What You Need to Know Before Moving to Phoenix

Spring has sprung and now is one of the best times for making changes. You are packing your boxes, searching for houses, and getting ready to make that big move to a gem of a city located smack dab in the middle of the Sonoran Desert: Phoenix, Arizona. Whether you are moving from out of state, out of the country, or simply relocating from another part of AZ, you will likely have some questions about what life will be like living in Phoenix.

So from housing costs to local attractions to natural landscapes, let’s take a look at what things you will need to know before moving to Phoenix.

Hot Hot Heat

First things first, let’s just confirm, in case you were wondering, whether the rumors are true. The answer? Yes. Phoenix is hot. The Sonoran Desert that houses Phoenix is the hottest desert in the US. So we do have to acknowledge that Phoenix gets ice cream meltingly, fried egg on the sidewalk, sweat when you look at a jacket, kind of hot.

Don’t let that scare you off, however. Most homes in Phoenix come well-equipped with air conditioning and many even offer refreshing swimming pools, providing a true oasis from the desert heat. (Although even your swimming pool may well become as warm as a bathtub in the triple digit heat of the Sonoran desert summer!) The city is well adapted to the heat, which never comes as a surprise to Phoenix residents, who are used to living in shorts, tank tops, and flip flops, especially during the summer months. Many Phoenix restaurants, for example, provide cooling water mist sprayers to refresh people as they dine.

Consider searching for a home with a smart thermostat system, which will keep your home cool, but not waste energy by cooling down rooms with no people in them. This can help you cut down on the heftier energy bills that come from blasting the A/C all summer long.

Getting Around

Phoenix is a city that is extremely easy to navigate. The entire city is laid out on a grid, so for anyone relocating from a sprawling metropolis like Los Angeles or New York, learning your way around Phoenix will be an absolute breeze.

Public transportation in Phoenix is often a sore spot for Phoenix residents, who complain that the metro rail and metro bus systems, while efficient, don’t extend far enough into the outer reaches of the city.

Most people who live in Phoenix move around by car, which offers the added advantage of frosty air conditioning. Just don’t buy a car with leather or plastic seats, as you may actually melt and stick to your seat (see our thoughts on the desert temps above). Phoenix used to be riddled with speed traffic cameras, but most of those have since been removed.

You can also try car sharing or carpooling if you prefer to cut down on costs, make some new commute buddies, and reduce your carbon footprint while you drive.

Working in Phoenix

With more and more people transitioning to digital and remote work formats, reliable video conference calls and a strong home internet connection become increasingly important factors for people preparing to relocate. Phoenix provides a beautiful setting for video calls; in fact, the gorgeous desert views out your home window will look like the stock image backdrops plenty of conference calls provide- only you will actually have the real thing there surrounding you.

For those looking to relocate and find a new job, remember to have patience and sufficient resources as you embark on your job search. The Phoenix area has been growing rapidly over the last several years. In fact, it has been among the fastest growing cities in the United States. This means that new companies are forming here, and other companies have moved here and will be looking to hire new employees. Finding the right job is always a process, however, so save up before your move to make sure you can support yourself as you make the job transition and navigate the diverse work opportunities that are popping up all over Phoenix.

Natural Beauty

When the city heat gets too intense, savvy Phoenix residents know that the best thing to do is get outside and explore the surrounding areas. Grab your inflatable inner tubes and some cold drinks and spend the day floating down the Salt River with your friends. Or drive a few hours north to Flagstaff, which is always about 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and gets snow in the winter. There you can explore Red Rock State Park, with its pine forests, stark canyon walls, and red rock buttes. Then visit the New Age shops, art galleries, and spas, in magical Sedona.

There is tons of stunning beauty to be found closer to home in Phoenix as well. Hike around the trails on Camelback Mountain and South Mountain and see if you can spot any of the strange and wondrous local wildlife. Coyotes, rattlesnakes, javelinas, scorpions, and desert birds are just some of the fierce creatures that can be found in this area. Just remember not to poke or provoke them, as these animals are wild and can be dangerous.

Besides the mountain trails and red rock canyon cliffs, remember that the Sonoran Desert itself offers stunning sunset views, with dreamy picture postcard perfect vistas of flat desert expanse, outrageous sunset clouds, and tall, proud, spiky Saguaro cactus. Take advantage of living in Phoenix and never miss a desert sunset.

Life in Phoenix

If you are sick of cold, gloomy winters and seeking a change that allows you to embrace the great outdoors, Phoenix is probably the right city for you. As you prepare to move to Phoenix, keep in mind that there are endless wonders to explore in the area and surrounding. Just remember to fill your freezer with popsicles and ice cream, stock up on sunscreen, and hit the water when you need a refresher from the dry heat. Chances are, though, like most Phoenix residents, you will come to embrace that dusty desert heat, and even take pride in it. That’s what living in Phoenix is all about.

Article Courtesy Of: Emily Miller