Why People Live in Arizona, Despite the Heat

Arizona sunshine can get mighty intense. In the summertime, triple-digit temperatures are par for the course, and blistering conditions can make it tough to be outside. And yet, despite the heat and perpetual sunlight, Arizona is a wonderful place to live. 

After all, the Grand Canyon State contains some of nature’s most awe-inspiring masterpieces, along with some of the country’s coolest cities and art meccas, stellar microbreweries and craft cocktail bars, and delicious food to boot. 

Here are just a few of the reasons why people live in (and love!) Arizona, despite the heat. You may even want to move to Arizona yourself.

The natural scenery is incredible

One of the most well-known facts about Arizona is that it’s naturally gorgeous—this is the home of natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, and Saguaro National Park we’re talking about! Arizona’s nature is legendary for a reason: Where else can you hike amidst rainbow-colored desert landscapes, raft the majestic Grand Canyon, experience the pure magic of Antelope Canyon, and see towering, 60-foot-tall saguaro cacti? Nature is one of Arizona’s biggest draws, and one of the all-time best reasons to live here.

The art scene is astounding

Arizona’s art scene is world-class. Old-town Scottsdale has dozens of hip galleries brimming with diverse art from Western and Native American to contemporary. While Sedona is perhaps the state’s most well-regarded artist’s community—for decades, artists and art lovers alike have been flocking to this eclectic town, where there are over 80 galleries and constant shows and exhibits. In addition, there are several big-name museums located in both Phoenix and Tucson, including the Phoenix Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson.

The cities (and towns) are super cool

Arizona’s cities and towns are just plain cool. In fact, three Arizona cities (Tempe, Mesa, and Tucson) recently made it on a national list of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live in America”, on Livability.com, with factors like local infrastructure, arts and culture, air quality, transportation, and outdoor activities playing a big role in the ranking. Whether you want to explore bustling cities, Old West towns, or peaceful artist’s enclaves, Arizona’s cities and towns have much to offer.

The food is delicious

Grub in the Grand Canyon State is known to be delicious and there are dozens of must-try foodie staples and top-notch restaurants scattered around the state. Arizona is a treasure trove of good food, from James Beard Award-winning chefs and fine dining destinations to authentic Mexican fare and other world cuisines. Plus, the drinks scene is just as exciting, with inventive craft cocktail bars like Bar Pesce in Phoenix, Citizen Public House in downtown Scottsdale, and Brix Restaurant & Bar in Flagstaff, in addition to dozens of wonderful microbreweries like Dragon Brewing (Tucson), Lumberyard Brewing (Flagstaff), and Oak Creek Brewing (Sedona).

The weather is actually beautiful

Yes, the heat can be crazy-strong, and you’ll need to be extra-careful to stay cool during the summer, but the weather in Arizona can actually be quite beautiful. After all, it’s hard to be unhappy in a state that boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year—all the better to explore the many glorious hiking trails, parks, mountains, and other outdoor fun that Arizona has to offer, right? In the wintertime, when most people in other states are shoveling snow and shivering next to the fireplace, Arizonians are lounging poolside and basking in the sun. It doesn’t get much better than that.