Exploring Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, AZ is a large city located in the American Southwest. Its dry and sunny climate attracts visitors across the United States, from business workers to tourists to college and technical school students. We encourage students to get to know the city better while studying refrigeration and HVAC at The Refrigeration School, Inc. The Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Web site is a great resource for those new to town. To learn more about the government of Phoenix, visit the official City of Phoenix Web site.
Getting around town
Phoenix is serviced by the Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA), which includes a line of buses and shuttles running 7 days a week. The service routes were expanded in 2001 to accommodate the needs of students, workers, and tourists, and some routes are slated for continued expansion over the next several years. When getting around Phoenix, it helps to familiarize yourself with the transit routes offered by the RPTA. Visit Valley Metro's Web site, www.valleymetro.org.
Beginning in December 2008, Phoenix, AZ will be serviced by a light-rail metro system. The line will service the city, featuring 27 stops and line access to Arizona State University — the largest public four-year college in Phoenix.
Phoenix is still a car-friendly and car-traveled city. The Refrigeration School, Inc. is located near Loop 202, Interstate 10, 143 Freeway, and 153 Freeway. Some students do opt to drive; others rent cars only for special occasions. You can fly, too: Phoenix is home to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. More information about Phoenix's transportation options can be found by visiting the transportation section of the Visit Phoenix Web site.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated aspects of attending post-high school training is the nightlife available to students. Establishments that serve alcohol generally cater to the 21-and-over crowd; however, Phoenix, AZ is packed with things to do that are suitable for all ages.
Dance nights are hot in Phoenix! Refrigeration School, Inc. students might enjoy the variety of dance and night clubs the city has to offer. For example, some clubs feature jazz, R&B, and blues, and have dress codes that are more formal. Other clubs offer more causal atmospheres, so folks can visit wearing jeans. Some places have themed nights, with different kinds of music — from rockabilly to rap to punk — piped in through state-of-the-art sound systems. Other clubs, large and small, host live music and turntable artists for modest cover charges.
For getting your buzz on, Phoenix has martini bars, beer bars, shot bars, and every other type of watering hole you might care to name. Want a luscious chocolate martini? You can find it. How about a hoppy microbrew? Phoenix has bars that serve those, too.
You're attending Refrigeration School, Inc. to learn how to maintain and repair refrigeration and HVAC equipment. But, you're sure to want to kick back and relax after your classes and studying are done for the day. To learn more about the diverse bar and club life in Phoenix, visit this entertainment and nightlife listings Web site for Phoenix, AZ. It rates the best bars, clubs, and brew joints in town, so you're sure to find something you like.
Phoenix has a wealth of attractions, too, that have nothing to do with dancing or drinking the night away. Your refrigeration and HVAC training isn't complete until you've checked out a few of this Arizona city's major attractions.
If you're an outdoorsy type, you might like the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. This is an official Arizona state park featuring 323 acres of beautiful botanical gardens that boast pleasurable sights during the coolest parts of the day.
Perhaps wild rides are more your speed! In that case, you'll enjoy Castles N' Coasters, a great Phoenix amusement park that includes soaking water rides, giant roller coasters, games of chance and fun, and many other rides and attractions — including bumper cars! This is a fun place to bring family, kids, or friends, and the amusement park will allow you to book birthday parties and other group social outings in advance.
Rated as one of the top attractions in the city for visitors and permanent residents alike (known to natives as a "Phoenix Point of Pride"), the Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area is a huge group of outdoor recreational areas in and near the city. The mountains stand out from the landscapes of the parks, since Phoenix is a mostly flat city area. If you're a horseback riding or hiking enthusiast, you should check out some of the trails. You can also approach the recreational areas at a leisurely pace — why not hold a picnic or a pick-up game of baseball with your friends from the Refrigeration School, Inc.?
Sports and leisure
If you're a sports enthusiast, Phoenix will prove to be great fun while you're going to RSI. The city is home to the Arizona Cardinals professional NFL football team, as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB baseball team, the Phoenix Suns NBA basketball team, and the Phoenix Coyotes NHL hockey team. Phoenix is home to other professional and minor-league sports teams, as well. The city is also known for golf, so whether you enjoy 18-hole games or Putt-Putt, you can find a place to play.
Phoenix is a major spot for baseball spring training, too. The Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers train in Phoenix. Catch a practice — and buy yourself a tasty hot dog!
Phoenix is also home to the 2008 Super Bowl, to be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium on February 3, with kick-off at 4:18 p.m. Mountain Time. For more information about the Super Bowl, visit official Web site of the 2008 Super Bowl.
College Town
RSI is ten minutes from Arizona State University and all of the surrounding bars, attractions, and restaurants. ASU is a large public research university, and is home to the Center for Meteorite Studies, which harbors the pieces of more than 1,500 different meteors. It's fun to go to school when there are other students completing post-high school training in the immediate area. What an easy way to make friends while you're at RSI!
Living in Phoenix
1-bedroom apartments in Phoenix average 500-600 dollars per month, plus utilities. You might want to save money and live with a roommate or two, perhaps an RSI classmate? When selecting an apartment, make sure your new place is clean, well-insulated, and has working appliances. Read over your lease and accompanying documents before signing anything. Hassle-free renting will make your RSI experience that much more enjoyable. To look for apartments, check out this popular Phoenix apartment listings site, or visit the Phoenix apartments section of CraigsList.
If you plan to stay in Phoenix after completing your refrigeration and HVAC training, it might make more sense to buy. Be sure to factor in the costs of home maintenance when deciding upon a mortgage and determine how much house you can afford.
Eating in Phoenix
Phoenix is home to a variety of cuisines and restaurant styles to suit a variety of tastes. If you have a yen for Asian food, this city has more than 250 Chinese restaurants to chose from, as well as Indian, Thai, and Middle Eastern. If you like hearty pub fare, big brunch buffets, or the all-American hamburger, you're sure to find a joint or three to suit your tastes. Phoenix's location in the Southwestern United States means there are endless varieties of Mexican, Spanish, and Tex-Mex foods from which to choose, too. For more restaurant listings and reviews, visit About.com's Phoenix restaurant guide.
Shopping in Phoenix
Shopping: It's a leisure time activity for some, a necessity for others. Whatever your reason for shopping, there are several retail spots you might enjoy while attending refrigeration, heating, and cooling classes at RSI. A popular mall for students is the Arizona Mills Mall, which has stores that suit all tastes and purposes. Scottsdale Fashion Square, 30 minutes or less from Downtown Phoenix, has over 250 shops and restaurants, from high-fashion, high-priced name brand retailers, to funky finds, to bargain buys. Celebrity sightings have been reported. Biltmore Fashion Park is great Phoenix bet, if you enjoy fashion, accessories, and name brands, too. There are large Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and other smaller specialty retailers to fit your shopping needs. If your tastes are less expensive, or you want offbeat accessories and gifts, Metrocenter Mall is the place for you. For complete listings of Phoenix shopping, visit this online shopping guide.
