When searching for a great place to live, the definition of “best” depends on the type of lifestyle the person has, his or her economic situation, likes and dislikes and so many other factors that “best” is a relative term.

With regard to affordable housing, access to free ways and good schools, several places in Phoenix fit the bill. However, other needs should also be considered, such as: are there mountain views from my home? Is there a mall nearby? What about a library? Are there any nearby hiking trails? How far are the coffee shops, museums, sports venues and other cultural venues?

Phoenix is a large, sprawling metropolis. The most desirable neighborhoods in Phoenix can be found in north Phoenix, in an area called Cave Creek, which has the desert charm of the Old West as well as five-star dining, but central Phoenix also has wonderful places to live in, such as the Encanto area, which has older, charming homes with character, more shade than in other parts of the city, and its central location near many cultural attractions and downtown make it a very good choice if you plan to move to Phoenix. However, because of those reasons, real estate is more expensive in Encanto.

The Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale has also seen quite a lot of recent growth and Scottsdale, especially central and North Scottsdale, is a great suburb to call home, with many golf courses, fine dining, mountain views and easy access to the north side of the Valley and several rivers and lakes for boating and other activities. There are casinos nearby for those who want to gamble.

Tempe is another Phoenix suburb famous for being the home of Arizona State University (ASU), and people who want to live in a younger demographic might prefer Tempe to another town. Tempe Town Lake offers many types of water recreation, including fishing and boating.

If you are looking for a nice place to retire to in the Phoenix area, Apache Junction, which is located at the far eastern end of the Valley, could be right for you. It is sparsely populated yet has all of the conveniences you might want or need, and the stunning views of the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction are a major draw for visitors and retirees.