Relocating to Arizona?

Arizona remains an attractive destination for those looking to relocate whether for work, quality of life or retirement. Known for being the home of one of the Seven Wonders, the spectacular Grand Canyon, the variety of terrain formed by the Colorado River, Rocky Mountains and the Sonoran Desert brings day-trip exploration to new heights.

Arizona is not just hot, dry and barren! Regional weather differences are found due to elevation changes creating five climate zones: the cool Plateau Highlands, High-Altitude Desert, Mid-Altitude Desert and Low-Altitude Desert.

Thinking of making the move to Arizona?

If you are considering Arizona as your home base there are many great reasons to move!

Advantages of living in Arizona include:

Affordable housing options
Cost of living is lower than many major metropolitan areas in the west
Employment opportunities, especially tech, education
Excellent weather, with over 250 days of sunshine
Moneywise.com ranks Arizona 9th in their Top 20 Best States to Retire

Things to Do in Arizona

Great golf courses, from the home of the Phoenix Open
Outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with easy access to:
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Boating
- Skiing (water and snow)
- Endless mountain ranges to explore/hike/bike
Arts and Culture—From our western heritage influences, American Indian, Mexican-American heritage and museums; Opera, Ballet and Theatre; thriving art communities throughout the state bring vibrancy and creativity to life
Foodie treasure trove—from James Beard Award-winning chefs, wild/foraging edibles, local craft breweries to even Arizona wine! Culinary festivals and events throughout the state bring many of these gems to the forefront.
Professional sports are BIG. Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) and Arizona Rattlers (AFL).
Cactus League from mid-February to opening of regular season means Major League Baseball fans get an early glimpse of their favorite teams practice and exhibition games from our home team the Arizona Diamondbacks, California’s: A’s, Angels, Dodgers, Padres, and Giants; Chicago’s Cubs and White Sox; Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners.

Moving from California to Arizona?

Timing is relevant. Off-season for Arizona is the warmer part of the season…summer!

Late summer means afternoon monsoons which can result in powerful thunderstorms and the now famous, occasional Haboob. Plan your move for early mornings or late evenings and stay hydrated!

Public transportation is widely available but Arizonans love their cars. Having a car is a bonus here. The city was master-planned on a grid so easy to learn your way around which is a great benefit. Arizona’s larger cities are spread out and not considered to be very walkable. Smaller communities within, however, can offer great walkability. Fountain Hills is a great example of this!

exitcalifornia.org

Things to know before moving to Arizona

“It‘s a dry heat”

Truer words were never spoken! Although our summers are very warm, okay…June through August is just plain HOT, the dry air to many is preferable to high-humidity. Those with some health conditions like arthritis will find renewed ease of living due to the low humidity and steady barometric pressure.

Speaking of health…top rated medical facilities call Arizona home including:

Tucson Medical Center
Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center which includes Barrow Neurological Institute, Norton Thoracic Institute, Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
Mayo Clinic
Honor Health Scottsdale
Banner Del E Webb Medical Center
Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital

Keep your camera handy!

Sunrise to Sunset, bluest blues and spectacular clouds (on a more rare occasion) nothing beats an Arizona sky!
Stargazers abound! With the drier air means clearer view of the stars and other celestial bodies…and even the summer sky views of the Milky Way! Fountain Hills holds a special designation for this type of viewing!**
The desert bloom is spectacular! After the rains in late December and January the deserts break into profuse wildflower and cacti blooms from as early as February and through April. Enjoy taking a hike (weather is great just about then) or a drive and you’ll find beauty all around. www.desertmuseum.org
Red Rock country. Head north to Sedona and all the way to the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert, you’re sure to find unique and spectacular sights.

You’ll still need your cozy sweaters!

Although our winders are not long, the evenings can still get fairly chilly in the months on November through March. The low humidity means we heat up quick but we also cool down quick as well. It does snow in Arizona, it’s more of a rare thing in the valley (low-desert), so if you miss the white-stuff…you can always take a quick drive up north to Prescott, Payson, Flagstaff, or Northeast to Showlow.