Scorching summers, pollution, and creepy crawlies are just some of the top reasons why people regret moving to Arizona—but there are more issues that residents face on top of that.

If you're thinking about moving from your chilly environment to the hot, hot deserts of Arizona, don't rush to pack everything up. While moving to Arizona has its benefits—mild winters, a strong job market, and direct access to the Grand Canyon—you may come to regret your decision if you haven't properly considered all of the benefits and drawbacks.

Jerry

, the

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that makes buying

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and

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a breeze, is here to walk you through the hard realities of Arizona life. The top five reasons why people regret moving to the Grand Canyon State are listed below.

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1. Arizona summers can be pretty unbearable

When summer arrives in Arizona, you might as well be standing on the surface of the sun. The heat is one of the main reasons people leave the Grand Canyon State.

Arizona experiences scorching temperatures in the 90°F to 120°F range during the summer. In the southern desert, temperatures can soar to over 125°F, with an average high of 97°F in July.

People often grossly underestimate their heat tolerance, even if they think they know what they're getting into. Although many people move to Arizona in the winter to get away from the cold, they are often unprepared for the state's extreme summer heat.

Thanks to its warm, dry climate, Arizona is also pretty susceptible to wildfires, averaging over 2,200 fires per year.

According to data compiled on warming rates since 1970, Arizona is currently the

fourth fastest warming state in the country

. There are already more than 50 potentially life-threatening heat days per year in the state, making it the second-hottest state in the country. According to forecasts, Arizona will experience nearly 80 of these days annually by the year 2050.

Consider instead: California

Think about moving to California instead of sitting through the hellishly hot Arizona summer. Even though the summers in southern California can get quite hot, you won't have to deal with the extreme dryness of the Arizona climate—plus you’ll be right by the beach!

MORE:

Everything you need to know about driving in Miami

2. Arizona has a pretty high cost of living

While Arizona has long been known as an affordable place to live, this is no longer the case. Yes, Arizona is less expensive than nearby California, but it's not the dirt-cheap "Come to Arizona where you can afford a three-car garage and a mansion!" that many people believe it to be. It ranks at #29 on U.S. News’s

2021 Affordability Rankings

Arizona's average home price of $445,126 is significantly higher than the national median. Furthermore, the general cost of living in Arizona is quite high, with food, transportation, and even the sales tax more costly compared to other areas of the country. If you're not careful, you may find yourself struggling to stay afloat.

It is estimated that the average person in Arizona needs $36,242 per year to live comfortably.

Consider instead: Iowa or Ohio

If you want to buy a home, Iowa offers the most affordable housing prices in the country. However, if you're merely searching for a low-cost area to live in, you won't find a cheaper cost of living anywhere other than Ohio.

MORE:

How high is the cost of living in Arizona?

3. You have to deal with some creepy crawlies

Because of the desert's temperate climate and wild nature, you'll encounter more critters in Arizona than in most other states. Scorpions, snakes (venomous and non-venomous), lizards, cockroaches, tarantulas, bats, and other creatures abound in Arizona.

Arizona may not be the best place for you if you are frightened by creepy crawlies and wildlife. These creatures typically just want to be left alone and have no desire to wreak havoc, but you’ll still likely have to deal with them nonetheless.

Consider instead: Vermont

Vermont hasn’t reported an animal attack in the state since 2000, making it one of the safest in terms of wildlife and critters. You won’t have to deal with any snakes, scorpions, or other similar creatures—there are some forest-dwellers you may face, such as moose, bobcats, and bears, but they are far and few between.

MORE:

What you need to know about termites in Arizona

4. The desert can be monotonous

Beautiful, towering cactus and desert sunsets have long inspired cowboy songs and doctor's office waiting room artwork... but there is too much of a good thing. When the desert terrain is all you see every day, it lacks variety.

The landscaping across the valley is gravel and cactus-filled, intending to be low-maintenance and require little to no irrigation. These are beautiful to behold when you come to visit, but if you come from somewhere where deciduous trees shed their foliage in the fall and bloom with thousands of green buds in the spring, you will undoubtedly miss them.

Arizona is, of course, home to the impressive, mighty Grand Canyon—but if you’re not one for hiking through it, there are only so many times you observe it from above.

Consider instead: Hawaii

This archipelago is the most beautifully diverse state in the country, pound for pound and acre for acre. From canyons to jungles to beaches, cliffs, and volcanoes, the Hawaiian islands—seven main islands plus 130 smaller, uninhabited islets—offer a diverse range of landscapes that will never bore you.

MORE:

How to check for Arizona road closures

5. Arizona has a growing pollution problem

The American Lung Association named Phoenix

one of the nation's most polluted cities

in 2020. Not only was the state's largest city given a low grade in the ALA State of Air report, but many other cities received F scores, indicating pervasive air pollution throughout the state.

Arizona's geography puts its residents at particularly high risk, notably from ozone pollution. The severe heat, along with the state's mountains and valleys, provides a "bowl" for ozone to grow and settle in.

Even though small amounts of ozone disappear in a couple of hours, the ozone levels in Phoenix didn't go down even during the COVID19 pandemic, when the number of cars on the road was at a record low. You don't have to be up to speed on air reports to notice the pollution in the Arizona skies.

Consider instead: New Hampshire

New Hampshire

ranks

as one of the states with the lowest industrial toxins and the lowest pollution health risk. In 2020 alone, almost 90% of days in New Hampshire had "Good" air quality.

How to save on car insurance in Arizona

If you're thinking about relocating to Arizona, we hope this article will give you plenty to think about. If you already reside in Arizona and are sorting through your regrets, we're here for you, too—and we might have something to help you chill out along the way.

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