Arizona is the sixth-largest state in the United States. Home to expansive cities and wide-open spaces boasting spectacular scenery, this Southwestern state is a powerhouse of beauty, with a climate to suit sun-worshippers and a diverse mix of cultures and peoples. If you want to join its more than 7.2 million inhabitants, check out these
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Arizona is the sixth-largest state in the United States. Home to expansive cities and wide-open spaces boasting spectacular scenery, this Southwestern state is a powerhouse of beauty, with a climate to suit sun-worshippers and a diverse mix of cultures and peoples. If you want to join its more than 7.2 million inhabitants, check out these things to know before moving to Arizona.
Arizona has fantastic major cities You can live here reasonably affordably Arizona is great for outdoor loversThere’s plenty of entertainment for culture seekersBaseball fans have a home in ArizonaArizona is a well-connected state It has a warm desert climate There are plenty of job opportunities The population is diverse
1. Arizona has fantastic major cities
No matter which lifestyle you’re looking for, you’ll find it in one of Arizona’s fabulous cities. The most densely populated area of Arizona is Phoenix, the state capital. With more than 1.6 million people, Phoenix is the fifth-most populous city in the U.S. The sprawling metropolis is growing faster than any other major U.S. city over the last decade. It’s home to the well-respected University of Phoenix, exciting bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and some superb neighborhoods to call home. Some other great places to live in Arizona include:
Tucson: Ideal for young professionals and families, with a low cost of living and a rugged beautyMesa: Affordable cost of living and excellent outdoor recreational options to attract young families and retireesChandler: A good combination of nightlife and family-friendly activitiesScottsdale: A little more expensive than other places in the state, with an exciting nightclub scene and excellent access to golf resortsTempe: A college town with a creative, bohemian vibe
2. You can live here reasonably affordably
Arizona’s overall cost of living is slightly more than the national average. While transportation and utilities can be expensive, groceries and health care are cheaper.
Where you live dramatically affects your cost of living. Scottsdale has the most expensive rent in Arizona and the 14th most expensive rent in the country. Gilbert and Chandler are among the top 30 most expensive places to rent. You’ll pay much less to rent in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, and Tucson, which all sit outside the top 30. To put it in perspective, the median price for a one-bedroom apartment in Scottsdale is $1,900, while a two-bedroom apartment costs around $2,460. In contrast, the average one-bedroom apartment in Tucson costs $960, while a two-bedroom apartment sets you back around $1,300.
3. Arizona is great for outdoor lovers
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Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon State for a reason. Beyond the gorgeous outdoor scenery, it’s a great place to live if you’re looking for outdoor adventure. It’s a popular place for those who love rock climbing and mountaineering, but locals also enjoy boating, fishing, horseback riding, off-roading, skiing, and snowboarding. Some of the best outdoor attractions in Arizona are:
The Grand Canyon: Hike, ride a mule, camp out, go rafting down the Colorado River, or stand and admire the dazzling views.Beautiful national parks: Explore the Petrified Forest National Park, see the giant cacti in the Saguaro National Park, and discover Monument Valley Tribal Park, a vast valley that stretches for 92,000 acres along the state border of Arizona and Utah.Antelope Canyon: Take a tour around this canyon to get a sense of the unstoppable erosive power of streams and rivers.Almost 200 mountain ranges: From the San Francisco Peaks to the White Mountains, the ranges in this state contain some of the highest mountaintops in the country.
4. There’s plenty of entertainment for culture seekers
The state isn’t just about the outdoors. When you move to Arizona, you’ll discover cities’ strong arts and culture scenes. Most major areas have galleries and museums with extensive collections. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Phoenix Art Museum are some of the state’s best. Communities also come together for local events, including Tucson’s La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros and Phoenix’s Festival of the Arts.
5. Baseball fans have a home in Arizona
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All baseball fans know the Diamondbacks call Arizona home. However, you might not know that the Rockies and Rangers also play spring training games within the state. The Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies are part of the Cactus League, which trains in Arizona. No matter who you support, you might have a chance to see them around your new home state. If baseball is your sport, becoming a D-backs supporter has its advantages. It’s much more fun being one of the gang at Chase Field or your new local sports bar.
6. Arizona is a well-connected state
Arizona’s excellent transportation system makes getting around easy, whether it’s within different cities, the state, or to the rest of the country. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers hundreds of daily flights to American cities and destinations around the globe. In addition to this massive transportation hub, Arizona has Deer Valley Airport, Goodyear Airport, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
Most people traveling between Arizona’s cities take their vehicles on the major national and state highways running through the state. Greyhound buses make stops in most major Arizona cities, including Phoenix, Glendale, and Tucson. Amtrak’s Chicago to Los Angeles route runs through northern Arizona, while the New Orleans to Los Angeles route passes through the state’s southcentral region.
Large Arizona cities have robust and affordable bus networks, such as the Mountain Line in Flagstaff and Valley Metro in Phoenix. Buses are a convenient way to get around downtown areas, but most people have cars for traveling outside the city center.
7. It has a warm desert climate
Excluding the high, mountainous areas in the north of Arizona, the climate in this state is typically warm and sunny. When you move here, you can expect at least 300 days of sunshine every year, and even during the winter months, temperatures rarely drop below 45 degrees at night. Much of the state is arid. Although the rainy season runs from June to September, you’ll still need an umbrella. Dust storms are frequent, and those who suffer from allergies will need their medication.
Before you move to Arizona, consider whether you can cope with the heat. In summer, temperatures easily soar to well over 100 degrees, and it’s relatively frequent for residents to suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Hydration is essential for your health, so keep a water bottle handy. Living in the state’s hottest areas will be challenging if you’re not used to high temperatures. Finding a home in the northern region of the state may be your best option.
8. There are plenty of job opportunities
Arizona has a strong economy with plenty of job opportunities in various industries. Its unemployment rate is currently around 3.3 percent, significantly lower than the neighboring states of Nevada (4.4 percent) and California (3.9 percent).
Phoenix is well suited to people who want to work in real estate or financial services, while Scottsdale is better for jobs in tourism. Head to Tucson if you’re going to work in the aerospace and defense sector. It’s one of the country’s top five best areas for this industry.
In addition to real estate, tourism, and aerospace, Arizona’s booming copper industry produces as much as 65 percent of America’s total copper. More opportunities are likely to arrive soon, with tech giants like Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the maker of Apple’s A-series processors, building new factories in Arizona that should be fully operational by 2024.
9. The population is diverse
Thanks to its shared border with Mexico, Arizona has a large population of Hispanic people. More than 20 percent of Arizona residents speak Spanish at home. The state houses a notable settlement of Puerto Rican residents.
Arizona’s multicultural population has led to a distinctive mix of Mexican, American, and Native American cultures. You can easily find delicious Mexican food at eateries around the state. The many Native American sites offer a simple way to learn more about the state’s cultural history. For a rich experience, you can’t beat moving to Arizona.
If you’re planning to relocate, there are a few things to consider before moving to Arizona. You’ll need to find a place to live, a place to work, and activities to keep you busy in your spare time. Luckily, Arizona has plenty of appealing opportunities for all the residents that call this state home.
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