Are you ready to ditch the cramped quarters of city living? Longing for wide-open spaces or a new environment to expand your mind and excite your senses? Find all these, and perhaps yourself, by moving to Arizona.
With hundreds of thousands of breathtaking acres to explore, Arizona also offers renowned restaurants, shopping, abundant wildlife, centuries-old archaeological sites and a variety of sports to welcome new residents.
To help those considering moving to Arizona, we have a list of 10 reasons that may persuade you to start packing.
The Grand Canyon State has a lot to offer its residents. Here are 10 advantages of moving to Arizona.
Dry and sunny days with cool nights are the norm, and the state’s major cities enjoy over 250 days with sun each year. When cold, dreary fall days plague your friends back home, you can lend a sympathetic ear while sunning yourself on your favorite deck chair.
During the depths of winter, you can take a road trip to the snowy slopes of Flagstaff and spend a day at one of its popular ski resorts.
Home of The Grand Canyon, this desert landscape will ignite a creative spark. Center yourself amid Arizona’s majestic mountain ranges, rock formations and brilliant sunsets. Take a drive into the desert and switch off social media or web surfing for a day. Stop. Look. Listen. Let inspiration find you. You may also meet a curious lizard or roadrunner along the way.
With beautiful weather and varied geography, Arizona is the perfect setting for outdoor sports. Active young people can enjoy championship golf courses in Tucson, hang gliding through the desert, fishing along the Colorado River or skiing and snowboarding in Flagstaff.
In addition to participating in sports, you can join in with Arizonian sports fans, cheering on their beloved teams. From watching the Phoenix Suns dunk to cheering as the Cardinals score a touchdown, there are many exciting events you can attend.
The state’s soil seems to be fertile ground for those looking to grow a new business. According to a Forbes article, Arizona tops their list of the five most entrepreneurial states. A “highly educated labor pool with low business and property taxes” helped Arizona secure this title. So go west, young entrepreneur!
Even though the Grand Canyon is, well, grand, Arizona is also home to many more unique sites. Additional picturesque parks include Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Petrified Forest National Park. Explore the state’s labyrinth of caves, check out haunted hotels or practice your quick draw in an original settlement of the Old West.
Navajo, Apache and Hopi cultures are just part of the Native American legacy that can still be found in Arizona. The descendants of America’s first people preserve a rich heritage that visitors and residents alike can discover and enjoy.
Not all cowgirls wear the blues (jeans, that is). Find famous designer brands or one-of-a-kind accessories from local craftspeople. Scottsdale is known for having some of the best shopping in the nation.
Get out and mix with the crowd at large-scale music festivals like Goldrush, Country Thunder and Innings Festival. Or visit local events like the Arizona Underground Film Festival in Tucson.
Whether you’re looking for Southwestern specialties or international cuisine, you’ll find a new favorite dish at one of Arizona’s award-winning restaurants. Regional specialties include cactus jelly, mesquite honey, prickly pear margaritas and chimichangas — two of the state’s restaurants even claim to have invented them!
Even if retirement is far off for you, you may want to consider one of the top retirement spots the U.S. has to offer. A recent study found Glendale to be the second-best big city for seniors and Avondale was ranked number six for small cities. Clean air and plenty of sunny days help retirees shine in their golden years.
While there are so many pros to becoming an Arizonian, it’s important to consider the disadvantages as well. This will help give you a well-rounded idea of the lifestyle.
While Arizona prides itself on having enjoyable weather, it also features an array of not-so-welcoming storms. From sand storms to monsoons, this unpredictable weather can be dangerous.
The monsoons in Arizona are due to the high humidity. While you may think the desert has a dry heat, the summers bring moisture in the air, creating a muggy environment. This unpleasant atmosphere is hard to survive without an air conditioning system in your home.
The desert is home to a variety of wildlife, including venomous critters. From rattlesnakes to scorpions to venomous lizards like the Gila Monster, there are a number of dangerous creatures you are likely to come across while living in Arizona.
Arizona is very spread out. While big cities like Phoenix or Tucson have a public transportation system, you’ll likely need a car to get around efficiently. This could be an added expense to factor into the cost of living in Arizona.
Since there are so many beautiful attractions in Arizona, you’ll have to battle the crowds of tourists. This isn’t an issue if you’re living in a more remote area, but cities that border these tourist destinations see many people wandering through.
Many people have visited this expansive and picturesque state, but only some are lucky enough to call it home. What's your favorite thing about Arizona? What reasons would you give your friends to move to Arizona? Let us know in the comments below!
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