When shopping for Phoenix homes, one thing you’ll want to know about is recreational opportunities. Whether you’re looking for an evening out on the town, daytime recreation like golfing or kayaking, a hike through the desert ecosystem or relics of the area’s rich and varied history – or something else altogether - you’ll find that the Phoenix has no shortage of things to do and places to see.

One thing to understand about the area – it’s called “Valley of the Sun" for a very good reason. Maricopa County gets about 7 inches of rain every year, and is sunny about 84% of the time. The musical 110° In The Shade with Burt Lancaster and Kathryn Hepburn may have been about a rather exceptional summer in the Midwest, but her in south-central Arizona, that’s business as usual. It’s not steamy, though – it’s more like a sauna. For decades, doctors have recommended the hot, dry climate for people with respiratory and other problems that are exacerbated by cold and damp. For that reason, many seniors retire to the area.

If you’re of retirement age, ask your Scottsdale realtor about the nightlife in the metro area. If you’re lucky, you might be able to attend a performance by one of the Phoenix-Scottsdale-Tempe region’s most unique musical groups. “Igor’s Jazz Cowboys" is a band that plays a unique, high-energy blend of Western swing, bluegrass, country and (believe it or not) New Orleans style jazz. (Igor actually climbs on top of his bass fiddle, mounting it like a horse as he plays.)

Sports fans will be glad to know that there are a plethora of pro, semi-pro and university teams playing baseball, basketball, football, soccer and even ice hockey! In fact, football aficionados should know that Super Bowl XLII is scheduled for 3 February 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium, which has the only rollout field and retractable roof stadium on Earth.

“Eco-tourism" is a new buzzword these days. Ask your Phoenix Real estate agent about the opportunities for visiting the many natural wonders that exist in the Sonoran desert; guided tours are available through the Arizona Office of Tourism, which is an official signatory to the National Geographic Geotourism Center – an organization that encourages tourism in an ecologically friendly way that makes as little impact as possible on local habitats and biomes.

The Phoenix area is a great “home base" for trips further afield. The Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Four Corners, historic U.S. Route 66 and more are all within a day’s driving distance or less. When you decide you want a change from the desert, head up into the mountains and visit the old mining town of Prescott. Located in the central Arizona highlands, it is substantially cooler than the Phoenix area, and features many interesting examples of buildings dating back 120 years.