Arizona is a state in the southwest of the United States of America. It is surrounded by other US states, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and California. Sonora and Baja California are Mexican states that lie south of Arizona. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix.
This desert state is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in America and is a purse-friendly place to live. If you would like to know more about this haven in the Wild West, read on to discover 7 great things about living in Arizona.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Arizona is close to the national average. It is a much cheaper state to live in than its neighbors, California and Nevada. The capital city, Phoenix, has a similar population and climate to San Diego, but the cost of living is over 50% cheaper.
The average cost of living is approximately $2,700 per month for a family of four or $800 for a single person. The average price of a property is $385,000, but this obviously differs from city to city. The choice of homes in the state is vast, and you can find some really beautiful abodes. Check out Goodyear AZ homes for sale online if you are tempted to live in this spectacular state.
People are People
The first people probably lived in the area that is now Arizona, at least 20,000 years ago – before written records began. At some point, many, many years later, Native American tribes such as the Navajo, Apache, Hopi, and Zuni tribes settled in the state, and 22 tribes still live on reservations in the state today.
It is believed that in the 1530s, the Spanish arrived in Arizona. However, Arizona was part of Mexico during the 1840s, until 1848, when the US took control of the territory after winning the Mexican-American War. Arizona then became the 48th state of the USA,
Nowadays, Sun-seeking retirees or Snowbirds from states that experience bitterly cold winters flock to Arizona during the colder months. Apart from these people, the majority of Arizona’s population is aged between 29 and 42 years old. Cities such as Tucson and Phoenix are full of young, vibrant people, making them great places for young professionals to work and play.
According to statistics, in 2020, 54.1% of the total population of Arizona were white, 31.7% Hispanic, 4.5% were black, 3.9% were American Indian/Alaska Native, and 3.6% were Asian/Pacific Islander.
Fire and Ice
The southern region of Arizona is pretty much desert, meaning that it has sweltering summers and mild winters. It boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine every year. The temperature can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, but it is a dry heat rather than a humid heat, meaning that you will not sweat excessively after standing outside for a couple of minutes. However, the desert climate of the south means that temperatures can drop 50 to 60 degrees at nighttime, thus creating a more pleasant sleeping environment for residents.
In contrast, the northern region of Arizona has snowy mountain ranges known as the San Francisco mountains and the Colorado plateau, a forest area scattered with pine, spruce, and fir trees. The area is known for snowy winters and moderate summer temperatures.
Safe and Secure
Arizona is a safe place to live. The crime rate is lower than the average, not just in the southwest but in the entire United States. The national average for violent crime rates per 1,000 people is 4.64. Arizona’s average is 1.7 per 1,000 people.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is probably one of the most famous attractions in the USA, if not the world. It is included in the Seven Wonders of the World. The canyon was created by the Colorado River eroding the giant rocks, resulting in a gorge measuring a depth of 1.6km and 29km wide. The whole national park housing the canyon stretches 277 miles from end to end and attracts around 6 million visitors from around the world, year after year.
Archeologists and geologists flock to the canyon to study the beautiful bands of colored rock containing ancient fossils, which reveal limitless information about the state’s (and the world’s) history.
Parks and Recreation
Hikers, explorers, and those who love being in the great outdoors will be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of national parks in Arizona. The state has 24 national parks, monuments, memorials, and historic sites. The three national parks are the Grand Canyon, Saguaro, and the Petrified Forest. Two hundred million-year-old fossilized plants and animals can be found in The Petrified Forest. Monuments in Arizona include Canyon de Chelly, Casa Grande Ruins, Chiricahua, and Grand Canyon-Parashant.
Adrenaline junkies will be spoilt for choice with the plethora of outdoor pursuits Arizona has to offer. From balloon trips giving a bird’s eye view of the Grand Canyon to bird watching, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking, and biking – Arizona never gets boring. Lovers of winter sports such as skiing can enjoy honing their skills at resorts in Flagstaff, Alpine, and Tucson
Wildlife in the Wild West
Meep meep! Look out for roadrunners jumping in front of you as you drive along the desert roads of Arizona. Wile E Coyote might not be far behind!
Arizona is home to some unique and beautiful animal species. Snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, are a common site around arid areas. Prairie dogs, coyotes, javelinas, mountain lions, Gila monsters, and bighorn sheep live in and around the desert, as do creepier creatures such as scorpions and tarantulas.
The deserts in Arizona have an abundance of flora and fauna. The Sonoran Desert is the only place on earth where the saguaro cactus grows. It is the largest cactus in the United States and takes a very long time to grow. In fact, it can take about 100 years for the cactus to develop a single branch or arm.
Arizona has so much more to offer than what is listed here, and the only way to experience its unique beauty and spectacular scenery is to visit it and see for yourself.
