Best Areas in Arizona to Live Your complete Phoenix & Scottsdale relocation resource — bestareasinarizonatolive.com Free Guide ↓
Best Areas in Arizona to Live — Phoenix, Scottsdale, Arizona
BestAreasInArizonaToLive.com

Find the Best
Areas in Arizona
to Live

We've helped hundreds of families discover the right Phoenix, Scottsdale, and greater Arizona neighborhood for their lifestyle, budget, and goals. Your relocation starts here — free guide, expert guidance, zero pressure.

Best Areas in Arizona to Live
Arizona at a Glance — 2026
2.5%
Flat income tax
300+
Days of sunshine
$460K
Phoenix median home
#1
Safest city — Scottsdale
ST
Sharon Terhune
Realtor® · eXp Realty · Arizona
Call or text
(602) 980-3571
Why Arizona

The Real Reasons People Move Here

Arizona isn't just affordable — it's a lifestyle upgrade. Here's what our clients discover after they make the move.

💰
Tax Savings That Add Up
Arizona's 2.5% flat income tax is among the lowest in the nation. No estate tax. No inheritance tax. On a $150K household income moving from California, you save $14,000–$22,000 per year. Every year.
$18K+
Average annual tax savings vs California
🏡
More Home for Your Money
$500,000 in the Phoenix suburbs buys a 4-bedroom, 2-car garage home in an A-rated school district. In Los Angeles, that same budget gets you a 1-bedroom condo with $800/mo in HOA fees.
$460K
Phoenix metro median home price 2026
☀️
300 Days of Sunshine
Arizona's outdoor lifestyle is genuinely transformative. World-class hiking, golf, and a restaurant culture that punches above its weight. The weather changes behavior — people exercise more, socialize more, live more outdoors.
300+
Sunny days per year in Phoenix metro
🏥
World-Class Healthcare
Mayo Clinic's Arizona campus in Scottsdale is consistently ranked among the top 5 hospitals in the United States. Banner Health, HonorHealth, and Dignity Health round out exceptional metro-wide coverage.
Top 5
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale national rank
🎓
Top-Rated Schools
Scottsdale USD and Paradise Valley USD rank in the top 5 school districts in Arizona. BASIS Scottsdale is consistently top 5 nationally. Families move here for the schools and stay for the community.
94%
Scottsdale USD graduation rate
📈
A Growing Economy
Driven by TSMC, Intel, financial services, healthcare, and tech — Arizona's job market has diversified dramatically. Remote workers and entrepreneurs consistently rank it as one of the best places for lifestyle-driven relocation.
#1
Safest large city in AZ — Scottsdale
Find Your Ideal Location

Explore Arizona Communities

From walkable Old Town Scottsdale to master-planned north Scottsdale communities to growing Phoenix suburbs — every lifestyle has a neighborhood.

Old Town
Old Town Scottsdale
Scottsdale · AZ 85251
$450K – $750K condos
Urban · Walkable
McCormick
McCormick Ranch
Scottsdale · AZ 85258
$600K – $1M+
Best Family Value
DC Ranch
DC Ranch
North Scottsdale · AZ 85255
$1.2M – $5M+
Gold Standard
Grayhawk
Grayhawk
North Scottsdale · AZ 85260
$800K – $3M+
Best North Value
Arcadia
Arcadia
Scottsdale/Phoenix · AZ 85018
$800K – $2.5M+
Most Coveted
S. Scottsdale
South Scottsdale
Scottsdale · AZ 85257
$380K – $600K
Most Affordable
Gainey
Gainey Ranch
Scottsdale · AZ 85258
$800K – $2M+
Guard-Gated Luxury
Silverleaf
Desert Mountain / Silverleaf
North Scottsdale · AZ 85262
$2M – $15M+
Ultra-Luxury
N. Phoenix
North Phoenix
Phoenix · AZ 85054 / 85085
$420K – $700K
High Growth
Arcadia
Arcadia / Biltmore
Phoenix · AZ 85018
$800K – $2.5M+
Most Coveted
Desert Ridge
Desert Ridge
Phoenix · AZ 85050
$450K – $850K
Master Planned
Ahwatukee
Ahwatukee
Phoenix · AZ 85044
$380K – $650K
Family Friendly
Chandler
Chandler
East Valley · AZ 85224
$400K – $650K
Tech Hub
Gilbert
Gilbert
East Valley · AZ 85296
$420K – $700K
Top Schools
Mesa
Mesa
East Valley · AZ 85201
$320K – $520K
Best Value
Queen Creek
Queen Creek
East Valley · AZ 85142
$380K – $600K
New Construction
Peoria
Peoria
West Valley · AZ 85383
$380K – $580K
Growing Fast
Goodyear
Goodyear
West Valley · AZ 85338
$340K – $540K
New Construction
Surprise
Surprise
West Valley · AZ 85374
$320K – $480K
Best Value
Buckeye
Buckeye
West Valley · AZ 85326
$290K – $450K
Most Affordable
Tailored for You

Custom Relocation Plan

Every relocation is different. We build a personalized plan around your lifestyle, timeline, and budget — not a generic checklist.

  • 🏘
    Neighborhood Matching
    We match you to the right Scottsdale or Phoenix neighborhood based on your commute, school needs, lifestyle, and budget — not just the most popular zip code.
  • 🔍
    Guided Home Search
    Up-to-date listings, real-time market intel, and an agent who knows which homes are worth competing for and which aren't.
  • 📅
    Relocation Timeline
    A clear, step-by-step plan from first search to closing day — including pre-approval, inspection, title, and moving logistics.
  • 🎓
    Schools & Community Info
    Detailed school boundary maps, district rankings, and community amenity guides so your family can settle in confidently.
  • 🌐
    Virtual & Remote Buying Support
    Can't visit in person? We guide you through virtual tours, remote offers, and out-of-state purchases. We've done it hundreds of times.
Start Your Free Relocation Plan
Tell us about your move — we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
The BestAreasInArizonaToLive.com Program

The Arizona Relocation Program

Whether you're coming from California, Colorado, Illinois, or the Pacific Northwest — you're not alone. Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states, and Sharon has helped hundreds of out-of-state families find the best area in Arizona for their life.

Personalized Neighborhood Guidance — Expert recommendations based on your lifestyle, commute, and budget.
Home Search Assistance — Find the right home with tailored search tools and real-time market expertise.
Virtual Tours & Remote Buying — Can't visit in person? We'll guide you through every step remotely.
Local Resource Connections — From movers to utility providers, we connect you with trusted local services.
Community Integration Support — Schools, amenities, and lifestyle insights so your family settles in fast.
Honest Market Guidance — Sharon will tell you when a property is overpriced and when it's worth competing for. No agenda.
Arizona Fast Facts for Relocators
State income tax 2.5% flat
Property tax (Maricopa Co.) 0.5–0.7%
Phoenix metro median home $460,000
Scottsdale median home $830,000
Days of sunshine / year 300+
Top hospital Mayo Clinic AZ
Scottsdale safety rank #1 in AZ
Scottsdale USD graduation 94%
Free Relocation Guide

Your Free Guide to the
Best Areas in Arizona to Live

Moving to Arizona doesn't have to be overwhelming. Download the official BestAreasInArizonaToLive.com guide — everything you need to know about Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the greater metro area in one place.

Complete Phoenix & Scottsdale neighborhood breakdown
Honest cost of living — taxes, housing, utilities, and hidden costs
School district guide with boundary maps
Month-by-month Arizona weather calendar
Sharon's recommended local services & vendors
Home buying timeline — pre-approval to closing
Inside the guide
The BestAreasInArizonaToLive.com Relocation Guide 2026
  • Neighborhood profiles — 12 communities
  • $500K buyer's guide — what you actually get
  • Summer survival — the honest truth
  • School boundaries — how to verify
  • Tax savings calculator
  • First 90 days checklist
  • Sharon's vendor recommendations
Video Guides

Watch Our Arizona Living Videos

Curious about what it's really like to live in Arizona? Our honest, data-driven video series covers every question relocators ask — no fluff, no agenda. Produced exclusively for BestAreasInArizonaToLive.com.

Episode 3
▶
Arizona Cost of Living 2026: The Honest Breakdown Nobody Makes
Taxes · Housing · Utilities · 16 min
Episode 4
▶
Arizona Summer Survival Guide: What 115°F Actually Feels Like
Summer · Monsoon · Lifestyle · 17 min
Scottsdale Guide
▶
Living in Scottsdale, AZ — Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
Neighborhoods · Schools · Lifestyle · 18 min
Buyer Guide
▶
What Can I Buy in Scottsdale for $500,000? 6 Real Properties Compared
Buyer Guide · 6 Neighborhoods · 16 min
Q&A
▶
Home Buyer Q&A — Your Questions Answered by Sharon Terhune
Pre-approval · Offers · Process · 13 min
Schools
▶
Scottsdale School Districts Ranked — SUSD, PVUSD & BASIS 2026
Schools · Districts · Boundaries · 14 min
Watch All Videos on YouTube →
What Clients Are Saying

They Found the Best Area for Them

Hundreds of families have found their perfect Arizona neighborhood through BestAreasInArizonaToLive.com. Here's what the experience looks like.

★★★★★
"Sharon made our California-to-Scottsdale move feel manageable. She knew exactly which neighborhoods matched our school requirements and our budget — and she was honest when a house wasn't worth the price. We closed in 32 days."
MK
Michael & Kim T.
Relocated from San Diego, CA → McCormick Ranch
★★★★★
"We did this entire purchase remotely from Chicago. Sharon did video walkthroughs, gave us her honest take on every property, and guided us through the offer and inspection process without us ever stepping foot in Arizona. Best decision we ever made."
JL
James & Laura B.
Relocated from Chicago, IL → Chandler
★★★★★
"The tax savings alone paid for Sharon's commission ten times over. She walked us through the real numbers — income tax, property tax, utilities — before we even started searching. We had zero surprises. That's rare in real estate."
DR
David & Rachel H.
Relocated from Los Angeles, CA → North Scottsdale
Let's Find Your Best Area

Schedule a Free
Arizona Relocation Consultation

We'll answer your questions, match you to the right neighborhood, and help you plan your timeline — whether you're 6 months out or ready to search today. Honest information. No pressure.

📞 Call (602) 980-3571
500+
Families Relocated
5★
Average Rating
24hr
Response Time
12+
Communities Served