Mesa is a sprawling East Valley city with a population over half a million, making it larger than many state capitals. The city stretches from the original downtown grid — now a revitalized arts and dining district along Main Street — eastward past the Superstition Freeway corridor to the base of the Usery Mountains. Major employers include Banner Health, Boeing's rotorcraft division, Apple's global command center at the former Sapphire facility, and Mesa Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the state. Neighborhoods vary enormously: the historic district near downtown draws young professionals, while the Eastmark master-planned community on the far east side is one of the top-selling new-home communities in America. Alta Mesa, Dobson Ranch, and Las Sendas each have their own character and price points. Spring training season brings the Chicago Cubs to Sloan Park and six other Cactus League teams to nearby stadiums, making February and March a busy time for short-term housing and seasonal moves. The Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway and US-60 Superstition Freeway provide the primary commute arteries, though Mesa's size means crosstown drives can take 30 minutes even without traffic.