Tons of opinions here, and a lot of info on the general website.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/phoenix-area/
Been there a couple of times, last about 15 years ago. It seemed more like a gigantic suburb than a city.
SW of Prescott, AZ, about 100 miles away, is one of the most amazing twisty roads in the US, Hwy 89. The western tail of the dragon. Google maps will clue you in.
I almost went there to go 1-series shopping, they had many used ones.