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Looking for a city with plenty of space, lots of sunshine, and a lifestyle built around outdoor living? If that sounds like heaven, Phoenix, Arizona, might be a great choice for you! A city that’s spreading outward rather than upward, Phoenix is one of the country’s youngest cities. It also has a strong transplant culture, vibrant arts scene, and more golf courses than humanly possible!
If you’re moving to Phoenix and want to find out more before you arrive in The Valley of the Sun, keep reading! This Phoenix moving guide, brought to you by NSA Storage, will tell you everything you need to know about moving to Phoenix.
What’s the Weather like in Phoenix?
One of the top reasons folks move to Phoenix is the beautiful weather. With 300+ sunny days a year, Phoenix is one of the sunniest cities on the planet, which is how it got its nickname, Sun City!
If you’re a fan of outdoor living, Phoenix will be a great place for you to call home. You can golf year-round, as well as bike, hike, play frisbee, you name it!
Here are a few of the best points when talking weather in Phoenix:
- Over 300 days a year of sunshine
- Snow is extremely rare here
- The average high in winter is between 65°F–75°F
- The climate is very dry, which is great for folks with some health issues
The climate in Arizona is not for everyone, though. It’s important to note that summer can be sweltering in Phoenix, with heat waves that can exceed 115°F. Dust storms are also a seasonal problem, as is the lack of rainfall. Many find that fall, winter, and spring are the best seasons to enjoy the outdoors, while summer is spent mostly indoors.
Green Spaces in Phoenix
You might figure that, in the Sonoran Desert, green spaces are scarce. In Phoenix, there are plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. There are over 200 miles of trails to hike, bike, and walk, plus one of the biggest municipal parks in the U.S.! Below you’ll find a list of the major parks in the city:
- South Mountain Park– With over 16,000 acres of public use land, it’s one of the largest municipal parks in the country
- Papago Park– Known worldwide for its red rock (sandstone) formations and spectacular views of the city!
- Encanto Park– This historic park offers placid lagoons and plenty of picnic areas on its 220+ acres. It’s a lush oasis in the heart of this amazing city and very popular!
- Desert Botanical Garden– The perfect place to take your date, your kids, or yourself! Spread across 55 acres, you’ll find an amazing array of cacti, flowers and trees. They also have amazing exhibits and events throughout the year, including days when you can go with your dogs!
The urban trail system in Phoenix is one of the best in the country. It’s a nice mix of canal trails, city preserves, trailheads, mountain parks and multi-use paths. There’s also mass transit access to many of the trails, making it even easier to enjoy them.
What’s the Cost of Living in Phoenix?
Phoenix’s cost of living index is just over the national average at about 104/100, making it more affordable than LA, Seattle, and San Francisco. For a major metropolitan area, that’s not bad! Here are a few highlights:
- The median home price in Phoenix is around $430,000.
- A 2-bedroom apartment runs around $1750.
- Electricity costs are a bit higher due to the high usage of air conditioning.
- Arizona, and thus Phoenix, has a flat-rate income tax that’s a reasonable 2.5%.
If you’re looking to keep your bills lower, look at suburbs outside central Phoenix, including Peoria, Mesa, and Glendale. Phoenix also has a good public transportation system that makes getting around a little easier. However, most would agree that you’ll need a car to truly enjoy yourself and get around here.
Phoenix is Big on Sports
Sports and sports culture are a very big part of the lifestyle in Phoenix. Fan attendance at games is very high, and sports tourism is one of the biggest of the city’s moneymakers. One reason for this is that Phoenix is home to the Cactus League, a hub for baseball’s spring training. No less than 15 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams train here at the start of every season!
As for the major sports teams, they include:
- Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
- Phoenix Suns (NBA)
- Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)
If you’re into college sports, the Arizona State Sun Devils will get you pumped up! Part of the Big 12, they play in Mountain America Stadium, which seats about 59,600 fans! ASU has also been ranked dozens of times in the AP Poll and won the Big 12 championship in 2024!
Options for Higher-Education in Phoenix
If you’re moving to Phoenix to better yourself, you’re in luck; the city has several excellent universities and community colleges! One of the very best is Arizona State University, one of the largest schools in the country! Known for its research programs and innovation, the school has over 700,000 students! Other great schools include:
- Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university
- University of Phoenix, which is online-focused and has its HQ in Phoenix.
- Phoenix College, the city’s oldest and located in the heart of Phoenix.
- Mesa Community College, which offers over 250 programs and is listed as one of the best educational values in the country.
You’ll be interested to know that several of the community colleges in Phoenix have been recognized as the best in the nation.
Outdoor Recreation near Phoenix
One of the biggest selling points of moving to Phoenix is the wide availability of outdoor recreation opportunities. There are many things to do in your off time here, and it attracts folks from all walks of life. For example, these activities can be enjoyed year-round:
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Rock climbing
- Road biking
Then there’s golf, which is at the heart of the city’s recreation. With over 200 golf courses for players of every level, there’s more than enough links to go around! Plus, the city hosts major PGA events, including the WM Phoenix Open and the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Festivals and Events in Phoenix
There’s nothing like a big, fun, exciting event to put a smile on your face and a tune in your heart. In Phoenix, you’ll be singing that tune often, as they have a wide range of events and festivals year-round! They include:
- The Arizona State Fair, one of the largest in the Southwest and held every fall.
- The Fiesta Bowl, a major college football bowl game.
- Arizona Renaissance Festival, one of the biggest Ren Fests in the U.S.
- M3F Fest, which is all about music, arts, and sustainability.
Besides those, you’ll also enjoy a variety of cultural celebrations, including:
- Cinco de Mayo festivals
- Native American powwows
- Dia de los Muertos events
- Lunar New Year festivals
Phoenix is a Culturally Significant City
Even though it’s a young city, Phoenix has a deep arts scene, with several top museums, theatres, and a spectacular science center! If you’re moving to Phoenix, you and your family will enjoy the:
- Phoenix Art Museum– Home to over 20,000 works of art that span continents and centuries!
- Arizona Science Center– Hands-on exhibits and an IMAX theatre make this a popular attraction.
- The Phoenix Symphony– A full, professional orchestra.
- Arizona Opera– Attracts national talent.
- Musical Instrument Museum– One of the best in the world.
- Ballet Arizona– One of the leading ballet companies in the Southwest.
- Heard Museum– Known for its world-famous Native American art
- Orpheum Theatre– A historic theatre built in 1929.
- Herberger Theater Center– Catch a live production at this downtown arts complex.
Let NSA Storage Help With Your Move to Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ, is a city filled with everything you need, whether you’re looking to further your education, get active in a community, or start a family. With beautiful weather and natural wonders, Sun City really has it all.
If you’re arriving soon and need to store your belongings short or long-term, NSA Storage can help. With over 25 self-storage locations in Phoenix, there’s sure to be one near your neighborhood of choice.
You can reserve a storage unit in Phoenix easily online and it will be ready when you arrive! Until then, we hope the information provided today has given you all you need to make the best choice for your new home!
