By: Redfin Blog    Scottsdale is known for beautiful scenery, a vibrant arts scene, and upscale charm, but that’s just the beginning of everything this city has to offer. When exploring and learning more about Scottsdale, It’s hard not to be captivated by the rich culture of this town and start to explore renting an apartment in Scottsdale or even buying a home in the city. From indulging in exquisite local cuisine to exploring the rugged terrain on an ATV, here’s Redfin’s ultimate bucket list for discovering a slice of what Scottsdale has to offer.  1. Try some of the local cuisine Food is an essential part of living in Scottsdale and should be the first thing you cross off your Scottsdale bucket list. “There is nothing that I enjoy more in Scottsdale than the food – especially the Mexican restaurants,” recommends Alpha Publisher, a publishing company based in Delaware with an office in Arizona. “Places like Barrio Queen and Los Sombreros offer tasty dishes like fajitas and street tacos. The flavors are bold and the ingredients fresh, making every meal special. Eating outside on the patios is nice, and the atmosphere is lively. Trying different foods in Scottsdale is like going on a fun food journey that always makes me happy.” Need a few more recommendations? Listen to Chef and Partner Cory Oppold of local restaurant COURSE, “A few of my favorite places to enjoy when I’m not in the kitchen at COURSE restaurant are Hush Public House, Andreoli Italian Grocer, and Chula Seafood.” While you’re out and about, pop into COURSE to pay Cory a visit and experience one of Scottsdale’s fine-dining experiences. 2. Grab a pint from a local bar With a thriving bar scene, grabbing a pint from a local bar or brewery is essential to any Scottsdale bucket list.  “From upscale lounges offering craft cocktails to lively sports bars pulsing with energy, there’s something to suit every mood and taste,” shares Michelle Hoff of Desert Dog Offroad Adventures. “Whether unwinding with friends on a trendy rooftop terrace overlooking the city skyline or immersing myself in the laid-back charm of a neighborhood pub, Scottsdale’s bars never cease to provide memorable experiences. With an abundance of live music performances, innovative mixology, and friendly locals, exploring the diverse bar scene in Scottsdale always promises a night to remember.” 3. Take a Margarita and Taco Tour through the streets of Scottsdale Looking for a more guided experience through the food and drink offerings of Scottsdale? Look no further than JoyRidesAZ Scottsdale Tours. “Our favorite tour is our Margarita and Taco Tour that offers three local venues, a highlighted tour of Old Town Scottsdale, and photos at popular local Instagram locations,” shares Monica Nicodemus of JoyRidesAZ Scottsdale Tours. JoyRidesAZ has been a local tour company for over ten years, collaborating with more than 40 local businesses to curate fun and novel experiences.   READ ON      

By: AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 active adult communities in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Top 10 active adult communities Here are the Top 10 active adult communities in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Splendido Background: Nestled between the Santa Catalina and Tortolita Mountains in Oro Valley, Splendido is a dynamic Life Plan Community for those 55 and better. It combines spacious Terrace and Villa Homes with a host of services and amenities, including a fitness center, spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, multiple restaurants, 24-hour concierge, 18-hole putting course, and art studio, as well as onsite healthcare, if ever needed. 2. Province 3. Ironwood Crossing 4. Trilogy at Vistancia 5. Johnson Ranch 6. Arizona Traditions 7. CantaMia by Taylor Morrison 8. Del Webb Sun City Festival 9. Encanterra 10. Corte Bella

By AZ Big Media  Clever, a real estate data company, just published new research in collaboration with Leafly that found Phoenix is the No. 13 best weed city in America. Phoenix is home to 2.5 dispensaries per 100,000 residents, with an average dispensary rating of 4.3 stars out of 5. There are also 0.4 head shops per capita in Phoenix. Residents in Phoenix pay $292 for one ounce of high-quality marijuana. Only three cities in our top 15 — Baltimore, Hartford, and Boston — pay more than the average price of $316 among all 50 cities studied.  If Phoenix residents spent the local average annual salary on cannabis, they could purchase 178 ounces of high-quality weed. Portland dethroned Denver as the best weed city in 2023. Residents enjoy the least expensive cannabis in the country, with a high-quality ounce costing just $210 — $106 less than the national average ($316). “When you’re thinking about where to go next, look at how the local government handles cannabis,” said David Downs, senior content manager at Leafly. “Cannabis liberalization and regulatory innovation tracks with good governance. It’s a litmus test for democracy and other issues.” To determine the best weed cities, we analyzed data from Leafly, the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Google Trends, Price of Weed, and Yelp. Our weighted rankings evaluated various criteria, including: 10x: Legality 6x: Cannabis-prescribing doctors per 100,000 residents 5x: Dispensaries per 100,000 residents 5x: Average rating of dispensaries out of 5 stars 4x: Site visitors to Leafly 3x: Price of 1 ounce of high-quality weed 3x: Affordability of high-quality weed 2x: Price of 1 ounce of medium-quality weed 2x: Affordability of medium-quality weed 2x: Number of head shops per 100,000 residents 2x: Google Trends data for 12 common marijuana-related search terms 1x: Number of Taco Bells per 100,000 residents 1x: Concert venues per 100,000 residents 1x: Number of local hiking trails according to the AllTrails database 1x: Public perception score  

By: AZ Big Media  The most recent banking troubles, rising inflation, and prohibitive mortgage rates are some of the issues affecting the housing market at the moment. And the latest data supports the fact that the market is losing momentum: While the number of completed units has increased every year since 2012, permits and housing starts are dropping nationwide. Arizona follows the trend, with a Y-o-Y drop in permits of -6.51%, but Metro Phoenix ranks No. 4 in the U.S. with the most housing permits issued in 2022. To get a deeper understanding of how housing construction and construction employment trends evolved over the past decade in Arizona and not only, Point2 analyzed historical data on permits, completed and started units, along with employment, incomes, and business data. The report is accompanied by an extensive resource page highlighting the Y-o-Y changes in residential construction over the last decade in all the states and 384 U.S. metros.   Findings for Arizona show that: • The state ranks sixth for the highest total number of permits issued in 2022, with 61,084 permits issued. Texas, Florida, and California top this list; • Arizona also boasts the seventh highest number of permits for single-family homes: 37,326 permits issued in 2022; • Zooming in to metro level, 47,369 housing permits were authorized in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler area, which puts the AZ metro in the fourth position, right after the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (77,281 permits), Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland (75,786 permits) and New York- Newark-Jersey City (58,991 permits) metros; • However, all major Arizona metros recorded Y-o-Y decreases in the number of permits issued in 2022 compared to 2021: -8.74% in Tucson and -6.35% in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler; Smaller metros like Yuma and Flagstaff saw even more significant drops in the number of permits from 2021 to 2022: -34.16% and -29.78%, respectively; • The number of both construction employees and construction businesses within the state increased over the past decade: by 2022, the number of employees active in the construction industry exceeded 192,000 and there were 25.75% more businesses; • The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler and Tucson metros have the highest number of construction employees in Arizona, with Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler boasting more than 148,000 employees.

By: AZ Big Media  The electric car movement has taken off in the past few years, but in 2022 it grew by leaps and bounds. Electric car sales of 800,000 were recorded in 2022, 65% more than in 2021. Add to the mix lower prices, a continuously improving infrastructure and you have the perfect recipe for electric cars slowly entering mainstream adoption. So, what are the best cities for electric cars? In the context of electric cars becoming more commonplace, some metro areas seem better equipped than others to embrace the EV movement. To find out which places are the most EV-friendly, StorageCafe put together a report ranking the largest metropolitan areas in this respect. They took into account the number of registered EVs, EV-chargers (public and in rental buildings), highway friendliness, public transportation using clean fuel, condition of roads, renewable energy, insurance and eGallon (equivalent of gas gallon) costs, local incentives and vehicle storage options. Based on the report’s findings, the best cities for electric cars are located in the West with Miami, FL, the only outsider in the top 10. Phoenix enters the electric race in the 11th spot In the heated EV race, the Phoenix metro area is just one position shy of the top 10 best cities for electric cars thanks to an overall environment that helps the EV movement to grow. Over 38K EVs are registered in the metro area, which translates to 2 electric cars per 100 households. The local infrastructure is also growing, in an effort to accommodate the local charging needs. When you account for population, Phoenix has about 0.4 public charging stations per 1,000 households. Moreover, charging options extend to almost 6% of the apartment complexes in the metro area, an impressive 27% more than in 2020. That means over 497K apartments have access to this amenity currently. Cost-wise, an eGallon goes for $1.1 in Phoenix and insuring your EV here costs $182/month. Also, if you ever need to put your vehicle in storage when you’re not using it, a Phoenix storage unitrents for $171/month. Phoenix seems to not only have a considerate number of EVs but also the right conditions for them to get out on the roads. Out of the 2,200+ lane miles of highway, about 390 of them are dedicated to HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes which also allow EV drivers to use them. Overall, HOV lanes make up 17.5% of the metro area’s lane mileage, the highest share in the country. Besides privately-owned vehicles, the electric movement extends to public transportation, with 63% of the network running on clean fuel. The natural environment also seems to be supportive of EVs, with temperatures dipping below 50 degrees during about 2.2% of the year. To contextualize, car batteries are more likely to function at full capacity in a warmer climate. READ ON

By: AZ Big Media  Anyone who’s been a click away from booking a short-term rental on Airbnb, only to realize that the final price has been jacked up on surcharges, has experienced frustration with how the platform displays prices. That said, what are the cities with the worst Airbnb fees? Forbes Advisor analyzed 32,000 listings in the 100 most popular Airbnb markets to establish regional trends for nightly rates, cleaning fees, and taxes. Key findings for cities with the worst Airbnb fees: • Nationwide, customers face an average of 36% in fees on top of nightly rates. • In Phoenix, customers face an average of 47% in fees on top of nightly rates (2nd highest nationally).  • The average nightly rate in Phoenix is $202 with 20% average cleaning fees, 16% average service fees, and taxes of 10% on average.  Four Arizona cities made the top 100 list (Phoenix #2, Scottsdale #7, Sedona #36, and Flagstaff #52).  READ ON

By: AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 breakfast restaurants in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Here are the Top 10 breakfast restaurants in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: Top 10 breakfast restaurants in Arizona 1. Scramble Background: "Scramble is a fresh look at breakfast and it all begins with using the freshest ingredients around. How we do it is no secret, we pride ourselves on using local farmers and vendors. So instead of your eggs being delivered across the country in a truck, they are literally coming from across town. We offer a variety of vegan menu choices, and we also offer a gluten-friendly menu where we use dedicated cooking equipment and utensils to avoid any cross contamination. Our dining style is quick casual. You simply order at the counter, grab your own beverage and then take your seat. The food is then delivered to your table, hot and fresh!" 2. Hash Kitchen 3. Matt’s Big Breakfast 4. First Watch 5. Tryst Cafe 6. Chompie’s 7. Snooze an A.M. Eatery 8. Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles 9. Breakfast Club 10. Biscuits Restaurant

By: AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 master-planned communities in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Top 10 master-planned communities Here are the Top 10 master-planned communities in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Vistancia Background: Set amongst the natural Sonoran Desert foothills in the Northwest Valley, the 7,100 acre-master-planned community of Vistancia in Peoria offers stunning panoramic desert and mountain views along with excelling schools, parks and trails, recreation centers, golf courses and resident lifestyle experiences. Opening in 2004, Vistancia is now home to over 19,000 residents in four unique lifestyle communities: Trilogy at Vistancia, an active adult resort community; The Village at Vistancia, a family a friendly-friendly community with access to two K-8 elementary schools and planned resident activities and recreation centers; Blackstone at Vistancia, a luxury golf course community featuring the private Blackstone Country Club; and Northpointe at Vistancia, offering an elevated desert living experience with some of the most spectacular views in the Northwest Valley. 2. Saguaro Bloom 3. Morrison Ranch 4. Las Sendas 5. Spectrum at Val Vista 6. Cadence at Gateway 7. Johnson Ranch 8. Ironwood Crossing 9. Tortosa 10. Gladden Farms

By: AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 pool remodelers in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Top 10 Arizona pool remodelers Here are the Top 10 pool remodelers in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Arizona Pool Remodeling & Service Background: Arizona Pool Remodeling & Service has been providing pool remodeling and backyard hardscape for over 2 decades to Phoenix area residents. Arizona Pool Remodeling & Service is a fully licensed, bonded and insured pool remodel company that takes pride in providing outstanding customer service in addition to top notch communication with its customers. Arizona Pool Remodeling & Service offers free estimates and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Arizona Pool Remodeling & Service would welcome an opportunity to work with Valley residents on their dream pool remodeling project.   2. Shasta Pools - Remodeling Division 3. Thunderbird Pools & Spas 4. CDC Pools 5. Caribbean Pools & Spas 6. Omni Pool Builders and Design 7. Superior Pool Plastering 8. Imperial Pool & Landscape 9. AE & Sons 10. ASP Chandler

By: AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 pool builders in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Top 10 Arizona pool builders Here are the Top 10 pool builders in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Thunderbird Pools & Spas Background: Thunderbird Pools & Spas was established in 2002 by Cohl Workman. Workman's now wife, Lisa, joined the team in 2003 while they were dating and in 2004 they got married. By 2006, Thunderbird Pools & Spas became one of the Top 10 pool builders in the Valley. Thunderbird Pools & Spas has maintained its Top 10 status over the years, while winning many design awards for residential pool construction. Thunderbird Pools & Spas has stayed committed to taking care of its customers while building beautiful backyards. The leaders at Thunderbird Pools & Spas believe if you love what you do, it will show in what you do. Thunderbird Pools & Spas' team is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do what they love. 2. Shasta Pools 3. Mossman Brothers Pools 4. Presidential Pools • Spas • Patio 5. Tribal Waters Custom Pools & Spas 6. California Pools & Landscape 7. Aloha Pools 8. Blue Wave Pools & Spas 9. Dolphin Pools Construction 10. Omni Pool Builders and Design  

By: AZ Big Media  Just in time for the hot weather to roll in, here are the Top 10 heating and air conditioning companies in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Top 10 Arizona heating and air conditioning companies Here are the Top 10 heating and air conditioning companies in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Precision Air & Plumbing Background: Precision Air & Plumbing is both family and veteran-owned and operated. Owner Erik Bryan takes great pride in being involved on a daily basis to ensure that customers needing quality home services — including air conditioning, heating or plumbing — get the best products and services available. For nearly 25 years, Precision Air & Plumbing has built its business on repeat and referral customers practicing one simple philosophy: “People before profits." 2. Parker & Sons Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical 3. MechaniCool 4. Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing 5. George Brazil Air Conditioning & Heating 6. Howard Air 7. Comfort One Air Conditioning 8. Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing 9. West Coast Plumbing & Air 10. Hendel's Heating & Air Conditioning

By: AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 credit unions in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Top 10 Arizona credit unions Here are the Top 10 credit unions in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Desert Financial Credit Union Background: Celebrating more than 84 years in Arizona, Desert Financial is the state's most trusted local credit union with over $8 billion in assets, 400,000-plus members and 47 branches. Membership eligibility is open across Arizona with contactless solutions making it easy to click, call or come in. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2022, Desert Financial gave over $200,000 through Random Acts of Kindness, awarded 20 local non-profits with $235,000 in grants, and team members performed over 7,000 volunteer hours. Surprising fact: Desert Financial Credit Union completed over 6,000 Random Acts of Kindness that total over $200,000. 2. OneAZ Credit Union 3. Credit Union West 4. AERO Federal Credit Union 5. Landings Credit Union 6. First Credit Union 7. Arizona Financial Credit Union 8. Arizona Central Credit Union 9. Global Credit Union (formerly Alaska USA Federal Credit Union) 10. Vantage West Credit Union

By: AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 hamburger restaurants in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Here are the Top 10 hamburger restaurants in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Haunted Hamburger - Jerome Background: The Haunted Group, a hospitality group based in Cottonwood, runs eight distinct hotel & restaurant properties across the Verde Valley, including the Haunted Hamburger, the Tavern Hotel, and The Clinkscale Hotel, Bar + Grill. Known for innovative cuisine, impeccable design and theming, and family-oriented leadership, the Haunted Group is credited with bringing fresh concepts to Jerome and Cottonwood, putting these locations “on the map” with trendy destinations loved by Phoenicians, travelers, and locals. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Eric and Michelle Jurisin, the feeling of being “part of the family” permeates every aspect of the Haunted Group’s business, for both guests and employees. Surprising fact: The “haunted” story behind the Haunted Hamburger is not a marketing gimmick. The restaurant was originally to be called “The Jerome Burger Factory,” but the owners experienced so many unexplainable things while renovating the building, it became impossible to ignore the building’s haunted history. Thus, The Haunted Hamburger was born. 2. Blu Burger Grille 3. Rehab Burger Therapy 4. Paradise Valley Burger Company 5. Chuckbox 6. ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho 7. Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers 8. Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar 9. Smashburger 10. Houston's

By: AZ Big Media  It’s most every little girl’s dream to have her Cinderella moment at prom. She waits and hopes and dreams for the perfect night: stars shining outside, the DJ hits play on “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and her prince glides over to ask her to dance. Suddenly, it is one of the best nights of her life, but before any of this magic can occur, she needs the perfect dress. Check out these 10 places around Metro Phoenix to find not just any dress, but the perfect dress for prom night.  Places to go full princess for your prom dress:  1. Oh La La By Posh  Talk about the real princess treatment. Make an appointment for a dress buying experience that will be just as memorable as the dance. The appointment will start with introductions to meet the stylist available to help with every need. They will determine preferences and pull dresses to try on. While waiting for the dresses to arrive, enjoy a personal dressing room stocked with treats. Oh La La carries dresses from top designers including Mac Duggal and Nina Canacci. Sometimes there just isn’t anything quite like the “Oh La La Process.”  2. Glam Squad Prom & Pageant  As they say, it’s “time for a little bit of glam.” Shop in-store and online for gorgeous high-end designer dresses. With a wide selection of dresses and jumpsuits, the perfect dress is just waiting to be discovered. Designers range from Jovani to Primavera Couture to Sherri Hill. Price ranges can be high at Glam Squad, so Layaway options are available. Make an appointment online to go into the store and work with a stylist to go through everything and find the perfect dress just ahead of the prom season.   3. Lizzie G Formals  A small business since the early 2000s, Lizzie G Formals started out as a boutique shop working out of a guest bedroom in 2005 selling jewelry and clothing. Since then, the boutique has grown and evolved eventually moving from California to Phoenix and rebranding to focus on formal dresses, shoes and accessories. Look books for simple and elegant dresses as well as more extravagant dresses are available online, but all in-store shopping is by appointment.   Places that specialize in modest styles:  4. A Closet Full of Dresses  The tagline says it all: “Where modesty meets elegance.” Locally owned and operated since 2014, A Closet Full of Dresses aims to have the most current styles of modest dresses. Even though the main focus is on modesty, there is still a variety in the options available as far as both style and color are concerned. The boutique can also assist with on-site alterations if necessary.  5. A Dressy Occasion  Founded in 2000, A Dressy Occasion was created with the goal of providing formal wear that is generally modest without giving up the need to be stylish. The boutique offers many assorted styles and colors, so everyone can find the dress of their dreams. All the dress styles are current and offer a variety of high-quality fabrics to ensure the look is perfect. Shop online or in-store to find the perfect dress.  Places that are easier on the budget:  6. Modest Wedding & Prom  How about a modest price to go with that modest design? Although regular purchasing options are available, Modest Wedding & Prom also offers the option to rent a formal dress for a fraction of what it could cost to buy one. Formal rental packages range from $29 - $99. The shop has thousands of dresses from various brands available to choose from. Stop in the shop to see the wonderful selection available. With so many choices, the perfect dress is bound to be out there.   7. Last Chance Clearance Store  We all understand that prom season can be expensive with the hair, the makeup, the shoes, the transportation, the dinner and the dress, so it is never a bad idea to find places to save a little money. Last Chance has hundreds of dresses to choose from, some of which come from top designers. Everything at Last Chance is sold “as is,” so just be sure to pay close attention to the dress to see if there are any significant issues that may require alterations. But no matter what, with such a variety of choices, it is always worth a look.  8. The Prom Closet  The Peoria North Rotary Club collects new and gently used formal wear throughout the year and sorts through it in time to open “The Prom Closet” each year in March and April. This event gives all students the opportunity to come and find the prom look of their dreams free of charge. This Rotary Club chapter aims to “build confidence in young people” and “make attending prom affordable for all high school students.” This year The Prom Closet will be open March 25-26 and April 1-2 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Glendale Elementary School District’s System of Care Campus.  Places that give new life to something old:  9.  Luxie Vintage  Not interested in current styles? Luxie Vintage offers a wide variety of hand-picked vintage clothes generally in excellent condition. The shop has a good selection of formal dresses in-store as well as a few on their website. Some of the oldest clothes available date back to the early 20th century, and everything is labeled with which decade it is from. As with anything pre-owned, the clothes may have some knicks from over the years, but the shop does offer on-site alterations executed by someone with experience working with vintage clothing.  10. Antique Sugar  Similar to Luxie Vintage, Antique Sugar offers a broad selection of hand-picked vintage clothing and accessories. Shop both in-store and online to see great options dating back to the early 20th century. As with any vintage shop, it can be a hunt to find the right thing and alterations can be common due to small tears or spots due to age. The owners have been shopping and collecting vintage since the ‘90s and have made sure the styles gracing the shelves offer lots of options, so everyone can find their perfect dress (or perfect something else). 

By: AZ Big Media  Ranking Arizona: Top 10 public golf courses Here are the Top 10 public golf courses in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Want to buy a copy of the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona when it becomes available? Click here. Want information on advertising in the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona? Click here. Top 10 Arizona public golf courses Here are the Top 10 public golf courses in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Talking Stick Golf Club Background: Designed by legendary course architects Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, Talking Stick Golf Club is comprised two distinctive championship golf courses offering beautiful, tranquil scenery and memorable experiences. The O’odham Course (formerly North Course), with its broad, angular holes, rewards thoughtful play through the rise of its many options according to one’s level of skill. Its low profile, slightly crowned greens and close-cropped approaches encourage running as well as aerial assaults. The Piipaash Course (formerly South Course) with its tree lined fairways and raised greens defended at the sides offers a more straightforward style of play. It presents its challenge and strategy in an open and clear-cut fashion. 2. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club 3. Troon North Golf Club 4. Gold Canyon Golf Resort 6. Springfield Golf Resort 6. Eagle Mountain Golf Club 7. Raven Golf Club - Phoenix 8. Arizona Biltmore Golf Club 9. Grayhawk Golf Club 10. Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia

By: AZ Big Media  Here are the Top 10 private golf courses in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? Top 10 Arizona private golf courses Here are the Top 10 private golf courses in Arizona, as featured in the 2023 edition of Ranking Arizona: 1. Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia Background: Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia, located in Northwest Peoria, features a one-of-a-kind private club experience unlike anything else available in the Northwest Valley. Members enjoy year-round events and activities and a Hacienda-style 30,000 sf clubhouse offering casual and fine dining, a 24-hour fitness center, lighted tennis courts, pool with private cabanas, lap pool and children’s play area. The 18-hole, par-72 Jim Engh-designed championship golf course was inspired by the links courses in Ireland and features mountain views, majestic saguaros and an abundance of desert wildlife.  2. Chaparral Pines 3. Desert Mountain Club 4. Forest Highlands Golf Club 5. Silverleaf Club 6. The Estancia Club 7. Encanterra Country Club 8. Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club 9. The Rim Golf Club 10. Whisper Rock Golf Club

By: AZ Big Media  After two years of stiff competition and fast-rising prices, the residential housing market in the U.S. began cooling quickly over the second half of 2022 and beginning of 2023. That is particularly true in Phoenix, where the once sizzling sector has dropped to No. 41 among the hottest housing markets in the U.S., according to a new report by Construction Coverage. Here is a summary of the data for Metro Phoenix: Composite score: 27.1 Median sale price: $441,268 1-year change in median sale price: -1.4% Share of homes that sold above asking: 39.6% Median number of days on the market: 33.4 Average sale-to-list percentage: 100.0% Share of listings with price drops: 31.6% For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States: Composite score: N/A Median sale price: $409,056 1-year change in median sale price: +1.3% Share of homes that sold above asking: 44.2% Median number of days on the market: 25.8 Average sale-to-list percentage: 100.9% Share of listings with price drops: 14.3% After home prices rose approximately 40% in a two-year span, many buyers have found themselves unable to afford property. Inflation in other sectors and declines in the stock market have made it more difficult to build up the savings needed to buy a home. On top of this, rising interest rates have increased costs to borrow, which has reduced the budget for many buyers—especially first-time buyers without existing equity or large down payments. These factors have slowed the market considerably.   READ ON

By: AZ Big Media  When it comes to protecting your physical and mental health, a hike or walk in the great outdoors can be very beneficial. And according to a new study published by Gambling.com, Arizona has been named the 5th Best State in America for Long Scenic Walks. The data research team at Gambling.com analyzed five different walking related data points per state. Each state was given an overall score and then all 50 jurisdictions were ranked from best to worst — you can check out the Top 20 Best States for Scenic Walking below. Walking is an effective form of low-impact exercise. Along with burning calories, it’s a great way to relax, take in nature, or get out of the house after a tough day at the office. With the introduction of U.S. sports betting, a brisk, scenic walk is a great way for sports bettors to weigh their betting selections and discuss their potential parlay, prop or money line proposals with a friend or fellow sports fans. This ensures they are making calculated and smart choices when making sportsbook wagers. Here at Gambling.com, the promotion and practice of responsible gambling is of paramount importance, and one way of ensuring that players manage their activity in the right way is to take regular breaks – what better way to take a break than enjoying some fresh air and spectacular scenic views that walking trails across the United States offer. With this spring in their step, the researchers at Gambling.com decided to work out which U.S. states were the best for scenic long walks – where people can break a sweat and decompress. They analyzed five different routes in each state, along with statewide statistics, to rank each one about how good they are for an endorphin-boosting ramble in nature. What are the Top 20 U.S. States for Scenic Walks?

Downtown living is finally making a comeback after the pandemic-driven flight to the suburbs. But not all downtowns are cut from the same cloth. Some are better than others at getting the right mix of amenities to keep residents engaged after working hours. One of the best is Phoenix, which ranks in the Top 10 among best cities for downtown living. To find out which cities can best cater to urban lifestyles, StorageCafe, a nationwide self storage marketplace, issued a report that drills down on the key features that make downtowns appealing for renters. Based on a series of factors including cost of living, rental amenities, access to entertainment and shopping, safety and more, the South comes out as the best destination for those in search of a premier downtown living experience. Phoenix landed 10th on the list. Phoenix shines among best cities for downtown living Phoenix has experienced a renaissance of sorts in the past few years, mainly propelled by the healthy job market and a cost of living that’s lower than in many other major urban hubs. The apartment market has grown tremendously in recent times, with the Phoenix’ downtown area having added over 70% of its total inventory of apartments in the last decade. Nearly all apartment buildings (92%) provide access to gyms and well over half of the apartments (64%) are in the high-end category. Among other enticing perks, downtown Phoenix apartments come with an average of about 790 square feet of space, much more generous than in many other cities’ downtowns. Downtown living is usually appealing because it’s where dining, shopping and entertainment converge, and PHX has a little bit of everything in this respect. There are about 12 restaurants/1,000 residents, offering various options from the typical burger joint to Asian, Tex-Mex and Italian cuisines. Entertainment is easy to find with over 2.5 theaters/1,000 people. The city center is also full to the brim with various museums, resorts and access to hiking trails, theaters and other recreation  venues. With the Footprint Center and Chase Field being located in the downtown area, you can go to a concert while staying in your zip code. Two Southern cities share the podium for downtown living with Chicago With the South delivering in terms of real estate construction and overall living standards, it’s no surprise that one of its cities stands out for downtown living. As it turns out, you can sometimes judge a book by its cover – not only does Dallas have one of the most visually appealing skylines, but it’s also the best for downtown living.  With apartments being the traditional choice for downtown living,Dallas’s city center is well-supplied, with over 15K apartments located in rental buildings with 50+ units, per StorageCafe data. Besides access to plenty of apartments, the downtown area delivers in terms of rental building features, with a staggering majority of apartments having access to gyms (95% of units) and high-end living (81% of units). Dallas’s downtown also shines brightly for its provision of theaters, restaurants and shopping venues that make for a lively entertainment scene.   The second city to boast a stellar downtown area is Austin, another Texan city center recommended for the lifestyle amenities it can offer. Supported by a strong economy offering jobs in tech and other desirable fields, Austin has seen its population swell. And for good reason too – median downtown incomes have surpassed six figures, considerably above the national average, which helps to make up for the increasing real estate prices and the general cost of living in the area. If you’re an apartment dweller in Austin, you’re in for a treat, especially if green and spacious living rank high on your list of priorities. Downtown Austin comes first for green living, with almost half of its apartments located in buildings that carry the LEED certification. Moreover, with the average apartment tallying close to 940 square feet, you get some of the most spacious city-center residences in the country. Premier living is complemented by various opportunities to enjoy the downtown area in terms of entertainment. You can have a night out on the town at any of the 14.6 restaurants and the 2.8 theaters per 1,000 residents. Chicago, IL, takes the bronze for downtown living thanks to the mix of amenities the area offers. In terms of apartment living, you get access to fitness centers in almost all apartment buildings (90%) and well over half of apartments offer high-end living conditions. Moreover, close to a quarter of the apartments are located in buildings that received LEED certification indicating green living conditions. Living here is by no means cheap, but high incomes help to keep the cost of housing below the 30% affordability threshold. Downtown Chicago is definitely a lively area, having many places where you can find entertainment. With about 11 restaurants/1,000 people, you have plenty of options to sample the local cuisine. For an additional downtown experience, you can go see a play at any of the 2.6 theaters1,000 people located in the area. Besides the Windy City, Columbus, OH, is the second Midwestern presence in the top 10 of cities for best downtown living. With the city offering employment in finance, IT and other high-paying industries, many employees choose downtown living. And that typically means living in an apartment. In Columbus, you get about 790 square feet of space in a downtown apartment. While that situates downtown apartments way above the national average in terms of space, you could still probably use a little extra room. That’s why turning to self storage can help Columbus downtowners keep seasonal and bulky items away from home. A 5’x10’ unitis ideal for this purpose. A Columbus self storage unit rents for about $90/month. Downtown Columbus has a lot to offer after work hours: You can easily find a dining spot to your liking among the 18.2 restaurants/1,000 people. Additionally, Columbus’s city center boasts about 8.7 stores and supermarkets/1,000 people, so shopping for essentials or for other items is pretty easy.

By: AZ Big Media  When it comes to commercial real estate development, Arizona is the second highest ranking state in the U.S. for overall contributions of real estate to state GDP of $91.3 billion, $41.2 billion in direct spending, $37 billion in personal earnings, and 661,000 jobs supported in 2022, according to a new report. Here's what is driving the state: Warehouse: Arizona ranks #3 behind Florida and Texas • Industrial (includes manufacturing): Arizona ranks #2 behind Texas • Retail: Arizona ranks #10 The data is from “Economic Impacts of Commercial Real Estate, 2023 U.S. Edition” published annually by the NAIOP Research Foundation. Nationally, the impact of new commercial real estate development in the U.S. continues to grow. The combined economic contributions of new commercial building development and the operations of existing commercial buildings in 2022resulted in direct expenditures of $826.9 billion and the following impacts on the U.S. economy:  • Contributed $2.3 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). •  Generated $831.8 billion in personal earnings. • Supported 15.1 million jobs. “The data in the report are strong economic indicators of commercial real estate development investment, job growth, and subsequential contributions to the U.S. economy,” said Marc Selvitelli, CAE, president and CEO of NAIOP. “Our success could be met with headwinds as inflation, workforce constraints and higher interest rates create uncertainty. Our Research Foundation, legislative team and education will keep our members and industry professionals informed on these issues and offer resources as the industry navigates potentially choppy waters.” The full report is online: www.naiop.org/contributions23