Greater Phoenix offers everything you would expect from a major city—diverse neighborhoods, restaurants, arts, entertainment and professional sports—while maintaining a laid-back atmosphere and easy access to the outdoors that make living in the Southwest unique.

Exterior of hospital with mountains behind
  • Population: 7.5 million (4.7 million in the Phoenix metro area)
  • Geographically the 6th largest state in the union
  • Became the 48th state on February 14th, 1912
  • Motto: Ditat Deus - "God Enriches"
  • Houses 16 national monuments
  • Average temperature: 86 degrees
  • Over 300 days of sunshine (more than Florida or Hawaii)
  • Flagstaff, AZ averages 18" of precipitation/year (including snow)

Yes, Phoenix is hot—but there’s a lot more here than sunshine, saguaros and desert. Phoenix combines the opportunities and amenities of a major metropolitan area with a relaxed, approachable feel. Whether you prefer spending your free time outside, exploring new restaurants, catching a game or show, or getting out of town for the weekend, there is always something to do.

 

Year-Round Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities are a major part of life in Phoenix. Popular activities include:

  • Hiking and mountain biking
  • Kayaking, paddle-boarding and tubing on the Salt River
  • Golfing
  • Swimming
  • Rock climbing
  • Exploring the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo
  • Visiting nearby lakes and parks

Arts & Culture

Phoenix has a vibrant arts and cultural scene with museums, theaters, live music, ballet, opera, Broadway productions, galleries and community events. Local favorites include the Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Musical Instrument Museum, Ballet Arizona, Arizona Opera, Phoenix Symphony and Broadway productions at ASU Gammage.

Food & Drinks

The Phoenix food scene ranges from casual neighborhood favorites and Southwest cuisine to MICHELIN-recognized restaurants and James Beard Award-winning chefs. The Valley also has a nationally recognized craft cocktail scene, along with local breweries and plenty to explore throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and the surrounding communities.

Learn more about popular dining spots in Phoenix and Glendale restaurants. You can also find food options at Phoenix Children’s.

Professional Sports

Sports fans have plenty to choose from throughout the year, with professional teams including:

  • Arizona Cardinals - NFL
  • Arizona Diamondbacks - MLB
  • Phoenix Suns - NBA
  • Phoenix Mercury - WNBA
  • Phoenix Rising FC - Soccer

The Valley also hosts MLB Spring Training, professional golf, college sporting events and other major sporting events throughout the year.

Family Life

Phoenix also offers plenty for residents with families. Parks, pools, zoos, museums and family-friendly events provide activities throughout the year, with local favorites including the Phoenix Zoo and Children’s Museum of Phoenix. The Valley’s many distinct neighborhoods also give families a variety of communities to call home.

Beyond Phoenix

One of the best parts of living in Phoenix is how much there is to explore beyond the city. Popular Arizona getaways include Sedona, Flagstaff, Prescott, Tucson, Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake and the Grand Canyon.

With a little more time, residents can head to skiing in northern Arizona, the beaches of San Diego or Rocky Point, Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Lake Powell and other destinations throughout the Southwest.

Easy to Get Away

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is conveniently located in the center of the Valley, making travel home or planning a weekend getaway easy. As a major airport with extensive domestic and international service, residents have convenient access to destinations throughout the country and beyond.

  • Hottest temperature recorded in Phoenix is 122 degrees (it’s a dry heat)
  • More boats per capita than any U.S. state
  • South Mountain Park covers more than 16,000 acres, making it the largest city park in the world
  • The highest point is at Humphrey's Peak at 12,633 ft. and the lowest point is the Colorado River at 70 ft.
  • The amount of copper on the roof of the Capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies
  • There are 300 ostrich ranches with approximately 10,000 birds
  • More galleries and museums than malls

  • Old Town Scottsdale
  • Mill Avenue in Tempe
  • Scottsdale Fashion Square
  • Kierland Commons
  • 5+ outlet malls within a one hour drive

  • Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright)
  • The Phoenix Symphony
  • The Herberger Theatre Center (home of the Arizona Theatre Company)
  • Phoenix Theatre Cookie Company
  • Arizona Opera
  • Ballet Arizona
  • Scottsdale Center for the Arts
  • The Heard Museum
  • Desert Museum (Tucson, AZ)

  • Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre (outdoor concerts with seating for 18,000+ in Glendale)
  • Arizona Financial Theatre (Downtown Phoenix)
  • Mesa Amphitheatre
  • Marquee Theater
  • Country Thunder Festival
  • The McDowell Mountain Music Festival
  • State Farm Stadium

  • University of Arizona (Medical Schools located in downtown Phoenix and Tucson)
  • Arizona State University (the nation’s largest university with more than 80,000 students)
  • Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, Arizona)
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Thunderbird School of Management (known worldwide for international business degrees)
  • University of Phoenix
  • Maricopa Community Colleges (one of the largest in the United States)

  • College Sports
    • Arizona State University
    • University of Arizona
    • Fiesta Bowl
    • Rate Bowl
  • Football
    • Arizona Cardinals (2015 Division NFC Division Champions)
  • Basketball
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Phoenix Mercury
      • 2007, 2009 & 2014 WNBA World Champions
  • Baseball
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • 2001 World Champions
    • Spring Training (15 major league teams in the Cactus League)
  • Racing
    • Phoenix Raceway
  • Golf
    • Over 200 golf courses in Phoenix and over 300 in the state
    • Three professional tours, including the PGA’s WM Phoenix Open with the infamous 16th hole

  • Arizona has two national parks, six national forests, two national recreational areas, six national wildlife refuges, four nature conservancies, 25 State Parks and 303 lakes.
  • One-quarter of the state is forested
  • The Grand Canyon
  • Skiing in Snowbowl in Flagstaff, AZ and Sunrise in Pinetop, AZ
  • The Kartchner Caverns State Park
  • Havasupai Falls
  • Tombstone (the OK Corral)
  • Biosphere 2 in Tucson
  • The Phoenix Zoo
  • The Desert Botanical Garden (houses the largest collection of desert plants in the nation)
  • More than 20 casinos (most within a 45 minute drive from Phoenix)

Phoenix to:

  • Grand Canyon: 234 mi.
  • Flagstaff: 146 mi.
  • Las Vegas: 289 mi.
  • Los Angeles: 372 mi.
  • Prescott: 102 mi.
  • Puerto Peñasco: 212 mi.
  • Sedona: 119 mi.
  • San Diego: 369 mi.
  • Snowbowl: 158 mi.
  • Tombstone: 184 mi.

Where Do Our Residents & Fellows Live?

Map of Phoenix and surrounding cities

Learn More

Visit these sites for more information about life in Arizona: