There are various issues to consider should you’re pondering of shifting to Arizona. From the pure fantastic thing about the Grand Canyon to the bustling metropolis lifetime of Phoenix, there’s one thing for everybody on this southwestern state. That stated, similar to every other state, there are drawbacks to Arizona as effectively. So should you’re contemplating shopping for a house in Mesa, renting an residence in Scottsdale, or shifting to a different one in every of Arizona’s distinctive cities, right here’s what it’s essential know concerning the execs and cons of residing in Arizona.
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Fast Info about Arizona
Inhabitants
7,151,502
Median dwelling sale worth
$455,100
Common hire in Arizona
$1,499
Largest cities in Arizona
Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa
Is Arizona place to reside?
Sure! Many would say that Arizona is a good place to reside. It’s a well-liked vacation spot for individuals who need sunshine year-round, decrease taxes, and entry to outside recreation – from desert climbing to mountain biking. Housing continues to be comparatively inexpensive in comparison with coastal states, although costs have climbed in recent times. Each day life right here tends to be extra laid-back, with a mixture of suburban sprawl and pure magnificence simply exterior town. You’ll additionally discover a rising meals scene, with new eating places opening in hotspots like Scottsdale, Tempe, and all through the Phoenix metro. And should you prefer to journey, Arizona’s central location makes it simple to get to California, Nevada, Utah, and even Mexico with only a brief drive or flight.
However, residing in Arizona has its challenges. The summer time warmth will be intense, particularly within the southern a part of the state the place temperatures usually sit above 110°F for weeks. Air-con isn’t non-obligatory, it’s a should, so count on above-average utility prices in the course of the hotter months. Visitors congestion can be changing into extra of a difficulty in rising metro areas like Phoenix, and proudly owning a automotive is sort of a necessity right here as public transportation is proscribed.
1. Professional: The solar is sort of all the time out
With a mean of 300 days of sunshine per yr, Arizona affords a severe improve for anybody uninterested in grey skies and harsh winters. That’s an enormous motive why so many individuals from colder components of the nation relocate right here – the dry, sunny climate is difficult to beat and the constant sunshine makes it simple to remain lively year-round. All that solar additionally makes Arizona a frontrunner in photo voltaic power. Owners can make the most of beneficiant daylight and sometimes see decrease power payments with rooftop panels. Should you’re pondering long-term and wish to lower prices or scale back your carbon footprint, photo voltaic is a great transfer right here.
2. Con: The warmth in Arizona can get intense
Though the nice and cozy climate is a perk of residing in Arizona, the intense warmth will also be a draw back, particularly throughout summer time. The summer time months in Arizona are extraordinarily dry and might exceed common temperatures starting from 90-120 levels Fahrenheit. You’ll wish to heatproof your own home and should you don’t like the warmth, think about residing in northern cities like Flagstaff or Prescott, the place the temperatures are cooler.
3. Professional: Arizona is comparatively inexpensive
Arizona continues to draw new residents partly as a result of the price of residing stays comparatively inexpensive – particularly when in comparison with neighboring states like California. Whereas dwelling costs have climbed in recent times (the median dwelling sale worth is round $455,000, barely above the nationwide median of $431,000). many areas within the state nonetheless supply extra sq. footage in your cash than you’ll discover in different main metros. Cities like Tucson, Mesa, and components of the West Valley present extra budget-friendly choices for each renters and consumers, with out sacrificing entry to jobs, faculties, and facilities.
Past housing, Arizona additionally tends to supply decrease prices for utilities, groceries, and transportation. For instance, power payments could also be increased in the summertime months because of air con, however the state usually avoids heating bills widespread in colder areas. Add in a decrease total tax burden – together with no tax on Social Safety revenue – and Arizona generally is a sensible, cost-conscious alternative for a lot of.
4. Con: You’ll wish to hold an eye fixed out for the Arizona haboobs
In the course of the summer time, monsoon rains result in mud storms, or “haboobs.” These huge partitions of mud trigger poor visibility and make driving harmful. The storms happen when the air is the most well liked and driest, between June and September. Haboobs could make it tough to go away the home or go to work till the storm passes. Should you transfer to Arizona, keep watch over the climate forecast throughout these months and plan accordingly.
5. Professional: Increasing facilities all through the state
Because the state’s inhabitants grows, so do its facilities – new grocery shops, leisure choices, and procuring facilities are popping up in fast-growing suburbs like Gilbert, Chandler, and Peoria. The food and drinks scene can be evolving rapidly, with a wave of modern eating places, craft breweries, and occasional retailers opening throughout Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale. This development brings extra selection and comfort to each day life, particularly for these on the lookout for a mix of city power and suburban consolation.
6. Con: Many residents solely reside right here seasonally
“Snowbird” migration is the phenomenon of northerners fleeing the chilly winters in different states for the nice and cozy climate in Arizona. This inflow of tourists can create crowds in standard cities like Phoenix and Tucson. The migration additionally drives up the price of residing in Arizona as demand for items and companies will increase. Should you transfer to Arizona, be ready for the state to really feel extra crowded in the course of the winter months.
7. Professional: There are lovely landscapes in each path you look
Dwelling to the majestic Grand Canyon, the pink rocks of Sedona, and the Petrified Forest, Arizona’s pure magnificence is difficult to disregard. Whether or not you’re driving by saguaro-studded deserts, climbing amongst pink rock formations, or escaping to pine forests within the north, the surroundings is continually altering – and all the time spectacular. The state can be full of cacti, Palo Verde bushes, and a wide range of different desert crops, including to its distinctive desert appeal. You don’t should journey far to discover a new view, and the number of landscapes means you possibly can go from canyon to forest to mountain all in the identical weekend. It’s one of many few states the place the surroundings alone can promote you on staying.
8. Con: Wildlife can get somewhat too near dwelling
Dwelling in Arizona means sharing house with desert wildlife, and typically that features your yard. It’s not unusual to identify scorpions, snakes, coyotes, or javelinas in residential areas, particularly on the outskirts of cities or close to open desert. Owners usually take further precautions, like sealing up entry factors and being cautious throughout nightfall and daybreak hours. Whereas most encounters are innocent, it’s one thing to pay attention to should you’re not used to residing close to nature.
9. Professional: The cities are constructed on a grid
Navigating massive cities will be difficult, however for standard metros in Arizona, chances are you’ll discover it simpler to get round because of the newly adopted grid system. This grid system varies all through cities however will be present in massive cities like Phoenix. Phoenix is constructed the place the vast majority of town streets go north to south or east to west, making for an simply maneuverable design. As among the best locations to reside in Arizona, Phoenix affords each handy navigation and a top quality of life.
10. Con: The warmth may cause wildfires all through the state
Because of the dry local weather, Arizona is vulnerable to wildfires. The state has skilled among the worst wildfires, together with the Rodeo-Chediski Hearth, which burned over 469,000 acres of land in 2002. Wildfires are widespread, particularly in the course of the summer time, because of excessive warmth and lack of rainfall.
11. Professional: There are various outside actions to maintain you busy
Arizona’s panorama is a playground for anybody who loves the outside. From climbing within the pink rocks of Sedona to paddleboarding on Tempe City Lake, there’s no scarcity of the way to remain lively. You possibly can discover mountain trails, desert landscapes, canyons, and lakes all inside just a few hours’ drive. The Grand Canyon, one of many Seven Pure Wonders of the World, can be positioned within the northern a part of the state. This pure marvel is a must-see for anybody who lives in Arizona, and there are a lot of methods to discover it. You possibly can hike to the underside, take a mule journey, or whitewater raft by the rapids. The climate (particularly exterior the height summer time months) makes it simple to spend time exterior year-round. Whether or not you’re into mountain climbing, biking, {golfing}, or simply taking in a sundown hike, Arizona offers you loads of causes to step away from the display screen.
12. Con: Infrastructure continues to be catching up exterior of main metros
Arizona’s inhabitants development has outpaced its infrastructure in lots of areas. As extra individuals transfer to cities like Phoenix, Mesa, and Tucson, roads, public transit, and utilities are below strain. Visitors congestion is changing into an even bigger concern in main metros, and a few fast-growing suburbs are nonetheless taking part in catch-up with important companies like water, broadband web, and public transportation. Whereas investments are being made to enhance infrastructure, the fast tempo of improvement means some communities really feel the pressure earlier than options are absolutely in place.
