Arizona’s capital and the fifth-largest city in the U.S.: historic bungalows, desert preserves, a real downtown and the best taco scene in the state.
Population: about 1.65 million · Vibe: Big-city, diverse, sun-drenched · Best for: Variety, urban living, foodies, commuters
Phoenix is enormous, and that’s the point: it has a version of everything. Downtown and Roosevelt Row bring lofts, arenas and art walks. Arcadia and the Biltmore are leafy and upscale. North Phoenix and Desert Ridge are newer and suburban. Ahwatukee hides behind South Mountain with its own small-town feel.
Highlights
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve and South Mountain Park
- Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Desert Botanical Garden
- Suns, Mercury and Diamondbacks downtown
- Sky Harbor Airport minutes from downtown
- Light rail to Tempe and Mesa
Neighborhoods
Arcadia · Downtown & Roosevelt Row · Encanto-Palmcroft & Willo · North Central · Ahwatukee · Desert Ridge
Moving to Phoenix
Phoenix offers the widest range of housing in Arizona, from historic districts near downtown to custom homes against the mountain preserves and newer master-planned communities up north. Electric comes from APS or SRP depending on your address. Commute direction matters: pick the side of town closest to work.
New to Arizona? Start with The Complete Guide to Moving to Arizona, then see Best Places to Live.
Get Your Personal Arizona Move Plan
Tell a local Arizona Realtor where you’re coming from and what matters to you. You’ll get a custom plan back: the 3 cities that fit you best, real home and rent prices, school notes, and a step-by-step moving timeline.
- Best-fit cities & neighborhoods for your budget
- Rent-vs-buy math for your situation
- License, utilities & registration checklist
- Off-market & new-build options before you arrive
Craig Citizen, REALTOR® · West USA Realty · Free, no obligation