Many people wonder, “Should I move to Arizona?” There are many reasons why someone should and shouldn’t relocate to the state, as there is in any other location.
This article will cover all of those reasons, including the good things about living in the desert because no one terrible thing that’s going to happen should be enough reason to keep someone from visiting or settling down in Arizona.
Although Arizona is known for its beautiful landscape and endless sun, it’s also where many people retire to escape the harsh winters of more northern states.
Those that choose to winter in Arizona as part of the “winters here are just like summers there” philosophy. But it’s also a place that attracts college students and professionals alike with the almost guaranteed sunshine in a state with no income tax.
Why Should I Move to Arizona? List of Good Things About Living in Arizona
Sunshine
It is sunny approximately 300 days out of the year, on average. In fact, Phoenix has more sunny days than any other city in the United States. While most of those days are hot, as is the case with most deserts, there is an excellent “winter break” from December to February, where it’s sunny and above 60 degrees for several days.
Water
The beautiful Colorado River runs through the middle of Arizona, supplying water for much of the state. Although the drought has dramatically reduced the amount of water available, Arizona has remained in a pretty decent position.
Many people have wells on their property, allowing them to collect water for gardening or other uses that don’t require mains water. Because of this, homes are spread quite far apart, and parts of town like Prescott allow large lots to be subdivided into four or more parcels which will sometimes sell for over $1M each.
Water sports
Lake Mead and Lake Mohave are within driving distance of Arizona’s major cities, where swimming, fishing, boating, skiing (yes! On the river), etc., are easily accessible. If you’re interested in scuba, divers will find hundreds, if not thousands, of underwater structures to explore, including the Hoover Dam.
Lakes and rivers
Many cities have lakes nearby where you can go boating, fishing, jet-skiing, etc. The heat allows people to use their pools for most of the year, and there are lakes all around that offer a more natural setting than a pool in your house does. And, of course, there’s always Lake Powell. If you’re into fishing, bass fishing is popular. If you’re into trout or other cold-weather fish, head to lakes like Woods Canyon Lake in the summer and spring when it’s deep enough to support a healthy population of trout.
Fishing
In addition to Lake Powell is full of various types of fish (and great for waterskiing), there are hundreds of miles of rivers and lakes, including Lake Mohave, Lake Mead, Havasu, etc.
Hiking
Hiking in Arizona is spectacular, with trails that take you all over the state, including through canyons like Grand Canyon National Park. The desert also allows for unique cactus gardens that are very interesting to see when in bloom.
Hunting
Arizona allows for archery hunting all year round, and there are specific seasons for other types of hunting. There is a relatively liberal policy towards using decoys to attract game, unlike in some states where this is prohibited.
Wildlife
Coyotes are the only wild animal that people worry too much about when considering living in Arizona. They’re not a massive threat unless you run one over. There are also plenty of desert animals that people don’t think about as much, but those can be extremely dangerous if they happen to take your dog out of the backyard.
Quiet
Sometimes it’s nice to live somewhere where there isn’t a lot of noise. It’s easy to get away from the noise in Arizona, and it can be very relaxing for some people to live without hearing sirens going by all the time or loud neighbors or traffic that you can’t shut out with a white noise machine.
People
People in Arizona are amicable and love to meet others who have moved into their area. Not that residents of other regions aren’t friendly, but if you’re leaving snow for 300 days out of the year, it’s nice to be around people who appreciate your decision to move there.
This goes all the way down to neighborhood level. People are more apt to get out and socialize or go for a walk rather than stay inside all the time. It’s nice to be around happy people outside most of the time instead of always wanting to be indoors if it’s even slightly cold.
Why Should I not Move to Arizona? List of Bad Things About Living in Arizona
When considering a move to Arizona, there are a few things that need to be considered.
Extreme heat
During the summer, the heat can get up well above 110°F in most parts of the state and has been known to reach 120°F. Then there are the bugs, which are huge in Arizona.
The summertime is the hottest time of year in Arizona, and it is hot in Arizona! There are ways to stay cool with air conditioner units or fans and pools. July-September is monsoon season, where many storms come through and can bring an end to a heat spell.
Bugs
The heat brings the bugs out in numbers you wouldn’t believe. Some people have been bitten by so many mosquitos that they need particular medications to keep from getting diseases from the bites.
Then there are scorpions, which are everywhere in Arizona. There are even people who have woken up to find a scorpion crawling around their bed.
Environmental hazards
There are also the environmental dangers of living in Arizona, including flash floods and forest fires during the summer months because of monsoon storms. And don’t forget about animal dangers, including bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, and snakes.
Your dogs will get heatstroke in the summer if you take them out for walks during the middle of the day, so be careful about that. And don’t forget to buy lots of sunblock for your kids because they’ll need it even more than you, especially if they’re fair-skinned like my family is.
How is the education system in Arizona?
The Arizona education system is highly regarded and one of the reasons why Arizona has such a high ranking as one of the best states to live in.
There are public schools and charter schools available to choose from. The Arizona Department of Education provides information for families who want to make an informed decision when sending their child(ren) to school.
How much does an average house cost in Arizona?
Based on 2021 data, the average house in Arizona costs around $394,717, which is a relatively reasonable amount of money to pay for a property.
The state also has some of the lowest property taxes you’ll find anywhere, making it better for homeowners living on fixed incomes or people who want to stick to a monthly budget.
Are real estate prices dropping in Arizona?
Arizona real estate prices have been doing pretty well, and they’re on a slow but steady rise. There’s not much fluctuation in the price of homes in Arizona, so if people want to sell their house or property, they can do so for a fair market value without sacrificing how much money they get from the sale.
What is the average rent for a house in Phoenix?
According to the average 2021 data, the average rent for a house in Phoenix is around $1,490 per month.
How much do you need to make a year to live comfortably in Arizona?
According to the latest data, you need an annual income of around $43,627 to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in Arizona. That’s a good salary for a single adult, but not every city in the state has that kind of income.
What are some job opportunities for people moving to Arizona?
Arizona has a lot of job opportunities, and even for people who aren’t moving to Arizona, they often find that it’s easier to find work in Arizona than in some parts of the US.
Some of the jobs in Arizona include building, architecture, and engineering. There are also jobs for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, medical assistants, phlebotomists, lab technicians, therapists, etc.
There are positions in marketing and administrative work that are needed throughout the state as well. Tourism is an essential part of Arizona’s economy, so there are jobs for people who want to work in the travel/tourism industry.
What are the highest and lowest-paying jobs in Arizona?
Some of the highest paying jobs in Arizona are on the technology side, which makes sense considering that’s where a lot of the money is being made right now with companies like Apple, Tesla, etc.
There are also high-paying jobs in the manufacturing industry, including aerospace, food processing, metals manufacturing, etc. Residents on the lower end of the pay scale are in the food-service industry, retail, agriculture, telemarketing, etc.
What are some of the top places to visit in Arizona?
Some of the top places to visit in Arizona include
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Par
- Lake Powell
- The Lost Dutchman State Park
There are a lot of historical sites throughout Arizona as well, which makes it an excellent place for people who want to learn more about the Native American people living throughout North America.
How can I get a free moving estimate for my move to Arizona?
You can get a free moving estimate using our simple web form. Just input all of the necessary information, and you’ll receive an accurate estimate for your move to Arizona quickly.
You can also call us at (800) 484-0085 if you’d like some additional help with some specific details about your move or want some information about storage options if you need to make stops along the way.
Move to Arizona with one of the best long-distance moving companies in Houston, TX
Our Houston movers at Delta Moving Systems are highly trained in the art of moving. We help people relocate to any city in Arizona, including cities like:
- Phoenix
- Tucson
- Mesa
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- Flagstaff
- Yuma
We offer a complete list of services ranging from full-service packing to specialized packing for fine antiques and collectibles.
Delta Moving Systems also offers climate-controlled storage facilities to help you get your items safely offloaded, cataloged, and stored until they’re needed again.
Call (800) 484-0085 today for a free moving estimate from our professional movers in Houston because long-distance moving is what we do!
