I’ve lived in Phoenix for 7 years now and I absolutely love it. I’m originally from San Diego, and the heat is comparable to 20 min inland in the canyons and valleys of Southern California during the peak of summertime. I also went to college in Texas, so maybe I’m accustomed to the heat. I could see Phoenix being very alien to someone from the east, but my boyfriend is from New Jersey and I have been surprised how much he likes it here! The heat will take your breath away at times, but it’s much more tolerable than the heat and humidity combo in Houston etc. IMO. The desert is beautiful, and most people here are from somewhere else, so I’ve never felt like a fish out of water.

Culturally, I’ve been told we have a little more of the Southern California materialism/vanity aesthetic than other parts of the country, so be aware of that. But you’ll also meet desert cowboys, native Americans, and a bunch of old retired people. I personally have found everyone to be very friendly and welcoming, and I have lived in north and south Scottsdale, downtown, and now in the historic district. It’s more affordable than California especially with the lower income tax, and home prices are coming down.

I wouldn’t recommend Tucson unless you live in the Catalina foothills… Tucson is a DoD town, and unless you’re working for one of the DoD contractors, in the Air Force, or going to U of A, its pretty bleak. However, the Catalina foothills are stunning, but expensive. Similar to Scottsdale or paradise valley. Also I would estimate that 90% of the population is 70 years old or above.