It’s no coincidence that the population of the state of Arizona grew by roughly 7% between 2010 and 2015. In fact, it should come as no surprise that the 14th most populous state in the country is one of the 10 fastest-growing states in the U.S.
Arizona is a world-famous tourist destination – primarily thanks to the Grand Canyon National Park. However, because of the too-many-to-count benefits of moving to Arizona, the state is also a popular moving destination for Americans.
Why should you move to Arizona, you ask?
Here are the top 10 reasons to move to Arizona.
1. Sunny climate
Is moving to Arizona a good idea?
If you enjoy hot weather, then yes, Arizona is the perfect place for you. The state boasts an average of over 320 days of sunshine a year, and Phoenix – the state capital and its most populous city – receives more sunny days each year than any other metropolitan area in the country.
So, if you’re sick and tired of the long cold months in your current area, then you should seriously consider packing up your stuff and moving to the Grand Canyon State. As a bonus, you won’t need to pack your winter clothes either.
And if you happen to be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), then moving to Arizona may prove to be the cure you’ve been looking for as you’ll often feel like there’s only one season throughout the state – summer.
Be careful though as temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer – make sure you stay hydrated and whenever possible, stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day.
2. Phoenix, Arizona
With 1,660,272 people, Phoenix is the 5th most populous city in the United States, and interestingly enough – the largest state capital by population.
As you can imagine, there are many excellent reasons to move to Phoenix:
- 300 sunny days a year,
- beautiful desert landscapes,
- great job opportunities,
- great outdoor activities just outside your door,
- rich cultural life,
- food flavors from all around the world,
- a haven for sports fans with teams representing all four major professional sports leagues;
- over 200 golf courses located in the Phoenix area;
- light traffic thanks to an easy-to-navigate grid road system,
- easy access to bucket-list destinations within the state (the Grand Canyon is just 3.5 hours away), as well as thrilling day trips to California, Nevada or Mexico.
Moving to Phoenix, Arizona can easily prove to be one of the best decisions you’ve made in a long, long time.
3. Job Growth
Why are people moving to Arizona? It’s the thriving job market that draws Americans from all over the country.
The state of Arizona ranks third in the country for job growth (behind Oregon and Utah) – in fact, the job growth rate is double the national average. The largest employer in Arizona is the state government while the largest private employer is Banner Health – a non-profit health system based in Phoenix.
Phoenix is one of the biggest emerging industrial markets in the U.S., creating many tourism-related jobs thanks to the warm weather and the unique desert landscapes.
The top employment sectors in the state are trade, transportation, and utilities, government, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. Also, technology and financial services have been on the rise in recent years.
U.S.News: Best States for Jobs
4. Reasonable cost of living
One of the best things about living in Arizona is the relatively low cost of living compared to the rest of the country.
For example, the cost of living for a 4-person family in Phoenix is $2,700 per month, excluding the housing costs. For one person, the cost of living is roughly $800 per month. The majority of families that move to Arizona choose to rent for the first year.
The good news is that the average rent in the state is around $1,000 a month for a 2-bedroom apartment. For instance, in Tucson – the second-most populated city in Arizona – the median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $936 – that means $239 below the median national rent for two bedrooms ($1,175). In Phoenix, the median home value is $230,493.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average monthly electricity bill in Arizona is $128.40.
5. The Grand Canyon
Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon – the state’s and arguably, the country’s biggest attraction. Considered as one of the Wonders of the World, the breathtaking natural spectacle is visited by around 5 million people each year.
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and about a mile deep. It’s divided into the North Rim and the South Rim, and it’s the latter that is open all year and gets 90 percent of the visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park. The South Rim even has an airport and rail service for better access to one of the world’s premium natural attractions.
Once you move to Arizona, you shouldn’t wait too long to visit the steep-sided canyon that’s been carved by the Colorado River.
6. Outdoor activities
Why move to Arizona? If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, then moving to Arizona is highly recommended because the Grand Canyon State offers a plethora of pleasant outdoor activities.
The 320 days of sunshine a year and the desert terrain are perfect for hiking, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, boating and water sports, and even horseback riding. Become part of Arizona’s majestic mountain ranges and magnificent rock formations. Enjoy one-of-a-kind sunsets. Take a long drive into the desert to rediscover yourself.
Get off the social media grid to get inspired by Arizona’s natural beauty. If you love to feel the earth beneath your feet and sense pristine nature all around you, then move to Arizona to savor the state’s rich outdoor life like never before.
Visit Arizona: Outdoor Adventure
7. Driving is easy in Arizona
What is it like to live in Arizona after you move to the Grand Canyon State? Oftentimes, it’s the little things that will determine just how happy you feel in your destination state once the move is a fact.
If you’re moving to Arizona from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose or Miami, one of the first things you’ll notice is the difference in traffic. For example, Phoenix has a planned grid and it’s a breeze to figure out how to get where you want to go even without using a map or a GPS.
Convenient highways throughout the state provide quick access to your intended destination while traffic congestions are rare. Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco take the top 3 places for most congested cities in the country when it comes to traffic. For comparison, Tucson comes at number 37 in the list, while Phoenix is number 43.
All in all, Arizona is a driving state and it’ll be much easier and much more convenient if you have a car after the relocation. Just don’t forget to fill up on gas before driving away because it can be many miles and many hours before you find a place to refuel.
Traffic Index: Congestion Level
8. A paradise for sports fans
Is Arizona a good state to live in? If you love sports, then it definitely is.
If you’re into golf, then the Phoenix area alone offers access to more than 200 golf courses. Also, you can easily attend the Phoenix Open – one of the biggest golf tournaments on the PGA Tour.
But golf is just one of the many sports that are hugely popular in Arizona. Only 12 cities in the country have sports teams in all 4 major professional sports leagues, and luckily, Phoenix is one of them.
- National Basketball Association (NBA): Phoenix Suns;
- National Football League (NFL): Arizona Cardinals;
- National Hockey League: Arizona Coyotes;
- Major League Baseball (MLB): Arizona Diamondbacks.
9. Arizona wine is first-class
Still looking for good reasons to move to Arizona? If you’re a wine lover, then you’ll be happy to learn that the state does produce one of the finest wines in the country.
Arizona has had a long a diverse history of winemaking although its origin still remains in mystery. Now there are 3 major regions of vineyards and wineries in the state:
- Verde Valley – north of Phoenix,
- Sonoita – south of Tucson, and
- Willcox – east of Tucson.
The good news for you as a true wine connoisseur is that there are more than 110 wineries, vineyards, and cellars throughout Arizona, including in the two biggest cities in the state – Arizona and Tucson.
Arizona Wine Growers Association: Visitor’s Guide
10. Haven for retirees
If you’re near retirement age, then you’ll be glad to learn that the state of Arizona is a great place to retire for a number of valid reasons.
The year-round warm weather and the clean air in Arizona is a blessing for seniors. It’s well-known that the dry and hot climate is recommended for people who suffer from respiratory illnesses and diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and so on. Moving to Arizona for health reasons occurs more often than you think.
The great choice of outdoor activities is also a magnet for many senior citizens who are still active. Combine that with the iconic beauty of the desert landscapes and relatively safe cities and towns in the state, and it’s easy to see why many retirees choose Arizona as their retirement destination.
According to NewHomeSource, here are the top cities to retire in Arizona:
By now you should be utterly convinced that moving to Arizona is the right decision for you. So, the only question left for you to answer is, How much does it cost to move to Arizona? Get free quotes from top-rated interstate movers to find out the true cost of moving to Arizona.
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