11 Things You Should Consider When Moving To Phoenix

For sun lovers, living in Phoenix is a dream come true. It’s a town that offers residents a thriving restaurant scene, excellent outdoor entertainment options, and front-row seats to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

People come from all over the globe to experience this amazing place. Some people come just to visit, while others stay and become residents of this great city. If you’re in the latter group, welcome to your new home. Now that you’re here, it’s probably time that you know about the 11 most important aspects of living in Arizona’s Urban Heart.

1. Yes. It’s Can Get Really Hot…

I think it’s best to get that out of the way as quickly as possible. Summer temps can reach over 100 degrees. However, the weather in Arizona’s Urban Heart is why so many snowbirds love this place in the winter. It’s usually around 70 degrees here in the cooler months.

So, while some may not like the temps, the glass-is-half-full folks don’t mind it at all. They’re too busy posting photos of themselves in the pool in December on their Instagram accounts.

2. We Beat the Heat By Going to Sedona or Flagstaff

If a time comes where you really do need to get out of the heat, you have options. Flagstaff is just a couple of hours away and makes for a great day-trip, where the weather can usually about 20 or so degrees cooler than it is here. Sedona is also a similar surrounding city.

3. Getting Lost Is a Thing of the Past

City planning is a beautiful thing when you’re lost, and if you happen to get lost in Phoenix, you’ll be glad to know you’ll find your way very quickly. Why? Because Phoenix city planners were wise enough to build the whole city on an East-to-West, North-to-South grid system.

While winding streets may make European cities charming, they’re not such a neat thing when you don’t know where you’re going. They also make maps difficult to read. I’ve had more than one client tell me how relieved they were to discover that they find their way around town very quickly, even if they moved here from someplace else.

4. The Grand Canyon Is a Stone’s Throw Away

Visiting the Canyon is much more fun if you have a local jumping off point, and few places offer as good an option for doing so than this city does. Given what a gem the Grand Canyon is, I would argue that plenty of people move here just so they can hike it on a regular basis.

5. It’s a Very Casual Place

In other towns, the only time you wear jeans to work is on Casual Friday. Living in Phoenix means every day is casual Friday. Most people wear jeans here. Often they even wear what they call “dress jeans” for more upscale events.

6. Never Worry About Daylight Savings Time Again!

No more “Spring forward… Fall back..” when you live in Phoenix. Daylight Savings Time isn’t recognized here. Thank goodness for that. It gets kind of tiring driving around with the wrong time on your car’s clock for half the year.

7. Tech Opportunities Abound

Arizona’s heart has developed quite a reputation for being a tech city. In fact, it’s becoming an important hub for the tech industry outside of Silicon Valley. If you’re looking to advance your career in the tech field, living in Phoenix could provide your career with the boost it needs.

8. The Wild Is Really Wild Here

In Australia, people find kangaroos fighting in the streets of their neighborhood. Here we find coyotes, rattlers and other critters in the backyard. Plan accordingly.

9. Visiting a Mexican Restaurant Here Is an Out-of-Body Experience

Yep. The Mexican food here is that good. Once you find your favorite place for chilaquiles and eggs for breakfast, you may abandon your oatmeal all together. You’ll be forgiven if you do.

10. Gigantic Dust Storms Are a Thing

Called haboobs, these walls of dust will kick it up a notch every so often during the summer. They’re awe-inspiring and also annoying if you experience one while driving.

11. The Cost of Living Is Terrific

Despite being a haven for the winter snowbirds, it’s still possible to get an excellent deal on a home when you move to Phoenix. Living in Phoenix also means that you’ll pay at least 5% less for food and other necessities than you would in other places.

Your income stretches farther here, and it’s a good thing, too. There’s a big canyon to explore, a desert botanical garden to visit, hot air balloon rides to take, and amazing restaurants to try. Having more take-home income means you don’t have to skimp when it comes to doing all these cool activities.

Homes for Sale in Phoenix, Arizona

So, if you just moved to the area, you’re probably already set, but if you’re looking into moving to the valley, take a look at some of the most recent homes for sale in Phoenix.