Before You Retire to Arizona, There Are 6 Things You Should Know
Arizona has long been one of the most popular places to retire in the U.S., given that the Grand Canyon State has a warm climate, tax perks and a scenic landscape perfect for pottering around in your new life of leisure. But does that mean when you are mapping out where and how you want to spend your nest egg, you should follow suit and choose Arizona as the destination for your golden years?
The part that doesn’t always make the brochure is that not everyone who retires in Arizona ends up loving it long‑term. MSN recently reported that some retirees actually regret moving to Arizona, citing rising costs, brutal summers and lifestyle mismatches as key reasons. Before you pack up and head to the desert on a horse with no name, here are six downsides of retiring in Arizona you’ll want to think through carefully.
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1. There's a High Disaster Risk
Arizona may be known for its dry climate, but it's also one of the most disaster-prone states. In fact, extreme heat, drought, wildfires, dust storms and flash flooding all top the list of what you can run into with Arizona living. While major earthquakes are rare, landslides and debris flows are not, making preparedness crucial for residents.
For retirees, rebuilding after a natural disaster can be especially challenging -- both physically and financially.
2. There's 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. Though the highest temperature ever recorded in Arizona was 128 degrees Fahrenheit in Lake Havasu City back in 1994, Phoenix experienced a record 113 consecutive days with temperatures at or above 100 degrees last year.
The climate can also lead to sky-high electric bills during the hot months, because you have to pay for all that air conditioning. However, more concerning is the statistic that more than 4,000 people have died from exposure to excessive heat in Arizona in the last decade.
3. Consider the 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 -- like two mortgages, property taxes, insurance policies and maintenance expenses.
The logistics can be overwhelming, too, 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 and their impact on the real estate market. In fact, 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. There's a Relatively High Cost of Living
Parts of Arizona are cheap, but the parts where you probably want to live as a retiree are likely more expensive. The cost of living often catches retirees off guard. Keep in mind, popular retirement places like Scottsdale or Flagstaff come with prices that can rival coastal cities.
6. Traffic and Crime Rates Aren't Great
Phoenix, Arizona's largest city, comes with the typical big-city challenges like traffic congestion and crime. It's also one of the worst states in the nation for traffic fatalities, according to Arizona's Family.
Crime is another concern. For example, here are a few key stats on crime rates in Phoenix -- all of which are higher than the national average:
Total Crime Rate: Around 33.05 per 1,000 people.
Violent Crime Rate: About 7.91 per 1,000 people.
Property Crime Rate: Roughly 25.14 per 1,000 people
G. Brian Davis contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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