Arizona ranks second in the nation for retiree migration, according to Vision Retirement. While Florida still ranks number one, the Grand Canyon State is an obvious retirement choice thanks to its warm climate and scenic landscape. But does that mean you should follow suit and choose Arizona as the destination for your golden years?
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Before packing your bags and retiring in Arizona, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. While Arizona offers plenty of perks, there are also some significant drawbacks that could impact your quality of life and financial stability. Here are six reasons you might regret moving to Arizona for retirement, and what to consider before making the leap.
1. High Disaster Risk
Arizona may be known for its dry climate, but it’s also one of the most disaster-prone states. According to Climate Check, Arizona ranks third in the U.S. for wildfire risk and first for flood risk among the lower 48 states. For retirees, rebuilding after a natural disaster can be especially challenging — both physically and financially.
2. Extreme Heat and Climate Challenges
To say that it gets hot in Arizona doesn’t convey the full oppressiveness. Think cook-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk heat.
“If you’re not used to 110-degree days and limited outdoor time during summer, it can really impact your quality of life,” said Jake Wells, a real estate investor and owner of Phoenix-based LRT Offers. “I work with plenty of sellers who ended up relocating again after realizing it wasn’t the fit they imagined.”
The climate can also lead to sky-high electric bills in the hot months to pay for all that air conditioning.
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3. Cost and Hassle of Snowbirding
Some retirees plan on being snowbirds, which just means spending winters in Arizona and summers in their (presumably cooler) home state. However, maintaining two homes comes with added costs such as two mortgages, property taxes, insurance policies and maintenance expenses. The logistics can be overwhelming, especially for older adults who just want more sun in their retirement.
4. Impact of Snowbirds on Year-Round Residents
If you plan to live full-time in Arizona, that too can come with downsides caused by all the surrounding snowbirds.
“Arizona’s real estate market is heavily influenced by snowbirds,” explained Austin Glanzer, real estate investor with 717 Home Buyers. “Snowbird housing demand drives up prices, limits inventory and creates competition for rentals during peak seasons.”
Meanwhile, that could leave entire neighborhoods largely empty in the warmer months. That diminishes the sense of community and could make it harder for businesses to stay open year-round to service full-time residents.
5. High Cost of Living
Sure, parts of Arizona are cheap. But the parts where you probably want to live as a retiree are likely more expensive. Chase Bertoni, owner of Prestige Investments, said the cost of living often catches retirees off guard.
“Many people move to Arizona expecting it to be an affordable retirement haven,” said Bertoni, “but depending on where you land — especially in places like Scottsdale or Flagstaff — the prices can rival coastal cities.”
6. Traffic and Crime
Phoenix, Arizona’s largest city, comes with the typical big-city challenges like traffic congestion and crime. Wallet Hub ranks it 50th out of 100 cities for traffic, but it’s also the worst in the nation for traffic fatalities, according to Arizona’s Family.
Crime is another concern. An analysis by Sirix Monitoring found that Phoenix is only safer than 6% of U.S. cities.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Reasons You Might Regret Moving To Arizona for Retirement
