Apache Junction is the easternmost community in the Metro Phoenix area, and lies at the entrance to two of the most popular recreational areas frequented by Phoenix locals, the Salt RiverLakes and the Superstition Wilderness Area, home to the awe-inspiring SuperstitionMountains.  Affordable land, multiple golf courses, clear skies, starry nights, and much less traffic congestion than other locations in the metro area has made Apache Junction a popular destination for over 35,000 winter visitors each year, as well as approximately 42,000 year-round residents. Incorporated in 1978, the city encompasses approximately 36.5 square miles. Apache Junction is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city to offer the wide open spaces that most come west to find, but a short drive from all amenities desired.  Apache Junction has been experiencing strong residential growth in the past 10 years, with over 8,000 new homes constructed.  A variety of lifestyles are offered in Apache Junction, including western rural acreage, suburban single family residential neighborhoods, and adult-only retirement communities.