MAIN Home Life House & Home Moving Arizona

Best known for its views of the Grand Canyon, its "painted" desert landscape and colorful sunsets, Arizona is one of the Four Corner states in the U.S. southwest, bordering New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Southern Callifornia.

Only a small percentage of Arizona's 118,000 square miles is privately owned. The majority of land falls under government jurisdiction as either national forests, parks, or Indian reservations.

The last of the lower 48 states to be admitted to the Union, Arizona officially became a state on February 14, 1912. Today, the state government is Arizona's largest employer, while Wal-Mart is the largest private employer with tens of thousands of workers statewide.

The hi-tech sector accounts for the rest of the primary employment scene in Arizona, led by software and computers, electronics components, telecommunications and related industries.

• Demographics : (Arizona Census Data)
  Major cities: Phoenix (capital), Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Sun City
  Population : 6,166,318
  White : 87.4%
  American Indian: 5.1%
  Black, African American : 3.6%
  Hispanic : 28.5%
  High school graduates : 81.0%
  Bachelor's degree or higher : 23.5%
  
  
• Crime : see Arizona Crime Rates 1960 - 2005
  
  
• Cost of Living: While Arizona sales taxes are on a par with Eastern states, property taxes throughout Arizona are much lower, dropping further traveling away from Phoenix and other larger cities. The one surprise for many Americans relocating to Arizona is the imposition of the "car tax" which, unlike many states is not a set amount, but 1.5% of the car's worth, possibly totaling several hundred dollars and made payable upon registration.
  
  
• Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Arizona Real Estate
  Home ownership rate : 68.0%
  Average home price: $233,782
  Average travel time to work : 25 minutes
  
  
• Schools : see Arizona Department of Education
  
  
• Weather : Ranging from hot desert to cold mountains, Arizona usually holds national record for extremes in hot and cold temperatures throughout the year. The hottest temperature in Arizona was 128 degrees recorded in Lake Havasu City in 1994. The lowest recorded temperature was -40 at Hawley Lake in 1971.

More about moving to Arizona around the Web:

Relocation Guide to the Greater Phoenix Area - Like it says, with a complete guide to moving to Phoenix and the Valley area with information on house & job hunting, commuter info, plus guides to local culture, travel & tourism.

Arizona Life - Relocating to Arizona - Portal to information on housing, transportation, schools, government services and related guides for those planning to move or retire to Arizona.

Moving to AZ FAQ - Answers to common questions about tax filing, income tax rates, deductions, and related topics for new or prospective Arizona residents.

Arizona Real Estate, Apartments & Job Classifieds:

• Phoenix : AZ Central
• Tucson : Arizona Daily Star
• Scottsdale : East Valley Tribune
• Flagstaff : Arizona Daily Sun

also see -> Arizona Beaches | Arizona Eviction Laws | Arizona Taxes

Arizona Tourist Attractions | Arizona Wine Tours | Christmas in Arizona

also see in House & Home -> Apartment Renting | Buying Foreclosures

Home Buying | Home Energy Savings | Home Insurance | Remodeling