Relocating to Gay Friendly Arizona

“Ranked #1 LGBTQ Friendly RED State”

 
For those considering moving to Arizona, this guide will advise on what cities are welcoming, how to prepare for our extreme heat, and provide insight on what makes Arizona such a desirable place to call home.

The population of the state of Arizona increased by 7.3% between 2010 and 2016. It’s one of the 10 fastest-growing states in the country, with Phoenix being the fastest growing city and Tucson ranked third in the country for job growth. One of the reasons behind this is the cost of living is one of the lowest in the country.

Arizona has a reputation of being conservative and passing controversial laws. Arizona has been solidly in the Republican column for years, but recently there’s been talk that the Grand Canyon State could be the newest swing state. Some analysts argue that the fact that around 31% of Arizona’s population is Hispanic means Democratic candidates have more of a shot than in previous years. In fact, one of the friendliest LGBTQ cities in the U.S. is located in Arizona.

Top 8 LGBTQ Friendly Arizona Cities

1. Bisbee
2. Tucson
3. Phoenix
4. Tempe
5. Sedona
6. Flagstaff
7. Cottonwood
8. Jerome

Moving to Gay Friendly Northern Arizona: Flagstaff, Sedona, Cottonwood-Jerome

FLAGSTAFF

Nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff has the charm of a small town with the diversity and opportunities of a big city. It’s home to both a Historic District boasting buildings from the late 19th Century and the state’s burgeoning Bioscience and Technology fields that embrace the future. Northern Arizona University calls Flagstaff home. Although it’s rural in nature, Flagstaff is also the hub of many of the state’s major attractions, including the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Lake Powell. Phoenix is two hours south.

SEDONA

The call of Sedona’s mystic beauty brings people from all over the world to live among the red rocks. Relocating to Sedona is an exciting opportunity to build a fresh start filled with exciting new things to see and do. The city of Sedona offers new residents a wonderful lifestyle with unparalleled access to nature’s wonders with over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, shopping and art galleries, fine dining, and so much more.

The city of Sedona boasts a full complement of public services including institutions such as Sedona Public Library, Sedona Center for Arts & Technology, Sedona Creative Life Center, Sedona Historical Society, Sedona Main Street Program and Sedona Humane Society of Sedona, plus a long list of extremely effective charitable organizations.

Sedona offers small town living but with the amenities associated with a 3 million visitor/year local tourism industry. Besides extensive dining, shopping and experiential opportunities, you’ll find all the businesses you need for daily products and services along with an abundant non-profit community providing services, programs, events and volunteer opportunities.

COTTONWOOD-JEROME

Cottonwood, Arizona was founded in 1879 and was named for a circle of Cottonwood trees near the Verde River. Cottonwood began as a collection of farms and ranches which slowly blossomed into a township, while supplying the miners in the nearby town of Jerome with fresh meat and vegetables.  The town of Cottonwood is bordered to the West by Mingus Mountain and the Verde River to the East.  Many farms and ranches exist along the rich flood plains of the Verde River.  Cottonwood and Jerome’s relationship continued to grow, and several of the mining facilities were located in Cottonwood, though the majorities were in the Town of Clarkdale.

While Jerome became a literal ghost town in the late 1950’s, after the steep decline in the price of copper, residents of Cottonwood pursued a future for their town and incorporated in 1960.

Cottonwood and the entire Verde Valley are undergoing what a recent Wall Street Journal article called the “Gentrification of Rural America,” reporting on an increasing trend among affluent Americans leaving cities and suburbs in droves in search for a slower place, in calmer and aesthetically pleasing locations.

In recent years includes the opening of Alcantara Vineyards, Cottonwood’s first winery and a small boom of new bistros, restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries.