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Phoenix is Fastest Growing City in U.S. for 5th Year in a Row

This past year, Phoenix welcomed 25,194 new residents, this is slightly below the 10-year average of 25,912. Phoenix continues to take the largest share of Maricopa County’s population growth, with nearly four of every 10 new county residents choosing to live in the city of Phoenix. Maricopa County added more population than 36 states. Phoenix’s population growth also exceeded Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, combined growth numbers.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 estimates reports that Phoenix’s population of 1.7 million and has added more new residents than any other city. Phoenix is still the fifth-largest U.S. city behind New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston. Population losses in Chicago and Los Angeles were about the same amount that Phoenix gained, according to the Census. Phoenix leads the country in 10-year pollution growth by adding almost 260,000 people since 2010.

Queen Creek topped Arizona in percentage population growth (10.0 percent) with its population jumping from 55,000 in 2019 to 60,097 in 2020. That placed the town with the seventh-fastest growing percentage in the U.S. Buckeye was second in Arizona with a 7 percent growth rate. Tucson remains Arizona’s second largest city with its population growing 0.8 percent to 553,571, a gain of 4,610 people. Mesa had a 1.9 percent growth, with a current population of 528,129.

The next three most-populous Arizona cities are Chandler (265,398, up 1.6 percent), Scottsdale (262,647, also up 1.6 percent), and Gilbert (257,658, up 1.4 percent). In terms of percentage growth after Queen Creek and Buckeye, Marana and Casa Grande both grew 4.5 percent, and Maricopa and Goodyear both grew 4.4 percent.

Are you ready to move to Phoenix, or know someone who is ready? Have them give us a call to find their new home in the Valley of the Sun! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

phoenix map

Summer Nights at the Royal Palms Resort

As the sun sets in the desert, the nighttime energy comes alive at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood. Mark your calendars for a themed experience all summer long. Join us on the last Friday of the month, May-August, for an evening filled with specialized menu creations and live music to complete the vibes.

Friday, May 28 – Latin Night

6:30 pm Doors Open

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Live Music from La Dignidad

Friday, June 25 – Reggae Summer Nights

6:30 pm Doors Open

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Live Music from Hourglass Cats

Friday, July 30 – Blues Brews & BBQ

6:30 pm Doors Open

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Live Music from The Sugar Thieves

Friday, August 27 – Jazz Under the Stars

6:00 pm Doors Open

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Live Music from House of Stairs

Admission is $40 per person, inclusive of live music and tapas. No reservations required, tickets are sold at the door the night of each event. Specialty beverages will be available for purchase.

cello

Valley Christmas Light Displays 2020

christmas lightsThe COVID-19 pandemic has canceled some events, but not all! Everyone who eagerly looks forward to Christmas light displays will continue to get their wish this year! Here are a few of this year’s holiday lights displays around the valley.

World of Illumination

The World of Illumination drive-thru parks are located in Glendale and Tempe. They each feature almost 2 million lights that you can enjoy from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Both shows promise to be bigger and better than ever this year and include great tunes you can listen to as you drive along the routes.

The mile-long Glendale park’s theme is “World of Illumination’s Rockin’ Christmas.” In Tempe, people can enjoy “World of Illumination’s Arctic Adventure,” featuring the 32-foot tall Sunny the Snowman and his pals.

Details: Both locations are open 6-10pm daily through Sunday, January 3rd. 6797 N. 93rd Ave., Glendale, and 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe. Weekday tickets are $29 plus taxes and fees per vehicle; weekend and holiday tickets are $39 plus taxes and fees per vehicle. worldofillumination.com.

Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields

Celebrate the season with a sparkling 1.2-mile drive-thru experience at Salt River Fields. The attraction features more than 5 million lights that will dance to music you can enjoy from your car, thanks to a designated FM radio signal, or on an electric carriage.

Details: 5:45-10pm daily through Thursday, December 31st. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, on the Salt River Reservation near Scottsdale. Ticket prices vary depending on day, type of vehicle and in-car or carriage option; check website for details. 480-656-9940, holidaylightssrf.com.

ZooLights

ZooLights is offering two options this holiday season for people to enjoy the millions of lights, animal sculptures and Wildlife Lantern Safari with 66 creatures including peacocks and polar bears: Cruise ZooLights and ZooLights Walk-Thru. Expanded trails and new sights and sounds are featured at the event, and holiday treats like kettle corn and cocoa are available for purchase. The ZooLights Walk-Thru option will be closed to foot traffic on the drive-thru Cruise ZooLights nights.

Details: 5:30-10:30pm through Sunday, January 31st. Check website for which days you can walk and which are drive-thru. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. Cruise ZooLights is $75 per car; Zoo Lights Walk-Thru is $20 per person. 602-286-3800, phoenixzoo.org.

Glendale Glitters

The popular annual display has been scaled back this year, but there still will be plenty of festive lights to help get you into the holiday spirit. Sixteen blocks in downtown Glendale are decorated with 1.7 million lights. The lights will twinkle every night throughout the holiday season and will include some new designs. Most merchants and restaurants will be open.

Details: 5-10pm daily through Saturday, January 9th. Downtown Glendale, 58th and Glendale avenues. Free. glendaleaz.com.

We wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season! -Chris & Cheryl

Living in Arcadia

Arcadia is an established neighborhood which is located within the boundaries of both Phoenix and Scottsdale. On this map area, Arcadia Proper is represented by the area from Thomas Road north to Camelback Road, and from 40h Street east to 68th Street. Arcadia is best-known for its ranch style homes on large manicured lots. The original Arcadia area began in an area with citrus groves in the 1920s. The irrigation system resulted in large, mature landscaped yards, many with citrus trees, as well as shaded, leafy streets which are a hallmark of Arcadia.

Some homes in Arcadia still remain from the 1920s and the majority of the homes in Arcadia have been partially or fully updated. Major development of this area of Arcadia began mostly in the mid-1950s amongst the remaining citrus farms, and therefore the homes in Arcadia include several different types, from large ranch homes, to custom and patio homes. The homes have a variety of architectural styles beyond its typical ranch homes, including country cottage, Revival, Pueblo and blended architectural types.

The majority of the lot sizes in Arcadia are large, with few under a half acre, and some properties are up to 5 acres in size. Many homes have swimming pools in their large yards, and others have sports courts. Within Arcadia Proper are smaller distinct neighborhoods, including Dateland Homes, Bissell Manor, Arcadia Grove CondominiumsEl Camello, Whitwood, Golden Keys Five and Camel Vista, among others.

Amenities:  Camelback Mountain is a major source of outdoor activity for fitness lovers in Arcadia, who also enjoy the many bike and jogging paths throughout Arcadia and along the Arizona Canal. Golfers have many options as well, including the Phoenician Golf Course, in the foothills of Camelback Mountain. Shopping, culture and entertainment options are centrally located to Arcadia. Arcadia is five minutes from downtown Scottsdale, a cultural and art hub. Shopping at the Biltmore Fashion Park and Scottsdale Fashion Square is minutes away, and ten minutes away is downtown Phoenix with its many museums (science, children’s, art), sporting venues (Chase Field and Talking Stick Resort Arena) and theatres (Herberger and the Dodge).

Schools:  The Scottsdale School District serves Arcadia Proper, including Hopi Elementary and Tavan Elementary, Ingleside Middle School and Arcadia High School. All are A-rated public schools. Arcadia Proper also has several private and charter school options available to its residents.

Eating-In Instead of Out During the Coronavirus

restaurant table and chairsWhile all of our favorite restaurants may be closed for dine-in eating, most are still open for take-out! After chatting with friends and co-workers, we complied a list of everyone’s favorite local restaurants for take-out:

HAMBURGERS
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
11055 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Hopdoddy Burger Bar is open for curbside pickup and delivery via Uber Eats (free delivery), Postmates, and DoorDash.
hopdoddy.com

TACOS
Joyride Taco House
Multiple Valley Locations
Joyride Taco House has shifted to a to-go operation, serving guests through curbside pickup and delivery. Order through UberEats for free delivery.
joyridetacohouse.com

BREAKFAST
Breakfast Kitchen Bar
15147 North Scottsdale Road, Suite H133, Scottsdale
The Breakfast Kitchen Bar at Scottsdale Quarter is offering a carry-out menu of $8 breakfast items and $20 mimosa kits. Customers also get a free coffee with purchase of entrée.
breakfastkitchenbar.com

CHINESE
Autumn Court Chinese Restaurant
Autumn Court Chinese Restaurant is offering its entire menu for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Delivery is also available through Postmates, Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats.3752 East Indian School Road
autumncourt.com

ITALIAN
Casa Mia Cucina Italiana
11675 North 136th Street, #107, Scottsdale
Casa Mia Cucina is offering takeout and delivery directly from the restaurant off a limited menu.
casamiamarblehead.com

FRENCH
Sapiens Paleo Kitchen
10411 East McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, #120, Scottsdale
480-771-5123
Sapiens Paleo Kitchen is offering its full menu of French paleo cuisine for takeout and curbside pickup from 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner packages and weekly meal preps are also available.
sapienskitchen.com

DESSERT
Unbaked Edible Cookie Dough & Ice Cream
3712 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale
Unbaked Edible Cookie Dough & Ice Cream is offering curbside pick up and delivery for everyone’s sweet tooth!
getunbaked.com

Do you have a favorite restaurant that should be added to our list? Let us know, we would love to try something new! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Rattlesnake Safety

snakeDid you know there are 13 different types of rattlesnakes slithering throughout Arizona? April through October, rattlesnakes can be found anywhere from hiking trails to city streets, so it’s important for everyone to know what to do when crossing paths with a snake.

While snakes aren’t looking to cause trouble, people still must use extreme caution when they come across a rattlesnake. A snakebite has enough venom to cause serious injury or even death. Most snakebite victims have to spend at least two to three days in a hospital and spend weeks rehabilitating the area around the bite in order to regain full range of motion and muscle functionality.

Valley fire departments offer these tips for making your property less hospitable to snakes:
-Eliminate rodents (a snake’s preferred food) from around your home.
-Remove wood piles and junk from your yard to eliminate potential homes for snakes and their prey.
-Walls deter snakes from entering your yard. Solid walls 4 feet high with a four-inch lip angling outward will discourage most snakes. Sink the bottom of the wall well into the ground.
-Install gates snugly against the ground.
-Keep walkways clear of brush.
-Light pathways around your home.

Tips to keep safe when rattlesnake activity is at its peak:
-Stay on the trails. Rattlesnakes are more likely to be found in places with better opportunity to hunt, hide, and stay out of trouble.
-Be aware of your surroundings. Watch your step. Texting while walking has resulted in at least one bite that we know of, and head phones will keep the natural warning system from working.
-If you have a dog, keep it on a leash. Have the dog vaccinated for rattlesnake bites, and have it trained if it’s available in your area.
-If you encounter a snake, take a step (or two or three!) back. Snakes can only strike at a distance of one-third of their full body length, thus a three-foot snake has an effective strike range of 12 inches. The average human stride is 36 inches, so a step back will quickly put you out of harms way. If those seem to be obvious, it’s because they absolutely are. Rattlesnakes are simply not a threat to those who don’t go looking for it. Staying safe is just a matter of knowing better, and if you didn’t before, now you do.

For more information or to speak to a snakebite expert, call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center’s free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Phoenix/Scottsdale Real Estate Market June Update – May 2019 Stats

Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for June 2019, which shows 10,485 homes sold in the month of May compared to 10,0097 homes in May 2018. This is a 3.8% increase in the number homes sold year over year, and an increase of 7.8% from last month! It is the most homes sold in a the last 5+ years, and the market remains strong with the average sale price is up 4.7% year over year. And the amount of listed homes is up by 2.4% to 16,628 from 16,245 in May 2018, but down from 17,724 in April.

Demand is still gaining strength into Summer and the market is expected to remain strong. Sales activity may still be constrained by the lower supply of listed homes but the number of listed homes has come down a bit again. The average days on market is down 4.7% from last month to just 60 days.

Click here to see the full April 2019 Market Report & Statistics

Give us a call or text us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 and let us know if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this Spring/Summer, as the strong market continues to be good for both buyers and sellers, or if you have questions about this information. And don’t forget to explore our website AzDreamHomesScottsdale.com to see Scottsdale area homes and more helpful articles. – Chris & Cheryl Park

Celebrate Memorial Day

Memorial DayMemorial Day has become a day for picnics, pool parties and the start of summer vacations, but it’s important to remember the holiday has somber roots. Memorial Day was first held on May 30th, 1868, to honor those lost during the Civil War.  After the United States’ involvement in World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all killed in any US war. Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, this moved the observance of Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday in May. Here are some events and activities in the valley to celebrate Memorial Day and honor those who we have lost.

Flags for Our Fallen
More than 200 bikers with 500 American flags will pay tribute to those who have served our country. Camping is available starting Friday, May 24th. Riders arrive at 4am on Memorial Day; the ceremony will begin at 8am.
Details: 5-9am Monday, May 27th. 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Free to participate; $10 each or three for $25 to sponsor flags. ridersusa.net

Memorial Day with Pioneers’ Cemetery Association
The Pioneers’ Cemetery Association presents its annual Memorial Day observance with Marty Manning as master of ceremonies. Free public parking available at Wesley Bolin Plaza. After the ceremony, tour the cemeteries and visit the historic Smurthwaite House.
Details: 9am Monday, May 27th. Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, 14th Avenue and Jefferson Street, Phoenix. Free. azhistcemeteries.org

Blue Star Museums Initiative
The Heard Museum is part of this program which offers free admission for active-duty military personnel and their families from May 27th through Labor Day, September 2nd. That includes active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve members and up to five immediate family members.
Details: 9:30am-5pm Mondays-Saturdays; 11am-5pm Sundays. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free to those eligible members; $7.50-$18 for others. heard.org

Prescott Memorial Day Observance
Head up north to Prescott to join U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli and others at the annual Memorial Day Observance at the Historic Citizens Cemetery.
Details: 9-10am Monday, May 27th. Citizens Cemetery, 815 Sheldon St., Prescott. Free. prescott.org

Phoenix/Scottsdale Real Estate Market May Update – April 2019 Stats

Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for May 2019, which shows 9,671 homes sold in the month of April compared to 9,165 homes in April 2018. This is a 5.3% increase in the number homes sold year over year, and an increase of 12.1% from last month! The market has increased seasonally and remains strong with the average sale price is up 5.1% year over year. And the amount of listed homes is up by 7.2% to 17,724 from 16,450 in April 2018. Demand is still gaining strength into Spring/Summer when the market is strong seasonally. And sales activity that had been constrained by the lower supply of listed homes has improved but the number of listed homes has come down a bit again. The average days on market is down 4.5% from last month to just 63 days.

Click here to see the full April 2019 Market Report & Statistics

Give us a call or text us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 and let us know if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this Spring/Summer, as the strong market continues to be good for both buyers and sellers, or if you have questions about this information. And don’t forget to explore our website AzDreamHomesScottsdale.com to see Scottsdale area homes and more helpful articles. – Chris & Cheryl Park

Phoenix/Scottsdale Real Estate Market April Update – March 2019 Stats

Here is the Phoenix/Scottsdale area Monthly Real Estate Market Report for April 2019, which shows 8,507 homes sold in the month of March compared to 9.596 homes in March 2018. This is a 11.4% decrease for the number homes sold year over year, but an increase of 23.8% from last month! The market has increased seasonally and remains strong with the average sale price is up 6.7% year over year. And the amount of listed homes is up by 9.4% to 18,547 from 16,814 in March 2018. Demand is still gaining strength into Spring/Summer when the market is strong seasonally. And sales activity that had been constrained by the lower supply of listed homes has improved as the number of listed homes has come up from the recent 5+ year low. The average days on market is down 7.1% from March 2018 to just 66 days.

Click here to see the full March 2019 Market Report & Statistics

Give us a call or text us at 480-754-9477 or 480-754-9077 and let us know if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this Spring, as the strong market continues to be good for both buyers and sellers, or if you have questions about this information. And don’t forget to explore our website AzDreamHomesScottsdale.com to see Scottsdale area homes and more helpful articles. – Chris & Cheryl Park