Peoria, AZ, United States

With a population of 190,985, Peoria is the sixth-largest city in Arizona by land area and ninth-largest by population. However, the reality of living here is a heavy bureaucratic lift - the city is divided across multiple school districts and governed by a sprawling municipal apparatus. The climate is unforgiving, with scorching hot summers typical of the Sonoran Desert. On the plus side, Peoria offers ample parks and recreation, from the scenic Lake Pleasant to a thriving arts scene anchored by the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. Overall, this suburb of Phoenix is best suited for those who can navigate its administrative complexities and tolerate the desert heat.