Phoenix Starter Pack

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) sits just minutes from downtown.

Uber, Lyft and taxis all operate from a dedicated pickup zone at PHX.

The PHX Sky Train connects the airport directly to the Valley Metro light rail.

A car is close to essential here — the Phoenix metro (the "Valley") sprawls across multiple cities.

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) covers short tourist/business visits up to 90 days for eligible nationalities.

Everyone else needs a B-1/B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate before traveling.

Working legally requires a separate visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1) sponsored by an employer or petition.

The US has no digital nomad visa — working remotely for a foreign employer on a tourist visa is legally unsettled, so check with an immigration attorney.

A Social Security Number requires work authorization; it is not issued just for living here.

Check current rules at cbp.gov and uscis.gov before you travel.

Hot desert climate — summers are genuinely extreme, not just "warm."

Summer (Jun-Sep): routinely above 43°C (110°F) for weeks at a time. Sunscreen and hydration are not optional.

Monsoon season (Jul-Sep) brings sudden dust storms (haboobs) and intense but brief thunderstorms.

Winter (Nov-Mar) is mild and dry, 15-22°C (59-72°F) — the reason so many "snowbirds" arrive each winter.

Very low humidity year-round, which makes the heat more tolerable than it sounds but dehydration sneaks up fast.

Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)

211 Arizona — free, confidential community and health services referral line

Phoenix also runs city non-emergency services — check phoenix.gov for the current number.

Heat can be genuinely dangerous — call 911 for any sign of heat stroke, don't wait it out.

Valley Metro light rail runs a single line through Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa — useful but limited.

A car is close to essential given how spread out the Valley is across multiple cities.

Bus network fills in more coverage but frequency varies a lot by area.

Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the metro.

Downtown Tempe and parts of downtown Phoenix are the most walkable areas.

Major carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, plus prepaid options like Mint Mobile and Visible.

Prepaid SIMs are sold at carrier stores, Walmart, Target and most pharmacies.

Home internet: Cox and CenturyLink cover most of the metro.

Phoenix has a growing tech scene with coworking spaces concentrated downtown and in Tempe near Arizona State University.

Currency: US Dollar (USD).

Major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) all have a wide branch presence.

A Social Security Number is usually needed to open an account; some banks accept an ITIN for non-residents.

Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere.

Wise is a popular option for moving money internationally.

Arcadia: leafy, mid-century homes, one of the more walkable and desirable areas.

Downtown/Roosevelt Row: arts district, murals, the most urban feel in the Valley.

Tempe: home to Arizona State University, lively, younger crowd, walkable downtown.

Scottsdale, just east, is a separate upscale city known for resorts, golf and nightlife.

Cost of living overall is lower than San Diego or Miami, though it has risen quickly in recent years.

Sonoran-style Mexican food is a local specialty, distinct from Tex-Mex — worth seeking out specifically.

Southwestern cuisine and a growing farm-to-table scene have raised Phoenix's food profile in recent years.

Roosevelt Row and downtown Tempe both have dense, walkable dining clusters.

Scottsdale's Old Town is the go-to for upscale dining and nightlife.

Camelback Mountain is the signature Phoenix hike, right in the middle of the city — but only hike it early morning in summer.

South Mountain Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the US, with extensive trails.

Papago Park and the Desert Botanical Garden are both good introductions to the Sonoran Desert landscape.

Heat makes summer hiking genuinely dangerous mid-day — locals hike at sunrise from May through September.

Cactus League spring training brings Major League Baseball teams to the Valley every March.

Heard Museum focuses on Native American art and culture, one of the best of its kind.

Sedona and the Grand Canyon are both reachable as day or overnight trips from Phoenix.

Old Town Scottsdale has a lively bar and restaurant scene, especially on weekends.

Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) and Arizona Cardinals (NFL) all play in the metro.

Golf is a major part of local life, helped by mild winters and dozens of courses.

Pools are close to essential in summer — most apartment complexes and many homes have one.

Outdoor fitness shifts to early mornings and evenings in summer to avoid the peak heat.

Summer heat is a genuine safety issue, not just a discomfort — heat-related illness and hiking deaths happen most years.

A car is close to essential — budget for one.

The winter "snowbird" population swells the metro significantly from November through April.

Tipping norms follow the rest of the US: 18-20% at restaurants is standard.