Owning Land In Arizona: Pros & Cons

‍Considering moving to Arizona to enjoy the diverse culture, beautiful landscapes, and wildlife? Let’s find out the pros and cons of owning land in Arizona.

Arizona is one of the most famous states of the U.S. Besides the Grand Canyon, the interesting wildlife, deserts, and cultural activities are the reasons for its popularity. But there are some drawbacks when it comes to owning land in Arizona.

The weather in Arizona is extremely unpredictable; you can expect scorching sun, thunderstorms, rainstorms, etc. Additionally, the traffic is worse in winters. On the other hand, affordable living, a booming job market, and beautiful landscapes are all good reasons to own land in Arizona.

Whether you are moving to Arizona for retirement or a new job, there are a lot of things you need to consider. Despite the many advantages, settling in Arizona can be difficult for some people. For example, those who can’t bear extreme weather conditions cannot live in Arizona.

In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of owning land in Arizona so that you can make a well-informed decision.

‍Pros and Cons of Owning Land in Arizona

Pros

Affordable Living

One of the major pros of owning land in Arizona is affordable living. Despite being a popular state, living in Arizona is cheap compared to other states. The cost is close to the national average, and real estate can vary from city to city; despite that, a family of four can comfortably live in Phoenix with an average of around $2,700 per month. The cost reduces to $900 per month for a single person.

When it comes to houses and real estate, the average is $285,000, but as stated above, this can vary from place to place. And if we compare the average to California or Nevada, the difference is drastic.

Beautiful Landscapes

If you are a person that enjoys the outdoors, then Arizona is the perfect place for you. We all know Arizona is famous for its Grand Canyon, but that’s not the only beautiful sight in the state. Arizona is also famous for its beautiful landscape, including mountains, deserts, and hiking trails, such as Picachu Peak, Verde Hot Springs, Sonoran Desert, etc.

There are also 15+ state parks in Arizona, where you can interact with animals and have a relaxing day. Some popular state parks are Oracle state park, Catalina state park, Red Rock state park, and more.

Good Job Market

Another reason people opt for owning land in Arizona is its booming job market. This is due to the state’s strong economy. Arizona has always been open to innovation, and that’s why many people choose Arizona for startups and inventions. They have growing tech, defense, IT, healthcare, and aerospace industries, which means multiple job opportunities for people who are thinking of moving to Arizona.

The state has one of the richest economies in the U.S., and as mentioned above, Arizona attracts a lot of tourists, so tourism-related opportunities are also available. Pair this up with affordable living, and you have got yourself the perfect match.

Outdoor Activities

Arizona has outdoor activities for everyone. Don’t like hiking? Enjoy a day at the state park catching up with wildlife or go to a desert. When it comes to Arizona, the outdoor activities are endless, which means your weekends will never be boring. From biking to hiking, trailing, mountain climbing, fishing, and more, there’s so much to do. The state has hundreds of state parks as well, and golfing is a very popular sport in Arizona. Overall, it is the perfect opportunity for people who love reconnecting with nature and enjoying the great outdoors.

Diverse Culture

One of the features that attract people to Arizona is cultural diversity. Since Arizona shares borders with Mexico, you can see a rich culture and population there. For example, 25% of the residents are Native American, with 22 American Tribes, including Navajo, Apache, and more. The food, architecture, activities are all culturally influenced, and you can see diversity in all these areas.

People can also enjoy cultural art shows and festivals held in Arizona year-round. There are a lot of cultural opportunities, and you can find many museums and galleries displaying native art and collaboration with Native American artists.

Wildlife

Another pro of owning land in Arizona is the amazing wildlife. Exploring deserts means animals like snakes, tarantula, roadrunners, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, and more are a very common sight. And if this is something that interests you, then Arizona is the best place for you. You can visit state parks to interact with wildlife and explore the exotic landscape.

Easy Driving

Arizona is the perfect place for people who hate to drive. Not because you won’t have to drive, but because the layout is straightforward. If you are coming from a highly populated state, you will find Arizona very pleasant.

You can also plan fun road trips to the surrounding states and cities; you can drive to Mexicali and Hermosillo for a fun weekend trip.

Cons

Unbearable Summers

One of the major cons of owning land in Arizona is the unbearable heat. If you don’t enjoy constant warm weather, you might need to think of someplace else. The summers are hot and dry, and in Phoenix, the average temperature is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit from July to August. And the weather only drops below 80 degrees in November and lasts for hardly a few months till it's scorching hot again.

Thus, new residents would need to acclimate themselves to the extreme summers and weather conditions if they want to live in Arizona.

Barren land

A huge part of Arizona is barren, and if you are not a fan of deserts, you shouldn’t move here. Lush green lawns and trees are a rare sight in Arizona. You’ll have to constantly deal with sand, scorching heat, unique wildlife, poisonous plants, and much more.

Need for Car

To explore the beautiful state of Arizona, you need to have a car or some form of transportation. Since the extreme heat and dry temperature make it impossible for you to commute on foot, you either need to have your own car or use public transportation. Sadly, public transportation in Arizona is terrible and doesn’t travel to remote areas.

Bad Traffic

Since almost everyone owns a car to commute in Arizona, the traffic is always bad. The residents are used to it, but people who are thinking about moving to Arizona need to consider the possibility that most of the time, they will be stuck in traffic. Cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and even the suburbs face heavy traffic year-round. The situation gets even worse in winters when people travel to Arizona to spend warm and cozy days and leave the freezing hell behind.

Intense Dust Storms

Another con of owning land in Arizona is the intense dust storms, also known as haboobs. Haboobs are pretty common for the residents of Arizona, and you will see people pass through them as well. But for new residents, dust storms can be a hassle, especially if one passes by your home, then the dust and grime are difficult to get rid of.

These intense dust storms can happen year-round and frequently.

Valley Fever

If you are thinking of owning land in the southern part of Arizona, then you should consider valley fever. This fever is caused by the fungus in the soil and has symptoms like fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, and malaise. It is not severe and can be treated easily, but the bad thing is there is no way to protect yourself, and you will get it once you move there.

Poisonous Plants

A general rule of thumb while living in Arizona, especially for a newbie, is to look but don’t touch anything you are not sure is safe to touch. Deserts and landscapes are stunning. Still, some animals and plants in deserts can be poisonous, such as snakes, scorpions, reptiles, cacti, etc. These poisonous plants are widespread in Arizona, so be careful when exploring the state.

Now that you know the pros and cons of owning land in Arizona, you can make a well-informed decision. If sunny and warm weather, outdoor activities, and wildlife are something you enjoy, then Arizona is the perfect place for you. But if you can’t stand the heat, dust storms, and the intense monsoon season, consider moving to other states. We hope this article helped!