If you're considering moving to the Grand Canyon State, you're in luck. Arizona offers great weather, stunning landscapes, and endless activities. There's something for everyone in Arizona -- it's a great state for young professionals looking to get their start, families wanting to raise a family, or retirees looking to settle down. Here are 10 of the best places to live in the state.
Scottsdale
From the stirring beauty of lush Sonoran Desert to world-class luxury resorts, chef-driven restaurants and exciting activities and attractions, Scottsdale is bursting at the seams with the makings of a memorable getaway.
Scottsdale is a desert city in Arizona bordering the state capital of Phoenix. It is known for its spa resorts and golf courses, including TPC Scottsdale. Farther north, trails wind through McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a desertscape of hills, rock formations and cacti. Nearby is Taliesin West, architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s former home and studio. Downtown's Old Town Scottsdale features 1920's buildings and 19th-century olive trees.
Cave Creek
Cave Creek is a little quirky where motorcycles and horseback riders share Main Street with one-of-a-kind shops and saloons. You can move at a slower pace in Cave Creek, where friendly Creekers can steer you toward first-rate hiking at Spur Cross or to the local bar Harold’s Cave Creek Corral. You’ll find feed stores interspersed with secondhand shops, a hat shop, art galleries, and upscale home decor stores offering Mexican pottery and one-of-kind furnishings.
The town’s signature event, Wild West Days, features a parade, cattle drive, and mutton bustin’ (picture bull riding for kids, on sheep). But don’t fret if you miss it: there’s two-steppin' and bull riding at Cave Creek’s saloons throughout the year. Looking for something more low-key? How about live acoustic music under the stars at a local coffeehouse? When you’ve worked up an appetite, well, Cave Creek satisfies. For starters, there’s the nationally acclaimed barbecue, margaritas on the terrace at sunset, and five-star dining.
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is a suburb of Phoenix. It is Arizona's wealthiest municipality. The town is known for its luxury golf courses, shopping, real estate, and restaurant scene. According to the 2020 census, the population of the town was 12,658.
Surrounded by the iconic Camelback Mountain to the south, Phoenix Mountain Preserve to the west, and McDowell Mountains to the east, the Town of Paradise Valley is a quiet desert oasis in the heart of Scottsdale-Phoenix. With an average of 294 days of sunshine a year, there is no limit to the number of exciting activities you can pack into each day during your stay.
Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills is known for its impressive fountain, once the tallest in the world, it borders the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and Scottsdale. The population was 23,820 as of the 2020 census.
One of the community's most valuable assets is its natural beauty. Incredible views and natural desert terrain provide for a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, boating and golf. In fact, Fountain Hills contains some of the more challenging and picturesque golf courses in the State of Arizona.
Carefree
Enjoy the grandeur of the Sonoran Desert, visit the one-of-a-kind Sundial and stroll through the vibrant downtown Desert Garden. Attend seasonal cultural festivals and art shows; discover unique shops, exceptional galleries and gourmet restaurants; and bring the kids to the Kiwanis Splash pad for fun in the sun. There’s so much to see and do in Carefree, Arizona! A very scenic 30-minute drive north from Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Phoenix
Phoenix is the capital of the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona. Known for its year-round sun and warm temperatures, it anchors a sprawling, multicity metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun. It's known for high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses and vibrant nightclubs. Other highlights include the Desert Botanical Garden, displaying cacti and numerous native plants.
Glendale
From the nation’s finest sports and entertainment district to top-notch accommodations and one of the most renowned shopping areas in America, Glendale has a blend of historic charm, and sports and entertainment year around.
The new VAI Resort will feature over 1,200 luxury hotel suites and rooms, a large state of the art 360-degree concert stage, 13 elevated fine dining concepts, flowing white sand beaches, and pristine Caribbean-blue water. A 52,000 square foot island will be a center point for this unique 60-acre entertainment resort.
Sedona
Sedona is an Arizona desert town near Flagstaff that’s surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. It’s noted for its mild climate and vibrant arts community. Uptown Sedona is dense with New Age shops, spas and art galleries. On the town’s outskirts, numerous trailheads access Red Rock State Park, which offers bird-watching, hiking and picnicking spots.
Marana
Looking for a scenic getaway in an exotic desert? The Town of Marana located about 20-25 minutes from Tucson, offers city amenities, with only 400 people per square mile. Take in a breathtaking view of an Arizona sunset from a luxurious resort patio or opt for a comfortable place near Interstate 10 with plenty of nearby shopping and dining. As the gateway to Southern Arizona, finding the perfect spot to explore all that the area has to offer is easy.
Enjoy a full range of hospitality experiences – from budget to luxurious. Marana is home to the highest rated resort in Arizona, The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain, a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star-rated hotel and spa with a Four Star-rated restaurant, also named the No. 1 hotel in Arizona by Travel + Leisure Magazine. For the best rates and special deals, search and book here to begin planning your next vacation.
Payson
As the gateway to Arizona's dramatic high country, Payson offers four-season recreation. This land, where the Ponderosa Pine forest meets desert canyon country, has exerted a magnetic pull on early Mormon settlers, Western novelist Zane Grey, and actor/rancher John Wayne. Seven sparkling lakes are the centerpiece of scenic mountains, where you can ride horses in the morning and fly-fish in the afternoon. Plan a hike to wonder at Tonto Natural Bridge, believed to be the world’s largest natural travertine bridge. And once the first snow falls, strap on your skis and find a trail for cross-country skiing.
Payson also boasts a lively festival calendar. There’s big-time broncin’ in this small town setting at the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, established in 1884. Annual outdoor events lure thrill-seekers from across the Southwest, and the Old Time Fiddlers Contest celebrates the area’s rich musical heritage. Don’t worry about seeing it all – this alpine playground is guaranteed to lasso you back for future trips. So there you have it, ten top places to live in Arizona. Each of these communities offer something unique and special that makes them worth calling home. So whether you're looking for a place to raise a family or a quiet retirement community, one of these cities is sure to be the perfect fit for you.
