Phoenix by night – photo by squeaks2569 on Flickr CC
Why Phoenix Is the Ideal Place to Move
Phoenix has captured the interest of many Americans (newcomers to the U.S, and American born-and-bred alike) as being one of the best cities to live in when considering salary to quality of life ratio. The reason for this is that there are many budding employment opportunities in Phoenix along with an affordable housing and food budget as well. Phoenix provides the ideal climate for both young professionals and families to get ahead.
Should you be considering which city to relocate to in the United States, it is highly recommended to seriously consider the employment opportunities that are available in Phoenix.
Consider the facts below in order to solidify your decision to relocate to Phoenix:
fun factory Phoenix – photo by Kevin Dooley on Flickr CC
Should You Relocate to Phoenix? Consider These Statistics
Phoenix currently has a population of 1,445, 632. According to the graph below. Phoenix has a very affordable cost of living for those that are looking to buy their first home and start a family. As of June 2017, the median home price was $325,000, which is substantially less than the median price of $727,000 in Los Angeles. This point illustrates that Phoenix provides warmer weather in all parts of the year like the majority of California, but does not have the expensive price tag along with it.
In terms of those that would like to rent, the average cost of a studio apartment in the greater-Phoenix area is $623 per month. For those that are students or young professionals, this is a very affordable rent price. In terms of a one bedroom apartment, $735 is the average price, which is not a substantial jump from the cost of a studio. For similar apartments in Boston, for example, the rent would be $1,400 for a studio and $1,800 for an apartment. A comparison such as this shows why Phoenix is a great place to relocate in terms of rental prices.
According to job market stats in the chart above, Phoenix has an interesting mix of employment opportunities that is not necessarily office job based. For those that are registered nurses, it is important to notice the 9% of the workforce that are nurses. Overall, there is a shortage of nurses in the United States, which is why it is wise to look at this statistic in Phoenix with the low cost of living because there is a potential for a high quality of life ratio with a nurse’s salary in Phoenix. In terms of overall salaries, the average annual salary is $47,540, which provides for major financial opportunities in the city to be paid well, have a nice piece of real estate, and to be able to put some savings away in the process.
Another compelling reason to relocate to Phoenix is the spectacular education available there for your children to experience at an affordable price. This is why it is important to invest in real estate or a home rental in the right part of Phoenix because it will result in a very healthy and high quality of education for your children. This will become a nice addition to the quality of life of your family while living in Phoenix.
Camelback Mountain – Phoenix – photo by Al_HikesAZ on Flickr CC
Where to Visit Within and Outside of Phoenix
Phoenix is conveniently located in the center of Arizona. In fact, Arizona has many diverse locales to enjoy for both tourists and locals. In terms of where to visit in Phoenix, it is wise to visit Scottsdale where the wealthy homes are along with golf clubs and spas are located. The downtown in Scottsdale has become quite popular in terms of gourmet restaurants and bars. Another great idea in Phoenix is to take a hot air balloon ride throughout the desert. The scenery over Phoenix is breathtaking to take in at sunset and provides for a true desert experience.
In terms of where to explore outside of Phoenix, it is easy to visit Flagstaff, Sedona, and Tucson within three hours from Phoenix. Below is a list of their activities:
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Sedona: Sedona is two hours north from Phoenix. Sedona has been deemed as a sacred place by local Native American tribes for many years. There are many shrines and sacred rocks to hike to while visiting Sedona. One of the best ways to explore deeper into the red rock canyons of Sedona is to take a Pink Jeep Tour or a helicopter ride. This will get you the closest possible to the beauty that Sedona possesses.
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Tucson: Tucson is further south than Phoenix by two hours. If you are looking for a spa retreat in the desert, Tucson has several spas to relax at and enjoy a round of golf. One of the best places to go hiking in Tucson is the Bear Falls trail in order to see the Seven Falls. In addition, Tucson has delightful eccentric cafes in its downtown that are worth exploring along with tiny homemade Mexican food that is divine.
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Flagstaff: Flagstaff is three hours north of Phoenix and has a great change in landscape in comparison to the desert landscape that is quite prominent in Arizona. In fact, Flagstaff has mountains and quite a bit of snow in the winter. The best time to visit Flagstaff is during the winter to catch some skiing. Lastly, Flagstaff is a natural stop on the way to the Grand Canyon.
Arizona, overall, offers infinite opportunities to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. Residents of Phoenix will see this quite rapidly, which greatly adds to the affordable quality of life that exists for those that live and work in Phoenix.
international currencies
How to Relocate to Phoenix from Abroad & Why Organizing Your Finances Is Crucial
Organizing a move to Phoenxi from abroad can absolutely represent challenges. It is important that you organize important items such as your finances with care. If you are trying to move a substantial amount of capital to buy a home, it is highly recommended that you utilize a money transfer company. Using a money transfer company will be useful to you because you will not only get the best possible exchange rate, but you will have a representative that is assigned to you for the ultimate success of your transaction. Lastly, money transfer companies will arrange transfers that will arrive promptly so that you will not have to wait for a delay when you have many expenses to pay for.
The Benefits of Utilizing a Home Warranty When Purchasing a Home in Phoenix
Having a home warranty when purchasing a home in any state is a wise decision. What is important for future homeowners to realize is that there is a time period during escrow where certain repairs may come up. The home warranty essentially covers the purchaser from having to front those expensive expenses without ever having used the item that broke in the home. Thus, it is highly recommended to shop around with multiple AZ companies in order to find the perfect home warranty for your upcoming home purchase sale.
Saguaro Cactus – photo by psyberartist on Flickr CC
Bizarre Laws in Arizona
As with any new state that you are considering relocating to, it is wise to look up their laws to see what bizarre statutes have managed to be grandfathered in. Arizona has some strange laws that are highlighted below:
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It is illegal to refuse someone a cup of water.
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You can face up to 25 years in jail if you cut down a Saguaro Cactus.
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Even if you are selling fake drugs, you can still go to prison.
The first law is no surprise due to the intense temperatures in Arizona. Cups of water are always permitted in Arizona. Additionally, cacti are sacred in Arizona and some species are endangered and thus, have legislation. Lastly, due to Arizona’s proximity to Mexico and some of the more dangerous drug cartel cities in Mexico, the law enforcement on drugs, even fake drugs, is taken quite seriously.
Final Remarks
In sum, Phoenix is an ideal place to consider moving to. Phoenix has a great deal to offer in terms of affordable cost of living, things to do, education for children, and employment opportunities. For those that are looking for a city to really get ahead in within the United States, Phoenix is a wonderful place to relocate to. This is also true for foreigners that desire a new place of residence.
That said, it is wise for foreigners to use a money transfer company if they would like to save a substantial amount of capital on their upcoming money transfer. Be sure to keep Phoenix in your serious thoughts when looking for a great place to enjoy living while also living quite well.
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
