When it comes to the fastest growing cities in the United States, no urban area has seen more positive growth over the last year than Phoenix, Arizona. And when you learn about everything the city has to offer, you’ll understand exactly why.
Phoenix on the Rise
To those in the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast, it may be surprising to learn that Phoenix is the fastest growing city in the country. However, for those in the region, it’s pretty obvious. Phoenix has undergone a meteoric rise over the last few years and the latest U.S. Census Bureau report simply provides objective data to support what people have long understood to be true.
According to the report, Phoenix saw the largest numeric increase in population growth between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018. It added 25,288 new residents and now boasts a population of 1.66 million residents. This is the third consecutive year in which more people have moved to Phoenix than any other city in the country.
While some cities experience growth as a direct result of one specific factor (like a major real estate development or business project) Phoenix is a perfect example of a city that’s growing out of a confluence of factors. There’s a combination of immigration, domestic migration of retired individuals from the North, and even a dispersion of migrants from coastal towns in California who are looking for a more affordable cost of living.
“Phoenix’s increase helped the city remain the fifth-largest city in the country — just slightly ahead of Philadelphia’s population of 1,584,138. Phoenix is far from catching the fourth largest city, Houston, which has a population of 2,325,502.” Arizona Republic explains.
4 Reasons People Move to Phoenix
The fact that Phoenix continues to lead the nation in population growth isn’t a coincidence or happenstance. People move to Phoenix for numerous reasons, including:
1. Real Estate Variety
It’s impossible for a city to support the type of population growth that Phoenix is experiencing without a healthy real estate market. Not only are values increasing, but new construction is exploding.
The best thing about Phoenix real estate is diversity. You can find new homes for sale from Kay-Grant in every corner of the sprawling metropolis. Whether you want a condo downtown or a gated community in the suburbs, there are plenty of options. And even though the prices are higher than they’ve ever been, there’s cautious optimism that values will soar even higher in the coming months.
2. Booming Business
Phoenix features a booming business environment that’s expected to flourish even more in the coming decade. Combine the small business job creation incubator with the dozens of coworking spaces around the area, and you get a city that’s ripe for innovation. At least five Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Phoenix – PetSmart, Avnet, Freeport McMoRan, Republic Services, and Insight Enterprises – and there’s room for more.
3. Beautiful Scenery
Some people love the ocean or mountains. Other people enjoy the desolate beauty of the desert. What desert landscapes lack in major topographical changes, they make up for in raw beauty.
You’ll be hard pressed to find any sunset in America that rivals one in the deserts surrounding Phoenix. And with very little light pollution in the outskirts of town, you can sit and watch the night sky fill up with a sea of bright stars.
4. Great Weather
If you’re looking for warm weather, Phoenix is the place for you. There are roughly 300 sunny days per year and the temperatures are a direct reflection of this. And even though temperatures are 100-plus degrees for one-third of the year, it’s a dry heat. This means it’s less sticky and easier to manage.
Is Phoenix Right for You?
Phoenix is compelling for a number of reasons. From real estate and business to beautiful scenery and favorable weather, there’s something for everyone. If you’re considering making the move, you aren’t alone. However, it’s recommended that you take your time and make sure it’s right for you. If you do decide to move here, you’ll quickly discover what so many others love about the area.
