Mesa

Wondering what makes Mesa so great? For starters, Mesa makes the list for top places to live, and for good reason! This Phoenix suburb offers reasonably priced real estate with a median home price of $168,500 and average monthly rent of $907, so you’ll be able to find the perfect budget-friendly home, condo, or apartment. Nearby Phoenix suburbs Gilbert, Tempe, and Chandler have average home prices over $200,000, making Mesa the more affordable option with many of the same amenities. On top of that, the overall cost of living in Mesa is 5% lower than the national average, so you won’t have to break the bank to live here!

Moving to Mesa opens the door to employment opportunities in many popular job sectors! One of the largest industries in the area is aerospace, with companies like Marsh Aviation headquartered in the city. The Boeing Company has an impressive presence here, too, and has plans to expand. Other large employers include Banner Health, which has multiple healthcare facilities and a corporate center, and Mesa Unified School District, the largest school district in Arizona. Bingham Equipment Company and Empire are also headquartered in Mesa and provide plenty of job opportunities for anyone seeking employment!

Looking for somewhere warm and sunny to retire? Mesa is one of the best cities to retire in because of many of the same reasons it draws snowbirds to the area—the amazing weather and active lifestyle you can have golfing, hiking, or horseback riding! Its close proximity to Phoenix also allows retirees to enjoy the big city but live more comfortably in the suburbs. Housing is more affordable than surrounding areas, too, and there are many resort-style 55+ communities in the Mesa area for residents ready to enjoy the perks of retirement. Plus, Mesa’s a great place to retire for your health because it’s home to Banner Desert Medical Center, one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in Arizona!

If you’re thinking of raising a family in Mesa, you’re in luck because there are some great schools here. Since Mesa has the largest school district in Arizona, there are plenty of choices for families, including a Distance Learning Program. There are also amazing higher education opportunities throughout the area. Check out Mesa Community College, the largest community college in the Maricopa Community College District, or Benedictine University Mesa, which is an extension of the university’s main campus in Lisle, IL. For those hoping to pursue engineering, management, technology, or education, you can attend a four-year program at Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus—or there’s ASU’s main campus in Tempe, which is just 15 minutes away!

One of the best ways to explore Mesa is by hiking its amazing trails. Grab your hiking boots for time in the Superstition Mountains. Hop in the car and journey down the Apache Trail Scenic Drive, which has some great stops for hiking like Lost Dutchman State Park, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and more! For a shorter hike that still offers incredible views, walk the Merkle Trail. See more nature in the Ursery Mountains on the Pass Mountain Trail. Are you a beginner hiker? Cat’s Peak Loop is a good trail for explorers of all skill levels!

Baseball fans will love living in Mesa, as the city hosts two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams for spring training as part of the Cactus League. With over 200 MLB games played in 30 days, fans from all over the country come to see their favorite teams play, and tickets often sell out weeks in advance! Watch the Chicago Cubs (MLB) train at Sloan Park. Or head to Hohokam Stadium and enjoy America’s favorite pastime watching the Oakland Athletics (MLB). Want more baseball? Other Phoenix suburbs like Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear, Surprise, and Peoria also host teams for MLB Spring Training!

If you love to golf, you’re in luck because Mesa has plenty of it! With 25 golf courses and great weather year-round, you can golf in Mesa anytime you want! Test your skills on the nine-hole Royal Palms Golf Course. Play an afternoon round of golf at Augusta Ranch Golf Club or try your hand at Foot Golf! Become a member at Mesa Country Club and play the course or take a golf lesson from an expert. Join the Alta Mesa Golf Club and master their 18-hole golf course. Or get a membership at Red Mountain Ranch Country Club and bring the whole family for golfing, swimming, dining, and tennis! Want to play a round with an amazing view? Book a tee time at Las Sendas Golf Club and enjoy the stunning desert landscape while you golf.