Moving to Arizona: Pros and Cons of Living in Arizona

If you’re thinking of moving to Arizona, then there are many things you should know in advance. After all, you’ll want to know you’ve made the right choice to relocate to the Grand Canyon State before you start packing up your boxes.

The Grand Canyon is the most famous site there (it draws more than 5 million visitors each year) but Arizona is much more than just one single natural wonder. The midpoint of the Southwest is ready to surprise you in a lot of ways, and it’ll be up to you to decide whether those surprises end up being good or bad.

Why are people moving to Arizona?

There are a great number of excellent reasons to move to Arizona – undeniable advantages that will add to the unique experience of moving and living in the desert state. And just like any other U.S. state, there are a few drawbacks to living in Arizona as well.

To help you prepare mentally for the extraordinary adventure that awaits you there, here are the major pros and cons of moving to Arizona.

Pros of moving to Arizona

Why is everyone moving to Arizona? You’ll be excited to learn that there are a good number of excellent reasons to move to Arizona – starting with the sunny climate, going through the reasonable cost of living, and ending with the strong economy and the abundance of well-paid jobs.

However, to make an informed decision about moving to Arizona, you’re probably going to need more than simply plenty of sunshine and a slew of promising jobs.

Here’s what else the Grand Canyon State can offer you:

1. Arizona is always warm and sunny

If you love warm weather with plenty of sunshine, then Arizona is definitely the place you should consider moving to. The state of Arizona is famous for its 320 days of sunshine a year, while the great city of Phoenix – the state capital – boasts more sunny days per year than any other metropolitan area in the United States.

If you happen to live in a state with a cold climate and you’ve had enough of the freezing winter months that seem to last forever, then maybe it’s high time you got rid of those bulky winter clothes, threw away the snow shovel for good, and moved to the Grand Canyon State where you won’t ever taste the chill of winter.

Even in the wintertime, the average daily temperatures reach 70°F and there’s hardly ever any snow in the southern region of the state. All this means that moving to Arizona will give you an excellent opportunity to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the beautiful nature throughout the state.

2. Moving to Arizona can be good for your health

One of the best reasons to move to Arizona is that the warm climate in the state can be beneficial for your health.

First of all, prolonged exposure to sunshine (don’t forget to use sunblock to protect your skin) will increase the production of Vitamin D in your body. Keep in mind that Vitamin D stimulates insulin production, regulates the immune system, and prevents bone and heart diseases.

Secondly, living in a warm climate will mean fewer infections and viruses that are characteristic of colder states. And thirdly, moving to Arizona can be a blessing for you if you happen to have respiratory problems such as asthma. The hot and dry air in the Grand Canyon State should help people suffering from various lung diseases. 

Do you usually get depressed when seasons change?

If you do, then you may be fighting bouts of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) without even realizing it. But don’t worry – moving to Arizona will help you with that too since you’ll only get to experience one season there – the sunshine season.

3. The cost of living is pretty reasonable

When unsure whether you should move to Arizona or not, the reasonable cost of living there can tip the scales in favor of relocating to the state.

The cost of living in Arizona is 5% less than the national average and it’s way cheaper than the one in California, for example. If you happen to be moving from California to Arizona, you may be pleasantly surprised to find the cost of living in Arizona to be roughly one-third cheaper.

The cost of living for a 4-member family living in Phoenix – the state capital and largest city in Arizona – will be roughly $2,700 without calculating any housing costs. For a single person, the cost of living in the Valley of the Sun should be approximately $800, again excluding housing costs.

While the median national rent of a two-bedroom apartment is $1,175, you’ll be glad to learn that the average rent of a 2-bedroom apartment in Phoenix is roughly $1,000, while in Tucson it is $936.

4. Arizona boasts a strong economy and a good job market

Arizona’s economy is strong and robust. In fact, with a gross state product of 270 billion dollars, it’s one of the richest economies in the country.

And of course, a booming economy also means a strong job market – often the top reason why so many people are moving to Arizona.

One interesting fact that can persuade you to start packing up your boxes for moving to Arizona is that the Grand Canyon State ranks third in the U.S. for job growth (the job growth rate in the state is roughly double the national average).

Thanks to the warm weather and beautiful desert scenery, the state capital offers many tourism-related jobs as well. On a state level, the top sectors that employ the most people are trade, transportation, government, health services, and education. Leisure and hospitality rank high in the employment sectors as well.

For your information, the state government is the largest employer in Arizona.

5. Plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy

One of the greatest benefits of moving to Arizona is the staggering number of outdoor activities for anyone who loves to spend their time around nature.

The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that is visited by approximately 5 million people each year. So, if you haven’t yet seen the world-famous canyon carved by the Colorado River, you should do so shortly after you move to Arizona.

As an outdoor enthusiast, moving to Arizona will basically mean that you’ll never be bored again. Having close to 320 days of sunshine a year, you should feel free to enjoy any outdoor activity you like: hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, boating, horse riding, and many others.

If you love nature, the postcard natural beauty of Arizona is the only reason you need to relocate there in order to appreciate the diverse outdoor life of the desert state. In Phoenix alone, there are more than 180 city parks and more than 33,000 acres of desert preserves.

6. Phoenix is a great place to live in

If you’re thinking of moving to Arizona, why don’t you relocate to Phoenix? It may as well be the best decision you’ve made in a very long time.

Phoenix is the capital and most populous city in Arizona, as well as the 5th most populous city in the country with 1,680,992 people (as of 2019).

The city, which happens to be the only state capital with a population of more than 1 million residents, is a great place to move to and live in.

There are many good reasons to move to Phoenix, Arizona, and here are just a handful of them:

• excellent job opportunities,
• around 300 days of sunshine,
• various outdoor activities just outside the city,
• diverse cultural life,
• a dream city for sports fans with teams in all four major professional sports leagues,
• more than 200 golf courses in the Phoenix area, and
• easy access to popular destinations in California, Nevada, or Mexico.

Moving to Phoenix, Arizona: Relocation Guide

7. Arizona remains a state for the young

Even though many retirees see Arizona as the perfect retirement destination (and it is just that), the state keeps on attracting young people from all over the country. Lured by the prospect of great careers and a better life, young professionals tend to move to big cities such as Phoenix and Tucson, and that’s exactly what keeps the state’s population fairly young.

Unlike other U.S. states such as Florida, for example, Arizona’s population is staying young, especially in the state capital Phoenix. Depending on the exact place in Arizona, the median age of the residents there stays between 29 and 42, and it’s getting more youthful as time goes on.

Even the annual inflow of people (snowbirds) who are running away from the low winter temperatures in their respective states is not changing things too much.

8. Driving in Arizona is easy and enjoyable

One of the things to know before moving to Arizona is that driving a car in the state is very easy and you’ll even find it enjoyable.

When moving to Phoenix, Arizona, you are likely to notice right away that the entire city layout is simple, intuitive, and has been planned in an easy-to-read grid. What this means, in reality, is that you should be able to find your way around the state capital even without a map or a GPS device.

When moving to Arizona from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York – the top 3 most congested cities in the U.S. when it comes to traffic, you will be delighted to find out that traffic jams are rare in the state and you can reach your destination quickly via convenient state highways.

Also, fun road trips are quite possible when you live in Arizona thanks to the strategic location of the state itself. Driving from Phoenix to California should only take you a few hours via the interstate, while Las Vegas happens to be a day’s drive away.

Besides having easy access to California and Nevada, you can also reach the states of New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas without too much trouble. The proximity to the Mexican border makes Arizona a great place for road trippers and adventurers too.

Bonus advantages of moving to Arizona

As you can see, there are many benefits of living in Arizona. If you’re still unsure whether you should move to the Valley of the Sun, here are even more excellent reasons to find your new home in the Grand Canyon State:

• Sports. Arizona is a great place to live if you love sports. You can practice all sorts of sports in the state, including golf since you’ll have access to more than 200 golf courses in the Phoenix area alone. Luckily, the city of Phoenix is home to the teams representing all 4 major professional sports leagues: Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Coyotes (NHL), and Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB).
• Wine. If you enjoy wine, then you’re going to love your time in Arizona. The state produces one of the finest wines in the United States. Throughout the state, there are more than 110 wineries, vineyards, and cellars. Three main wine-producing regions are worth mentioning: Verde Valley (north of Phoenix), Sonoita (south of Tucson), and Willcox (east of Tucson).
• Fewer insects. Compared to other states, there are not too many insects flying around in the air. This is because the state of Arizona has an arid desert climate, meaning that the overall air humidity stays relatively low. And since most insects are attracted to wet environments, the lack of moisture in the Arizonian air means you won’t be bothered too much by mosquitoes, flies, chiggers, gnats, and other types of annoying insects.

Moving to a New State Guide, Checklist, and Tips

Cons of moving to Arizona

No U.S. state is perfect and the same is true for Arizona as well. Despite the plethora of benefits of moving to Arizona, there are also a number of disadvantages that you need to know before deciding to relocate and live in the desert state.

1. The summer heat can be unbearable

The Arizona summers may prove to be just too much for you even if you enjoy warm weather and constant sunshine. If you’re not used to experiencing immense dry heat, then you’re likely to find out that the summertime in the state can be brutal.

Since the climate there is semi-arid to arid at lower elevations, summers in Arizona can be really hot and dry, with temperatures staying within 90°F to 120°F.

The average temperatures in July and August are about 106°F, while four months per year have average temperatures above 100°F. Bear in mind that temperatures are unlikely to drop below 80 degrees until November comes around.

Basically, you’ll need to learn to adapt to those high temperatures in the summer. First of all, you should not go out in the afternoons as the desert sun rays are too strong at that time of day. During those periods of intense heat, you’ll need to stay indoors with a running AC.

Also, wherever you go, you’ll need to get into the habit of carrying enough water with you, using sunscreen to protect your skin, and wearing sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes and head respectively.

The good news is that you’re likely to get a break from the oppressing summer heat in midsummer because of the heavy rains of the monsoon season (July-August).

2. You’re bound to experience haboobs firsthand

You may have no idea what the word haboob means but once you move to Arizona to live, you’re going to find out the hard way.

A haboob is an intense dust storm carried on a weather front. Unfortunately, those dust storms occur fairly regularly and could sometimes cause some destruction but for the locals, they are viewed as more of a nuisance than serious danger. Arizonans often drive through haboobs with their cars, and you may get to do it too once you settle in the Grand Canyon State.

However, if you’re unlucky enough to have a dust storm pass over your house, then you won’t be too happy about it due to the massive amounts of dirt and dust it will leave behind. On some occasions, the strong winds may cause some damage as well.

All in all, dust storms can be bad in the sense that they tend to transport fungal spores and are known to trigger bad infections in people who suffer from allergies.

3. You might get sick with Valley Fever

Valley fever (aka coccidioidomycosis) is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. That particular fungus lives in the soil in the southwestern United States and plenty of people who live in the state of Arizona get ill at some point or another.

The symptoms of Valley fever include fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache, and muscle aches or joint pain. The thing is that it can be rather difficult to prevent exposure to the fungus Coccidioides in the places where it’s common in the atmosphere, especially in the southern part of the state.

The good news is that the illness very rarely causes any serious problems and is highly treatable. In fact, most people will get better on their own within a few weeks but some will definitely need antifungal medication to feel alright again.

Visit the page of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn more about Valley fever, including what you can do to prevent it.

4. Arizona is beautiful but just don’t touch anything

It’s a fact that the Arizona desert is absolutely stunning. However, it can be pretty dangerous for newcomers too.

When you move to Arizona, one rule of thumb is to never touch anything that you don’t know for sure it’s safe to touch. Why?

The thing is that too many things in the desert can be poisonous – starting with the obvious creatures such as venomous spiders, snakes, and scorpions, and ending with a larger number of plants, fruits, bugs, insects, and animals.  

Plant life in Arizona can be very pretty but you just can’t know if those plants are dangerous or not. Cacti are pretty much everywhere in the state, even in urbanized areas.

Here is a list of poisonous plants found in Arizona to help you stay safe. However, keep in mind that a plant that’s missing from that list doesn’t mean that it’s safe for humans and pets.

There are a few more disadvantages of moving to Arizona such as relying entirely on your car since public transportation is not well-developed and walking is not recommended, having to learn to live with the volatility of a desert climate – temperatures climbing into the 120s during the day and plummeting to frigid temperatures at night, and being constantly aware of the state’s dangerous wildlife.

So, is Arizona a good place to live?

Absolutely!

The Grand Canyon State remains a wonderful place to relocate to and you’re more than likely to enjoy your life in the Southwest. With its postcard beauty, plenty of sunshine, job opportunities, and affordable cost of living, Arizona is the kind of place where you can find true happiness.

And once you make up your mind to move to Arizona, remember to hire the best cross-country movers to help you transport your belongings there.

7 Reasons to Hire Professional Movers