One of the common things I hear from other Koreans living in Phoenix is that it's better than expected.

As I've lived here, I've found several reasons why Phoenix is actually a great place for Koreans.

First is the quality of life relative to the cost of living. Compared to the Korean communities in LA or New York, rent and home prices in Phoenix are definitely lower.

With the same salary, you can live in a larger home in Phoenix. Korean ingredients have also become much easier to find with the opening of H Mart in Chandler and other Asian markets. Honestly, compared to ten years ago, the shopping environment has completely changed.

The second reason is the weather. There's no stress from shoveling snow or ice driving in the winter.

From October to April, the weather is perfect for outdoor activities every day. I worried about having to endure the cold when I came to the U.S. thinking about Korean winters, but in Phoenix, there's no need for that worry. There are more days in winter when you can go for a walk in short sleeves.

The third reason is the Korean churches and community network.

The size of the Korean community in Phoenix isn't large, but there are Korean churches in Chandler and Scottsdale, which helps in forming a personal network during initial settlement.

There are also Korean-owned businesses providing real estate, insurance, and legal services.

The small size of the community actually gives a feeling of being more closely connected.

The rapid economic growth in Phoenix is also an attractive factor for those looking for business opportunities.