1. Water is crucial to your safety.
While it might sound dramatic, dehydration is a real issue and can be deadly. Especially in Phoenix from April to October, temperatures are regularly over 100 degrees and having water on hand has to become second nature if you decide to live in Southern Arizona. The desert is dry and hot, and water is essential.
2. Weather varies greatly across the state.
In Phoenix where I currently live, the weather can be classified as a hot desert climate, similar to the climate found in Saharan Africa, Central Australia, and Saudi Arabia. However, this is not the case for all of Arizona. Just this past weekend, I traveled to Prescott, Arizona, and was surrounded by lush pine trees and rolling mountains. My second day in Prescott consisted of a hailstorm and temperatures in the low 40’s. Just when I thought I was getting used to desert heat.
3. In Phoenix, however, we worry about the other temperature extreme.
It's no secret or surprise that Phoenix is hot. Really hot. As I mentioned earlier, summers are long, and usually last from April to October. Temperatures during the summer are consistently over 100 degrees, and usually over 110 degrees in the middle of summer. On these days, air condoning becomes your best friend.
4. Once the sun goes down, it's cold.
Because Phoenix is located in the middle of a desert, it's surrounded by sand. Sand doesn't retain heat at all, so as soon as the sun falls below the horizon, you can expect about a 20 degree drop in temperature.
5. But eventually, you do adjust to the heat.
You never realize how accustomed you become to the heat until you leave Phoenix, and then you become a COMPLETE weather snob. Anything below 70 is winter and calls for a heavy jacket. What used to be "cozy hoodie fall days" becomes "actual hell frozen over."
6. Basically, there is nowhere in the US that has weather quite like The Valley.
Just yesterday, I witnessed my first ever habob, which is essentially a dust storm that usually happens in the summertime. A massive cloud engulfs the city and surrounding suburbs in a thick coat of dust. They are actually quite pretty, yet very ominous.
7. The food is, well, amazing.
Okay, enough on Arizona's crazy weather, let's talk food. Phoenix is able to be flooded with quality, genuine Mexican restaurants because of its proximity to the border. Also, because of its location on the West Coast, Phoenix has great Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai food. In the few short weeks I have been here, I have had some great (and cheap!) Mexican food, especially from food trucks.
*Hint: If you go to a Mexican food truck and order in English, you're not doing it right.
Phoenix is a great city, and Arizona is a beautiful state. Covering all of it in just one list is impossible. The best way to truly experience it is to visit. Arizona is such a great place that I encourage everyone, East and West coast, to visit.
