31 Things That You’ll Really Feel If You’ve Ever Spent Time In Arizona

It's a dry heat.

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1. You see a lot of signs that might sound strange to someone who isn’t from around those parts.

2. You know that a positive of living in Arizona is not having to deal with significant impact from natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes.

3. You also know that a downside of living in Arizona is having to deal with the risk of encountering mountain lions, javalinas, and snakes.

4. Daylight Saving Time means nothing to you because all of that clock adjusting tomfoolery isn’t necessary in Arizona.

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5. You’ve experienced the pain of stepping on one of nature’s Legos, a goat head thorn.

6. You’ve had to say RIP to numerous lip balms and chocolate bars that were accidentally left inside of your car on a hot day.

7. You choose your parking spot not by the distance you'll have to walk, but by the amount of shade it provides.

8. You’ve seen a dust storm/haboob that looks like something out of an apocalyptic movie.

9. You know that it's possible for a flight to get cancelled BECAUSE OF EXTREME HEAT.

10. Arizona has so many stupidly delicious, authentic Mexican food spots that it's difficult for you to settle for subpar stuff when you're outside of the state.

11. Folks in Tucson (and Casa Grande) have looked forward to particular months based on which Eegee flavor is being featured.

12. You’ve discovered a scorpion inside your home, which is super terrifying.

13. You’ve discovered a scorpion inside a lollipop, which is super tasty.

14. You’ve purchased tamales from the trunk of a complete stranger’s car.

Christopher Hudspeth

15. When there’s a truly breathtaking sunset, EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM will be flooded with pictures of it, from everyone you know.

16. When monsoon season begins you’ll want to avoid going out, not because of the lightning and rain, but because of how remarkably poorly 90% of people drive.

17. You’ve used the phrase, “It’s a dry heat.”

18. Cars during the summer are such a source of pain and discomfort. From being hit by an oven-esque wave of heat when you first open the car door…

19. ...to touching a scalding hot steering wheel…

20. ...or, coming in contact with leather interior when you’re wearing shorts…

21. ...and of course, touching a seatbelt buckle for even 0.2 seconds.

22. If you went to school in Flagstaff, you may've gotten time off for snow days. If you went to school in Tucson, you may've gotten time off for Rodeo Break.

23. Sometimes you have to keep a sweater handy during the summer, because businesses keep their A/C blasting to the maximum. So, it's an icebox inside and an inferno outside.

24. It’s quite possible that you’ve never mowed a lawn, but you’ve definitely pulled plenty of weeds.

25. If you’re anywhere outside of Scottsdale, you probably know it as Snottsdale or Snobsdale.

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26. You know that during peak summer some of those weather board temperatures don’t even look like typos.

27. You also know peak summer means moments after stepping outside you'll be sweating everywhere. Even if you're fresh out of the shower, your deodorant will be put to the test.

28. You've experienced cicadas, which aren’t actually harmful to humans, but still manage to be extremely frightening (and loud) creatures.

29. If you’re seeking some isolation amongst nature and beauty, all you have to do is head to Sedona, which basically looks like a default laptop wallpaper.

30. You’ve ended a night out by hitting up a taco truck, or a Sonoran hot dog stand.

Christopher Hudspeth

31. You know that every individual's Arizona experience may vary, because different cities offer different things. A front yard in Phoenix might have grass, while one in Tucson might have rocks and dirt, while one in Flagstaff might be covered in snow. Every city in Arizona has its own, unique vibe!