Peoria, Arizona
Kerrick James

No. 29

Peoria, Arizona

With high graduation rates, modest home prices, and booming area job growth forecasts, Peoria is a large suburb with energy and history. Surrounded by scenic mountains and desert terrain, the city has set aside over 750 of acres of open space for preservation and recreation, with picturesque hiking trails that appeal to nature lovers.

The historic Old Town neighborhood, in Downtown Peoria, attracts both locals and visitors alike as a focal point for arts and culture. The Peoria Center for the Performing Arts and its modern, LEED-certified community center ensure that there is never a shortage of entertainment.

Athletes and fans also have lots to love here. Peoria is home to Lake Pleasant, a major hub for water sports recreation for the Phoenix area, as well as an important storage reservoir for the growing region. The massive Peoria Sports Complex serves as the spring training home of two MLB teams, the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. — Sergei Klebnikov

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