Do You Like Living in Arizona?

Do You Like Living in Arizona?

Today while I was showing homes in Phoenix, a client asked me if I liked living in Phoenix or Arizona in general.  While she was coming from California, she knew the price of homes in Phoenix, Scottsdale or any surrounding area are so much less than many parts of the country.  But, what was it like to live here?

Hmmm? 

I had to tell her that while coming from Michigan 30 years ago at first I missed the green and the abundant lakes, but when I returned to visit Michigan a year later I yearned for the expansive skies and the beautiful mountains.  Until I had experienced desert living, I never knew what “purple mountain majesties” meant.

I don’t miss shoveling snow, or the long gray period at the end of the winter before the spring takes a strong hold.  Though it was warm enough to dispense of the boots it was so slushy my shoes were always wet.

And oh yeah, no mosquitoes, that I don’t miss either.

So what do I love about Arizona?

I love the long warm  winters with cool evenings where I can sit outside and have a glass of wine and chat with my friends or neighbors.

The sunsets are absolutely gorgeous, I think they beat most anywhere.

I love the subtle pale shades of the mountains and how they transform from brown in the summer to green with sprinkling of yellow, pink and white flowers in the spring. The mountains change color during the day depending on the angle of the sun. 

I love all the hiking trails in the preserved mountain areas all over the Phoenix metropolitan area.  I like to hike the "Go-John" trail in Cave Creek, or Pinnacle Peak, and so many other in-town trails. Nothing beats the serenity and beauty of the Grand Canyon. The drive from the valley to the Grand Canyon ventures thru red rock country, pine mountains and historic landmarks of the old west.

I love that I can ski all day nearby and return home to grill chicken or steaks in my backyard within hours.

I enjoy the sense of history and the cultural diversity.  You can drive for miles and not see anything but beauty.  Most states are so crammed up with people that you cant tell when you’ve left one town and entered another.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 I have raised two children here, and they had a good K-12 education and both enjoyed 2 different but challenging and exciting colleges here in Valley of the Sun. I was never at a loss for something to do with them. The Valley of the Sun offers so much for families.                    

 And when it does warm up, I can drive 6 hours and go to beach in either San Diego or Los Angeles, if I want to fly, by the time they get the drink cart down the aisle, I’m there!                                                                                                                                                                                         

Mexico is three hours away for lots of sun, water, fishing and fun.         

Vegas Baby!  Only a short airplane ride or a 5 hour drive.

I realized while talking with my clients and driving around the

valley looking at homes that ...

Yes, I like living in Arizona!

Karen Turney/ Desert Living Blog/Phoenix Realtor