3 Reasons Why Arizona Is the Best Place To Raise a Family

After my son was born in 2009, his father and I decided to move from New York City to Arizona. There were several reasons for this. Aside from feeling anxious about raising a child in a large, expensive metropolis, my (now former) partner's parents live in Arizona (family support for us), and we would be closer to Los Angeles (we both worked in the entertainment industry). The decision to move here made sense at the time, and we even welcomed a second child in 2016. I am happy to say that, despite numerous life changes, we still live here, and my kids always tell me how much they love growing up here. So, where's the best place to raise a family in Arizona? Well, that's for you to decide. But in the meantime, here are three of the best reasons to live in Arizona:

Weather, Climate, and Natural Beauty

Not only does Arizona have year-round sunshine, but we can experience all four seasons in the higher elevations up north. With so many sunny days, Arizona is a paradise for enjoying the great outdoors. Not only are hiking trails abundant throughout the state, but so are paved, multi-use paths ideal for families with kids in strollers. And golf is a popular year-round sport that many kids love playing.

Winters are cold and snowy in northern Arizona, but they are typically mild in the southern part of the state. As for the summer months, temperatures can reach triple digits in southern Arizona; however, there are plenty of air-conditioned indoor attractions and malls, as well as public pools to keep residents cool. Plus, cooler day trip destinations like Flagstaff, Sedona, and Payson are only a couple of hours away.

Of course, the state is undeniably gorgeous as well. Not only do we have the Grand Canyon, but also various mountain ranges, lakes, state parks, forests, and deserts. And then there's Sedona, its red rock formations creating a dreamy landscape against a bright blue sky. Tourists from all over the world visit Arizona for its natural beauty, and living here to see it every day is a dream come true for many.

Affordability and Cost of Living

Although many parts of Arizona have a higher-than-average cost of living (about 6% above the national average), plenty of communities offer more budget-friendly housing. These communities are typically in the southern reaches of the state, near the border with Mexico. Both Tucson and Yuma have a lower cost of living than Phoenix, while at the other end, both Flagstaff and Sedona are more expensive to live in than Phoenix.

Education and Family-Friendly Amenities

Now, I can't tell you the best place to raise a family in Arizona, as there are so many wonderful towns and cities to choose from. A number of factors, such as your family's budget, the school district, and whether you'd like to live in a city, a suburb, or a town, will determine where you may want to live. I've only lived in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Paradise Valley area, and absolutely love it. While this area has been the best place to raise my family, there are many other towns and cities in and around Maricopa County, including Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Surprise, and Chandler, that are also wonderful places to raise kids. Additionally, the towns and cities of Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, and Tucson are also desirable.

Not only are the public and charter schools highly rated, but the colleges are as well. For in-state tuition, ASU has a renowned reputation across a variety of disciplines, including business, engineering, technology, media, and journalism, and remains a top choice for resident high school graduates. Other popular institutions for higher education are Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff and the University of Arizona (U of A) in Tucson

There is also a wide variety of family-friendly attractions, including Great Wolf Lodge, Topgolf, Harkins Theatres, an aquarium, and much more. Parks and green spaces are found in many neighborhoods, and the Scottsdale Indian Bend Green Belt offers a fun, safe way for families to enjoy bike-riding excursions off the busy roads.

Raising a Family in Arizona

So, is Arizona a good place to raise a family? As someone who has been raising two kids here, I think it's a great place, given the schools, family-friendly attractions, nature, and outdoor-focused lifestyle, and so much more. Of all the states I have lived in (nine in total), the quality of life in Arizona is, by far, the best for my family and me. If you are raising a family in Arizona and love the town or city you live in, please share why by filling out our nomination form. You can also create a family-friendly Arizona travel itinerary using Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.