infrastructure is regularly built ahead of the need.
5. Jobs – WalletHub.com ranks Phoenix No. 14 and Mesa No 9 on new list of The Best Cities to Find a Job in the United States. “Now Hiring” signs are everywhere. More businesses are moving to Arizona and it’s gaining attention.
6. Professional Sports Teams – Phoenix is home to the Cardinals football team, Diamondbacks baseball team, Phoenix Suns basketball team and Arizona Coyotes hockey team. Additional sports include the Phoenix Mercury women’s professional basketball team and the champion Arizona Rattlers arena football team.
7. Diversity– Arizona is home to a diverse population of ethnic backgrounds and age groups. There are many active adult communities on the west and east side of the Valley of the Sun. Arizona ranked among top 20 states for minorities. KTAR.com reported that the Gallup poll ranked Arizona 16 with 84 percent of Arizonans saying the state is a good place for minorities. Hawaii was number 1 followed by Texas, Alaska, New Jersey and New Mexico.
8. Natural Disaster Free Zone – Arizona unlike other States is not visited by tornadoes, earthquake snow, hurricane and typhoons. No wonder it is a great place for retirees or anyone who cares about staying safe. For people with arthritis, the warm weather is a great way to keep their illness from swelling.
9. Wholesome Family Living – City parks and recreation facilities are available at low or no cost for active families. Arizona supports academic pursuits and strong family values.
10. Low Property Tax – Property taxes in Maricopa County, which includes the Phoenix metro area, range from 1 percent to 1.5 percent of a home’s value. These are among the lowest property tax rates in the nation.
Things are looking up in South Chandler!
by Maria Hass
South Chandler, which borders the 202 San Tan Freeway to the north, Loop 101 to the west, Hunt Highway to the south and Val Vista Drive to the east, is attracting a lot of attention from retailers, real estate developers, consumers, business employers and community, according to a recent story in The Arizona Republic.
LA Fitness, a 38,000 square-foot health club facility recently opened the doors to its newest Arizona facility at Arizona and Ocotillo Roads in South Chandler. The business owners have been eyeing this location as a prime location for growth, owing to its population and promising economy. South Chandler is a sought after location for families, businesses and investors for the following reasons.
1. The Chandler School District has many excelling schools, attracting families with higher educational aspirations for their families.
2. The business district comprising of big employers like Intel, Orbital is expanding in South Chandler.
3. Real estate developers are finding more land to build on in South Chandler and the average income of South Chandler residents is higher than the average Arizona resident.
4. The Chandler City Council is moving to convert designated commercial land to residential land in order to increase population. This will increase consumer spending, which is good for business and tax revenue for the city.
5. Chandler is currently one of the top cities in the Valley for home sales. Many people choose Chandler because it provides a great quality of life at an affordable cost.
For the full Arizona Republic story about new businesses moving to South Chandler, go to http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2014/05/02/south-chandler-growth-retail-restaurants/8633455/