Arizona's beautiful landscape makes it a popular year-round tourist destination.
The beauty of the outdoors, the warm weather and the breathtaking sunsets make it hard to resist.
More and more, people are drawn to the uniqueness of Arizona as a place to live to raise their families or retire. It's become a top moving destination for many Americans wanting to escape high state taxes, cold weather, and other state-specific issues.
Reasons to Live in Arizona
There are so many reasons to love Arizona, but is it a good place to live? We think so. Here are our top reasons to live in the beautiful state of Arizona.
1. Great Places to Live
One popular benefit of living in Arizona is the relatively low cost of living.
Families are moving to Arizona for affordable housing and a better quality of life. Here are some of our favorite cities.
Phoenix
Nicknamed the "Valley of the Sun," Phoenix is a bustling city with a great combination of a thriving job market, affordable living, and many ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Phoenix has it all. From professional sports to amazing eateries to great shopping districts, there's so much to do in Phoenix.
It's a popular spot for young professionals, families, and retirees too. It's home to Arizona State University, dozens of museums, and endless outdoor adventures.
And people are flocking to Phoenix, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the country.
Litchfield Park
This beautiful city is located 16 miles from downtown Phoenix and is known for the gorgeous palms and orange trees that line the major streets. Families are attracted to the beautiful homes, great schools, and low crime rate in Litchfield Park.
With a quaint small-town feel, residents can walk or ride their bikes to more than 20 special events and festivals the town hosts each year. Some amenities include walking paths, six parks, baseball and soccer fields, and first-class golf courses.
Casa Grande
Casa Grande is the largest city in Pinal County. It's a beautiful modern city with a rich cultural heritage. Casa Grande is a designated Enterprise Zone with jobs in many industries and a diverse, vibrant population.
Affordable homes, great weather, beautiful parks, and unique shopping opportunities help make Casa Grande a great place to live or raise a family.
Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the top 20 fastest growing cities in the country. The job market here is thriving with companies like REI, Amazon, and many others drawn to the city's forward thinking and motivated workforce.
Located 17 miles west of Phoenix, Goodyear is close to the action of the city yet has a warm community feel. Lovely homes, high-performing schools, a low crime rate, and easy access to great shopping and entertainment make Goodyear a wonderful place to call home.
Queen Creek
This suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County is the perfect place to live and play in Arizona. Friendly residents, a rural feel, and great schools make Queen Creek a popular moving destination for families.
Some amenities include beautiful parks, horseback riding trails, museums, and farm tours. A mix of luxury and affordable homes plus the gorgeous outdoor scenery help make Queen Creek a great place to live, work, and play.
2. Strong Job Market
People move from all over the country to Arizona for job opportunities. The job growth rate in Arizona is double the national average.
The state government is the largest employer in the state. And the largest private employer is Banner Health, which is based in Phoenix.
Job opportunities in Arizona's many industries are plentiful. Top employment sectors include financial services, transportation, travel and tourism, utilities, technology, education, healthcare, and hospitality.
If you're looking for a job, Arizona has something for you.
3. Sunny Climate
If you like it hot, you'll love Arizona. They have an average of 320 sunny days each year. Phoenix, the state capital, has more sunny days than any other large city in the country.
If you're sick of the snow and long cold winters, Arizona may be for you. Many people find the hot, dry climate beneficial for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), seasonal allergies, arthritis, asthma, and other health conditions.
You'll want to protect yourself from the sun's rays in Arizona. Temperatures can escalate at times to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you need to use sunscreen, stay hydrated, and stay indoors when it gets too hot to venture out.
4. The Grand Canyon
People come from around the world to see this natural wonder. If you want to hike, explore, or camp in one of the most majestic spots on earth, you'll love the Grand Canyon.
Over 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year to take in the breathtaking scenery. The canyon is 227 miles long, 18 miles wide, and a mile deep.
Be sure to check out Grand Canyon National Park to enjoy hiking, fishing, cycling, boating, horseback riding, and many other outdoor activities. If you haven't seen it before, it's worth the time to step into nature, explore, and take in all the amazing sights.
5. Cultural Attractions
Arizona is home to a variety of football, baseball, hockey and basketball teams, including the Cardinals, Suns, Coyotes and Diamondbacks. Children's sports programs are thriving in the state, and soccer programs are growing in popularity.
There are several noteworthy museums for visiting, including the Heard Center, the Phoenix Art Museum and the Artistic Photography Center. You can find many open-air venues in the state due to the consistent warm weather.
Whether you're in the mood for a rock concert, opera, ballet, symphony or a little gambling, there's always something to do.
There are also fantastic resorts, family restaurants, fine dining and bars to enjoy. There's something for everyone in Arizona.
6. Amazing Sunsets
You can't find anything more beautiful than an Arizona sunset. Almost every night the sky is ablaze with gorgeous shades of red, yellow, and orange across the horizon.
Whether you're taking a walk, driving home from work, or gazing into the sunset, you can't help noticing these amazing sunsets and drinking in the beauty of Arizona's sparse yet unique desert landscape.
If you haven't watched the sunset while hiking the Grand Canyon, it's an experience you don't want to miss.
7. Beautiful Sedona
Along with the Grand Canyon, add Sedona to your to-do list. It's about 100 miles south of the canyon.
Sedona is famous for its beauty, mild climate, and diverse artistic community. You can explore the red-rock buttes, canyons, and various hiking trails.
Take a hot air balloon ride if you're feeling adventurous and enjoy the amazing views of the desert, steep canyon walls, and red-rock formations.
8. Forget Daylight Savings Time
When you live in Arizona, you don't have to worry about setting the clock back or forward for daylight savings time.
In Arizona, the residents never think about it because it doesn't exist. So, no more arriving an hour early or late for work because you forgot to set the clock.
Arizona has so much to offer. And this is just one more small reason to love Arizona.
9. Retirees' Paradise
Retirees are flocking to Arizona for its great weather, affordable housing, and low taxes. There's no tax on social security and public pensions qualify for a tax deduction.
Arizona has plenty of affordable housing and retirement communities for seniors, and property taxes are lower than the national average. There's no sales tax on groceries, which is another big plus.
There's plenty to keep active seniors busy, like local sporting events, the great outdoors and top-rated golf courses.
These are just a few of the benefits of living in Arizona. It's is a great place to visit and an even better place to call home.
Brightland Homes has a wide variety of beautiful neighborhoods to choose from in Arizona. We believe happiness starts at home, and we’re here to help you find the perfect house (and community!) for you and your family.
