CLIMATE: For many, the weather is the main attraction. Phoenix is a premier destination boasting more than 300 sun-filled days a year and an average temperature of 73 degrees.

REAL ESTATE: Although home prices are rising, Phoenix remains one of the most affordable housing markets in the country. Apartment dwellers also will find a nice selection of affordable communities designed to fit their lifestyles. There are a wide variety of homes to choose from in all price ranges with downtown Phoenix becoming a major player in metropolitan & urban living. The much desired & craved culture by Phoenix resident's is beginning to shape up, consequently giving a surge in popularity and sales of downtown Phoenix historical homes, Glendale historic homes, Scottsdale historical homes, Tempe historic homes, Phoenix lofts, condos and high-rise living.

CRIME: Phoenix is safe by big-city standards. Taking Phoenix's growing population into account, the crime rate per 100,000 decreased by 31-percent between 1996 and 2005. This represents a 31-percent decrease in the property crime rate and 27-percent decrease in the violent crime rate per 100,000.

JOB MARKET: The local job market continues to grow at a steady rate, with more than 100,000 total new jobs forecast for 2005. In 2005, Phoenix created more new jobs than Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Phoenix has a young, educated, and growing workforce.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY: Bankers, business leaders and investors are coming to the heart of Arizona’s Capitol -- to invest their capital. In the last two years, nine billion dollars in public and private dollars have been invested in Phoenix. Standard & Poor’s described Phoenix as having a broad, diverse and expanding economy with strong employment indicators.

HIGHER EDUCATION: Newcomers will find a wide selection of charter, public and private schools. Student test scores are improving, computers are highly available and schools are safe. Phoenix is also home to Arizona State University - West, ASU Downtown, Community Colleges and private colleges such as the University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University. In addition, leading genomics scientists from around the world have relocated to Phoenix due to the cities strategic investment in the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

The area is home to a host of first-rate post-secondary schools, ranging from trade and technical schools to the state’s biggest academic powerhouse. Arizona State University has more than 57,000 students and is the largest university in the state. Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, is consistently rated by U.S. News and World Report as the premier institution for international business education in the nation. Other major institutions include: Apollo College, Maricopa County Community Colleges, DeVry University and the Art Institute of Phoenix.