 Phoenix and the desert Southwest have a myriad of offerings. The lifestyle is relaxed and comfortable, the cost of living is reasonable and the entertainment and recreation activities abound. Five-star resorts and hotels, more than 180 golf courses, fine dining, remarkable shopping and a multitude of other recreational opportunities are just some of the reasons why Phoenix is one of the world's most popular places to live.
The PGA's Phoenix Open golf tournament goes into full swing every January at the Tournament Players club in Scottsdale. Phoenix is one of only a handful of U.S. cities that boasts professional teams in four major sports: The NBA's Phoenix Suns, The NHL's Phoenix Coyotes, Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks and the NFL's Arizona Cardinals all call greater Phoenix home. The Suns shoot hoops at the 19,500-seat American West Arena, also the site of such events as Arizona Rattlers arena football, Phoenix Coyotes hockey and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. Baseball fans will truly be in paradise when they visit Greater Phoenix during spring training. Cactus League action sees 10 Major League teams prepare for the season each March. New on the Major League Baseball scene are the Arizona Diamondbacks. They make their home in Bank One Ballpark, located next to the America West Arena.
 If you think the pace of life in Phoenix is laid back, Phoenix International Raceway revs up with NASCAR, Sprint Car and Indy Car Action. Other competitive venues include thoroughbred horse racing at Turf Paradise and dog racing at Phoenix Greyhound Park. If the cowboys lifestyle is your thing, check out one of the nation's most prestigious rodeo championships, The Original Coors Rodeo Showdown in October.
Although the entire area is desert, there is surprisingly easy access to natural and manmade lakes in the area. Greater Phoenix residents enjoy water skiing, sailing and swimming at six nearby lakes, as well as tubing and rafting in scenic rivers. And let us not forget hot-air ballooning or jeep touring in the heart of the Sonoran landscape.
 The summer temperatures in Phoenix can get pretty high (115 degrees at the hottest). But low humidity keeps it tolerable. If you have ever heard someone say "it's a dry heat.." well this is it. The Valley comes alive in the winter and fall because of the milder temperatures, which brings many of the migrating birds from colder northern states.
| Average Temperatures |
| Month |
High |
Low |
| January |
66 |
43 |
| February |
71 |
46 |
| March |
76 |
50 |
| April |
84 |
57 |
| May |
93 |
65 |
| June |
102 |
74 |
| July |
105 |
80 |
| August |
103 |
79 |
| September |
99 |
73 |
| October |
89 |
62 |
| November |
76 |
49 |
| December |
67 |
60 |
 |
|
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