There are some important things to consider... having spent a lot of time in Phoenix I'd recommend that you try to define which area of Phoenix might suit your needs. Are you going to be there for work or school? If so, you need to understand that the city is quite large in that it's spread out all over. The traffic during rush hours can be terrible. If you, for example, were going to be in the Scottsdale area daily, then one wouldn't want to commute from the south or west side to Scottsdale/Deer Valley which is on the northeast limits of the metroplex. If you're going for vacation, then that consideration becomes a little less important. I prefer the Scottsdale area since it's more what Phoenix used to be several years ago. One could even consider some of the nearby but outlying communities, especially those on the north along Interstate 17 towards Prescott. I'd try and stay away from the far south communities such as Chandler or Casa Grande, but that's my personal opinion... some like it just fine....
At any rate, welcome to the U.S. and enjoy your stay!