Family Standing in Front of Nice Arizona Home

If year-round sun, practically non-real rain, and bountiful outdoor activities are your thing (hard sell, right?), Phoenix, Arizona is the place for you.

While this sprawling metropolis may be stereotyped as a retirement paradise, information technology'due south actually so much more. Thanks to its growing population and strong local economy, information technology's a popular spot for everyone — from young professionals to families to, aye, retirees.

Based on the U.S. Demography Bureau data for 2019, Phoenix attracted more than new residents than whatsoever other city in the U.South. — and it wasn't just that yr. 2019 marks the fourth consecutive twelvemonth that the urban center has held the title. Where are these newcomers living in Phoenix moving from? Co-ordinate to the Academy of Arizona'southward Economic and Concern Inquiry Centre, California, Texas, Washington, Illinois, and Colorado brand up the height v U.S. cities.

If you're planning on moving to Phoenix — or simply want to learn more about what makes this sunny locale so special — nosotros think there are 15 things you should know.

Earlier we swoop into the details, though, accept a virtual tour of Downtown Phoenix to get a sneak peek of what the urban center has to offer.

Phoenix At-a-Glance

• Phoenix is located in the south-central portion of the country, about 120 miles north of the Mexican border. It'due south located between El Paso, Texas, and Los Angeles, California.
• Information technology's the just country capital with a population of more than one million residents, with over 1.66 million people.
• Information technology'southward the about populous state capital in the nation, the 5th nigh populous city in the U.S., and the most populous urban center in the state of Arizona.
• The median age is 33.5 (lower than the national average), and the median income is $57,957.

i. The city has a hot nickname.

And we're being literal here. Phoenix is known as the "Valley of the Sun" because it sees more than sunny days (around 330) than any other metropolitan metropolis in the nation.

Information technology rarely rains — accumulating an boilerplate of just eight inches per year — and, when it does pelting, it happens but during a few large summertime storms, called "monsoons." Phoenix is as well sometimes referred to as the "Salt River Valley," or, to locals, typically just "the Valley."

2. Proverb the weather in Phoenix is "warm" is an understatement.

If yous can't stand up the heat, get out of the desert. Phoenix conditions is what draws many people to the expanse, but it can also exist tough to get used to, peculiarly during the summertime months.

While the leap and wintertime seasons are lovely, with boilerplate highs in the 70s, it's not unusual for summer days to exist more than 100° F. In fact, between May and September, there'due south an average of more than 100° F days, with temps in the 100–105° F range. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 122° F on June 26, 1990. Stock upwardly on sunscreen and ditch the leather car seats. These summers are no joke.

Similarly, if yous're looking for a white Christmas, this might non exist the identify for you. Snow is rare in Phoenix. Information technology didn't see snow until 1898, and accumulations of 0.1 inches or greater accept only occurred a full of viii times.

three. Haboobs are real — and Phoenix residents take to endure them.

No, we're not being featherbrained or inappropriate. During the driest months of the year — usually betwixt June and September — there can be dust storms called "haboobs."

Getting their name from the Arabic word for "diddled," haboobs are behemothic walls of dust created from the high winds of a collapsing thunderstorm. They characteristic gusts of sand and dust and concluding around 3 hours. They tin be large and dangerous, and so exist prepared if one's in the forecast.

4. At that place's a "Greater" Phoenix.

Geographically speaking, there's the city of Phoenix and Downtown Phoenix, then at that place are surrounding valleys. This is what makes up Greater Phoenix — the entire expanse measuring most the size of Delaware and comprising more than 20 cities and towns, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Glendale.

5. The cost of living in Phoenix is lower than the national average.

Compared to littoral metropolitan cities like San Francisco, San Diego, and New York City, Phoenix is much more affordable. In fact, it's five percent lower than the national average, and, thanks to the thriving tourism manufacture, locals relieve approximately $1,000 per year on taxes.

For those who alive on a fixed income, like retirees, Phoenix is an ideal location because non only does it have a depression cost of living, only property taxes are also lower than other large retirement destinations similar Boca Raton or Orlando.

6. The Phoenix existent estate market is relatively affordable, with a variety of housing options.

Phoenix's population growth has increased the need for housing on both the purchase and rental sides. The median domicile value has crossed the $300,000 mark, just it's still cheaper than a starter home in coastal California.

To add to the convenience, there's a multifariousness of home styles in the area. While well-nigh are single-family residences, there are also condos and townhomes. The large retiree market means in that location is strong need for one- and 2-sleeping room houses and condos, and those units are a fraction of the cost of a 3-bedchamber habitation.

If included amenities are your thing, check out the principal-planned communities, which appear in much of the Southwest. These large-scale neighborhoods come up with recreational and commercial features like golf game courses, parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, and even restaurants and shopping centers.

7. Renters can discover something in their price range, besides.

According to information from RENTCafe, these are the nigh affordable neighborhoods for rentals, with average rents right effectually $ane,000 a month.

• Estrella Village
• Maryvale
• Alhambra

For other areas that fall beneath the city average, try North Mountain Village, Camelback Due east, and Deer Valley Hamlet.

On the higher end of the scale are the Sonoran Foothills, Desert View, and Downtown Phoenix neighborhoods. There, average rent ranges from $1,400 to $1,800 per calendar month.

8. The best places to live include Downtown Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Arcadia.

• Downtown Scottsdale: Filled with luxury apartments, mixed-use buildings, corporate offices, and a thriving arts scene, this is a pop place for young professionals.
• Paradise Valley: Nicknamed the "Beverly Hills of Phoenix," this one time-rural area now has meg-dollar homes, golf courses, resorts, and spas. Sounds like paradise to u.s.!
• Arcadia: For those who similar to balance work and play, Arcadia has non only picturesque, family unit-friendly neighborhoods but as well vibrant dining and shopping options.

Other meridian places to live include:

• Chandler
• Glendale
• N Tempe
• Ahwatukee Foothills
• Gilbert

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9. When information technology comes to selecting a school, you'll need to practice your research.

As you tin can imagine, in a city equally large as Phoenix, there are several options for where your kids tin can go to school. Maricopa County has almost 1,000 schools in its districts, and then consult a realtor or do some independent research to find the best option for your situation.

According to Niche, these are the height five districts in Maricopa Canton:

1. Chandler Unified School Commune No. 80
2. Scottsdale Unified School District
3. Gilbert Public Schools
4. Peoria Unified School Commune
5. Tempe Union Loftier School District

If yous're interested in a private instruction, high-rated schools include Phoenix Country Twenty-four hours Schoolhouse, Brophy Higher Preparatory Loftier School, Rancho Solano Preparatory School, and Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy.

And for higher education, Phoenix is domicile to Arizona State University, The University of Arizona Higher of Medicine, and Grand Canyon Academy.

10. Say farewell to springing forward.

Can't stand setting your clocks ahead i hour for Daylight Saving Time? So do Arizonians. In fact, they disliked information technology so much that they did away with Daylight Saving Time entirely in 1968.

Arizona is in Mountain Standard Fourth dimension, and they stay in that zone all yr long. So during Daylight Saving Time (March through November), Arizona has the aforementioned time as the Pacific Time Zone. Trust us, it's less confusing than it sounds.

xi. Forget what you recollect yous know about deserts.

Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert, a piece of land that covers approximately 100,000 square miles and includes most of the southern half of Arizona, Southeastern California, most of the Baja California peninsula, the Gulf of California, and a meaning portion of Sonora, United mexican states.

While y'all may think of a desert as a dry, beige, flat area of state with cacti and tumbleweeds, the Sonoran Desert offers a scrap more — at least in the springtime. It gets more than rainfall than other deserts, creating a beautiful green mural and abundant patches of wildflowers. Of class, if you want to see a cactus, you're in the right place. The Sonoran has plenty of those, likewise. It is notwithstanding a desert, after all.

12. Yous'll need a car to become around, but driving is a breeze.

While walking in Phoenix is a overnice action, it can't exist your sole method of transportation. But thanks to a well-planned grid road system and High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes that convalesce congestion, driving isn't a total headache. If you lot're looking for a more environmentally friendly pick, try the affordable calorie-free rail transportation system or metro passenger vehicle service.

If y'all want some exercise as y'all travel and you live in or nigh Downtown Phoenix, the Bicycle Boulevard is a 4.half-dozen-mile stretch of wheel lane that cyclists use to safely commute throughout the area.

For longer commutes (say, to another state), 2 commercial airports are in the Phoenix area: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

13. There's something "fore" all outdoor lovers.

Phoenix is a golfer'due south dream. With more than 200 courses and home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the largest annual PGA event, there's no shortage of ways to striking the links or watch the pros in activity.

And for those who similar to exist closer to nature, Phoenix has more than than 180 city parks and more 33,000 acres of desert preserves. There are several hiking trails in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, or you can kayak on Tempe Town Lake. To see wild animals in its natural habitat, check out the Desert Botanical Garden.

xiv. Sports fans have their bases covered.

No matter your favorite sport, Phoenix has you covered. It's home to the following franchises:

• Arizona Coyotes (NHL)
• Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
• Phoenix Suns (NBA)
• Arizona Cardinals (NFL)

Fun Fact: Only 13 other U.S. cities have the aforementioned professional sport representation.

Downtown's PHX Arena (formerly the Talking Stick Resort Arena) is home to the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the Indoor Football League's Arizona Rattlers, and the United Soccer League's Phoenix Rising FC.

15. At that place's never a tedious moment in Phoenix.

All work and no play has no place in Phoenix. Sure, in that location are vast employment opportunities, thank you to a growing tech scene and tourism industry, but there's something to be said virtually balancing your professional person pursuits with some much-deserved down time. And here are some great places to practise it:

For family-friendly fun

• LEGOLAND Discovery Center
• Children's Museum of Phoenix
• Arizona Science Center
• Crayola Feel

For the thrillseekers

• Big Surf Waterpark
• Half-dozen Flags Hurricane Harbor
• Golfland Sunsplash
• iFLY Indoor Skydiving
• Desert Wolf Tours

For art and theatre aficionados

• Arizona Fine Art Expo
• Ballet Arizona
• Heard Museum
• Phoenix Art Museum
• The Phoenix Symphony
• Arizona Theatre Company

For foodies

• Ajo Al'southward Mexican Cafe
• Cocina Madrigal
• Rusconi's American Kitchen
• Binkley's Restaurant
• Pomo Pizzeria Phoenix
• Bobby-Q
• Postino

We could keep and on about what makes this metropolis shine, merely nosotros remember it's fourth dimension to check it out for yourself. If you lot're planning a motility to the Greater Phoenix Area, we can aid. Whether you're relocating from a nearby metropolis or across the nation, nosotros've thought of it all, with moving and storage options that are customized for your situation.

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LB Gabriel is a freelance author and frequent PODS blog contributor. When she's not on a deadline, y'all can find her on a tennis courtroom or golf game course.

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Source: https://www.pods.com/blog/2021/04/living-in-phoenix-arizona/

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