Pros and Cons of Living in Arizona

Thinking of moving to Arizona?

Home to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, panoramic desert landscapes and great people, there’s a lot to love about living in Arizona.

Bordering California, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada, and the country of Mexico, this beautiful landscape of this landlocked state attracts visitors in droves. But as you already know, visiting the state isn’t the same as actually living in Arizona.

Pros:

Mild winters, in the desert you can expect mid 60’s to 70’s from December to March. There are full 4 season areas of the state for those of you who would miss cold and snow, although the cold is a dryer warmer cold, not the bone chilling sub zero freezing temperatures you would find elsewhere.

Even if you were born and raised in the state the landscapes are stunning and unique. You begin to take it for granted until you see the awe on a visitors face and look around with new eyes at how beautiful the state is.

The cost of living in Arizona for the most part is reasonable, there are areas that can be very expensive, but I think that is pretty normal. The taxes are competitive, bringing in businesses from other states is pretty popular for the work force and tax breaks. Gas, groceries and utilities are reasonable too.

The air in Arizona is substantially cleaner, with lower levels of pollution than in most other areas of the United States. Additionally, the arid climate means less mold and allergens.

Because rain and snow can aggravate conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, Arizona’s climate provides relief for many different maladies. This is, of course, one of the reasons that it has become so popular with retirees, who move to the state permanently, or to visit for the winter.

The roads and freeways in general are in very good condition and Phoenix and Tucson have done really good jobs staying ahead of demand by building new freeways before they are needed. There are exceptions on some of the smaller highways, the #87 between Strawberry and Winslow is particularly bad, suspension and bra strap check!

Arizona’s rich history and proximity to the country of Mexico contribute to a diverse population and the cultural richness that goes along with that. In fact, Arizona is home to 22 Native American tribes, including the Hopi, Apache, and Navajo.

Their influence can be felt in the art, architecture, food and traditions that you’ll find throughout Arizona. The state also has a strong mix of diversity in terms of ages. While retirees have been flocking to the state for years, young people are also making the move to Arizona’s cities.

Arizona has a robust job market with new companies rushing to build enormous factories.

Healthcare, finance, tech, you name it – there’s a veritable feast of industries that have set up shop here. Major companies have been moving in, bringing a wave of job openings with them. And it’s not just Phoenix and Tucson either – places like Chandler, Scottsdale, and Mesa have been getting in on the action too.

On top of that, the state’s been nurturing a healthy startup scene, so if you’re into that entrepreneurial spirit, you’re in good company. If you’re job hunting, Arizona’s like a smorgasbord of opportunities. Sure, there’s competition, but with so many options, it’s hard not to get excited about the possibilities.

The Cons:

While the idea of temperate and pleasant winters can sound incredibly inviting, the flip side is that summers in Arizona are brutally hot. You do have to pay for that nice winter sometime…

You can expect daily sunshine with temperature getting as high as 118 degrees.

The hottest month of the year is June, when average temperatures in Phoenix rarely fall below 100. During this hot month, most outdoor activities take place in the early morning or late evening when the temps are more bearable.

When it comes to public transportation, let me just say Arizona has some catching up to do. It’s almost as if our city planners assumed everyone rode a horse. You’ve got your major city centers like Phoenix or Tucson where you’ll find some buses and light rail, but stray too far from those spots and you might find yourself stranded in the desert without a horse, so to speak.

There are some unpleasant creepy crawlies in Arizona and wildlife of every kind is abundant. If the idea of coyotes and javalina cruising your yard in the middle of the night doesn’t appeal to you maybe you’re not cut out for desert life.

The summer monsoon season can be pretty wild and violent. Strong winds, torrential rain, thunderstorms and dust storms straight out of a movie are pretty common. Fortunately that kind of storm is generally short lived, a few hours and then it’s time to clean up the mess and fish the neighbors roof out of your pool.