Phoenix is one of the top 10 cities people moved to in 2020, and it’s long-been a destination for those looking to escape the cold. Of course, a move to any city should include time to think about both the pros and cons of living there considering both the hard work and financial costs of relocation.
Before making the decision whether or not to buy a home or move into one of the houses for rent in Phoenix, here’s what you should know.
Pros
Outdoor activities
There’s no shortage of ways to take advantage of the great outdoors in Phoenix. With all that sunshine, other than summer, most of the year is ideal for hiking with places like Camelback Mountain just a short drive from downtown.
There are many parks and other green spaces for walking, jogging, or biking. You can ride horseback between prickly pears and palos verdes or mountain bike alongside towering ocotillos and chollas. Plus, Phoenix and the surrounding communities are home to over 200 golf courses with the metro area considered to be one of the top destinations for golf in the country.
Job market
Thousands of new jobs are added every year in Phoenix with the job market here booming. The industries that have seen the most significant job growth include healthcare, technology, energy, construction, media, transportation, hospitality, finance, real estate, and retail.
Plus there are five Fortune 500 companies in the city including Avnet, Freeport-McMoRan, Republic Services, Magellan Health, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
Friendly to entrepreneurs
If you want to start up your own small business, Phoenix is a great place to be with a booming local business community and many entrepreneurs selling their services and goods. In fact, it’s often ranked among the top 10 cities in the country for starting a business.
Winters are wonderful
Winter can be the best time of the year in Phoenix. You won’t have to worry about shoveling snow with mild temperatures that make the season ideal for all sorts of fun outdoor activities.
Diverse Cuisine
Phoenix, and Arizona in general, is best-known for its Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine, but you’ll find a diverse array of dining options here with everything from Native American fare to Italian classics.
Thanks to the city’s location in the arid stretch of Sonoran Desert, crops are impressive, resulting in many eateries that serve farm-to-table dishes. Whether you’re looking for casual bites, fine dining, or something in between, you’ll have countless options to choose from.
Cons
Summers are scorching
While winters are wonderful, summer’s heat can be intense, not to mention the dust storms that occur during the season on nearly a daily basis.
Snowbird crowds
The weather during the wintertime draws many to leave the cold up north and enjoy the idyllic warmth of Phoenix. They’re referred to as “snowbirds” and make what’s the most enjoyable time to be in this city also the most crowded time.
Wildlife
While the wildlife can be a pro, with deer, raccoon, javelina, and all sorts of interesting birds like the roadrunner, there are also some dangerous creatures here that mean Phoenicians have to be more cautious than residents in most other cities. That includes rattlesnakes and scorpions.
