You’ve Lived in Arizona for Far Too Long if You’ve Gone Through Any of These Ten Experiences

If you’ve lived in Arizona long enough, certain experiences will become unmistakably familiar—so much so that, if you recognize them, you’ve officially gone “full Arizona.” Here are ten telltale signs you’ve lived in Arizona for far too long, based on local humor, culture, and the quirks of desert living:

You’ve Been Burned by a Seatbelt

Reaching for your seatbelt in the summer only to feel instant regret as your fingers touch a buckle that’s hotter than a branding iron is a rite of passage.

You’ve Memorized Every Back-Up Route Because of Traffic

You know every side street and shortcut to avoid the notorious gridlock on I-10 or during rush hour.

You’ve Secretly Wanted to Start a Collection of Sunburns

Each sunburn is a badge of honor, telling the story of another daring venture into the midday sun.

You’ve Had a Dust Storm That Made You Think the World Was Ending

Watching a haboob roll in, turning day into night, is both thrilling and terrifying—and you know to keep your windows closed.

You Know the Heat’s Coming When the Asphalt Starts Melting

The moment you see the asphalt bubbling under your feet, you know summer has truly arrived.

You’ve Witnessed the Glorious Miracle of Monsoon Season

Monsoon season is a mix of awe and chaos, with sudden downpours, lightning, and flash floods—and you’ve learned to love it.

You’ve Had to Convince Someone That Yes, There Are Trees in Arizona

You’ve had the conversation more times than you can count: “No, it’s not all desert—there are trees here!”

You’ve Seen More Cacti Than People at Least Once

Saguaros, prickly pears, and cholla have become your silent neighbors.

You’ve Traded “Winter” Clothes for “Monsoon” Gear

You swap out heavy jackets for raincoats, because winters are mild and monsoons are wild.

You’ve Haggled with a Scorpion Over Who Gets the Bed

You’ve learned to check your shoes and shake out your sheets, because scorpions are just part of life.

These experiences—burning seatbelts, dust storms, monsoon madness, and scorpion encounters—are what make living in Arizona truly unique. If you’ve gone through any (or all) of them, congratulations: you’re officially an Arizonan.