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Arizona is famous for its spectacular sunset alongside its stunning landscape. The Grand Canyon state houses 22 national parks and monuments attracting millions of visitors worldwide.
Constantly rated as one of the fastest growing states in the country, Arizona keeps attracting more people as a result of its low crime rate, affordable homes, and booming job market among several other things.
Arizonians are never worried about hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes, and the state has one of the lowest average rainfalls in the United States.
If you're considering moving to Arizona, we created this guide just for you. This guide contains all the key things you need to know about Arizona before making up your mind about moving to the Grand Canyon state.
Make the Most of All the Information You Need to Know About Moving to Arizona
Here's a quick summary of what we're going to cover in this Arizona state guide:
Let's get you up to speed!
A quick look at the population and other demographics of California.
California is home to 39.9 million people and one out of every eight United States residents live in the state. California’s median age is 36 years and around 50.3% of the state population are female, while 49.6% are male.
If the weather is one of the key metrics you’ll like to consider before moving to California, the state weather, the state has warm dry summers and mild wet winters. Here’s a breakdown of the state’s weather since you’re considering moving to California:
Tip: Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.
California’s average one-way commute time is 28.8 minutes. The U.S. average is 26.4 minutes. That means the average commuting time in California is longer than the U.S. average. Commuting time is key since you’re considering moving to California.
Here’s how people in the state commute to work regularly:
California is one of the best places to live in the United States. Every year, thousands of people move in and out of California for several reasons.
Since you’re considering moving to California, here are the top ten reasons why people are moving to the Garden State:
California experiences a Mediterranean-like climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The daytime temperature hovers around 70??? and up, but can occasionally spike to 80??? or more on hottest summer days. The freezing temperatures are rare in California with the daily average in winter going between 4??? and 23 ???.
Hollywood is a synonym for the US movie industry, which is the largest in the world. Many of the largest movie studios, such as Paramount, Disney, Warner Bros, and Universal Pictures were found in this neighborhood of Los Angeles and most of the American movies are produced at studios here.
The global center for high technology and innovation, Silicon Valley is a region in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. A major financial hub of the country, Silicon Valley provides 225,300 high-tech jobs and some of the tech giants headquartered in Silicon Valley include Adobe Inc, Cisco Systems, Facebook, Intel, Tesla Inc, Synopsys, and Western Digital.
California ranks high in quality education and the state records one of the top annual enrolments in school. California boasts of some of the county’s top-notch colleges and schools.
Hollywood, the world’s entertainment capital, is in California. In addition, there are vibrant cities, beaches, amusement parks, and natural wonders spread all across the state. Some of the top-ranking entertainment options in California include:
Silicon Valley, Hollywood, unlimited tourism options – California’s job market is robust and ever-growing. About 53 of Fortune 500 companies call California their home and the unemployment rate in the state is very low in comparison to many other states.
With a booming job market, the chances of better pay are high in California. The average annual pay for the average job in California is $62,356 a year. The hourly pay for an average job is 29.98 per hour, which is much higher than the national average.
There is an incredible array and variety of beaches in California. Blessed with stunning scenery along the rugged Pacific coastline, there are hundreds of beaches in the state to pick from.
We have filtered out 10 beaches to spend your quality time on, sea kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, wakeboarding, surfing, and bodyboarding.
Home to Silicon Valley and Hollywood, there is no dearth of opportunities in California. About 50 Fortune 500 companies have headquarters in California and the state is also one of the most visited tourist destinations. All these factors contribute to the unlimited opportunities for everyone in the state.
From plenty of spectacular scenery from the wild waves of the Pacific to soaring mountain peaks, roaring rivers, and glistening lakes, California has a lot to offer outdoors.
Here are some of the adventures to try in Californian outdoors.
Unlimited economic opportunities, better package structure, pleasant weather, and never-ending entertainment outdoor environment – you have got reasons to move to California.
However, there are also some downsides to residing in this seemingly perfect state. What you really want to know is: Is California a good state to live in?
To help you, we’ve compiled some of the positives and negatives of the ‘Golden State’.
Before you make the final call, take a look at the top pros and cons of living in California.
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Moving to California means you can get the chance to live in some of the best places in the entire United States. Since you’re considering moving to California, here’s a list of the ten best places to live in California:
| Place | Population | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Altos | 30,504 | $2,000,001 | 3.3% |
| Aliso Viejo | 50,663 | $632,900 | 3.7% |
| Los Altos Hills | 8,505 | $2,000,001 | 3.2% |
| Pacific Grove | 15,522 | $857,900 | 3.9% |
| Piedmont | 11,317 | $2,000,001 | 3.9% |
| Tiburon | 9,144 | $2,000,001 | 2.7% |
| Saratoga | 30,697 | $2,000,001 | 3.7% |
| Belmont | 27,097 | $1,527,500 | 3.2% |
| Cupertino | 60,257 | $1,711,300 | 3.6% |
| Palos Verdes Estates | 13,434 | $2,000,000 | 2.3% |
California’s cost of living is rated 149.9. The national average is 100. That means the average cost of living in California is higher than the national average.
The cost of living is one of the key things to look at if you’re moving to California:
| Cost of living | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 149.9 | 100 |
| Grocery | 105.1 | 100 |
| Health | 92.4 | 100 |
| Housing | 239.1 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $552,800 | $231,200 |
| Utilities | 102.4 | 100 |
| Transportation | 133.1 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 103.7 | 100 |
California’s median home cost is $552,800. Over the last ten years, home appreciation in California has increased by 51.65. Currently, home values in the Golden state have risen by 5.2%.
If you’re considering renting a home after moving to California, renting a home can be a good housing option. Renters make up 41.4% of the state’s population. Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of renting a home in the Golden State:
If renting a home is a part of your housing option if you’re moving to California, here’s how the state’s rent compare to other states in the country:
| Statistic | California | USA | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $1,650 | 69.7% |
| Average $/sqft | $2.015 | $1.135 | 77.5% |
| M-o-M Change | $0 | $0 | -- |
| Y-o-Y Change | $50 | $5 | 900.0% |
| M-o-M % Change | 0.0% | 0.0% | -- |
| Y-o-Y % Change | 1.8% | 0.3% | -- |
Renting a home can be a great option if you're moving to Arizona. In fact, about 30.4% of people living in Arizona are renters. Similar to several other states across the country, all types of homes are available for rent in Arizona. However, only about 2.5 apartments and houses are open for rent in Arizona.
Here's a simple breakdown of the state's real estate market:
Yes, Arizona is a good state to live in. The state has a warm climate and the economy is highly growing. As a result, the job opportunities are extremely high here, especially in cities like Tucson and Phoenix. Despite the economy thriving, the cost of living is low and you can easily get good accommodation at a low rent. The quality of education is high here and some of the best universities in the US are situated in Arizona.
Arizona is one of the best places to move in. The advantages of living in Arizona are:
No, Arizona is not expensive at all. The cost of living in Arizona is extremely low in comparison with many other states. Despite the economy growing and companies paying good salaries, you will get homes at affordable rent and can even buy one without burning your wallet. Even other expenses in the state are highly affordable.
As per the FBI, Arizona is relatively a safe state and the violent crime rate is below the national average. Most of the violent crimes that occur in Arizona tend to be centered close to the Mexico border.
The police claim to have brought gang wars and street fights under control and most neighborhoods in big cities are safer than what they had been a decade ago.
Yes, Arizona promises a healthy life as it has the cleanest air in the US. The days are always sunny here and you will be always both mentally and physically healthier. Due to the natural sunlight, there will be no shortage of Vitamin D and you will have a strong immune system, better dental health, and low blood pressure.
While living in Arizona, the chances of depression are also extremely low.
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Start My Quote NowIf you're moving to Arizona, buying a home in the state is a great idea. However, to help you make the right decision, we collected the most important data about Arizona's real estate market to help you get started:
This housing market information gives you a crystal-clear picture of the state real estate market if you're moving to Arizona.
California is home to 53 Fortune 500 companies and the state’s economy is rated as one of the largest in the world.
Home to the Silicon Valley, thousands of startups, and tech companies, California’s job market is always booming.
Moving to California can give you a better chance to earn higher pay. California is one of the states known for higher average pay across the board. Since you’re considering moving to California, here’s a breakdown of the average pay in the state:
Moving to California could mean working for some of the biggest companies in the world. Since you’re considering moving to California, here’s a list of the top ten largest companies in the state:
| Rank | Company | City | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concentrix | Fremont | 225,000 |
| 2 | The Walt Disney Company | Burbank | 201,000 |
| 3 | Taco Bell | Irvine | 175,000 |
| 4 | Safeway | Pleasanton | 137,000 |
| 5 | Gap | San Francisco | 135,000 |
| 6 | Apple | Cupertino | 132,000 |
| 7 | Kaiser Permanente | Oakland | 128,270 |
| 8 | SYNNEX | Fremont | 108,000 |
| 9 | PORAC | Sacramento | 107,653 |
| 10 | Intel | Santa Clara | 107,100 |
If you’re considering a career change after moving to California, we’ve made a list of the top career options in the state. Whether you’re considering investing or getting a new job, the list below is worth taking a look at since you’re considering moving to California:
| Rank | Job Title | AVERAGE SALARY | ENTRY LEVEL SALARY | # OF PEOPLE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists | $248,100 | $115,900 | 3,650 |
| 2 | Psychiatrists | $236,930 | $122,570 | 3,560 |
| 3 | Obstetricians And Gynecologists | $236,730 | $114,320 | 1,540 |
| 4 | Nurse Anesthetists | $227,290 | $127,700 | 1,270 |
| 5 | Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons | $222,180 | $68,470 | 690 |
| 6 | Orthodontists | $220,410 | $57,970 | 420 |
| 7 | Chief Executives | $216,520 | $88,350 | 31,730 |
| 8 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $212,510 | $114,140 | 3,410 |
| 9 | Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $210,140 | $80,010 | 32,070 |
| 10 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, And Flight Engineers | $208,070 | $90,760 | 10,340 |
California’s unemployment rate is 4.40%. The national average is 3.70%. Here’s a breakdown of the state’s job market since you’re considering moving to California:
| Employment Information | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $33,128 | $31,177 |
| Household Income | $67,169 | $57,652 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.40% | 3.70% |
| Recent Job Growth | 1.31% | 1.59% |
| Future Job Growth | 33.96% | 33.51% |
California’s massive and thriving economy is powered by several key industries. The Garden state is a powerhouse of several economic activities.
California is one of the most famous places on earth and the city is known for so many things. Since you’re considering moving to California, we’ve made a list of the key things the Golden State is known for. Check them out:
Once a neighborhood in Los Angeles, Hollywood is now the world capital of cinema and home to some of the largest movie studios, including Universal, Paramount, Warner Bros, and Disney. Some of the big landmarks of cinema fall into the list of most visited places in the country. Apart from providing unlimited jobs to locals, Hollywood also brings big revenues to the national coffers.
No state in the US captures the essence of a carefree, sun-kissed lifestyle like California and the 800-mile coastline plays a major role in that. With about 100 beaches and more, it is almost possible to pick the best beach to surf, dive, swim, or soak in the sun.
California has 9 national parks, the most by any state. And each one with its unique appeal waits to embrace visitors year around. Here’s the list of national parks in California.
Situated 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco, Alcatraz Island has an abandoned federal prison, the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States, early military fortifications, and natural features such as rock pools and a seabird colony. Now abandoned, Alcatraz Jail was infamous for its notorious inmates, including Al “Scarface” Capone and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud.
The fourth-largest city in California is the cultural, financial, and commercial center in northern California. Silicon Valley is in San Francisco that is home to some of the largest technology companies, including Adobe Inc, Jupiter Networks, Netflix, Nvidia, and PayPal.
Almost 90% of the wine in the US is produced in California, which is 30% more than the wine produced in Australia. The climate, ranging from abundant sunshine to cool coastal air, plus a variety of soils and terrain gives a personal touch to every wine produced in different parts of California. The different red wines from the state include outstanding ones like Pinot Noir and Zinfandel and even lesser-known varieties like Valdiguié.
From the wild water thrills of Splash Mountain in Disneyland to nostalgic big dippers and the Halloween-themed Knott’s Scary Farm, there’s never a dull moment at the finest theme parks in California.
Here’s a list of top-rated theme parks in California
Surfing is big in California. It is so big that for many, surfing is a way of life while for many, it is a spectator sport. Some of the best surfing beaches in California are:
Standing up to 378-feet tall, Redwood trees are the tallest, the biggest, and the oldest trees in the world and California is the only place where you can see them. They define the landscapes with mesmerizing heights and give a distinctive appearance.
A desert valley in Eastern California is one of the hottest places on the earth. It is notoriously hot in summer and got its name for its extreme climate that makes it difficult for normal living creatures to survive.
Fort Bragg is a picaresque city along the Pacific Coast and was once an exclusive army base but now turned into a tourist destination with many outdoor activities.
Californians are crazy about craft beer and the state has 968 craft beer breweries, the maximum in any US state. Some of the top craft beer brands in California to relish are:
Mammoth Lakes in Mono County has an amazing range of hot springs, all tucked inside serene surroundings. Naturally protected, these springs are hot destinations for those who aspire for solitude in the company of wilderness.
Some of the best hot springs to explore is:
California Casual or California Cool or just California Style is a decorating style that majors on neutral, soft colors on furniture and walls, furnishings that are inviting and comfortable, a relaxed boho feel enhanced by natural materials and fabrics, such as leather, wood, wool, cotton, and stone.
Hollywood, theme parks, sunshine, artisanal toasts – the specialties of California do not end here. Music festivals are another rage in California which hosts never-ending music nights year around.
Some of the best music fests to attend in California include:
Just as the state, the cuisine in California is also diverse. It’s a mix of fresh ingredients, vegetables, fresh cheeses, grilled meat, fish and seafood, nuts, an assortment of cross-cultural dishes influenced by other international cuisines: Mexican, Chinese & European.
Here are 7 dishes to relish in California
Crime rate is one of the key things to consider if you’re moving to California. Similar to several other large cities in the United States, California has its fair share of crime-related problems. Here are key stats to note since you’re moving to California:
This stat shows the violent crime rate in California:
| Cases | Murder | Rape | Robbery | Assault |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report Total | 1,690 | 14,799 | 52,301 | 105,541 |
| Rate per 1,000 | 0.04 | 0.37 | 1.32 | 2.67 |
Here’s a simple stat of California property crime rate:
| Cases | Burglary | Theft | Motor Vehicle Theft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report Total | 152,555 | 626,802 | 141,757 |
| Rate per 1,000 | 3.86 | 15.86 | 3.59 |
Whether you have school-age kids or not, moving to California could mean living in some of the best school districts in the world.
California is home to some of the best schools in the entire world. from elementary, middle, high, colleges, and universities, moving to California mean you’ll have access to some of the best education on earth.
Since you’re considering moving to California, here are the best elementary, middle, and high schools in the state:
Lord Baltimore Elementary School
Indian River School District, Public, PK-5 | 647 students, Rating: 10/10
Lake Forest North Elementary School
Lake Forest School District, Public, PK-4 | 544 students, Rating: 10/10
Frear (Allen) Elementary School
Caesar Rodney School District, Public, 1-5 | 734 students, Rating: 10/10
Welch (Major George S.) Elementary School
Caesar Rodney School District, Public, 1-5 | 227 students, Rating: 10/10
Johns Creek Elementary School
Forsyth County School District, Public, PK-5 | 1045 students
Southern California School of the Arts
Indian River School District, Public, K-8 | 469 students, Rating: 10/10
Sussex Academy
Sussex Academy Of Arts & Sciences, Charter, 6-12 | 759 students, Rating: 10/10
Newark Charter School
Newark Charter School, Charter, K-12 | 2354 students, Rating: 9/10
Calloway (Cab) School of the Arts
Red Clay Consolidated School District, Public, 6-12 | 936 students, Rating: 9/10
Conrad Schools of Science
Red Clay Consolidated School District, Public, 6-12 | 1168 students, Rating: 9/10
Sussex Academy
Sussex Academy Of Arts & Sciences, Charter, 6-12 | 759 students, Rating: 10/10
Newark Charter School
Newark Charter School, Charter, K-12 | 2354 students, Rating: 10/10
Christiana High School
Christina School District, Public, 9-12 | 716 students, Rating: 9/10
Calloway (Cab) School of the Arts
Red Clay Consolidated School District, Public, 6-12 | 936 students, Rating: 9/10
Conrad Schools of Science
Red Clay Consolidated School District, Public, 6-12 | 1168 students, Rating: 9/10
Rank 1. University of California
Rank 2. Goldey-Beacom College
Rank 3. California State University
Rank 4. Wilmington University
Rank 5. California Technical Community College
Rank 6. Wesley College
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