Between June and August 2024, about 3,500 people moved to the city of Phoenix in Arizona.
Anyone who’s not a local would wonder why this many people find the largely arid topography of Arizona appealing enough for permanent relocation.
Well, these thousands of people are not alone; they merely joined the 7 million+ residents who know that Arizona is more than cacti, scorching summers, and stunning sunsets.
Arizona is a land full of surprises; some pleasant, some not so much.
Brace up, for you are about to get the inside scoop on what living here feels like beyond admiring the majestic spread of the Grand Canyon.
Here are 10 pros and cons of living in Arizona that everyone who lives in Arizona probably knows.
Pros of Living in Arizona
The Grand Canyon State has a lot of benefits that make it a one-of-a-kind place to call home.
Some of these pros include:
1. The economy is hotter than the desert sun
Arizona’s economy and job market are like rockets headed for space — up and up. Perhaps it makes sense that the state is a leader in the country’s aerospace industry.
However, in recent years, Phoenix has led the charge as a tech and business hub. Big-name companies like Intel, Amazon, and Honeywell have, therefore, made this place their home, providing many job opportunities.
These job opportunities cut across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and education, where you can expect your average earnings to be an average of $75,000 annually.
Moreover, the state is business-friendly for those nursing entrepreneurial dreams. Arizona’s low corporate taxes and affordable business costs make entrepreneurship look even better than it sounds.
2. A cultural hotspot you probably didn’t see coming
Think Arizona is just a land of cowboy hats and cacti? Think again. Arizona might surprise you with how culturally diverse it is.
With 22 federally recognized Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Hopi, and Apache, the state is a hub for indigenous culture, art, and history.
In the cultural districts of cities like Mesa, theaters, museums, and art galleries celebrate the local cultural heritage.
Moreover, if you have a Hispanic heritage and enlist the services of any of the reliable movers in Mesa, AZ, they will tell you, just like any other local, that Spanish is commonly spoken here.
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You can also count on the food scene to awaken your palate.
3. You will never tire of the scenery
The Grand Canyon may be Arizona’s headliner, but there’s a lot more natural beauty that will leave you speechless.
From Sedona’s red rock formations to Monument Valley’s desert vistas, there are lots of Arizona attractions and sights to explore.
Missing out on the endless hiking trails, crystal-clear lakes, or starry skies that rival even the best planetariums is one way to live in regret. If you’re an outdoorsy type, welcome to thrills and adventure.
Some of these places include:
- Sonoran Desert’s saguaro-studded trails
- Cathedral Rock
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Pima Air and Space Museum
4. Sunshine for days
One of the must-not-miss in this list of pros and cons of living in Arizona is the cool fact that it gets over 300 days of sunshine a year (pun intended).
That’s right. You don’t need all that seasonal clothing like winter coats and heavy boots, because even in the coldest months, the sun is still bright here.
You can get an average temperature of 57°F during the winter months.
Moreover, it gets really hot here, between 103°F and 110°F during summer. But that’s what pools and iced drinks are for, right?
If you love outdoor activities or simply enjoy the mood boost that constant sunshine brings, Arizona’s sunny skies will quickly become your favorite thing about living here.
5. Affordable living
Despite all the sunshine and beauty, Arizona manages to keep its cost of living affordable.
Its cost of living is only 6% higher than the national average compared to neighboring cities like Nevada and California, where living costs are about 9.7% and 38% higher than the national average, respectively.
Whether you’re renting or buying a home, housing is much cheaper here than in these neighboring states.
For instance, a spacious house with a yard will cost you about $442,900. Groceries, gas, and utilities are all reasonably priced as well.
Cons of Living in Arizona
Arizona may seem perfect, but it has its demerits. Some of them include:
6. The great Arizona transit dilemma
Arizona’s major cities, like Phoenix and Tucson, offer decent public transportation options, including buses and light rail.
But outside of these urban centers? You’re out of luck and might as well buy a camel.
In the more rural areas, buses and trains are few and far between. Just know that you will be better off getting a car to move around.
For the non-drivers, this can be a major drawback. So, if you’re moving to a smaller town, buckle up and get ready for some serious driving time.
7. Haboobs — The dust storms
The locals would tell you that any place where the pros and cons of living in Arizona are mentioned without highlighting the sandstorm tan in Arizona has a serious case of forgetfulness.
Arizona’s summer storms can bring more than just rain.
When the winds pick up every summer, so do the dust walls — they make their way through the city, covering everything in sight.
Forget sweeping; when a haboob hits, it’s time to seal down the hatches and wait it out. These towering walls of dust can reduce visibility to nearly zero, making driving and breathing a bit challenging.
8. Beware of Valley Fever, the silent desert menace
If you thought allergies only came with flowers blooming in spring, Arizona’s desert environment surprises you.
Valley Fever sounds like a mild case of sinus tickles, but it’s a fungal infection caused by breathing in spores found in Arizona’s desert soil.
It’s more common than you might think, especially during windy or dusty weather. Add in the usual dust-induced allergies, and you’ve got yourself a sneezing, sniffling challenge.
If you’re sensitive to dust or have respiratory issues, you might want to be extra cautious about stirring up that desert soil or stock up on tissues, face masks, and antihistamines.
9. Jeepers creepers? Crawling creepers
Living in Arizona means sharing your space with interesting (often unsettling) critters.
The truth is desert wildlife is cute until you find one in your shoes. Scorpions, tarantulas, rattlesnakes, and other desert dwellers make up the ecosystem here.
While encounters with these creatures are rare, they sometimes wander into homes. You will quickly learn to shake out your shoes before slipping them on.
10. The winter invasion
Featured in the pros and cons of living in Arizona is the winter invasion—no, not by white walkers but by people.
Imagine choosing to live in a place with a little leg crowd and having that snatched away every winter (at a time when the heat is bearable, no less).
Every winter, Arizona experiences a mass migration of seasonal residents (called snowbirds) who swoop in from colder places to soak up the winter sun. Everyday life becomes a bit more crowded.
Restaurants get busier, golf courses fill up, and roads become more congested. Come summer, though, they leave, and it feels like you have the place again.
In Summary
The pros and cons of living in Arizona, from the blazing economy to the scorching sun and the creeping critters to the jaw-dropping landscapes, all indicate that this state offers plenty of unique experiences.
So, whether you’re drawn to its endless opportunities or just the chance to live under those perpetually sunny skies, Arizona is a place that just might steal your heart — dust storms and all.