Living in Phoenix: Beautiful, Wild, Fun

The city of Phoenix is the cosmopolitan heart of Arizona, surrounded by mountains and constantly bathed in sunshine. From spring-training baseball to upscale shopping, the city is a dichotomy where you can easily migrate between low and high culture. The beautiful Sonoran Desert scenery sets living in Phoenix apart from other metropolitan areas, offering acres of preserves and parks so residents and visitors can enjoy the gorgeous scenery.

Phoenix Demographics

In 2014, the population of Phoenix was estimated to be over 1.5 million, which had increased since the 2010 census. The sixth most popular city within the U.S., the population of the city is nearly split equally between women and men. The median age of Phoenix residents is 32.8 years and only 10% of the population is over the age of 62. Whites make up 45% of the population, while Hispanics make up 41.3% of Phoenix’s population.

The Weather in Phoenix

Living in Phoenix brings with it plenty of sunshine, and the city enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine every year. Early spring weather brings temperatures in the 80s and comfortably cool evenings and wildflowers and blooming cacti brighten the desert landscape. Once May hits, the temperatures rise significantly, and summers bring triple digit highs and hot nights. September is still hot, but by October, the temperatures usually cool off to the mid-80s again, and the evenings start to cool down again. Winter highs range in the 60s and 70s, and nighttime temperatures rarely drop below freezing.

Culture in Phoenix

Phoenix brings with it Western culture, which has been heavily influenced by Indians and Hispanics. From musicals to museums, the city showcases its budding culture and arts scene. Art lovers will enjoy the unique, enchanting museums in the city, including the world-class Phoenix Art Museum, the Museo Chicano, which offers an overview of contemporary and historic Mexican art, and the Museum of History, which helps visitors learn more about the city’s beginnings. Residents will enjoy exploring the Native American cultures around the city by visiting the Heart Museum, which offers an amazing collection of artifacts and art. The Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum provides a unique look at the pioneering life that once was characteristic of Phoenix settlers. Children will appreciate visiting the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and the Arizona Science Center offers exhibits for individuals of all ages. Many performing arts theaters and companies can be found in the Greater Phoenix Area as well. If you’re living in Phoenix, you’ll want to take time to take in a performance by the Phoenix Symphony or head to the Arizona Opera for beautiful musical performances. Dance lovers will delight in the exciting dance productions offered by Ballet Arizona. Resident companies and national touring groups often grace the Gammage Auditorium, the Herberger Theater, and the Orpheum.

Quality of Life

Residents living in Phoenix enjoy an excellent quality of life, and the Phoenix metropolitan area has been ranked 28th out of the 67 largest metro areas within the United States. The city ranks high for low unemployment, commute times, and growth. However, it didn’t perform as well when it comes to adults with bachelor’s degrees, the number of professional jobs available, and the stability of residents. While the overall cost of living may be somewhat cheaper than in other areas of the country, the cost of food is a bit higher than in some other areas. Real estate in the area is lower than you would expect, and the median home price is just $174,100.

What is Phoenix Best Known For?

• Fabulous Mexican Food – The only place to find better Mexican food is south of the border. You’ll find many great family owned Mexican restaurants in Phoenix, and you’ll also find delicious Mexican dishes sold on the street corners throughout the city.
• Sunshine and Heat – Few places in the U.S. get as much sunshine as the city of Phoenix, but with all that sunshine comes heat. During the summer, it’s common to have weeks where the highs never dip below the triple digits. Sure, you’ll often hear that Phoenix has a dry heat, but when it’s 115 degrees, it doesn’t matter what kind of heat it is – it’s just hot! If you’ll be living in Phoenix, prepare for the heat and stock up on the sunscreen.
• Plenty of Outdoor Activities – With year-round warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, Phoenix is known for all it’s available outdoor activities. You can head into the mountains to hike, enjoy the cities preserves and parks, or even float down the well-known Salt River.
• Sports Teams – Surprisingly, Phoenix is known for its sports teams, and you’ll find big teams from all major sports within the city. You have the Arizona Diamondbacks, a baseball team, the Phoenix Suns, a basketball team, the Arizona Cardinals, who take on the gridiron, the Arizona coyotes, the city’s hockey team, and the WNBA Phoenix Mercury team. Multiple teams from across the country also head to the Phoenix area to train, so finding great game tickets for a reasonable price is always easy in Phoenix.
• Haboobs/Dust Storms – The dry, desert climate in Phoenix often brings Haboobs, which are huge walls of dust that slowly move through the city. You’re sure to see a few of these dust storms each year. Staying off the roads in low visibility is important, and you’ll want to shut your windows to avoid breathing in all that sand.
• Tourists – More than 16 million people head to Phoenix every year, making it a hot vacation spot. The city is especially popular for winter visitors, since the weather stays so mild during the winter months. When living in Phoenix, you’ll have to prepare for a huge influx of winter visitors each year, which has frustrating effects on local traffic.
• Golf – Golf is big in Phoenix, and it’s home to the Phoenix Open, which is the largest PGA tournament on the tour. With over 200 courses around the city, it’s easy to find a great place to play golf.