Best Places to Live as a Pilot

As a pilot, it can be difficult to find a place to live. Constantly traveling, you essentially make your living the beautiful skies and seas, but what about when you have a week or more off at a time? Today on the blog we are looking at some of the best places to live as a pilot!

Part of what makes being a pilot so amazing is the ability to travel and experience cities all over the globe. Not only do you visit these cities, but you see the world from a bird’s eye view. You are flexible in where you have the ability to live whether that be closer or farther from your base. Some cities and states offer more for you to be involved in the aviation industry. Below we listed some of the best places to live as a professional and pilot.

1. Phoenix, AZ

This is certainly a city of transplants. People from all over the world move to Phoenix, with nearly 16 million people visiting the city each year. However, it never feels as if the city is overcrowded because it spans wide without buildings and apartments creating congestion. If you are looking to move to a city without winter, then you have found the right place! Phoenix has gorgeous weather, and while it is rather hot in summer, having 9 months of 70 to 80-degree weather is well worth a little heat. Not only is the weather great, but it’s is also an affordable city to live in. Phoenix is a diverse city with cultural influences from all over the United States. Being one of the campus locations for AeroGuard, this is one of the top growing cities in the country for professionals in all industries!

2. Chicago, IL  

Chicago is one of the best cities for professionals, as it’s a city with opportunities and a steady job market. Over the past few years the unemployment rate has fallen nearly 6% from 8.4%. Not only is it a beautiful city right on Lake Michigan with 26 miles of beaches, but it’s also a foodie’s dream! Amazing bars and restaurants line the streets and even a Restaurant Row. If you enjoy shopping, sports and festivals, then you are in for a whirlwind of a time in Chicago. A huge hub for travel, this is an excellent city to live in as a pilot!

3. Denver, CO

You’ll enjoy the view and atmosphere in Denver, CO. Directly outside of the urban area, you are surrounded by natural forests and mountain views. Growing as a major city the economy is booming with many industries consisting of tech, aerospace and agriculture. The weather here is similar to Arizona with nearly 300 days of sunshine and 70-80 degrees. Taking advantage of the outdoors is highly suggested if you decide the beautiful city of Denver is right for you!

4. Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is one of the best cities in America if you want to be around Hollywood stars nearly every day! It’s also a great city for job growth. As a young city, it is bustling with up-and-coming businesses. Whether they are large corporate companies or smaller entrepreneurial companies, you can’t go wrong here. Los Angeles also has one of the largest and busiest airports in the world – LAX. As a SkyWest base, there are hundreds of flights going in and out of here each day. During your off time of flying you are able to enjoy the beaches and healthy restaurants throughout LA.

5. Seattle, WA

If you are an outdoorsy person looking for gorgeous getaways on your time off, then Seattle is the place for you! There are endless biking, hiking and walking trails right outside this beautiful city. You can also kayak along the water with scenic routes. Seattle is known for fresh food and farmers markets year-round! These markets are large and have locally-grown produce as fresh as it comes. You can also enjoy live music practically everywhere you go in the city, from markets, to cafes, to side streets, to clubs and large concert venues. Seattle also is in a great location 3 hours from Portland, OR and Vancouver, B.C. For your days off from flying, this is one of the most gorgeous cities to explore and relax!

6. Houston, TX 

If you are looking for a metro area and large city with more than 6.4 million inhabitants, then Houston is the city for you! More than half the
population of Houston is single, and the average age is around 34. More than a quarter of the population is under 20 years old making it a great city to raise a family. There are more things to do in Houston than a person can count. From over 11,000 restaurants in the city to the Children’s Museum and the Space Center you certainly won’t bore easily here!

These cities make great living options in the United States. If you are unsure about any cities to live in, try renting for a while and see if you like the city and surrounding area. You can even try a few different cities at a time to see what fits you best! If you are looking to begin your career in aviation, AeroGuard is the place to start. Contact us and we’ll provide more information on the options we offer!