Moving Companies Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona

In case you missed it, Phoenix, Arizona has become the fifth largest city in the country, spurred by retirees and corporations moving to the good life in the land of mild winters and golf courses as far as the eye can see. Indeed, Arizona has kept Phoenix movers busy over the years bringing in transplants from across the country.

However, Phoenix has changed from its days as just a sunny spot for northern snowbirds to congregate in the winter.

World-leading companies such as Intel, Avnet, Motorola, AlliedSignal, Honeywell and Boeing Company have chosen Phoenix as national and regional headquarters, while industry stalwarts like American Express, Phelps Dodge, Charles Schwab and Mayo Clinic have substantial operations here as well.

Phoenix has a reputation for being hot, and that's well deserved -- the temperature reaches or exceeds 100°F on an average of 89 days during the year, including most always from early June through early September.

On June 26, 1990, the temperature reached an all-time high of 122°F. Overnight "lows" higher than 80°F occur frequently in the summer, with the average July low 83°F and the average August low 82°F. The all-time highest low temperature ever recorded was 96°F, which came on July 15, 2003.

According to the City of Phoenix, here are the top 10 reasons to move to Phoenix:

* 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: 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.

* CRIME: Phoenix is safe by big-city standards. Taking Phoenix's growing population into account, the crime rate per 100,000 decreased by 25 percent between 1998 and 2007. This represents a 26 percent decrease in the property crime rate and a 15 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 85,000 new jobs forecast for 2007-2008. In 2007, Phoenix created more new jobs that Los Angeles, Denver, Portland and Austin. Phoenix has a young, educated and growing workforce. (Source: Arizona Workforce Forecast Report, AZ Dept. of Economic Security - September 2007 and the US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics - December 2007)

* BUSINESS/ECONOMY: Phoenix is one of 10 megapolitans expected to see the bulk of an estimated $25 trillion of investment in the U.S. by 2030. This region also will remain the top destination for Americans moving from other states. (Source: Business 2.0 Magazine)

* 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 at the West Campus, 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 city's strategic investment in the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

* OUTDOOR RECREATION: Enjoy all the weather has to offer with one of the many outdoor educational opportunities including the Desert Botanical Gardens, the Phoenix Zoo and the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. Phoenix has one of the largest mountain park preserves in the nation with the 17,000 acre South Mountain, the largest municipal park in the world. The National Golf Foundation named Phoenix the "Golf Capital of the World." Recreation opportunities include golfing, hiking, bicycling, and boating at nearby lakes.

* ARTS & CULTURE: Phoenix's exciting arts and culture scene includes the Phoenix Museum of History, Arizona Science Center, Herberger Theater, Phoenix Symphony Hall, Dodge Theatre and the historic Orpheum Theater. Visitors can also see the Ballet Arizona, Arizona Opera, and the Valley Youth Theatre. Art lovers can visit the Phoenix Art Museum and the famous Heard Museum, and many other arts organizations.

* SPORTS: Collegiate and professional sports thrive in the Phoenix area. Phoenix is the home of the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Rattlers and Phoenix Mercury. On any given day, Phoenix attracts more than 5 million sports fans.

* LIGHT RAIL: The metropolitan area's new light rail system will begin operation in 2008 and will run through the heart of downtown and provide convenient transportation for downtown workers, residents and visitors.