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Moving to Phoenix

Thinking about moving to Phoenix, AZ? From the city's best neighborhoods to the lowdown on things to do and food options, here's what you need to know about living in Phoenix.

Why Move to Phoenix, AZ?

If you've been looking into moving to the Southwest, there's no doubt that Phoenix should be top of your list. Phoenix is one of the sunniest cities in the US, and is among the best cities in the United States to live/retire in 2020, according to new rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. There's plenty of outdoor adventures here, so you'll never run out of things to do for an adrenaline rush. The crime rate in Phoenix is on par with cities of a similar size, with safe Phoenix suburbs offering everything from charming family neighborhoods to bustling areas for young professionals.

Phoenix Averages:

The cost of living in Phoenix isn't low - it's one of the most affordable cities to live in America. The costs for real estate, energy, wages and taxes are lower than the national. average, with average monthly expenses of $1,869.97.

• Population: 1.7 million
• Average age: 33.5
• Phoenix average home price: $273,000
• Phoenix average salary: $67,000
• Minimum wage in Phoenix: $12 an hour

What's the Weather Like in Phoenix?

One word: HOT. The average annual temperature in Phoenix is between 45°F to 107°F and is rarely below 37°F or above 112°F. You can expect the weather in Phoenix to be swelteringly hot in the summer, and while desert nights and mornings can get chilly during winter, the temperature rarely drops below freezing and skies stay blue. Phoenix has an average of 300 sunny days a year.

Best Neighborhoods to Live in Phoenix:

Whether you choose to move to the Phoenix suburbs or stay within the main city area, here's some key neighborhoods to include in your dream home search:

Camelback East

Camelback East is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Phoenix among young professionals and families thanks to its abundance of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and parks. There are five school districts represented in the neighborhood, including 16 elementary schools and two high schools.

Scottsdale

Not technically a neighborhood, Scottsdale is a large suburban city of the Phoenix-metropolitan area. The city has a thriving nightlife and social scene, is ideally located between the mountains and beach and is one of the best golf destinations in the US. Living here will suit families, young professionals and nature lovers.

Chandler

Chandler is a beautiful suburb of Phoenix, with parks, shopping, festivals, excellent schools, art galleries and more. There's a lovely community feel here, and residents come together regularly throughout the year to celebrate unique festivals such as the Ostrich Festival, the Indian Market, the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Races.

Arcadia

Arcadia is probably the most sought after area to live in Phoenix. It's located less than 15 minutes from the airport and downtown Scottsdale, and has a rural family feel yet is still close to some of the best dining and shopping options in the city. Arcadia also has easy access to some of the best hiking in the city at Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area.

Glendale

Known as “Arizona's Antique Capital”, Glendale is actually the fourth largest city in Arizona yet is just 9 miles from downtown Phoenix. It's home to the city’s best antique-shopping districts, two major sports stadiums, 1000 acres of desert preserves, a botanical garden and a pretty historical downtown area. Glendale has a wide variety of homes for all budgets.

Buying a Home in Phoenix:

Homes for sale in Phoenix are selling faster than ever before. In April 2020, the median time for a Phoenix Valley home to move under contract was 21 days. In October 2020, that time frame is less than eight days. Phoenix home prices are rising to keep up with a growing demand, with most sales happening for homes over $250,000. But with record low mortgage rates in Arizona, 2020-21 is a key time to take advantage of the inventory and buy.

How’s the Walkability, Bikeability, and Public Transportation in Phoenix?

Phoenix enjoys a proximity to big attractions like Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, so it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country. Although it's preferred to have a car for transport, the public transportation is easily accessible.

Walkability: Although Phoenix is a car-dependant city and has a low Walk Score of 41, it does have several neighborhoods where you can run errands on foot. These include Downtown, Coronado and Garfield.

Bikeability: Phoenix has been making strides to improve its biking options in recent years and now has a Bike Score of 56. The City of Phoenix is in the process of implementing a bicycling plan.

Public Transportation: Getting around Phoenix is easy! The Valley Metro Rail (known as the 'light rail' by locals) is Phoenix's main method of public transportation. The 28-mile line links Phoenix to the neighboring communities of Tempe and Mesa, and includes stops at attractions such as Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Chase Field, PHX Arena (formerly Talking Stick Resort Arena) and Tempe's Mill Avenue.

Essential Checklist for Moving to Phoenix:

• Voter Registration: When you move to a new city, you should make sure to get registered to vote as soon as possible. For info on registering in Arizona, see here.
• Driver’s License: It's also very important to change your driver's license. Find info on getting a license in Arizona here.
• Vehicle Registration: Are you bringing your car with you? Here's where you can get new license plates.
• Trash & Recycling: Get this organised from the get go! See here for how you can set up Phoenix's trash and recycling services for your new home.

Things to do in Phoenix, Arizona:

Festivals and Events: Events in Phoenix, Arizona are an exciting blend of concerts, shows, festivals and special events. Highlights throughout the year include Las Noches de Las Luminarias, where Desert Botanical Garden glows with more than 8,000 hand lit luminaria bags; Phoenix Pride in spring and a variety of music and food festivals.

Outdoor activities: This is one city where outdoor activities reign supreme. Hikers, bikers and climbers in Greater Phoenix will have endless fun exploring the Sonoran Desert, from easy routes around the red rock buttes of Papago Park, to the tough but rewarding climb to the peak of Camelback Mountain,

Culture: Phoenix is home to a rich arts-and-culture environment. You can enjoy performances at theaters all across the city, concert halls and cultural centers are top attractions, and art and history lovers can while away time at all sorts of fascinating museums.

Sports: Sports lovers will have plenty of reasons to cheer here. Phoenix fields teams in all four major professional sports leagues: The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.

Phoenix Food & Nightlife

Dining out in Phoenix: Phoenix has a delicious mix of cuisines to try, from Southwestern and Mexican cuisine to famous steakhouses and Middle Eastern eats, Latin cuisine, tempting Thai dishes, and lots more. It's a haven for foodies!

Bars and nightlife in Seattle: The nightlife in Phoenix is buzzing, with all sorts of watering holes. Top areas to hit up on a night out include Downtown (check out Crescent Ballroom, where local and national music acts take to the stage most every night of the year) and Old Town Scottsdale.

Grocery shopping in Phoenix: From large supermarkets to specialty store and everything in between, there's endless stores to get your groceries in Phoenix. You can see which grocery stores deliver to any of our Phoenix listings.