Phoenix

Nicknamed the 'Valley of the Sun,' the Greater Phoenix area sees more sunshine than nearly any other metro area in the country. That in and of itself can be enough to entice people to lay down roots here, but Arizona's capital also features a desirable combination of a thriving job market, a relatively low cost of living and plenty of ways to enjoy the nice weather. Phoenix is the best place to get a sampling of all the state has to offer. Its downtown area may be characterized by sleek, ultramodern office buildings, but the city center is not all about work. Phoenix also contains ample opportunities to play. Sports stadiums, arts and shopping districts fringe downtown, as do some of the area's finest eateries. Within the Valley of the Sun, you can trace Arizona's history from its earliest Hohokam residents at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park to the latest technological developments showcased at the Arizona Science Center. Plus, Greater Phoenix's 2,000-plus square miles sprawl to the bottom of striking desert mountains crisscrossed by hiking and biking trails. via realestate.usnews.com