Want to know what it’s really like living in Phoenix, Arizona?

My husband Bryce and I are natives here in the Phoenix area, and we LOVE living in the valley. Since many of our clients are new to Arizona, I wanted to share 5 things you’ve gotta know if you’re headed this way.

#1 - You guessed it…the weather!

It’s probably one of the first things we are asked about, the weather! YES, it is hot out here during the summer. From June through August, it’s going to be 100-115 degrees farenhight, sometimes hotter. Yes, it’s hot. In fact, the triple digits often last almost through October, so it’s no joke. But most people work indoors where it’s airconditioned, so it’s really not so bad. Plus, it’s a dry heat, we don’t have a huge issue with humidity here so it’s more tolerable than other parts of the country.

But then something amazing happens from late October through April, the weather is PERFECT. I’m talking sunny days, a cool breeze, chilly nights, just fabulous weather. There is no better place to be than Phoenix in the spring time because the weather is THAT nice. Sure, you might need to pop a couple claritin, but beyond seasonal allergies, it’s wine time on the patio all the way through May. During this time, people love hiking on our iconic trails, biking through the city, lounging by the pool, just enjoying the outdoors.

#2 - This metro is HUGE!

The second thing you should know about the valley is it’s BIG. Metro Phoenix is huge, it’s the sixth most populous city in the country, and when you fly in, it looks like it just goes on forever. But, since we are a relatively newer city, with most of our expansion happening after the 1970’s, the highways and street systems are simple to navigate. Phoenix is laid out on a grid system, meaning streets go from north to south, and east to west. From the west, we have the Avenues running North South all the way west to Central Ave, where they then pick up as Streets and continue on towards the east side of town. So at any given time, you can take a look at the cross streets you’re on and have a pretty good idea of where you’re at.

The valley is encircled by many well-maintained freeways, making it easy to get to any side of town almost exclusively by the freeway, which helps with traffic. And while we do have rush hour traffic as with any big city, it’s nowhere near the level you might expect like, say, our coastal neighbors to the west.

Plus, all this extra space means that there’s a little something for everyone here. Whether you want lots of space to roam, or luxury living in high-rise condos, we’ve got it.

#3 - The Creative Scene

Phoenix is home to some of the most creative people around who have cultivated an amazing food scene which is really important to me, I love a good brunch as much as anyone, so it’s been delightful to see the Phoenix food scene absolutely explode in the last 7 years or so.

Here, we have several restaurant groups like Fox Restaurants, Upwards Projects, Riot hospitality, just to name a few, all who have several gorgeously designed spots all around town. Beyond that, you can find incredible independently owned bars, sandwich shops, breakfast spots, and dinner places at any corner of the valley. The talent in the food scene cannot be overlooked, and dining and entertainment options are nearly endless no matter what side of town you visit here in metro phoenix.

But we also have art, and music, and incredible makers all around who offer curated selections of home decor, fashion goods, and fascinating design. There is a LOT to do and see, here!

#4 - The Cost of Living

It’s less than many areas that people are relocating here from. While it’s not the cheapest place to live in the country, the lifestyle and vast amount of choices available to you in this huge place offer SO much for what it actually costs to live here. Property taxes are low in most parts of town, compared to other places in the country. Housing, Transportation, Utilities, and Food and Grocery are all slightly below the national averages, but as the city grows, and as a lot of Phoenicians will tell you, we are seeing that gap narrow.

One thing that we are watching closely as real estate agents are the rising property values. During the last recession, Phoenix was hit really hard and it’s taken a long time for us to recover. Property values are rising as more and more people seek to call Phoenix home, which is creating a lot of growth here, but what we typically want to see is income levels rising along with that.

As of now, a lot of residents are definitely seeing a gap between what they earn and the housing they can afford. Part of that might be because Phoenix has historically been a super affordable place to live here in the west, so the effects might feel more pronounced for those who have lived here a long time, but at the end of the day, it’s an important thing to consider as companies desire to attract employees who can actually afford to live near their workplace. Which leads us to number five…

#5 - Expect Continuing Growth

Phoenix is growing rapidly. Currently, over 200 people relocate here every day. The valley is seeing a crazy amount of growth as companies move and grow here, and residents from other parts of the country seek out the lifestyle that Arizona offers. And there really is a lot to love about living here. There are a lot of fun things to do, and the state of Arizona has so much to offer.

We love the beautiful desert that surrounds metro phoenix, and just two hours to the north you have beautiful pine forrests, the red rocks of Sedona, and of course the glorious grand canyon. We have vinyards, cool lakes and rivers, and some of the most incredible hiking and golfing you can find in the country. Plus, the people here are generally friendly and very laid back. So of course, this amazing state is attracting a lot of people from all over for the lifestyle, but also the job opportunities, great schooling, and beautiful weather.