The Pros
If you are considering moving to Arizona, almost 125,00 people a year do, here some of the pros and cons of moving to this southwestern state.
The Weather Outside is…Weather
When people think of Arizona, they tend to think of extreme temperatures and sweltering heat. That can be the case during the summer months. Although, most people find Arizona to be considerably more temperate than they expected.
The northern part of the state is quite mountainous. Places like Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, and Showlow – are cooler and many even get enough snow for skiing! In the northern part of the state, temperatures range from highs of 81 degrees to lows around 4 degrees.
The southern part of the state doesn’t have quite the elevation. Places like Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma do see higher temperatures. Average temperatures can range from 112 degrees for the highs and 37 degrees for the lows. These locations are perfect for hiking or golf, year-round.
The Grand Canyon
You can’t mention Arizona without talking about the Grand Canyon. Located in the northern part of the state, the canyon is 277 miles long and 10 miles wide. The Grand Canyon is more than a pretty view, it’s an experience. There is hiking, biking, trail rides, and more. Since the Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River, there is epic rafting too.
World-Class Hiking
The Grand Canyon’s Rim to Rim hike is definitely a test of endurance. This 21.3-mile hike isn’t for the faint of heart. Besides the Grand Canyon, Arizona has lots of great hiking.
Antelope Canyon is a beautiful slot canyon located in the Navajo reserve.
Monument Valley is a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, located near the Four Corners. The largest butte reaches 1,000 ft above the valley floor.
Kartchner Caverns State Park is located in the southern part of the state. The caverns are carved out of limestone and filled with spectacular speleothems that have been growing for 50,000 years or longer. And, they are still growing.
Sports, Sports and More Sports
Arizona has lots of sports. The Arizona Cardinals football team, the Arizona Coyotes hockey team, the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, the Phoenix Suns basketball team, the Phoenix Mercury basketball team, and most recently added the Phoenix Rising soccer team, are professional teams that all call Arizona home. Every year Arizona welcomes baseball’s spring training fans. 15 Major League Baseball teams in 10 parks make the Phoenix area their home for six weeks. Then there are collegiate sports. 26 colleges in Arizona have collegiate sports programs. If you’re a sports fan, Arizona has you covered there.
The Arizona Economy
When you are considering something as important as where to live, not everything can be about the creature comforts. Some of the considerations have to be more pragmatic. There’s a lot to consider, taxes, housing costs, job market, health care, etc.
Since we’re experts in moving, and not finance, we’ll leave the details up to experts like Dave Ramsey (His site breaks things down really nicely. There are all kinds of calculators to help you crunch the numbers.) The long and the short of if, Arizona is pretty close to the national average in most areas. In areas of the highest expense like rent, groceries, health care, and taxes the copper state comes it lower than national averages.
Everything Is So Close
Arizona is in the heart of the southwest. Anything you want to do is always close by. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, even Rocky Point, Mexico are all within driving distance. San Francisco, Dallas, Denver, Lake Tahoe, and Cabo San Lucas, are only two hours away by plane. It also helps that Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix is an international airport.
The Cons
To be fair, everywhere you go has its downfall. Before you make a big decision like relocating to Arizona, there are a few things you should know.
But It’s A Dry Heat
One of the first things people think about when they think about Arizona is the heat. 2020 was the hottest year on record with temperatures reaching 128 degrees. The good news is that it’s only really hot in the summer months. But, if you don’t have the luxury of spending your summers somewhere more temperate, you better learn some tips from the locals for coping…and fast.
Critters and Crawlers and Stingers…Oh My
Living in a place with such extreme temperatures takes some adjusting. That holds true for the local plants and animals as well. There really are rattlesnakes and scorpions and coyotes in the suburbs of Phoenix and Tucson. Even the plants will jump up and bite you. The jumping cholla is native to the Sonoran desert. Just walking by will make you sorry.
Gathering Dust
Because the weather is so arid, there is very little foliage. That means there is lots of dust. Leaving the windows open to enjoy that temperate weather means you’ll need to dust again in no time. During the late summer months, you might just be in store for a haboob. In case you’ve never heard of that, a haboob is a “violent wind and sand storm that comes on quickly and decimates visibility and other things in its path”. The good news is they don’t last long and don’t usually cause much damage. But, you better believe you’ll have to dust after a haboob.
It’s So Spread Out
Unlike the eastern US, the southwest states are considerably larger. Arizona is the sixth largest state in fact. It takes just over 7 hours to drive from the southern border of Arizona to the northern border. If you’re looking to take a tour of all the splendor that is Arizona be prepared for a long drive.
The Good and the Bad
Every state has its pros and cons. Arizona is a wonderful place. What’s most important is finding the right fit for you. We encourage you to make your own list. Make a list of what’s important to you, do your research, and visit the places that fit the bill.
Once you’ve picked your new home give Sterling Interstate a call. We can help with packing, loading, transportation, and unloading services. We’d be happy to help welcome you home.
