The Demand Institute created an interactive map listing a tale of 2000 cities. We have been playing with the map a little bit around here, and it has got some interesting things to say about the Valley. The Demand Institute lists four cities as transitional: Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Glendale. Remember, these are older, inland cities undergoing transition and have a higher reliance on government jobs to sustain the local economy.
Five Valley cities are considered cosmopolitan suburbs which are fast-growing, contemporary suburbs that offer distinctive services and wide-ranging amenities. Those cities are Gilbert, Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye and Queen Creek. Chandler and Peoria are listed as traditional suburbs, which the Demand Institute defines as solid middle-class communities that represent a cornerstone of American family life.
In an area known for both vacationers and retirees, only two cities get listed in that category: Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. The guess here is that one is the former and the other…the latter.
And, there is one more Valley city on the list. El Mirage is considered a deflated bubble city, which is defined as an ethnically diverse community hit hard by the real estate bubble and bust over the last decade.
A few other cities of note in Arizona: Flagstaff is listed as a Vacation and Retirement Destination, as are Payson, Prescott, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Yuma and Oro Valley. And, the map lists Tucson as a Transitional City.
A Tale Of 2000 Cities
Visit the interactive maps from the Demand Institute.
