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City of Phoenix
Phoenix, the fifth largest city in the United States with an estimated population of over 1,800,000, is the capitol of Arizona and is positioned in the south western area of the United States on the upper edge of the Sonoran Desert.
Phoenix was officially incorporated in 1881. It is now governed by Phoenix City Council which is made up of a mayor and eight elected City Council members. The mayor and the elected members of the Council have equal voting power when it comes to making laws and governing the city.
Phoenix is elevated at 1,117 feet above sea level. It enjoys over 300 days of sunshine every year in a semi-tropical climate. Between June and September it is not uncommon for the temperature to exceed 100 degrees F. It is not difficult to see why this region is also known as the Valley of the Sun.
Phoenix has more to offer than its sunny climate. Phoenix is the land of opportunity. It has one of the strongest economies in the United States with many high-tech companies relocating to the area. In addition, Phoenix is considered one of the nation's top cities and therefore attracts 12 million visitors annually.
Phoenix has recreational pursuits in abundance. Whatever your interests there is something for everyone. If it is activity you want, there are numerous trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding. There are several championship golf courses. Lakes are accessible for those who like fishing, boating, and water sports and there are countless public swimming pools. If you prefer watching rather than doing you will find many major leagues in the city covering most professional sports, these include: baseball, football, basketball, ice hockey, lacrosse, car racing, boat racing, and golf. Phoenix is even set to host the Super Bowl in 2008!
Phoenix has plenty of culture to offer too. For Native American history and art there is the Heard Museum. Other historical points of interest include: Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum; the Arizona Science Center, offering a hands-on experience; the Desert Botanical Garden which is said to house the world's largest collection of desert plants; and the Phoenix Museum of History. In addition Phoenix houses theatres, zoos, wildlife parks, shopping, nightlife and much more. When it is time for you to eat out during one of your outings you will be spoilt for choice. The city has lots of wonderful restaurants offering a variety of mouth-watering cuisines.
For families relocating with children there are many schools in Phoenix and the surrounding areas to choose from. Those seeking higher education will be pleased to know that Phoenix boasts a reputation of excellent post-secondary schools, including the Arizona State University - the largest university in Arizona, and Maricopa County Community Colleges; the American Graduate School of International Management; and the Art Institute of Phoenix.
You will not be alone in choosing to relocate here. Mild winters and the low cost of living, combined with the healthy economy, make Phoenix the chosen destination for many people looking for a better quality of life.
Phoenix neighborhoods
Ahwatukee Foothills
Ahwatukee was originally founded in 1921, and was eventually incorporated when land developers began to build houses in 1971. It is one of more than a dozen villages designated by the City of Phoenix and is geographically separated by the South Mountain. It feels like its own city and has been referred to as 'The World's Largest Cul-de-Sac'.
Ahwatukee is elevated at 1,280 feet and is 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix. It has a population of over 90,000, and enjoys a warm, sunny climate. In summer temperatures can reach highs between 80 degrees F and 104 degrees F. In the winter, lows can range between 43 degrees F to 69 degrees F.
Many people looking to relocate to Arizona have learned that Ahwatukee is a lively, vibrant place; making it an attractive option to consider. The Greater Phoenix area attracts more than 12 million visitors every year, strengthening the already healthy economy. Ahwatukee maintains a reputation for attracting young, educated professionals who come to raise their families there.
Education in the Ahwatukee area is held in high esteem with the 24 schools in the district classed as being premier schools with excellent academic achievement. For adults wishing to further their education they have Arizona State University close by in Tempe, and several other community colleges to choose from including Maricopa County Community Colleges, the Art Institute of Phoenix, and Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management.
Recreational pursuits abound throughout the area, especially with arguably the largest city park in the world on the doorstep - South Mountain Park. There are more than 10 different trails ranging from one to 14 miles in length in the park alone - with a total of 58 trails in the vicinity. For keen horseback riders there is Ponderosa Stables and South Mountain Stables who offer guided horseback trails through the scenic trails of South Mountain Park.
Throughout the Phoenix area there are skate parks in abundance, and access to lakes is a drive away, offering plenty of fishing and water sports. There are golf courses galore, and swimming pools. If, however, you prefer to watch sport rather than partake in it, Phoenix plays host to many professional teams including nine Major League Baseball teams, as well as the NBA Phoenix Suns, the NFL Arizona Cardinals, the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks and the NHL Phoenix Coyotes.
When you want a rest from all these activities there is plenty of culture within reach too: The Heard Museum for a history of the Native Americans, the Desert Botanical Garden which hosts one of the world's finest collections of desert plants, and The Arizona Science Center for a hands-on experience of science that affects everyday life in Arizona.
Whatever lifestyle you are looking for, Ahwatukee has everything. It offers a high quality of life with quiet and peaceful neighborhoods, local career opportunities and plenty of community activity.
Anthem
Your Home - Tucked along 18 holes of championship golf in the foothills of Anthem, Arizona, you'll discover the gated Anthem Country Club. Featuring a wide range of luxury homes in quiet neighborhood enclaves, nearly every home is bordered by the golf course or lush desert terrain. Del Webb's Americana Collection of 22 distinctive homes are designed with your sense of style in mind. Of course, the full-service Design Studio makes it easy to add the individual touches that make your home distinctly your own. Ranging from 1,340 to 3,700 square feet, homes at Anthem Country Club are available new from the $180's to mid $500's.
Your Neighborhood - When you're looking for a distraction from your quiet existence, you needn't venture far ... for fun is available at Anthem as far as the eye can see. You'll enjoy every amenity from Anthem Community Center's tennis and volleyball courts, fitness and aerobics center, indoor basketball, and rock-climbing wall to the Anthem Water Park featuring water slides, a 25-meter lap pool and water playground. Then there's Anthem Community Park with its kid-sized railroad, catch-and-release fishing lake, roller hockey rink, playground, athletic fields, picnic ramadas, and hiking and biking trails. You'll also find private amenities such as Anthem Golf & Country Club's 18-hole championship golf course.
So much to see. So much to do. What will you try first?
Parkside - Everything you need, right in your neighborhood.
A real neighborhood constitutes more than just a collection of homes. You'll live delightfully at Anthem Parkside enjoying everything you need to create that real neighborhood right in your backyard.
Not only can you indulge your children in schools and programs providing every educational opportunity, you'll have access to active amenities to inspire both fitness and imagination.
Community Center - The hub of activity in Anthem is your magnificent 43,000 square-foot Community Center. Inside you'll discover a full gymnasium with hardwood basketball courts for volleyball, badminton and other activities.
Like climbing? There's always ideal weather for it on our towering 32-foot indoor rock-climbing wall. Perhaps you'll challenge the neighbors to a match on one of the six lighted tennis courts, or on our sand volleyball court. You might even sneak in an every-morning workout in our fitness and aerobics center.
The center is alive with events in the multipurpose rooms and teen room. There's even short-term child care available.
The Water Park - Have you ever seen 16,000 square feet of water paradise? You're about to! Anthem Parkside's Water Park Complex includes an eight-lane lap pool and diving tank, as well as a leisure pool with an zero-depth entrance. A tot pool features an actual playground in the water, while a huge water collection bucket occasionally dumps water on the aquatic revelers. You'll just have to experience the two huge water slides. The 23-foot-high slides scream fun to those driving along Anthem Way as sliders plummet along the 100-foot long ride to the water below. The second inner-tube slide is for those who prefer to take a plunge while hanging onto something for reassurance. There also are shower facilities at the water park, along with plenty of lounge chairs. Sand volleyball courts offer some fun-in-the-sun competition to round out your good times.
Anthem's Community Park - The 63-acre park in the heart of Anthem brims with pleasures for every member of your family. You can start with a stroll along the lighted walking paths, a picnic in the ramadas, or simply by breathing in the fresh air along the hiking and biking trails. Want to join a team? Choose from baseball, soccer, basketball and softball, not to mention sand volleyball. In December, the fishing lake was stocked with 40,000 new residents: 25,000 fathead minnows, 15,000 mosquito fish, 250 channel catfish, 150 grass carp, 200 bluegills, 150 koi and 100 largemouth bass. You'll also want to share train rides with your kids. Starting on a beautiful platform at the Daisy Mountain Railroad station, the half-mile ride takes you over many small lakes in the park, and overlooks the athletic fields dotting the landscape. After sliding through the large tunnel at the turn-around portion of the ride, you'll retrace the tracks around the park's huge Adventure Playground back to the station. The peak of the Adventure Playground at Anthem Community Park reaches 35 feet. Created by HAGS of Aneby, Sweden, your park includes the unusual, yet it offers standard swing sets and spring animals. Your kids will love discovering the Dinosaur Dig. Buried in the three-quarter acre sand pit are the "bones" of two pterodactyls and two T-Rex's. The bones are anchored down so the artifacts don't "walk away." A three-level play castle includes multiple tube slides, a regular slide, as well as climbing walls and rope walks. Any age kid can find something to entertain among the 25 pieces of play equipment. The ground is either cushioned surface or sand, and there are four water spray animals and six spray jets that shoot water into the air. You'll enjoy watching from the shady ramada with picnic table or one of the seven benches surrounding the play area.
Desert Ridge
The master-planned community of Desert Ridge combines the best of desert living and the Phoenix lifestyle. At 5,700 acres, Desert Ridge is the largest new master-planned community in metropolitan Phoenix. Zoned for approximately 15,000 homes and major commercial and retail developments, the community is meticulously planned and executed, offering a wide range of residential, commercial, recreational and employment opportunities. The master plan ensures lasting community integrity and long-term value for Desert Ridge property owners.
The highlight of shopping at Desert Ridge is Desert Ridge Marketplace, a $170 million, 1.3-million-square-foot suburban lifestyle entertainment center, a showcase for a new trend-setting class of shopping experiences. Desert Ridge Marketplace is a chance to relive the downtown main-street shopping experience of yesteryear - a place where you can leisurely stroll through an open-air marketplace and find shopping, restaurants and entertainment just minutes from your Desert Ridge home.
Gone are the noise, stress and runaround of the 1990s shopping malls. At Desert Ridge Marketplace, there's room to breathe and selection galore. This first-of-its-kind shopping experience includes five unique shopping "districts," each with a shopping theme that helps you find exactly what you need. In addition to Desert Ridge Marketplace, convenience shopping, limited to 10,000 square feet of shops, will be located in each residential Superblock, self-contained communities designed to enhance the sense of neighborhood and reduce traffic. We know your time is valuable and believe you shouldn't have to work too hard to shop, take in a movie, eat at your favorite restaurant or pick-up a carton of milk on the way home. Desert Ridge makes it easy.
The Courses - The first 18-hole championship golf course at Desert Ridge, was designed by Arnold Palmer and part of the Desert Ridge Marriott Resort & Spa. This magnificent desert course is open to the public.
The fully equipped clubhouse includes everything from clubs and clothing to accessories and instruction from a certified professional. Contact the clubhouse at (480) 473-0205, for tee-time reservations.
The second 18-hole course, designed by PGA pro Nick Faldo, is now under construction.
The Homes and the Builders - From entry-level single-family and move-up homes to golf course and custom homes. The Sonoran Desert environment is maintained by the preservation of the mountain view and the heavily landscaped wash corridors that traverse the community.
To avoid the sense of physical isolation often found in western U.S. cities, Desert Ridge has created residential Superblocks that are structured to promote a strong sense of neighborhood identification and orientation. At the heart of each Superblock is an elementary school, a neighborhood park and a small neighborhood convenience shopping area.
Tramanto
Tramonto is a master planned community located in the picturesque foothills of the North Valley, just 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Named for the Italian word for sunset, the community blends the beauty and serenity of its high Sonoran setting with the spirit and style of village life. Built next to a proposed mountain preserve, approximately one third of Tramonto's land will be preserved as natural open space with multi-use trails, hillside hiking trails and natural washes.
The Life
The pristine beauty of Tramonto's setting surrounds you, from towering rock formations and giant saguaros to desert wildflowers and cactus blossoms. Tramonto's enviable location is also graced with cleaner air and views of sparkling city lights at night -- all just half an hour from downtown Phoenix. Hiking and biking trails...pools, parks and playgrounds...tennis, basketball and volleyball courts...Tramonto is filled with recreational amenities, as well as a shopping village, community school, and other features.
Recreation
Ten-foot-wide multi-use trails, hillside trails, and natural washes run throughout the community, making Tramonto one of the most natural neighborhoods in the North Valley. Approximately one-third of Tramonto's land will be preserved as open space for all to enjoy. There are two community recreational centers, which include a sand volleyball court, two lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball court, two play pools, one heated pool and spa. In addition, there are tot lots and trails for hiking and biking. In addition to onsite amenities, Tramonto is easily accessible to recreational opportunities, including Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake, Sedona, Prescott and Flagstaff. All area sports events are within easy reach, to include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Cactus League spring training and many golf and tennis events.
Shopping
Tramonto Marketplace is situated on nearly 15 acres and is part of the Tramonto master-planned community. This approximately 120,000 square foot neighborhood shopping center is anchored by Albertson's/Osco, and features other tenants including McDonalds, Nails of the World, Sutton Family Dentistry, Fantastic Sam's, Subway, Desert Flower Gifts, Indulge Day Spa and Salon, and The UPS Store. Tramonto is also conveniently located near the Prime Outlets at New River, Metro Center, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and boutiques and unique shops in Carefree, Cave Creek, and downtown Scottsdale.
Education
Tramonto is located within the Deer Valley Unified School District. Conveniently located onsite, Tramonto residents will attend Sunset Ridge Elementary/Middle School. Bus service will be provided to residents of Tramonto at no additional cost. For higher education, Arizona State University West is located just 25 minutes from Tramonto. Nearby community colleges are located in Glendale and Paradise Valley.
The Homes
In gated enclaves, hillside villages and other inviting neighborhoods throughout Tramonto, you'll find a wide array of homes from eleven acclaimed builders, each offering distinctive floor plans and design features. Tramonto also presents a selection of custom home sites offering spacious lots in prime locations --many with spectacular views.
Desert Ridge
Verrado is a modern community nestled in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains. It is a place where you can experience the best of home, town and Arizona in a breathtaking desert mountain setting. Comfortably familiar, yet completely original, Verrado captures the spirit of a friendly small town. Front porches, living rooms overlooking the neighborhood and garages set back from the street will be just a few of the distinguishing features at Verrado, an 8,800-acre community. As with many pre-World War II neighborhoods, streets in Verrado will feature diverse housing options and architectural styles, ranging from rental lofts to row homes on Main Street, branching out to single-family home neighborhoods and winding into larger custom homes in the foothills and mountains. Home sites will be elevated to differentiate public and private zones, and community walls will be minimized to encourage neighbor interaction. Most homes will be no more than two blocks from a neighborhood park where residents can gather, relax and play. A majority of the homes will have front porches and living spaces that overlook the neighborhood. Garages will be set back from the street or accessed by an alley.
The Life
In many ways, life at Verrado will begin along Main Street, a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented hub of activity. There will be opportunities for residential loft living above shops, which will help ensure the vitality of this district. The property owner's association will also play a key role in preserving life at Verrado by maintaining the appearance of common areas and other features benefiting the community, such as parks, paths and trails.
Verrado offers an engaging life to all who live here, whether you want to connect with the people around you or simply make your home in a place where life itself enlivens your spirit. Neighbors being neighborly, people saying hello to each other, friends and family out and about enjoying the day - these are the moments that enrich both individual and neighborhood.
Verrado will offer places for planned and impromptu gatherings, health and wellness services, volunteer opportunities and even a town manager, who will welcome residents to Verrado and lay the foundation for a vibrant community by establishing social, civic and educational programs. Connection comes, too, courtesy of verrado.net, a community-wide Internet portal.
Recreation
At Verrado, you'll find recreational opportunities throughout the community, including the Raven Golf Club at Verrado, which will feature a championship golf course designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought. The first phase of Verrado also will include more than twenty parks - including Founder's Park, Walton Park and many neighborhood parks - and soon there will be more than three miles of paths and trails running alongside the Acacia, Sunrise and Lost Creek washes in Verrado. Designed for outdoor recreation and discovery, these paths and trails are ideal for exploring the desert in bloom, a relaxing hike or a morning jog - yet they are just moments away from your doorstep.
Situated adjacent to the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Verrado offers an unparalleled setting, with the spectacular mountains providing a striking backdrop - and endless recreational opportunities - for the community. There will be incredible views whether you're atop the mountain or in town. But it won't be just the views that are impressive. You'll also have the inspiring opportunity to engage the desert and mountains around you - and truly connect with the natural world.
All residents enjoy a community membership to the Verrado Village Sport & Health Club. The private club features multipurpose activity rooms, outdoor basketball facilities, and a swimming pool complex consisting of a lap pool, a multipurpose pool and a spray garden. For those who desire, an optional, paid sport & health membership will provide access to state-of-the-art cardiovascular and weight-training equipment in addition to professionally led private and group exercise classes.
The Raven Golf Club at Verrado will feature an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Tom Lehman and John Fought. Winding among the foothills, this premier daily-fee course will offer a thrilling, quality golf experience against the backdrop of the White Tank Mountains.
All residents will take pleasure in the community's extensive path and trail system, the many neighborhood parks, and the tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly streets. Each represents an opportunity to get out and make Verrado your very own.
Education
As with many small towns, learning will be a cornerstone at Verrado. Through alliances with school districts and a neighboring prestigious university, the thoughtful design of facilities reflecting the character of traditional schools, the innovative use of technology, and teaching that extends far beyond the classroom, Verrado will make learning a way of life. It will be a place where children learn about the world around them and adults learn about themselves.
Like the community itself, the Verrado Elementary and Middle school will provide an exciting learning environment that encourages hands-on education and participation. Part of the Litchfield Elementary School District, it is scheduled to welcome its first students in the fall of 2004. The school will present a classic presence with its Spanish Colonial architecture and traditional bell tower and sit on thirty acres of land located in the heart of the community, within walking distance of many homes, parks and the Main Street District. Current plans call for the Agua Fria Union School District to open their fourth high school at Verrado as early as the fall of 2006. Prior to that time, children in grades 9 through 11 will attend Desert Edge, while 12th graders will attend Agua Fria or Millennium.
When it comes to learning at Verrado, there will be many possibilities for adults, too. For example, ASU West and Verrado are forging an exemplary alliance to create lifelong educational opportunities for students and residents of all ages. The West Valley Teacher Certification Program is the alliance's first initiative. This year's class includes eleven professionals with bachelor's degrees who are participating in an intensive ten-month program to become certified teachers. It is hoped that they and future classes of certification program candidates will help meet the growing demand for high-quality teachers in the West Valley. Community involvement will be encouraged through a substitute teacher-training program available to all residents, while lifelong learning will be supported through a vast number of adult education seminars and classes on everything from computers and math to language and the arts.
The Homes
Many of us remember a time when adventure, exploration and imagination were all that were necessary to create an unforgettable day. It was a time when a bicycle was a child's passport to freedom, and when families knew their neighbors and play dates were arranged by a knock on a friend's front door. Thankfully, such a time has come again to enrich lives in the world we live in today. Verrado will feature diverse housing options and architectural styles, ranging from rental lofts and park homes on Main Street to single-family home neighborhoods and custom homesites in the foothills and mountains.
To achieve this, Verrado formed unique alliances with seven of Arizona's finest homebuilders. These builders are professionals and craftsmen, who were selected based on their innovative spirit and willingness to fulfill the Verrado vision. Together, we've had one goal - to build homes that allow you to live your own life within the embrace of an engaging community.
Most homes will be no more than two blocks from a neighborhood park where residents can gather, relax and play. A majority of homes will have front porches and living spaces that overlook the neighborhood. Garages will be set back from the street or accessed by an alley.
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