Natural Wonder

The Grand Canyon State

Located in the far north of Arizona, the Grand Canyon is one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States. It covers over 1,900 square miles, so repeat visits would never be boring. With a permit and a reservation, you can tackle the challenging hike to Havasupai Falls deep within the canyon— the payoff is definitely worth it. If you ever tire of the Grand Canyon, the narrow walls and dramatic lighting of Antelope Canyon and the historical significance of Canyon de Chelly National Monument are worth experiencing.

For man-made wonders, the enormity of the Hoover Dam always makes an impact. Visit the city of Sedona, nestled amongst a ring of red rocks, to get in touch with your spiritual side. Bisbee, once a mining village, is now a haven for free-spirited creatives.

The average cost of living in Arizona is only just slightly under the national average. That said, the effective real estate tax rate is a relatively low 0.72%.

Phoenix’s suburbs of Paradise Valley and Oro Valley, outside of Tucson, are both desirable places to live.

The quality and diversity of adult health-care services in Arizona are outstanding, not surprising in a state that’s long been a favorite American retirement destination. The Mayo Clinic-Phoenix, Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Flagstaff Medical Center, and Chandler Regional Medical Center are just some of the state’s topranked facilities.

Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is the only one located in the United States. The Arizona Trail stretches for a total of more than 800 miles and has segments dedicated to hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.

Climate

The climate of Arizona varies with the land’s elevation: the state’s southern half is considered a desert region with mild, sunny winters in contrast with hot summer temperatures that are relieved by relatively low humidity and occasional monsoon-season showers. The northern plateau region features cooler summer temperatures and sometimes significant winter snowfall.

Mountain High living the outdoor life

Skiing is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Colorado, but the Centennial State has so much more to offer than just winter sports. Of course, you can enjoy the après-ski life in Vail, Aspen, Telluride, or Breckenridge —no lift ticket required. All of these mountain towns have excellent dining, shopping, spas, and other ways to pass the time besides hurtling down a mountain.

Denver has several art museums, a 23-acre botanical garden, and a nature and science museum. The quaint Larimer Square historic district, now home to boutiques and fine dining, maintains the city’s Old West roots. Just a few miles away from Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheater hosts world-class musical entertainment in one of the most beautiful concert venues in the world.

Of course, the natural surroundings of Colorado are the real show stopper. In Rocky Mountain National Park, you can spot elk, bears, mountain lions, eagles, and other iconic wildlife. If you visit the other worldly landscapes, Garden of the Gods or Great Sand Dunes National Park, you’ll question how a single state can look so drastically different. The cost of living is just about the national average, the effective real estate tax is at a rate of 0.6%, and the income tax is 4.63% across the board.

Colorado has an estimated 2,850 lakes and 9,800 miles of fishing streams plus 56 mountain peaks that measure more than 14,000 feet high.

The Colorado Trail is a 500+ mile hiking route from Denver to Durango that winds through six wilderness areas, seven national parks, and eight mountain ranges.

Denver is appropriately known as “The Mile High City” because at an elevation of 5,280 feet, it lies precisely one mile above sea level. The state’s capital city also features 205 parks, the country’s largest municipal park system.

Climate

Colorado’s climate is as varied as its topography, including the Rocky Mountains, alpine forests, and high plains. Sunshine is plentiful, with only about 17 annual inches of precipitation, much of it falling as snow in the upper elevations. There are a variety of microclimate regions in the foothills that range from subarctic to humid tropical. The Eastern Plains region generally has mild and dry weather, with expected temperature spikes in the middle of winter and summer.