It's Fun in the Sun

Phoenix is the capital and largest city of Arizona. It's the center of the Phoenix Metropolitan area, Arizona's most populous metropolitan area, which is also sometimes called the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

Phoenix was settled and officially recognized in 1868 as an agricultural center near the confluence of the Gila and Salt Rivers. The city was incorporated on February 25, 1881, when Governor Fremont signed the Phoenix Charter Bill.

Phoenix is in Arizona, located in the Southwestern United States. The city is between Tucson and Flagstaff in the south-central part of the state. Phoenix, Arizona's latitude and longitude coordinates are 33.45° North, -112.07° West.

Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Sun City, Surprise, and Tempe are all part of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Casa Grande, Maricopa and Florence are south of the Metropolitan area but are usually considered part of it.

Phoenix is located near Glendale (9 miles), Scottsdale (9 miles), Mesa (14 miles), Chandler (17 miles), Tucson (106 miles), Henderson, NV (245 miles), Las Vegas, NV (258 miles), Riverside, CA (320 miles), Albuquerque, NM (329 miles) and Salt Lake City, UT (505 miles).

The weather is a significant factor in people's decision to relocate to Phoenix, which gets about seven months of dry, sunny weather annually. The mild winter season makes it an ideal place for retirees and individuals who don't like snow. Phoenix's economy usually outperforms national averages in growth and job opportunities, and the roads and freeways are in good condition. Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest public universities in the nation (by enrollment). It is well-known for innovation, research, business and other educational programs. There are countless outdoor activities, including rivers, lakes, over 40,000 acres of mountain and desert preserves, and 200 miles of walking and hiking trails. Snow activities are a couple of hours away for those who want to ski, snowboard, or enjoy the snow.

The Phoenix area is home to at least 40 colleges and universities, including ten community and 28 private colleges. Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe is the most prominent college in Arizona. The University of Arizona (UofA) is in Tucson, approximately 112 miles from Phoenix, and Northern Arizona University (NAU) is in Flagstaff, about 144 miles from Phoenix.

Phoenix's economy is diverse, with several key industries, including IT, renewable energy, bioscience, education, hospitality and tourism, transportation, trade, construction, utilities, aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing and financial and professional services.

The largest employers in Phoenix and nearby areas include Banner Health, Salt River Project (SRP), Arizona Public Service (APS), Wells Fargo, Bank of America Financial Corporation, PetSmart, Boeing, JP Morgan Chase, Apollo Education Corp, Intel Corp, Kroger, ON Semiconductor, Basha's Supermarkets and Abrazo Health Care. 

Phoenix's top attractions include world-class golf courses and professional sporting events like the Phoenix Open and Fiesta Bowl. Other venues include the Arizona Capitol Museum, Camelback Mountain, the Heard Museum, the Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Phoenix Zoo, the Desert Botanical Garden, Castles and Coasters, the Hall of Flame Fire Museum and the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix.

Phoenix's power providers are Arizona Public Service (APS) and Salt River Project (SRP). Southwest Gas handles the city's gas utilities. The biggest Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are CenturyLink, Cox Communications, UltraHome Internet, Mediacom and HughesNet. T-Mobile and Verizon are slowly gaining market share as ISPs after launching 5G Internet services in early 2022.

Move-in-ready or quick move-in homes in new home construction are new homes ready for immediate occupancy (usually within 30 - 45 days). LGI Homes builds quick move-in homes with a suite of designer upgrades, integrated technology, high-end finishes and much more at no extra cost for homebuyers. View details about LGI Homes' upgrade packages by visiting our CompleteHome™ and CompleteHome Plus™ web pages. 

According to Zillow, the Phoenix housing market is competitive. The average home value is $411,139, down 0.3% over the past year, and it will be pending for around 35 days. Buyers should prepare to make an offer quickly to secure the new construction home they want. For more information, visit our resource, 'Cost of Starter Homes in Large Metropolitan Areas.'
*Information about the state of the housing market in Phoenix can change quickly, multiple times a year. Be sure to do your research.

Consider factors like bedroom count, location, and amenities to find a home that fits your budget and lifestyle. For helpful tips and resources, you can explore our homebuying guide.

Many of the schools in the Phoenix area are highly rated and diverse, with several top-performing public, private and charter schools. For specific information about schools near your desired development, visit the Arizona Department of Education website or contact local school districts directly.

Financing options for new construction homes in Phoenix include traditional mortgages, government-backed loans and special programs for first-time homebuyers. LGI Homes works with preferred lenders to offer competitive rates and terms. Check out our Home Loans for First-Time Home Buyers resource for more information.

LGI Homes' neighborhoods in Phoenix offer a range of community amenities, including parks, playgrounds, sports courts and walking trails. Our Phoenix new home communities have a list of the available amenities on their web pages.

Buying a new home in Phoenix offers several benefits, including modern designs, energy-efficient features and superior construction standards. Additionally, new home buyers are the first to live in a new home, and they often come with structural warranties and manufacturer warranties on appliances.

Navigating the home-buying process in Phoenix involves several steps, including saving money for down payment and closing costs, getting pre-approved for a mortgage and finding the new home community and home you want. For a comprehensive guide, check out 'Buying Your First Home.'

To ensure your new home is energy-efficient and cost-effective, look for features such as LED ENERGY STAR lights, double-pane Low-E windows, energy-efficient appliances, programmable thermostats and high-quality construction standards and materials.