Life in Phoenix

Safety and Security

Coyotes are something expats may be surprised to see when living in Phoenix, but they can be found in both rural and urban areas. Foreigners living in Phoenix will need to be aware of what to do in order to prevent attracting coyotes, and the actions to take should they discover one in their yard or garden. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has some useful information regarding coyotes on their website.

Crime rates in Phoenix are higher than the national average, but have been decreasing over the last decade, with theft and burglaries the most likely crimes to be committed.

Transportation in Phoenix

Getting around Phoenix on public transport is easy, as there are plenty of bus and train routes to get you where you need to go. The Valley Metro website has all the information on bus routes, timetables and fares.

Cycling is very popular in Phoenix and many commuters prefer this method of travelling as it saves them money and is good for the environment. However, as with most cities in the US, driving is still one of the most common forms of transport in Phoenix.

Culture and Leisure

Phoenix has many venues of performing arts, including The Phoenix Symphony Hall, which is where the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra calls home. The Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona are two very popular venues. Downtown, the largest performing arts venue is the Herberger Theater Center.

For those expats living in Phoenix who enjoy concerts there is a wide choice of places to visit, including:

• Talking Stick Resort Arena
• Comerica Theatre, located in downtown
• Ak Chin Pavilion, which used to be called the Cricket Wireless Pavilion
• Gammage Auditorium, situated in Tempe
• Mesa Arts Centre
• Crescent Ballroom
• Wells Fargo Arena is usually reserved for sports, but there are also many music events held here.
• Celebrity Theatre

They say Arizona is also paradise for sports lovers. Whether you’re a participant, spectator, or maybe both, the year round sunshine makes all types of sport an enjoyable experience. Many people travel to Phoenix to play golf, as there are more than 200 courses here. The World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play tournament is held in Tucson, which is just under 2 hours away from Phoenix. The Phoenix International Raceway hosts the NASCAR and Indy races each year, which attract some of the largest crowds in Arizona. Professional teams in Phoenix include the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were Baseball’s Major League 2001 champions.