5 Tips to Keep in Mind When Living in Arizona

Arizona is a state blessed with abundant natural beauty and a thriving economy.

Whether you’ve lived in the Grand Canyon State your whole life or a new transplant to its stunning vistas, it is a state unlike any other in several ways.

Keep these five tips in mind when living in Arizona. You may just learn something interesting about the state or keep yourself out of a jam!

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Tip #1: Stay Active While Living in Arizona

Arizona makes it pretty easy to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.

For one thing, it boasts a pretty mild yearly climate. In winter, you can expect to enjoy temperatures in the upper 60s and lows in the 40s. Summers are of course hot in Arizona, but it is a dry, desert heat.

Climate is only the beginning of the story, also consider the state’s geography. While the northern end of the state is filled with lush forests and mountains, the southern end of the state comprises a hot, dry desert landscape.

Arizona is landlocked, meaning you of course never have to worry about frequent tropical storms. The state is also home to deep canyons, hundreds of named mountains, deserts with varying degrees of elevation, and beautiful rivers.

Don’t take these geographical features for granted when you live in Arizona! Get out there and hike, canoe, and explore in general. It’s good for your health (and a lot of fun.)

Tip #2: Do Not Remove Saguaro Cacti

File this under “weird Arizona laws.”

It is illegal to dig up and move a saguaro cactus. It is actually a class 4 felony and you will have to pay a hefty fine if you do so.

You may think this tip does not pertain to you, but it’s a law because it’s happened before, after all! So let Arizona’s stunning saguaros be and you should be fine.

At the very least, it’s nice to know the state protects one of its most unique flora specimens.

Tip #3: Know Where Your Dispensaries Are

Recreational marijuana is legal in the state of Arizona. While you cannot smoke it in public, any adult over the age of 18 can purchase marijuana and use it in the privacy of their homes at their discretion.

Whether you use cannabis for its medicinal purposes or for enjoyment, our next tip is to remind you to always know where your nearest dispensary is! To find yours, consult this interactive dispensary map by Veriheal.

Tip #4: If You’re Moving to Arizona, Choose Your City Wisely

Arizona is home to many beautiful and modern cities that most of us would love to reside in. And if you’re planning to do just that, make sure you put thought into the city or it will cost you.

For the most part, the state’s cost of living is only a smidge higher than the rest of the country. Scottsdale and Phoenix, for instance, are currently about 5 higher than average. That’s not a huge difference.

Compare this to Arizona’s lovely Paradise Valley. According to BestPlaces, life in Paradise Valley is 202.9% more expensive than in Phoenix! Keep these figures in mind whether you’re relocating to AZ for school, work, or retirement.

Tip #5: Park Wisely

Park wisely? Yes, that is an honest-to-goodness tip to keep in mind when living in Arizona!

Why? The state’s constant sunshine and super-hot temperatures mean Arizona residents park their cars based on where there’s shade and not the distance from their destination.

If you’re new to Arizona, you may not appreciate this until you live it. But ideally, you’ll want to park your car in your garage when you come home after work. Utilize parking garages when working. And when you’re out running errands, search for spots beneath trees and in shade provided by buildings.

We cannot stress enough how quickly your car will trap the sweltering heat when you park in the sun!

You may also consider buying those car windshield sunshades to prevent the sun from heating your car to an unbearable and potentially dangerous temperature.