Calculators and
Your Guide to the Good Life!
|
Using these calculators is one way to find out one or two facets of the Cost of Living in your area versus areas in Arizona. Of course, there is much more to it than a calculator could tell you. One needs to weigh the Quality of Life, the ambiance, the schools, the proximity to other areas and attractions. And who can calculate the value of the Arizona sunshine? |
DataMasters U.S. Cost of Living Calculator And the best set of calculators is at Homefair.com Helps to the best decisions about pay and performance.
Cost of living in the Valley declines, index indicatesThe cost of living in the Valley dropped 3.4 points from the first quarter of 2006 to the second quarter to a score of 100.4, according to the quarterly Cost of Living Index recently released by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Comparing 311 U.S. metropolitan areas, the index is based on housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and other goods and services. Metropolitan Phoenix came in lower than Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago, but slightly higher than Salt Lake City. The reason for the Valley’s drop was due to the fact that housing costs flattened out as the residential real estate market returned to a more normal status. “The continuing influx of newcomers to the area should absorb the existing housing inventory by the end of the year and we may see costs begin to climb again, but at a more moderate rate,” Todd Sanders, chamber spokesman, said in a statement. www.phoenixchamber.com Source: the Arizona Republic |
|
Using the above calculators will help you in determining the difference in the cost of living. Arizona, and the Valley in particular, offer many amenities that make life here a wonderful experience. I’m going to try to list them for you, to add to your calculations! |
Your Guide to the Good Life!
I address each of these topics in depth on my other pages…
Business Climate, Taxes, Shopping, Preserves, hiking, biking in the sun,
regional reports and species lists for the Sonoran Desert
and much more.
Great dining, Places to go, Things to do, Excellent schools;
they’re all on my website. Please visit them!
Homes are affordable by most regions.
Quality of Life – education, housing, healthy living, active lifestyles, loads of shopping, culinary delights, a land of contrasts and state to explore, with close proximity to other western states and beaches to explore those within a day trip, and of course, a robust employer base and economy.
Communities – Change is the catchword as communities grow. choices of their different personalities to suit your lifestyle.
Transportation – Freeways ease motorists’ travels through the Valley, and the Light Rail is under construction !
Education – State’s growing education system one of the best. Districts aim for quality in the face of growth. ASU educates thousands with several campuses across the Valley. Community Colleges help fill demanding job market.
Spiritual Growth – The Valley’s population base continues to attract pastors and church planting teams of all theological persuasion from across the country. Valley religion is a true cross-section of faiths.
Southwest Housing – Valley’s housing boom adds value for buyers, nets profits for sellers. More master planned communities thriving, having more than just houses with amenities such as parks, recreation centers and clubhouses.
More are including commercial developments, such as office buildings and shopping centers. The village core concept has become popular. That’s where people can live, work and shop right in that immediate area.
Health – Sun and fitness go hand in hand. Hospitals, medical health centers, mental health facilities, specialty hospitals, such as the Barrow’s Neurological Center and The Heart Hospital, a Mayo Clinic, a Mayo Hospital, etc.
Seniors – Plenty of places and services ready to give seniors help. Centers offer seniors an active lifestyle.
Shopping – Popular national retailers make the valley a popular shopping destination for even New Yorkers who were overheard mentioning Scottsdale Fashion Square being the best shopping in the U.S. Arizona Biltmore, Kierland Commons, Desert Ridge, Paradise Valley Shopping Center, Arrowhead Lakes just to mention a few popular shopping malls in the valley.
Dining – Top gourmet restaurants, brew pubs, the Valley is bright with chains and franchises, new tastes.
Entertainment – Entertainment choices mirror Valley’s growth. Valley theater grows up with plays, musicals for every taste. Performing arts thrive throughout the Valley. Fairs, festivals make seasons memorable for all. Museums, exhibits tell variety of stories. As luck would have it, casinos permeate Valley.
Sports - You name it, Valley sports has it. Just 10 years ago, there was the Phoenix Suns. Today, thanks to the migration of the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Coyotes and the birth of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Valley is one of only 11 communities nationwide that have franchises in the four major pro sports. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg: There’s the Division 1 athletic programs at Arizona State University, the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Mercury, the Phoenix Mustangs of the West Coast Hockey League, the Phoenix Open, a NASCAR race at PIR, horse racing at Turf Paradise… Arizona Rattlers, Arizona Sting, Arizona Thunder, Indoor Soccer…
Recreation – The Great Outdoors, that’s what we’re famous for. Diverse weekend adventures abound.
Horses transport city dwellers to more tranquil times, places. Valley golf is not just for the affluent.
Parks, forests offer camping both for the pampered and primitive. Arizona offers more skiing than
expected. Fishing; you can catch the big one in the Valley!
Employment – in addition to the high-tech industry, an evolution in health care has created a HIGH demand for health care workers. It’s become a much more diverse type of industry and that’s led to more jobs. Baby boomers boost the popularity of wonderful health spas.
The above is a synopsis. Much more in-depth information on the pages on this site!
Other Interesting Articles
