2009 GREATER PHOENIX ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LIVING HERE 43 housing S ports fans and culture vultures flock to Phoenix for heart- thumping games and breathtaking performances. Home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Arizona Rattlers, the heart of the Valley also boasts acclaimed performing arts companies and world- class museums. Several state- of- the- art venues offer a full schedule of entertainment, from live concerts to comedy acts. These offerings, plus the opening of Arizona State University's Downtown campus, keep the area lively 24/ 7. Whether you're a college student, young executive or a growing family, the downtown Phoenix, Ahwatukee and north Phoenix areas offer lofts, apartments, condominiums and single- family homes aplenty. Just north of downtown, several historic districts feature charming, lovingly restored homes. The north- central Phoenix and Biltmore areas boast classic ranch- style houses with square footage ranging from modest to mini- mansion. New homes fill the landscape at the northern edge of Phoenix. South of Downtown, Ahwatukee offers small- town ambience with big- city amenities. — Maria Matson Population: 1,512,986 City of Phoenix: 602- 262- 6011 www. phoenix. gov Chambers of Commerce and CVBs Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber 480- 753- 7676 Greater Phoenix Chamber 602- 495- 2195 Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau 602- 254- 6500 North Phoenix Chamber 602- 482- 3344 Police Phoenix: 602- 262- 6151 Water and Sewer City of Phoenix Water Services Department: 602- 262- 6251 Sales Tax Total ( including county and state) Phoenix: 8.3 percent AT A GLANCE Phoenix photo: The arizona republic

44 2009 GREATER PHOENIX ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LIVING HERE housingPopulation ( 2007) Avondale: 76,000 Buckeye: 20,780 Glendale: 252,378 Goodyear: 58,654 Litchfield Park: 4,890 Peoria: 153,592 Sun City: 45,000 Sun City West: 31,000 Surprise: 100,000 Tolleson: 6,498 City Contacts Avondale: 623- 333- 1601 www. ci. avondale. az. us Buckeye: 623- 386- 4691 www. buckeyeaz. gov Glendale: 623- 930- 2000 www. glendaleaz. com Goodyear: 623- 932- 3910 www. goodyearaz. gov Litchfield Park: 623- 935- 5033 www. litchfield- park. org Peoria: 623- 773- 7300 www. peoriaaz. com Surprise: 623- 222- 1000 www. surpriseaz. com Tolleson: 623- 936- 7111 www. tollesonaz. org Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Centers Buckeye Valley Chamber: 623- 386- 2727 Glendale Chamber: 623- 937- 4754 Glendale Office of Tourism and Visitor Center: 623- 930- 4500 Surprise Regional Chamber: ( Sun City/ Sun City West, Surprise, Youngtown, El Mirage): 623- 583- 0692 Peoria Chamber: 623- 979- 3601 Sun City Visitors Center: 623- 977- 5000 Southwest Valley Chamber ( Avondale, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Tolleson: 623- 932- 2260 Police Avondale Police: 623- 333- 7000 Buckeye Police: 623- 349- 6400 Glendale Police: 623- 930- 3000 Goodyear Police: 623- 932- 1220 Litchfield Park-- Maricopa County Sheriff's Office: 602- 876- 1865 Peoria Police: 623- 773- 8311 Sun City Sheriff: 623- 972- 2555 Surprise Police: 623- 222- 4000 Tolleson Police: 623- 936- 7186 Water and Sewer Avondale: 623- 333- 2005 Buckeye: 623- 349- 6100 Glendale: 623- 930- 2700 Goodyear: 623- 932- 3010 Litchfield Park: 623- 935- 9367 Peoria: 623- 773- 7160 Surprise: 623- 222- 7000 Tolleson Water: 623- 936- 7111 I n the West Valley — comprised of Glendale, Peoria, Avondale, Surprise, Buckeye, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Sun City and Sun City West — diversions of all kinds are just a short drive away. For the spectators among us, professional football, ice hockey, baseball and NASCAR abound. For those who prefer more hands- on pursuits, there are ever- growing options for power shopping and dining out. When it's time to commune with nature, White Tanks Regional Park and Estrella Mountain Regional Park offer breathtaking vistas and challenging hiking trails. Peoria boasts an oasis in the desert, Lake Pleasant, with 50 miles of shoreline and 10,000 acres of water. Sun City, the mother of all master- planned communities, helps its mature residents usher in the golden years with active style at its seven recreation centers, eight golf courses and three country clubs. Its baby sister, Sun City West, has four recreation centers and two golf courses. — Maria MatsonAT A GLANCE West Valley photo: The Arizona republic