Moving to Phoenix

Situated in the heart of Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is the USA’s fifth-most populous city. The city is now home to a diverse mix of cultures as Californians, Midwesterners, East-Coasters and expats make up a massive proportion of Phoenix’s population. 

Living in Phoenix as an expat

Accommodation in Phoenix is plentiful and reasonably priced. Whether a young professional relocating to the city for a lucrative job offer in the city centre, a couple looking to get the foot on the property ladder, or a family hoping to lay down roots and find themselves a family home, Phoenix boasts myriad property options.

For the career-minded, Phoenix provides some excellent employment prospects. The city’s flourishing economy means than newcomers with backgrounds and experience in a range of fields, such as healthcare, manufacturing, technology and education won’t struggle to find work in Phoenix or the wider Valley of the Sun area. 

In terms of lifestyle offerings, Phoenix has plenty to keep its residents occupied during their leisure time. The city boasts an impressive range of art galleries and museums, many of which showcase the Native American, Latin and Wild West influences that shape Phoenix’s cultural make up.

One significant downside for prospective residents moving from cities such as San Francisco, New York, Boston or Chicago is likely to be the limited nature of Phoenix’s public transport network. While some areas and suburbs are themselves fairly walkable, on the whole having a car is going to make life infinitely easier for new residents.

Cost of living in Phoenix

The city has a fairly gentle cost of living which affords its residents a better quality of life than they’d have in many other parts of the US. Most people can afford to live fairly well on an average salary. That said, wage growth tends to be a little slower than one would be accustomed to if they were moving from a city with a more dynamic economy.

Expat families and children 

Phoenix is a popular relocation destination for families as it is seen as a fantastic place to raise children, with a range of schooling options available, and, as the Southwest’s healthcare hub, it's home to some excellent medical facilities. The gorgeous weather naturally lends itself to outdoor pursuits, and the city has hundreds of hiking and biking trails to explore, not to mention major nearby attractions such as Camelback Mountain and the Grand Canyon. 

Climate in Phoenix

One of Phoenix's biggest drawcards is the city’s brilliant all-year-round weather. With 300 days of sunshine annually, Phoenix residents don’t have any reason to be cooped up indoors. Although summers can get scorching hot, winters are notably mild which calls for relaxing days by the pool or out exploring the city’s beautiful surrounds. 

Regardless for individual’s primary motivation for relocating to the Valley of the Sun, be it the good weather, low taxes, affordable cost of living or fun lifestyle offerings, a move to Phoenix is certain to be a great adventure. While settling into a somewhat slower pace of life may require a little adjustment, the rewards are likely to outshine any hardships associated with the move.