When it comes to living a certain lifestyle, California has been in the limelight for a long time, but its allure appears to be fading for a growing number of people. There appears to be a growing trend for Californians to start a new chapter in their life elsewhere.
One of the chosen hotspots to migrate to is Arizona. Why are Californians on the move? When you look at the standard of luxury retirement communities in Arizona, for instance, it’s not hard to see why moving out of California and settling in Arizona becomes a desirable option.
Here are some of the main reasons why thousands are choosing to move from California to Arizona, some of which might surprise you.
Housing options are more affordable
One of the most compelling reasons to choose Arizona vs California is that Arizona offers more bang for your buck when it comes to the cost of housing.
A lot of Californians feel like they have been priced out. A typical comparison would be that a median home price in Phoenix is around $280,000. Compare that to a median house price of $650,000 in Los Angeles and you can instantly see the attraction of making a move.
Enjoy a lower cost of living
The cost of living is a big issue for many of us. A typical comparison of the cost of things like groceries, utilities, and, of course, housing, shows that you can expect to pay upwards of 20% less in Arizona to fund these basic and essential living costs.
Pay less tax
Who wants to pay more tax than they have to? Another compelling reason why California residents are looking at moving to Arizona is that they will get to keep more of their money.
Tax rates in California increase alongside your income, but the rates are more advantageous in Arizona
Less traffic congestion
Getting around has become more of a chore than ever before in California. Places like Los Angeles are ranked as some of the most congested in the U.S. On the other hand, getting around Tucson, for instance, is much easier as it is ranked far lower for congestion.
Your family can benefit from a great education
If you are planning on raising a family in Arizona, the education system is another big reason why Californians are making the switch to this state.
You get a great choice of public schools and universities throughout the state of Arizona.
Take your career to new heights
Job opportunities in Arizona are plentiful. There is an ambitious plan in place to add about 700,000 new jobs to the economy by 2030. That means there will be lots of avenues to explore when moving up the career ladder.
A safer natural environment
With climate change very much on the agenda, it is worth noting that a good reason why many have already chosen to switch from California to Arizona is that it is less prone to natural disasters.
You can’t put a price on peace of mind. Knowing that Arizona is far less susceptible to natural disasters like earthquakes and forest fires is an important reason to move for many.
Arizona rivals California for beautiful landscapes
No one is saying that California doesn’t have some incredible geology to appreciate. However, Arizona is a worthy rival in that department. You only have to mention the Grand Canyon as a prime example, and it is abundantly clear that you won’t be missing out on beautiful landscapes if you make the switch.
They might be neighboring states, but they can seem like world’s apart when you start making comparisons. It seems that’s what many are doing, and you can quickly see why there is an ever-growing volume of people deciding to move from California to Arizona.