What’s not to love about 300 days of sun? Phoenix, Arizona is known for its year-round sunshine, lush golf courses, stunning desert landscapes, and affordable cost of living (especially when compared to the significantly more expensive cities in the U.S.!).
Whether you’re a young professional, a growing family, or a retiree looking for a relaxed lifestyle, Phoenix truly has something for everyone. Let’s explore some of the best restaurants, hiking trails, and cultural attractions Phoenix has to offer!
Sunshine Year-Round
If you hate the cold, Arizona is the place for you. With an average of 300 sunny days per year, you can enjoy outdoor activities most months. Temperatures get high in the summer, often rising above 110° Fahrenheit from June through September, but winters are extremely mild. The average daytime temperature in winter is around 68° Fahrenheit, even in January.
Affordable Cost of Living
Phoenix offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in the United States (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, New York City, etc.). Additionally, the city has a growing job market, with opportunities in technology, healthcare, finance, and a range of other industries.
Great for People of All Ages
Family-Friendly: Phoenix is a great place to raise a family. There are parks, playgrounds, water parks, museums, and a range of other family-friendly options that we dive into below.
Ideal for Retirees: The warm weather and range of golf courses and tennis courts in Phoenix make it a popular option for individuals seeking a warm, sunny, and relaxed lifestyle during retirement.
Thriving Nightlife for Young People: In addition to being family-friendly and ideal for retirees, Phoenix is also a great place for young people to live. The city’s historic downtown area, known as the Warehouse District, is a popular destination with trendy bars, clubs, and lounges.
Great Restaurant Scene
Pizza: Perhaps the most famous restaurant in Phoenix is Pizzeria Bianco, a name you might recognize from the Netflix series Chef’s Table. Owned by Chris Bianco, this pizzeria is considered one of the best in the U.S., and for good reason. Every ingredient that goes into the wood-fired pizzas is sourced from Chris Bianco’s own garden – even down to the grain he uses to make the dough. He also uses his own tomatoes as well as signature house-made mozzarella.
High-End Restaurants: If you’re in the mood for something fancier than pizza, check out The Arrogant Butcher, a trendy steakhouse, and The Gladly, a modern American restaurant and whiskey bar offering creative, globally inspired dishes.
Casual Dining: For something a bit more casual, Chelsea’s Kitchen offers American comfort food and The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe is popular for burgers, shakes, and fries.
Mexican and Asian Cuisine: Huarachis Taqueria offers authentic Mexican street food with a focus on huaraches, a type of open-faced corn tortilla, while Blue Agave Mexican Cantina offers tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas. Kembara is a modern Malaysian restaurant serving up flavorful dishes with a focus on spices and herbs.
Gorgeous Hiking Trails
If you love the outdoors, there are great hiking trails in close proximity to Phoenix. The city is also within close driving distance to several weekend getaways, from Las Vegas to California, and offers easy access to national parks such as the Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park.
- Hike Camelback Mountain: A challenging but rewarding hike with stunning panoramic views of the city.
- Explore South Mountain Park: The largest municipal park in the United States offering hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
- Paddleboard or Kayak on Tempe Town Lake: Enjoy a day on the water surrounded by city views.
- The Sonoran Desert: With its iconic saguaro cacti and diverse wildlife, the Sonoran Desert is a must-see for nature lovers.
Vibrant Culture
Phoenix has a thriving arts and cultural scene. The city boasts numerous museums, theaters, and art galleries, showcasing a wide range of artistic expressions.
- Discover the Heard Museum: Immerse yourself in Native American art and culture.
- The Phoenix Art Museum: This museum houses an impressive collection of American, European, and Asian art.
- Wander through Old Town Scottsdale: Located only 12 miles east of Phoenix, Old Town Scottsdale is a vibrant and historic district with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
- Explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architectural Masterpieces: Phoenix is home to gorgeous architecture thanks to Frank Lloyd Wright, who lived in Phoenix from the late 1920s until his death in 1959. Here are some of his projects in the area that are must-sees:
- The First Christian Church: a classical University that the president of Phoenix’s Southwest Christian Seminary commissioned Wright to design in 1949.
- The David & Gladys Wright House: One of his most innovative works, Wright built this home for his son David and daughter-in-law, Gladys.
- Taliesin West – Located in nearby Scottsdale, Taliesin West was Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory. This location is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
For the Sports Enthusiast
If you’re into sports, Phoenix is home to three professional sports leagues:
- The Arizona Cardinals football team.
- Phoenix Suns basketball team.
- Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.
You can also watch major league baseball teams practice in the great weather during Cactus League Spring Training every February and March. If you love baseball, it doesn’t get much better than this!
Other Fun Activities
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Enjoy a Day at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: Bring the kids to cool off at this fun and immersive water park.
- Visit the Desert Botanical Garden: A world-class botanical garden showcasing the beauty of desert plants.
Moving to Phoenix?
If you’re interested in renting an apartment in Phoenix, we invite you to explore our beautiful property, Senita on Cave Creek. Nestled between Desert Peak and Mountaingate North, Senita offers a range of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with gourmet kitchens, stainless steel appliances, elegant hardwood-style flooring, and generous walk-in closets with built-in shelving.
The amenities offer resort-style living with a luxurious pool and cabanas, a 24-hour fitness center, and an inviting clubhouse featuring a pool table and cold brew coffee. To learn more about Draper and Kramer’s luxury rental properties, we invite you to explore our website.
