Why 5 Million People Live in America’s Hottest City

Select video clips courtesy of Getty Images

Select video clips courtesy of the AP Archive

Special thanks to MapTiler, OpenStreetMap Contributors, and GEOlayers

[GreedoGangrene]

Went to phoenix, it was less of a question to me as to why it existed, rather why it was built like every other city in America instead of a truly desert adapted one.

[Sumguyinavan_]

It just blows my mind how much of human history is "this place is inhospitable, so we are flocking to it because the easy to live places are too crowded"

[jmac]

Born in Phoenix. Lived there for many years. Hot 24/7 for close to half the year now. Often over 110 degrees. Projections are it will get higher. You can go out at 3 am and it's still too hot. On top of that, the housing has gotten stupendously expensive. God help them if the electric grid ever goes out.

[mistiroberts]

I live in Phoenix and we appreciate people like you who discourage people from moving here.

[AgmaSchwa]

As a lifelong Phoenix resident; I concur that “Phoenix is a monument to man’s arrogance.” -Peggy Hill

[aerialbugsmasher]

"Where the temperature is routinely higher than 100F"

Bro, 100F is a NICE day in summer PHX. Should've said above 110F.

[carlife_]

Working class is getting pushed out 1600+ a month for a studio in a decent area

[ShalomShock]

I had lived there from November of 2004 to December of 2013. We (my son and I) missed it so much that we planned to move back after he had graduated high school (2023). He was born there, I was born in Minneapolis. I miss the heat, the mountains, the Palm Trees, working at ASU Tempe Campus, and most of all, the very kind people.

[bananawitchcraft]

They call it Phoenix because it's about to burst into flames any second now

[BMGforever]

As a german i sometimes forget that there so huge countries with multiple climate zones while we are united in grey and rainy days

[DarrellHoke-ggec]

I am from Phoenix, when growing up we did not have green yards grass, we had desert landscaping . it is when the individuals from back East and Midwest came to Phoenix that is when we started having green grass and non natural trees and bushes brought to Phoenix . you cannot change mother nature and not expect to have problems .

[hardassteel]

If your AC breaks during the summer, you will know what hell feels like.

[Brambrew]

*The Urban Heat Island Effect.*
If you take an already hot desert and build a city on it, it's gonna get even hotter.

[乂]

After watching this video, I still refuse to believe Phoenix exists.

[annaeeee]

Came to Phoenix 14 years ago. I don't think I'll be retiring here. We already broke 3 temperature records this summer, and it will only get worse if we don't start getting smart about changing water consumption and planting more trees.

[Invertmini]

Was born and raised in Arizona and moved to Oregon 7 years ago and recently moved back and wow is it crowded now... Its so packed now.

[watermelondria]

my grandma was born here in 1940 and is now 84. still blows my mind thinking about how different the city was for her as a kid compared to me now.

[projectarduino]

“Why are we running out of water?” Turns around and looks at lakefront property in the middle of the desert. “A true mystery.”

[orinblank]

My friend lives in Phoenix, and when I visited a few years back I had to take the bus across town and it was 115 degrees out. Literally had to use my umbrella to keep the sun off. Straight up deadly. It was 90 that night and I was genuinely relieved that it cooled down

[Charles-yfkc]

9 months of summer, scarce water supplies, endless suburban sprawl, little rain, few trees, California level prices for everything. Sounds like an actual prison.