A real lawn in El Paso takes a lot of water and still tends to brown out in June. Artificial turf stays green, needs no mowing, and holds up to kids and pets. But how it looks in two years depends on how it was installed.
Start with the base. Existing grass, weeds, and loose soil should come out. A weed barrier goes down, then a layer of crushed rock that is graded and compacted so water drains through the turf instead of puddling. Skipping compaction is why some turf develops dips and waves.
Edges and seams come next. Turf needs to be secured at every edge, especially along concrete and rock borders, and seams should be cut and joined so the grain runs the same direction and the line disappears.
Heat is a fair question. Any surface in full afternoon sun gets warm, including turf. Product choice and infill help, and a quick rinse cools it fast. If you have pets, ask about turf and infill designed for them.
Finally, think about the whole yard. Turf looks best with clean concrete walkways and decorative rock around it, and doing them together means the borders line up the first time.