Phoenix
Although surrounded by inhospitable desert, Phoenix is one of the largest cities in the United States, and the nation’s single largest state capital city. The area contains numerous galleries and museums, putting the people in contact with everything from the European masters to Native American craftsmanship to modern originals from Phoenix’s diverse artistic community. The Downtown cultural scene has developed into a top-notch feast of visual and performing arts, with symphony performances, live theater, and the popular First Friday exhibitions. Phoenix is also an excellent city for sports fans, being one of the few cities in America with local franchises in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. Several thousand students attend the two Arizona State University campuses in the city, as well as the over-50,000 who attend the main campus in neighboring Tempe. Rental rates for apartments average around $1000 per month, but numerous more affordable options are available all over the city, from quiet houses for rent in the suburbs to downtown efficiency apartments. Getting around Phoenix is typically done by car for most residents, but a light rail system makes it easy to get across town without a personal vehicle; Downtown and its surrounding areas are quite walkable as well.
Mesa
Mesa combines suburban living with city conveniences as Arizona's third-largest city. Spanning 143 square miles across the Sonoran Desert, the city features both established neighborhoods and newer developments. At its heart, downtown Mesa hosts the Mesa Arts Center, offering year-round performances and exhibits. The rental market shows average rates from $1,117 for studios to $2,585 for four-bedroom homes, with recent decreases between 0.8% to 2.5% year-over-year. Notable areas include Dobson Ranch with its golf course and lakes, the Las Sendas area near Red Mountain, and the developing Gateway district by Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The city's heritage includes ancient Hohokam canals that still shape Mesa's water infrastructure today. Residents enjoy Red Mountain Park's 1,146 acres of recreational space, spring baseball at Sloan Park (home to Chicago Cubs training), and educational opportunities at Mesa Community College and ASU's Polytechnic campus. The Superstition Mountains provide hiking trails and outdoor recreation, while the Salt River offers water activities. Mesa Public Schools serves the community's educational needs. The area around Falcon Field Airport, home to Boeing's operations, continues to expand with technology companies, while local farmers' markets maintain the city's agricultural traditions.
Denver
Established in the mid-1800s as a mining town during the Gold Rush, Denver embraces its Western heritage along with a forward-thinking mindset. Larimer Square is a testament to Denver’s balance of old and new, boasting rows of creative restaurants, independent shops, and vibrant nightlife spots in Victorian-era buildings downtown. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is renowned for its great outdoor adventures. Residents enjoy more than 5,000 acres of parks, trails, golf courses, and playgrounds as well as convenience to Red Rocks Park and Cherry Creek State Park. Denver is proximate to world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities just outside the city too. City center skyrises provide incredible views of the mountains to the west, while spacious suburbs with single-family rentals make for the perfect place to set down roots. Cultural amenities abound in Denver, including the Denver Botanic Gardens, Union Station, Ogden Theatre, Denver Zoo, Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Denver is also home to five major sports teams—the NFL’s Denver Broncos, MLB’s Colorado Rockies, NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and MLS’s Colorado Rapids.
