I've lived in Phx and Washington.
Honestly the Phoenix metro is my preferred location.
Cost of living is much lower.
No snow.
Great foody city.
All major sports.
Hiking and road trips are better than Washington IMHO.
Each of the metros have unique personalities. Most people would live in Tempe or Scottsdale. Central Phoenix is a rapidly gentrifying area with a reto vibe. Just stay East of 7th Ave. Other great areas are Arcadia and Ahwatukee.
Most spend their weekends up north in Sedona, Prescott, or Flagstaff. All three being stunningly beautiful places. Or east in the mountain lakes.
Bad side of Phx would be the public schools in some metros. The fact that its very spread out like a suburb, so it takes time to find the things you like (that is why most tourists only go to Scottsdale). In the daytime, the city can look plain and low class (but at night when the decorative lighting comes out it can look stunning.) Some parts of phx are very poor and to be avoided (i.e. west phx and near the airport). And of course the heat.
The heat can k–l. But most people I hired in from other states had no issues adjusting. After a year, it stopped bothering me.
Finally, I am not currently a Honeywell employee, and I have no good will for them. But I do believe that some parts of the Phx metro, and most of Arizona, are extramly underrated places to live.