Phoenix at its Finest
2008
#10 Phoenix is Heart Healthful for Women
Phoenix is listed by the American Heart Association as one of the top 10 "Heart Friendly" cities for women, among metro areas with a population over 1.4 million.
Tops for Young People
For the third year in a row Chandler, Scottsdale and Tempe have been recognized as part of the "100 Best Communities for Young People" by America's Promise Alliance, founded by General Colin Powell. America's Promise Alliance criteria included how well these communities meet the Five Promises which are Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Effective Education and Opportunities to Help Others.
2007
#3 Best Cities for Jobs
Phoenix earned 3rd place in Forbes 2007 annual "Best Cities for Jobs." In order to select the top 100 cities, rankings were based on Median Household Income, Unemployment, Income Growth, Cost of Living, and Job Growth. (In 2008, Phoenix is listed at 86; the final 2007 ranking has Phoenix at 3.)
#2 Strongest City for Job Opportunities
In 2007 out of 171 metropolitan cities, Bizjournals placed Phoenix in 2nd place where job opportunities are strongest for young adults. Cities selected included qualities with strong growth rates, moderate costs of living, substantial groups of residents who have college degrees and jobs.
#6 Most Digital City
The most technology-advanced cities in America have been named by The Center for Digital Government based on its 2007 Digital Cities Survey, and Phoenix has been ranked #6 in the 250,000 or more population category. The study examined how city governments are utilizing digital technologies to better serve their citizens and streamline operations. Mesa also made the list at the #10 spot.
Among the Most Playful Cities
The KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play announced that Phoenix, Chandler, and Gilbert are three of the thirty-one founding members of the Playful City USA initiative, an effort to recognize communities that achieve better public policy, funding and public awareness for increased play opportunities for kids. Along with Tucson, these cities were recognized for fulfilling a pledge to five specific commitments to play that have a lasting impact on issues including childhood obesity, public safety, and quality of life.
#6 Most Popular Travel Destination
According to the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates' 2007 Travel Trends Survey, the Phoenix area ranked as the seventh-most-popular travel destination in the United States. "Our customers are attracted to the luxurious resorts and spas, exceptional golfing, outstanding recreational activities, world-class shopping, and, of course, the chance to bask in the sunshine.
Top Ten Golf Courses
An ideal climate and an abundance of golf courses attract champions and world-class golf tournaments to Phoenix every year. The Phoenix Open is one of the PGA Tour™s top events. Two Phoenix Golf resorts made the top ten in Travel and Leisure™s 2007 Worlds Best Golf Resorts™ Best: The Boulders and Four Seasons Troon North.
2006
#2 Safest Business City
A December 2006 survey by the Risk & Insurance magazine and AIR Worldwide Corp. (a Boston-based consulting firm) ranked Phoenix the #2 safest major U.S. metropolitan area to conduct business based on its low susceptibility to major business disruptions such as weather disturbances, earthquakes and terrorism.
#6 Boomtown: Hottest Large City
In May 2006 Inc.Com magazine ranked Phoenix #6 in their list of Boomtowns: Hottest Large Cities. The ranking was based on the Valley's "robust growth in financial services, with banks, customer-service centers, insurers, and brokerage firms popping up across the region."
#7 Best Places to Live
Money magazine's 2006 survey rates Scottsdale, Arizona, as a vibrant community with ample opportunities for work and play! Scottsdale offers year-round residents a wealth of job opportunities, great schools and recreation that doesn't end at the 18th hole. There's running along the Arizona Canal or through the Greenbelt, a 13-mile network of paths and parks that doubles as the city's floodplain on those rare days that rain falls.
#9 America's Jewel of the Sunbelt
In November 2006, BizJournals analyzed the quality of life in metropolitan areas with more than 250,000 residents across the Sunbelt and has selected Phoenix as #9 in its list of comfiest cities. This was based upon well-rounded places with steady growth, strong economies, moderate traffic, affordable costs of living, and first-rate educational systems.
Top Ten Megapolitans
Phoenix/Tucson is ranked as one of the top 10 "Megapolitans" by CNN Money in January, 2006. This is the smallest megapolitan, but the one with the greatest supply of raw, buildable land at the lowest prices -- one reason it will soon be the fastest-growing metro region in the country. The big draw: a Palm Springs lifestyle for the masses at a substantial discount.
#15 Fittest City
Men's Fitness magazine, 2006, has ranked Phoenix #15 of the top 25 fittest cities. Categories used to rank cities included numbers of clubs and gyms; fitness-related activities available; nutritional habits; air quality; and geography. Additional categories measured are motivation, civic legislation, and leadership.
#26 Best Walking City
In 2006, Prevention.com based its ranking on exercise, work and play. Walking is a way of life for people here.
2005
#35 Best Place To Live
For 2005, Money magazine and CNN/Money spent months looking for Great American Towns — where you would want to raise your children and celebrate life's milestones.
#16 City for Doing Business
According to a May, 2005 issue of Inc.Com Magazine, job growth is robust and economies are strong in Phoenix. It is based on current and long term employment growth and its diversification over time.
2004
#2 Sports Town
In the June 2004 issue of Men's Journal, Phoenix was selected as the #2 Sports Town in America. The criteria used for the selection was a city that not only is a great place for sports fans, but "for people who like to get out in the world and participate." "One of the many reasons visitors keep the Greater Phoenix destination top-of-mind," explained Douglas MacKenzie, director of communications for the Greater Phoenix CVB, "is the excitement of the outdoors, the 200+ golf courses, and the amount of pro sports played here. With another NASCAR race next year, the second Rock & Roll Marathon in January, Spring Training, and the 2008 Super Bowl, the destination is prepared for record numbers of sports enthusiasts to visit the area."
Top 25 Favorite Cities
AOL Travel and Travel+ Leisure (2004) ranked Phoenix-Scottsdale among the top 25 of America's Favorite Cities. Among the categories measured were people, quality of life, sightseeing, family trips, holidays and seasons, and getting around.