Earlier this week, the moving company, United Van Lines, released its 40th Annual National Movers Study. The study tracks customer migration patterns. And one particular population stands out.

No surprise here, but Arizona continues to attract retirees. And according to the survey more than 30 percent of United Van Lines customers moved to Arizona to retire.

Dana Kennedy is AARP Arizona’s state director. She said people come to Arizona for the obvious reasons - the weather and cost of living. But Kennedy also said family, even friendships, can motivate someone to move.

“When one friend retires to Arizona and they invite their friends to come visit them. And the next thing you know it’s like, ‘oh I think I could come to Arizona and retire as well.’ So I think you have a lot of people who see their friends as an anchor," Kennedy explained.

Retirees aren’t just settling in the Valley, Kennedy said. Prescott, Prescott Valley and Sedona are also popular destinations.