Live Large In Phoenix: Young Or Old, Arizonan Or Out-Of-Stater, Urbanite Or Suburbanite
Phoenix, Arizona, has been growing in both size and reputation. And while The Valley has long drawn older people for year-round sunshine, now their secret is out, with younger folk and families also prizing the area’s good cost of living and housing plus the employment and recreational opportunities. But what exactly are the pros and cons of living in Phoenix?
Phoenix and its wider metropolitan area have been winning many plaudits in recent times. With a diverse job market including a sizable high-tech sector and an unemployment rate generally below the national average, it is proving to be a great place for working millennials and families. And homes here, even those with several bedrooms, can be good value compared to those in other parts of the country. If you are considering a move, think about maximizing your life in Metro Phoenix.
Trading a 2-bedroom for a 4-bedroom home: Phoenix is the best value
Home sizes have been shrinking a little in Phoenix. The average house size dropped from 2,553 square feet in 2010 to 2,386 square feet in 2019 — only San Diego, CA, and Denver, CO, saw higher increases. Apartments in Phoenix also dropped a little in size during the same period, from 944 to 869 square feet. However, the latest average is still significantly larger than the equivalent figures in places such as New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC and Chicago, where the averages are less than 800 square feet.
However, the great news is that you can still live large in Metro Phoenix! Among the nation’s biggest metro areas, The Valley has the lowest home price difference between the costs of 4-bedroom and 2-bedroom homes. The former would have cost an average of $440,300 a year or so ago, while the latter cost an average of $308,200, making moving up to larger home a very attractive option for expanding families in Phoenix. In contrast to this price differential of 43%, Greater St. Louis is at the other end of the spectrum with a 143% difference.
Metro Phoenix has top destinations for both snowbirds and youngsters
As Phoenix weather is famously good when other parts of America are cold, retirees there appreciate the winter warmth and lower bills. The area registers no fewer than seven top-100 top snowbird destinations, equal #1 with California’s Los Angeles metro area. Apache Junction, in the east of Metro Phoenix, ranks best nationally at #5, having a very high provision of seasonal housing and low average residential rents. Staying at one of the area’s many RV campsites is another great option, and space there can be extended year-round by renting a Phoenix climate-controlled self storage unit — they are plentiful and cost below the national average.
In recent times, Phoenix has become a magnet for young people and has been praised as the nation’s best city for millennials and a very good one for jobs. It is no surprise that it recently overtook Philadelphia to become the US’s fifth-largest city. Internet connectivity is excellent throughout the metropolitan area, with the city of Phoenix scoring the #4 spot for internet speed, boosting the employment market, both for regular employees and for those who work from home — the metro has been rated in the top-20 of technologically well-prepared metros.
Phoenix attracts other city dwellers but it’s suburbanites like to stay put!
In addition to a vibrant city center, Metro Phoenix’s satellite cities and suburbs are highly appreciated. In fact, a survey of renter applications demonstrated that the city of Phoenix attracts the fewest newcomers from suburbs, just 23% — by comparison, Columbus, Ohio, is the US city that attracts the most, 77%. Other Arizonan cities are the places that new city-center Phoenicians most often come from, especially Glendale, Scottsdale, Mesa and Tucson. Residents of Phoenix’s suburbs, on the other hand, seem very happy there and do not want to leave!
The list of Phoenix’s finest suburbs includes Desert Ridge, the Biltmore area and parts of Paradise Valley, and then there is the historic downtown Roosevelt Row district. Average home prices in these up-market areas, however, tend to range between $500K and $1M, which is considerably less than in some other exclusive neighborhoods around the nation. In addition, without a car, public transportation in the Phoenix area often costs a lot less than in other major cities — as a proportion of median earnings, about two thirds the cost in New York and Los Angeles, for example.
Phoenix Arizona viewed from South Mountain
Is phoenix a good place to live? The Phoenix metropolitan area backs up its accelerating reputation with figures that prove it is an excellent and cost-effective place to live for people of all ages. It ranks high in many assessments of living conditions and its housing can offer more than other sought-after places can. Whatever your age, profession or household status, can find what you need to live large in Metro Phoenix.
Self Storage Software: 8 Benefits For Big and Small Businesses
Self storage software is how operators turn scattered tasks, spreadsheets, and disconnected tools into one coordinated system that’s easy to run and easy to grow. It’s a digital home for everything from move‑ins to accounting, so the entire operation becomes more consistent and more profitable. But before jumping in, operators should know what self storage software delivers in practice, plus where options for smaller and larger operators fit in.
Best States for Electric Vehicles (2026): The West Leads EV Adoption, North Carolina Speeds Up
Rising oil prices are hitting American households hard — and nowhere more than among the long-distance commuters who fled big cities during the pandemic in search of cheaper housing, only to trade rent savings for higher fuel costs. For that group — and for a growing number of cost-conscious drivers — the case for going electric has rarely been stronger.
How to Store Hats the Right Way
Growing up is realizing that there’s a wrong and a right way to store your hats. It’s up to you whether they stay sharp or end up crumpled, discolored, and linty. Back when hats were an everyday essential and travel didn’t involve A/C, leather hat boxes were such a hit that even panettone boxes borrowed their iconic design. So let’s honor the tradition and get serious about hat storage.
How to Store Pillows Long-Term Without Ruining Them
Pillows are one of those household items we don’t think much about until we pull one out of a closet and it smells stale, feels flat or looks oddly misshapen. Whether you’re rotating seasonal bedding, setting up a spare bedroom for guests, moving homes, or just trying to declutter, knowing how to store pillows properly makes a real difference.
How to Store Wine the Right Way for Long-Term Enjoyment
How to store wine properly depends on what you’re storing and how long you plan to keep it. A few bottles you’ll open soon don’t require the same conditions as wine meant to age for a year or more. The good news is that proper wine storage isn’t complicated. With a few simple adjustments, you can protect flavor, balance and aging potential. Whether you’re keeping a modest collection at home or exploring specialized self storage options, understanding the basics ensures your bottles remain in good condition until you’re ready to open them.
How to Make Living with Roommates Work in Real Life
Living with roommates can save you thousands of dollars a year. In many cities, it is the only realistic way to afford a decent apartment in a good neighborhood. That is one reason shared housing continues to grow, especially among young professionals and renters in high-cost markets.
How To Find Cheap Storage: 8 Easy Steps
Cheap storage becomes much easier to secure when you focus on one clear goal: pay only for the space and features you truly need. Small units, non-climate-controlled space, move-in promotions and facilities outside the highest-priced neighborhoods often provide very attractive value, while careful comparison across providers helps you locate the lowest rates for both small loads and sizeable household contents.
Best Websites For Finding Storage Units (Without Overpaying)
If you’re looking for a storage unit, you likely want two things: to see what’s available near you and to avoid overpaying.
Small Apartment Storage Ideas: How to Maximize Space and Make It Feel Like Home
Living in a small apartment doesn’t mean settling for cramped or chaotic. With the right systems in place, even limited square footage can feel organized, functional and surprisingly comfortable.