10 Things to know before moving to Arizona and buying real estate.

[@lanaj1107]

It's currently 104 in the shade on my patio in Mesa. I have my evaporative cooling unit on blowing cool air on me and am sitting outside. Warm, but tolerable for me. I think I'm acclimated. Now, when it gets over 110, I stay inside most of the time when I'm home until early evening when it comes down. Mornings are very nice until about noon and I have my coffee outside every day. It's definitely not for everybody, but I love it. Please don't move here and complain about the heat.

[@AverageJoeTwoPoint0]

😂😂 you ready for this weekend?

[@halkizerian9604]

We are at 104 here in Tubac

[@lanaj1107]

@@AverageJoeTwoPoint0 I am! Still outside and it's 107. 😂😄. This big evaporative cooling fan thing is great! Sucks when the dew point is up and it doesn't work, but for now, it's ok. I'm probably going to just hide all weekend! Ugh. Is it me, of is this unseasonably hot?

[@Brad-Ley]

It's supposed to be 110+ daily high in the forecast all weekend in Phoenix. I'm even running my celling fan maximum speed along with a floor fan on low when I sleep at night because it's so hot.

[@Batlas]

@@lanaj1107 probably breaking some records this weekend. So not the norm.

[@oldguy445]

Moved to Arizona in 2020 to take care of my parents. The only good thing about the state is low taxes (it also doesn't tax military pensions), it's warm in the winter and recreational marijuana is legal. When my Mom passes away, I'm either moving or becoming a snowbird. Been to a couple of the schools (perform in a concert band), they're nice looking. Don't know much about the curriculum however. Right now Phoenix area is under a heat advisory. You have to exercise outside early in the morning or late at night. Only way I keep cool is Tempe has a curling rink and that shuts down for the season in July. Also, cities are spread out and it's a pain in the butt to shop.

[@marilyn8490]

Kudos-- As a 30 year AZ resident, I´ll say you got a lot of this right. The #1 issue that makes people move out is indeed the heat. IMHO it is getting worse--really. 100-115 is expected for many days of summer. After 2 or 3 summers, some people just say "no más" and leave. Truly, rent prices right now are through the roof, so rent is no longer cheap, nor are houses. Schools...they pay crap to teachers so if you have kids, it´s a problem. Gila monsters? They are reclusive--I hike a lot and you seldom see them--NOT a problem. But you do have to be mindful to leave rattlers alone and DO AVOID bees! Bees are harder to avoid than snakes. But the desert and mountains are beautiful and WAY more scenic than most of Nevada (Tahoe exception).

[@Batlas]

House I'm renting sold for ~350 in 2018. Houses in the same area are listed for close to 1m on Zillow today. It's insane how quickly housing prices exploded here.

[@jimdandy8996]

You forgot scorpions. They frequently end up in homes.

[@hankmoody5514]

True. After 6 summers I will NOT do another. No mas

[@ergogenda3374]

I spent a week in AZ this year and everyone I came across seemed very polite and respectful. A local I had a conversation with didn’t seem to found of the mass migration of Californias though

[@Abel-Alvarez]

That's been a thing for decades, Nevada residents will say the same. 😅

[@Unibot47]

You are not wrong, you absolutely need air conditioning if you come here lmao. Swamp coolers suck ass. If you do want to move here, consider visiting in July or August so you experience the worst of it. Don't visit during the winter and let yourself be caught off guard come summer time.

[@DivineDawn]

Good advice

[@DoloresJNurss]

What most people get wrong about swamp coolers is that you have to keep a window open while they run. Since they operate by evaporation, that moisture has to go somewhere for any cooling to happen. Close the windows and you'll turn your house into a sauna.

[@Master_ESE]

@Chris while the mountain areas don’t get as hot as the Phoenix area and other desert cities and towns, they do still get pretty hot enough to need an ac unit, the fact that they’re a bit higher in elevation doesn’t really change anything. The sun is just as hot anywhere else in the state.

[@johnnynephrite6147]

to be honest winters there suck more than summers. I hated that its cold enough in the morning for frost on the dead yellow grass, and none of the trees have leaves. At least in summer you can chill inside til the sun goes down, then spend a few hours in the pool, then get up at 6am and swim for another couple hours. Did you ever jump in the pool in January? Try it!

[@DoloresJNurss]

@@johnnynephrite6147 I did, once--jump into a pool in January in Arizona. It was a symbolic act to wash away years of something bad in my life. A sudden shock of cold water is said to snap lost soul fragments back onto oneself, at least among some desert Indians. But it's not just us--English Victorians also swore by what they called "The Water Cure" and the ancient Greeks had a similar practice.

[@nataliefontane]

One surprising thing about moving here was learning that there is a rental tax. Anything you pay your landlord will be taxed. Tax on parking, tax on trash, tax on water, tax on pet rent, tax on anything your landlord provides. It makes budgeting for apartments difficult, and the price you're given by the landlord can be $200 less than what you actually pay because of the taxes.

[@pianokeyjoe]

REALLY Good to know! I thought I lived in the most tax hungry state. Glad to know I was wrong?

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

​@@pianokeyjoe 30% tax on replying to comments. Pay up.

[@timwatson1544]

Aren't there taxes on everything everywhere,?

[@BehindTheGoldenCurtain]

Arizona spring training is so much fun! I'm glad you mentioned this.

[@miked2662]

Man, I really miss Arizona, I spent 1.5 years or so at Ft. Huachuca when I was in the Army and I loved it.

[@davidb.turknett4447]

Shhhh!!! My wife and I moved to Sierra Vista, November 2019. We love it here and understand that quite a few retired military come back to retire here.

[@Casual_Goof]

I love this style of good AND bad info together. I would even be interested in watching longer videos to get more “meat” out of them. Great video!

[@cynforrest]

I love Arizona and if I wasn’t already older than dirt, I’d definitely be moving there!! ❤️

[@richardfowler3254]

My kids have lived in AZ for a few years now. I love visiting them there (we are retired) and love going to Spring Training Baseball games. There is a lot to do, and I truly love the vibe there. I would suggest that you get your AZ driver's license and plates as soon as possible, when I am there with my CA plates, I get cut off all of the time on the freeway. Real Estate prices and lack of water are the big problems there now, there is a huge real estate development project East of PHX that can't be completed because they do not have the water available for the new homes... Just something to consider when you plan on moving there, as well has big electric bills from the A/C running all of the time as well

[@jimdandy8996]

True. Better off in NM next door to AZ. Similar topography, nicer temps. Locals in NM don't care where you are from.

[@WriterandPhotographer]

I can't imagine anyone cuts you off. I see at least a couple of dozen California plates every single day..........never have seen anyone cut them off or harass them in any way. Are we happy that they are already voting to turn our stated into the cesspool that California is today in SF and LA and other places? (one of the most naturally beautiful states) Nearly a third of my own neighborhood is now California transplants..........I now have to clean up after people's dogs every day since these people don't believe in carrying a bag and crime in the Phoenix area has skyrocketed in the past year and a half. We might not like what Californians are bringing to our state, but we would not do anything abusive or disrespectful.

[@richardfowler3254]

@@WriterandPhotographer It just must my experience then when I am visiting my kids. I realize that I made a generalization in my observation.

[@elultimo102]

@@jimdandy8996 ---I wouldn't mind PHX & Tucson being annexed by NM. Prescott was once the capital, and could be again.

[@tedszweb5268]

Great point Spring Training !

[@dalebishop2632]

4.5 years in AZ, heading back to Missouri :)

[@darant3673]

I moved last month. AZ not what it used to be.

[@BalladofJanine]

Thanks Briggs! Arizona is a fabulous state!

[@BrogeKilrain]

The water shortage may cause rationing and even prevent new building unless they get new water sources ESG score ?

[@ScubaSteveCanada]

Phoenix has new subdivisions that haven't been built out due to water issues - they must find their own source independent from Phoemix itself. Price will increase with less water available as the years go by.

[@BrogeKilrain]

@@ScubaSteveCanada but will it keep its appeal ?

[@joewilson3393]

There are still thousands of already approved permits. Plus a bit of a scandal because apartments are exempt in some places.

[@Batlas]

Out by gold canyon is a great example of this. They were trying to effectively connect GC and Florence (housing) and can't because that area doesn't have any natural water and Phoenix isn't trying to help.

[@AbsyntheAndTears]

They have planned for droughts and have enough water for 100 years stored. Edit- cities in the Phx metro area - not the rural communities.

[@marilyn8490]

Forgot to mention--if you buy here, research water supply issues. For example, people outside the city proper in Scottsdale, but with Scottsdale address?? They can no longer get water hauled (yes, rural lots have to truck in water if they have a low well) from Scottsdale. So some areas might not have access to affordable water within 5-10 years, depending on if you buy a lot outside a city. And your electric bill for AC will freak you out. Low from Nov. to March, but otherwise, hugely expensive.

[@megasquidd]

Timely video. Moving back to AZ from Oregon next week.

[@MagicM1KE420]

Bring some Water with you were running out

[@paulevans3261]

Thank you for the late afternoon laughs and learnings! Sounds like you are feeling much better.

[@WorldAccordingToBriggs]

I am!

[@juanitablanco2198]

I do want to move to Arizona because I love the desert lifestyle I am currently in Texas

[@nelskrogh3238]

Probably one thing people should consider is that water is getting really scarce in some parts of the AZ and it looks like it is going to get worse.

[@hewitc]

It's going to get worse. Last night in Phoenix it was over 90. At night. Air conditioner do break. And they are expensive to run 24/7.

[@marcussalazar658]

Hey Briggs, I currently live in South Dakota but I was born and raised in Arizona. Phoenix is where I lived the majority of the time I was there. I'd like to start off by saying that yes you do NEED a car, air conditioning and sun block. Public transportation in Phoenix has greatly improved but still is lagging behind by like 30 years compared to other similarly sized cities just be prepared to spend a lot of time sitting in traffic. The reason why is 40-50 years ago no one thought the population of Phoenix would literally EXPLODE like it has so the freeway system and surface streets aren't adequate to handle the immense amount of traffic. 95% of the vehicles only have 1 occupant because the transit system is so underdeveloped so the problem has just gotten worse as more people moved there. When the reported temperature is 120°F you should know that that is actually a lie. It's actually 5-10° hotter. The reason is because Arizona relies heavily on tourism money. If the temperature was accurately reported no one would visit. 120° is hot yet manageable. 130° is a bad day in Baghdad and you see how tourism there is pretty much nonexistent. Temperature readings should be taken at ground level, in the Sun. In Phoenix it is taken 15 feet above ground level and in the shade. The power of the all mighty dollar at work. Now air conditioning. You do need it if you don't want to baste in your own sweat for 9 months out of the year. You need it if you don't want to drive with oven mitts. You need it if you don't want to one day snap because your eyelids are sweating. The person in Tucson may have a point about damaging the environment but Tucson is typically 5-8° cooler than Phoenix. Saying it's not needed is like saying all you need is a space heater to get through a South Dakota winter. When you consider the second most popular activity in Tucson is smoking Crack well you must consider your source. The number one activity is wishing Tucson was a real city like Phoenix.

[@rubyserenity90]

Very informative, How do you like South Dakota?. I can't afford any homes where I live in San Jose,CA (born and raised) the houses here are all about a million dollars or more for little 2-3 bedroom homes. My husband has some family in Arizona and so they are always telling us to move over there but the heat and other issues were a bit worrisome. It is nice to hear from other's perspectives on living in places in like Phoenix.

[@tesmith47]

Kind of funny , white folks moving e hot places

[@claymcd22]

Yeah, we defintley have a civil war going on here. Life time resident of AZ. Grew up in Flag and came to Tucson for college. Every city hates PHX. It’s attracts most of the Cali folk and it shows. I love phx but the lack of culture from transplants is a major reason I stay away. ASwho?

[@Goats_]

I grew up in Phoenix. Left at 28 for San Francisco. The last 12 years of nice weather made me soft. Btw saying "it's Only 105 degrees" should only be in reference to a kitchen oven, Not the weather forecast. 🌞🌞

[@markbajek2541]

You know what has an Arizona plate is a U-haul trailer, truck , van ....all registered in AZ, and I'd be sweating the water situation in many parts of that state...that's a big hurdle if you have to have water trucked in.

[@raymondmartin6737]

When we lived in Phoenix in 1976, it was almost as hot then. It was air conditioning that let it grow, like other hotter areas. We had an older neighbor back in the old days, when Phoenix was much smaller, had a wet sheet propped up on the terrace to try and cool off at night. I agree it is a very scenic state, as the Grand Canyon, etc, and different climatic areas by altitude. Yes, it is very historic to see what the old West was like, like Rawhide near Phoenix.

[@AbsyntheAndTears]

I lived in AZ most of my life up until 2021. There are definitely good things about the state. There's a lot to do, it's very family friendly. But, it's getting hotter because it's so built up now, so overpopulated from everyone moving in. The state is not my AZ anymore. I ended up moving because I wasn't happy. Took my kids to live in a small rural midwestern town and we are all much happier. Yes, we get weird weather (humid, random rain and then sunny 10 minutes later, tornado warnings) but I sure don't miss the extreme heat.

[@cryptolockxrp2014]

Tornadoes though? I’ll take the monsoon 💯

[@johnnynephrite6147]

Its built up, AND theres climate change.

[@reenieamanza141]

LOL. I live in Phoenix, Arizona and i take the bus to get around. Public transportation has improved and its getting better. The worst part is waiting out in the sun for the bus in the summer. Thank you Keep up the good work :D.

[@user-sk5nq7dk6i]

Briggs, great point about Spring Traning!

[@demusp316]

Thanks for another great video. I wanted to move there so badly, but it has gotten way to expensive now. Next Video Briggs North Carolina 😁 👍🏼 please. Keep up the great work.

[@Goats_]

I go to North Carolina for work sometimes. Such a beautiful state, & friendly people.

[@demusp316]

@@Goats_ I Want to move there from FL .

[@AverageJoeTwoPoint0]

It is expensive. But this life. I'm thinking about Florida or Wyoming 😂

[@GreggBB]

Thanks for this list. All of them make sense. Love the humor in this video!

[@WanderingUkes]

Yes it gets hot. 120 degrees is very rare. 115 at times. 104 is more common throughout the summer. Been in the Phoenix area 30 years.

[@Bj-gm6ld]

Moved to Arizona 9 years ago from California. Love it, love it, love it here. Have lots of friends who are exCalifornians also. We moved here to get away from all those crazy politics in California. I live in the mountains at an elevation of 5500 feet. It's gorgeous here. But you're right, don't move here.

[@jimdandy8996]

Couldn't you have just stayed and organized with everyone to fix your own politics there in CA? Just saying.

[@PanamaRose]

@@jimdandy8996 We conservatives are outnumbered pretty bad by the large liberal cities. It's why we want to get out of here.

[@michaels.872]

Join a good local Patriot group, their numbers are growing and with any luck the education on the Constitution and how things actually work will go a long way providing people continue to go to those meetings. This is more reply about being outnumbered in liberal cities we need to grow our numbers. Disagree constitutional meeting that needs on Wednesday nights at Gilbert at 202 and Val Vista just south hit me up if you want to go next week

[@uKaZdAb]

So move somewhere, then tell others not to move there?

[@Scrambledbrains3601]

Welcome to Everyone's hometown 😉

[@Solo-Road]

Be nice to each other.

[@michaelrochester48]

No

[@tomgeorge2917]

Coming from Western PA, AZ homes are way more expensive and very small. They lack basements because the ground is like concrete and attics because everything would melt. If you come, sell everything first or expect to rent a storage facility when one becomes available. Unincorporated places are everywhere. Expect to pay HOA fees and have CCR's because of lacking a local municipality for services. Taxes are low and roads and services reflect it. I've been in Tucson 3 years unable to afford a home and am thinking of heading back.

[@thoughtfulbobcat1872]

I'm from Tucson, you need A.C. Here swamp coolers don't cut it during monsoon season.

[@JK-dj1zj]

I lived in Phoenix and had a swimming pool in my backyard. So my pooch and I enjoyed the pool everyday when I came home from work.

[@mindibear]

What you really need to know before moving here: Speed limits are merely a suggestion. Don’t honk at anybody because most people are packing heat. Keep oven mitts in your car for those days the steering wheel is too hot to touch. We drink salsa by the gallon. Cost of living may be cheaper than the national average but our wages are even lower so be sure to have a high salary job lined up or a chunk of money in the bank. Bridges don’t necessarily mean water is nearby. Always park in the shade, it’s a longer walk but you’ll be thankful when you return to your car. We like Californians as long as they remember why they left and they vote Republican. Be nice to us and we’ll be nice to you.

[@nellywilliams2776]

I live in Florida and it gets hot AF during the summer. Thanks for the oven mitt tip 😆😆👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@PedroRamirez-vv7ff]

How much do you get paid in Arizona? Here in California most people get 15-17 bucks an hour

[@AverageJoeTwoPoint0]

Good list. Oven mitts would be helpful on days like today 😂

[@mindibear]

@@PedroRamirez-vv7ff That’s it? How do people survive in California on such low wages? You should be making at least $20/hour if you want to live comfortably in Arizona.

[@halkizerian9604]

Never speed on I19

[@mikemckeon8976]

Have visited 3 times now in the early spring, fall and the hot summer month of June. Yes, you will appreciate AC and shade. And, you do need a car, unless you live in he inner big cities, and the Public Transport is still very limited. Wife still wants to move there when we retire, my concern is the water situation that the whole south west is facing. I read and watch every story on it. Hopefully, they will make the needed changes to ensure water will remain available for years to come. That's the largest item of concern that just never makes it to these vlogs.

[@raysaunier8071]

Weather: Cooler in Tucson, warmer in Phoenix but not by much. Evenings usually cool down to the 80s which is livable. Swamp coolers work well unless humid. When you move there start hating outsiders-Welcome to Arizona, now go home. A few people walk around carrying guns, but then again they can conceal so who knows. Tucson had several Spring training teams, but they moved up to the Phoenix area (I lump them all together) because only Michael Jordan could fill up Hi Corbett (Tucson had a Fall league team) on a cold, clammy night whereas twenty five might might show up for a nice sunny November afternoon. Support U of A baseball instead. Tucson once had speed cameras, but they were removed them because violators weren’t paying their fines or at least going to court. Employers will say,”Sorry we can only pay minimum wage,” but what they really mean is sorry we can pay you less. The economy seems to run on tourism and twelve step programs. When I first lived there I’d ask everyone where they were from because very few people were from Arizona.

[@maxinehaskell5701]

As far as heat, it is central Arizona and the western part of the state that gets really hot. The White Mountains and northern AZ does not get 120 degrees.

[@Feverish431]

Been living in AZ for 15 years now. I wouldn't say I'm "fine" with the heat, but honestly if it wasn't for the excessive heat, there would be way more people around.

[@bsxboy]

From my experience to no. 1. I came from Nevada (and lived in California before that) and when I compare how friendly people are - for example at the DMV/MVD ... Arizona/Phoenix wins anytime. NEVER had a bad people experience in general in AZ!

[@AverageJoeTwoPoint0]

It's 108 degrees today. DONT COME HERE 😂😂

[@Brad-Ley]

I'll be honest, the temperature here has a "split personality" based on whether you live in high elevation (EX: Flagstaff) or a lower elevation (EX: Phoenix). I've lived in the summer heat for almost my entire life and I'm just to the point where instead of leaving my house (unless 100% necessary) I started looking at places I might be enticed to move to via personality quizzes and research. (Looking for: Beach town without the summer heat temperatures)

[@thullraven1]

You'll want to go to the Pacific Northwest or the East Coast from NC and places North. You have to do some research because a lot of those places are expensive. Delaware might fit the bill for you as long as you avoid Wilmington. There are some communities on the Oregon Coast that might work if you like those types of beaches. I don't. The water is always cold.

[@AlexCab_49]

Check out central coast of California. Warning, it's hella expensive to live there

[@Brad-Ley]

@@AlexCab_49 I hear it's just unsafe period to live there (multiple reasons).

[@AlexCab_49]

@@Brad-Ley Central Coast??? I've been there many times and it's fine. They're all small towns or small cities and anywhere as hectic as the Bay Area or SoCal

[@PWPeteW1]

Another well done video. AZ has some of the most friendly people I've ever met. There are dustdevils, being that a good chunk of the state is desert (Exception would be some of the higher, forested elevations of the state around and south of Flagstaff region which also gets snow BTW). The summer monsoons are heavy rains brought by severe thunderstorms. Frequent lightning, flash floods, and ocassionally, dust storms, often accompany these. Flash flooding can happen suddenly in an adjacent area where it hasn't rained, which is deadly to the unaware. 2021 was a particularly stormy monsoon year for AZ and the rest of the U.S. Southwest. Fires also occur every summer throughout the state. Rentals, real estate, and COL are exponentially expensive in Arizona; water shortage is a concern, especially with the drought. Traffic: You will occasionally get tailgated very closely no matter how fast you drive, so be advised. Tucson has upgraded their I-10 corridor north of downtown. Finally, crime is something to definitely be concerned with in the larger communities -- South Tucson, Phoenix, parts of the Valley -- at least in statistical terms of rate per 100,000 people, when compared to other cities of around the same size.

[@realazduffman]

More important than this stuff, your car battery will only last 2 years or so before the heat kills it.

[@darant3673]

Yes, and window wipers rip from heat, tires rot faster.

[@magdastar2249]

When I lived there they had the good old boy network. Not my cup of tea, love Sedona though. Would not move back. 🙏👍 You are right on and not a fan of rattlesnakes which were on our front porch several times.

[@angelavelazquez2166]

I moved to northern AZ from CA in 2014. The cost of real estate is outrageous! When I began renting a junior one bedroom apartment in December 2014, I paid $535/month. I’m in the same apartment and now pay $800/month. Beginning in August, my rent increases to $950/month. My wages are not keeping up with the high cost of living. Also, automobile insurance is more expensive than what I paid in CA.

[@elultimo102]

I'm about 200 miles east of Prescott. Full coverage on my truck is $53 / month for $500K injury & $100K property damage. (Maybe I should raise that, in case I hit a Mercedes----$100K used to be enough to cover a semi). Word of advice: Try to be within five miles of the nearest firehouse, if you want affordable home insurance.

[@ourcreativebeehive]

If you are in Flagstaff, YES! Poverty With A View is its nickname.

[@boogie7778]

Just to compare rental costs as a current Cali resident. I am outside SF in the Peninsula and the lowest price 1Bd/1Ba in my area is $1780/mo. Don't forget gas prices in Cali, right now are over $6/gallon as well.

[@pianokeyjoe]

Geez I guess Briggs got it wrong lol!

[@HarryPalmer-P.I.]

Well done. 100 percent spot on.

[@railroaded1991]

Note that airconditioning makes it hotter outside. It takes the hot air from inside, including your heat, cooking heat, electrical heats, etc. plus the heat generated by the outside refrigeration motors and blows it all outside. The best thing would be for everyone to live underground. But when I visited it was 120 in Phoenix where my brother lived but around 85 up in the mountains where my aunt's friends lived. I'd live in the mountains.

[@kathygarner1383]

I moved here 3 months ago, this state is nickling and dimeing me to death. Not cheaper

[@darant2249]

true that.

[@commo_dore6492]

pretty good take on AZ. I've been living out here for less than a year now. The politics are to be determined in my opinion. We're gunna find out this November if AZ is truly a swing state. your right about the summers. Its weird but you do kind of just get used to the heat lol.

[@loganpeters7543]

I am in Arizona on my drive across the country! Great timing for this video!

[@wandahall4435]

Hey Briggs Great 👍

[@augiegirl1]

My maternal grandparents were snowbirds in Mesa, AZ from when Grandpa retired until they died. They did have separate cars in Nebraska & in Arizona.

[@diankreczmer6595]

We do not have water available everywhere in our state. Some towns no longer have water available. We depend on snow melt from the rocky mountains and seven states share it

[@patrickmattes4935]

Hey Briggs! Hope you and family are well. (List Suggestion: Top 10 Sunniest States and Top 10 Cloudiest/Least Sunny States?)

[@mperales00]

#1 🤣🤣. Az born and raised and all I can say please keep on driving 🚗 thru no need to settle here 😆😆😆 plenty of other states to choose from we really should be your last last resort. Seriously I can say that is a general feeling that transplants are changing alot of the things they moved here for so it doesn't make sense.

[@donm4452]

I'm from Illinois and getting the hell out of here when I retire! I don't know about the heat in Arizona but I do know I won't have to shovel it! I was just there in May and sat through a Cubs/Diamondbacks game at Chase Field in about 95 degree stagnant air and it was not a pleasant experience. It was 104 that day but the game was in the evening. Whoever designed that field was not from Arizona. They have a retractable roof but the sides of the stadium are all open to allow the heat to "just sit there". There were also no vendors in the seats selling drinks of any kind (on a Saturday night!)

[@JonyRotten]

Great video dead on! But sadly thing are changing fast in Phoenix.

[@michaelsharp3615]

Spring break in Phoenix adds to lots of traffic in the metro area due to spring training, people golfing, vacationers going to see relatives and taking a vacation (mostly Scottsdale), and snowbirds still in Arizona.

[@herschelwright4663]

It can snow in the northern half of Arizona and in the mountains.

[@RPFeynman59]

You did mention it but probably not enough. While the deserts of the southern half of the state including places like Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tucson get all the press, much of the northern half of the state is mountains and pine forests. An hour or so north of the Phoenix metro is Prescott. Five thousand feet elevation, Quaint historic downtown with free summer concerts and a bar that was frequented by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, real hospitals and shopping, world class Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, ten minutes from downtown to multiple boating lakes,, short drives to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Lots of affordable 5 to 10 acre horse properties just north of town.

[@donpaul9576]

Having lived in AZ from most of my life, I have also lived across the US for short burst, such as military, and then after military, being transferred. YES IT IS HOT, and it seems to be getting worse. What is covered here, Insurance, Water and who I see really moves here). Lived in the Phx area and Tucson area now. Based on my experience, 1. Car insurance: AZ is the car theft capital and I had the best truck I ever owned ripped off and found stripped out to a skeleton. I actually paid less in Insurance in CA, VA and IL than I did (do) in AZ (and I own 3 vehicles 2 motorcycles and trailers). After the military and moved back, the insurance wanted $1400 to cover me in 1990, not an additional $1400, but they wanted me to pay them right then. I could not afford that. The other one, Insurance is based on your Zip code. You can have the same driving record age and car as someone living across the street, but because they live in a different zip, you can be charged higher then them, it is crazy and CA forced Insurance to stop that practice. WATER, that is why people who have lived here 50 years (me) get tired of people moving here. We are a desert and water is becoming a major issue. They have been mentioning this for over 25 yrs. But they keep building and building more homes. Cost is NOT better. My adult kids can barely afford rent, and that is in Tucson. Phoenix is almost doubled and that is in bad areas in Phoenix. Don't look at statistics, you can Google this yourself. Homes shot up, my house almost doubled in price in 4 yrs. I would not be able to afford what I own if I had to buy it now, nor if I sold it, because other homes have also doubled. Income SUCKS, especially in TUCSON. I hear everyone BITCH about CALIFORNIA moving here. Well, sorry to say, the numbers may say that, but the people I run into is not from California and bring in their nutty crap. Matter of fact, the ones moving from CA are Republicans wanting to get out of CA. The people are run into the most, especially in this area, FLORIDA and sorry to say, they are worse then people from CA with how they think. One person on a neighborhood forum said "I'm from Florida......we did it like this there....." I was nice but I wanted to say, "Then move back". I can go on. But yes, AZ is not a just a desert. There is alpine, great fishing (caught a 68 lbs catfish in 2000), mountain biking (which I do on the AZ Trail), South west of me looks like the plains of the mid-west. So AZ has a variety.

[@mevans4953]

The best thing about Arizona is that it still has a respectable sense of fronterism. The worst part is how there isn’t any restrictions on the western border for immigration.

[@kkttss1928]

Arizona is a great state!

[@darant3673]

Just moved from AZ… if you want to move there be prepared…electric bills are very high…plan on $300 plus a month… and plan on having an HOA most fees are $200 a month on homes…or $600-$800 month for active mobile home park 55+ …traffic is horrible….and work ethic / skilled workers….few and far between. . Enjoy. Glad I left.

[@susanjohnson9409]

We are full! Please reconsider. 😉

[@miketodd185]

I flew out there for a few days to see a concert. Flew into Phoenix and stayed in Tempe, let me tell you about HOT!!! It was so Hot there that new cars/trucks looked 5 years old already. The rubber/plastic bumpers were dry rotting and cracking on these newer cars/trucks, I couldn’t believe it. However, at night after the sun goes down the temp drops 30-40 degrees and it’s really nice… I work nights so it could work for me… but the day times, Forget about it…. ✌🏼

[@mindibear]

During the summer our temps don’t drop, unless you consider 90 degrees cool. 🤣

[@miketodd185]

@@mindibear I think it was in the fall… Depeche Mode got cancelled in August due to a Hurricane hit right before my birthday. My brother was out there working and flew me out to Phoenix to see them before they went back across the pond, it was the last show in the USA… I stayed at the Moxy in Tempe across from ASU. I had a blast… Great little town…

[@darant3673]

When it gets too hot planes can’t fly due to tarmac softening.

[@tracyseymour6059]

I work nights as well. I'm currently stuck in Minnesota, where I have lived my whole life. Minnesota is expensive, crappy climate with extreme temp changes. People in Minnesota are totally passive aggressive

[@darant3673]

@@tracyseymour6059 when you go to AZ. You’ll find most people feel they are entitled. Cant take no for an answer, low IQ,…probably because older and all the special needs people flocking there.

[@jameshenryarchbold5061]

Funny, As you mention it, I am sitting here under the swamp box, sippin an adult beverage. and just loving life as I clean my shootin iron. Life is good! Outside temp 101 inside temp 75!

[@Gunter909]

I moved to Arizona in 2017 from California. You're spot on accurate with your observations. Given my values, I have adapted surprisingly well. I just wish when driving, people would use their turn signals and stop behind the line at an intersection and give pedestrians room to cross, especially downtown. It just seems like the polite thing to do, as I'm sure you were instructed in driver's education. Driving enforcement is very relaxed. But... I'm not trying to change the driving habits here. U be U.

[@davidb.turknett4447]

I get exactly what you're saying. When walking through a parking lot, it seems drivers believe they have the right of way. No curtiscy.

[@elultimo102]

I-17 through PHX is a little slice of Hell, but not that different from San Diego rush hour---They don't know what "stop" means, nor the purpose of that little stalk on the left side of the wheel. The left on red, on to a one-way street seems a little weird. IDK who taught driver's ed. out west, but a lot of the stunts they pull would get you tagged in Chicago---even "U" turns.

[@Unibot47]

Hopefully I'll be one of the 34% leaving soon. Too many goddamn people moved in and a lot of locals are just getting priced out. A lot of Californians moving here, being Californians. I realize this is happening all over the place, but I think I'm ready to try someplace new (and, respect their way of living, not overpay for their real estate, assimilate, etc) "Arizona ranks close to the bottom. Rank behind Utah Idaho Tennessee and Arizona" Did you have a hiccup there or am I too damn tired from night shift and not understanding what you meant lol

[@darant3673]

I moved out May 2022. ..culture changing and Not for the better. ..not looking back.

[@jimdandy8996]

@@darant3673 Agreed. Its "Little Los Angeles" now. Violent crime, homelessness and all. I saw a fresh human turd in front of a Staples the other day. Its bad.

[@darant3673]

@@jimdandy8996 yes.. because they idiots. Not an active brain cell in any of their empty heads.

[@piedpyper9034]

Nice video! I recently moved to Phoenix from Portland, OR. It is a dust bowl here until you drive far away from the cities. There are a few nice parks and hikes in the metro area though. It’s very republican here, trump flags and let’s go Brandon stickers on big trucks are a common sight. You really do get used to the heat, 110 degrees isn’t a big deal anymore. I set my a/c to 77 during the day and it feels cold to me now. Rent seems to be more expensive here than it was in Portland, but everything else seems cheaper. Anyways, it’s a good place to live for a lot of people, but I very much prefer Portland and a lot of other places I’ve been. Hoping to move back soon.

[@me-mj5dt]

Lol. The guy on fire tells the story. And pretty accurately. Nice one!

[@TravelingwithMonterroso14]

Can you do New Mexico next

[@michaelbegood55]

Somebody move TO New Mexico? Lol... jk

[@TravelingwithMonterroso14]

Honestly I want to move there or El Paso Las Vegas or Arizona when I turn 25 I’m only 15 I do similar videos like that

[@Entropy4All]

Lived in AZ for many years, college at the UofArizona and then several years living and working in Phoenix. I've always said that AZ is the most beautiful state. I think one of the reasons that it gets a reputation of being ugly is that Phoenix, by far the largest city, is in what's probably the least beautiful area of the state.

[@michaelthomas5140]

Lived in Phoenix for 5 years and it was like living on planet Mars. If you don’t have covered parking in Phoenix, your cars will take a beating. On the other hand, the Flagstaff area is beautiful with a forest terrain. Summer are much better in Flagstaff, but it’s really expensive up here. Prescott AZ is pretty nice as well.

[@TeksonikAudio]

I moved to Arizona from Las Vegas in 2020. The cost of living is so much lower here. My car insurance is 66% lower, my internet is cheaper for three times the speed, gas is less expensive and so on. Yea it's hot but even on the worst day you're not snowed in your house and can't move. Be aware of the mega drought so if you're thinking of moving here do your research.

[@alvax8062]

And should've mentioned the beautiful forests and skiing in northern Arizona, Prescott, Flagstaff and Payson.

[@jtpacificecommerce5012]

You got some stuff right, Briggs...but the heat..it is a dry heat, different versus humidity. I prefer dry heat to humidity. It can be 115 in the shade on a patio and with misters and be quite comfortable....but 80-85° in 80-90% humidity outside anywhere to me is miserable. Plus, it cools off at night, and it's still dry! :) You also mentioned Arizonans don't want people moving here or whatever. I moved here in 1997 and never notice that...mainly because noone i knew was from AZ.

[@stardust949]

It's an amazing place for sure---but I think it's an insane place to deliberately move to----NOT for ME! Give me lush, green countryside where we do not have a rain shortage and "droughts" only last for about 3 weeks, maximum. (but, the Grand Canyon is on my bucket list, lol)

[@mindibear]

Actually we have concealed carry without a permit.

[@clemfandango5886]

Only in America. 😆😆😆 The rest of the world laughs at you.

[@evogsr4807]

​@clemfandango5886 the only people laughing is US at you. You better do as you're told.

[@happycactus]

Hey Briggs hope all is well with you. The problem here is the water. People are moving from back east, fine come on over, just bring their your own water please. We don’t have enough for you. Right now Phoenix is fine compared to CA as we get most of our water from the Salt River Project. Plus we refill our aquifers. I believe if we had no more rain or snow, we have enough for six years. I could be wrong though. However the term water wars between the western states is true. It’s just being fought out in the courts. Hey there you go! An idea for another video. West coast water wars. Didn’t you do one like that already?

[@joearochathebrutaltruth]

You can also concealed carry July 29, 2010) allows any citizen who can legally own/purchase a firearm and is 21 years or older to carry it loaded and concealed on their person without any type of permit or license anywhere inside the vehicle.

[@champmorgan7166]

Car registration is based off the m.s.r.p of your vehicle. It’s varies from person-to-person. The more expensive your vehicle, the higher your tags will cost. Plus you pay for emissions every other year.

[@thullraven1]

Excellent video, but I'm surprised the high crime wasn't bought up. It's true that every city has crime, but Phoenix, Tucson, and some smaller cities are higher than average for their respective populations.

[@WriterandPhotographer]

Very true

[@ramboeastwood1522]

Yea it's not bad at all compared to most cities out east/midwest/south. Actually for the population of Phoenix and Tuscon they're actually not bad

[@thullraven1]

@@ramboeastwood1522 The stats don't support that. Sorry. Yeah, compared to Baltimore, St Louis, and Detroit they aren't so high. AZ as a state has an overall higher crime rate than what is considered the national average. Still, it's better than their neighbor NM.

[@ramboeastwood1522]

@@thullraven1 the stat does support that! Sorry you can't read stats properly! Compared to alot of cities not just the most dangerous places. Dude Evansville indiana is worse than anything in AZ. People like you are so ignorant. I travel everywhere and it's always someone like you that thinks where they come from is so rough and dangerous. My eyes can't roll hard enough. 🤡

[@arizonaadventureandrelaxat7575]

So many great places to see in Arizona. We have sites that people travel from all over the world to visit.

[@DoloresJNurss]

10. Not just any car. The sturdiest car you can find. There's a whole lot of unpaved in Arizona, and it's not soft, muddy unpaved, but hard, rocky unpaved. 9. Arizona is a patchwork of red and blue, so pick your towns according to your preferences. The most urban area, Phoenix/Scottsdale, is the most red. Also expect redness in areas with a high percentage of retirees--right-wing elders from all over the USA go to Arizona to live out their John Wayne fantasies as they ride off into the sunset. Tucson is purple, with both retirees and students leading separate lives side by side. The bluest areas, contrary to the rest of the United States, are the small towns, most famously Bisbee and Jerome, but really all over the place. This is because, in the late 60's, hippies returning from the Summer of Love who couldn't afford California's cost of living passed through Arizona, found a lot of little outposts teetering on the edge of becoming ghost-towns, with incredibly cheap real estate for anyone not afraid of working hard in the hot sun to fix things up a bit (Hippies weren't actually afraid of hard work, just of stifling careers.) So they basically took them over and are now the guiding elders of a lot of quirky places. 8. Keep in mind that a lot of the lower spending on schools is due to considerably less interest in sports when temperatures go above the hundreds. Sports equipment makes a surprisingly high chunk of most states' school budget. The schools themselves aren't that bad--except in history. In history (thanks to the Senile Vote) it is illegal for teachers to teach anything that might make "one group resent another" which means banning all sorts of books on slavery, the Mexican-American war, Native history, and the like. You might want to tutor your kids privately on that. 7. Warning: Don't think that you can get your exercise in the late afternoon "when things cool off". The later afternoon cool-down only happens in coastal states, where most of you would probably come from. Most of Arizona is made of rock and gravel, and that stuff stores heat all day, so late afternoon is when it's hottest. Your best time to exercise is at dawn or a bit before; it's quite pleasant by then. And for heaven's sake always bring water with you on hikes! You don't realize how dehydrated you get when your sweat evaporates so fast that you don't even know that you're sweating. In Arizona the unofficial start of summer is when the annual first report comes in of some tourist hiker dying. Sometimes this happens in February. 6. It can be fun to watch out-of-state athletes harden themselves for the big leagues by exerting themselves out in the heat. The schools still aren't interested in spending all that much money on school sports; they don't like picking fainting kids up off the field. 5. Don't shrug off property for having a septic tank--they work better in Arizona than darn near anywhere else. Sand makes good drainage and everything dries fast. 4. Check out Sedona for some amazing natural beauty, green and sheltered amid walls of rock with bare desert all around. And of course there's the Grand Canyon, with all that green down in the bottom. Prescott's lovely and leafy, too, as is Patagonia. 3. Mosquito netting is a must! Mainly you want to keep Kissing Bugs out of your bed These are cockroach-sized bloodsuckers. They get their romantic name from their habit of walking on your ceiling at night, till they smell breath, then dropping straight down onto your face while sleeping and biting you, sometimes on the lips if they aim right. You won't wake up while they do this; they spit painkillers. But in the morning you will have a very itchy bruise, because they drink enough blood to leave a mark. Of course you also want to keep out the scorpions, tarantulas, centipedes and yes, mosquitos. Don't be lulled by having desert all around: Arizona mosquitos can breed in damp soil, including whatever condensation drips from your air conditioner or swamp cooler. Arizona mosquitos are tinier and sneakier than their cousins--so tiny that they're hard to see when they're in motion, making it harder to bat them off before they bite you. They love flying low to the ground and biting ankles. And they are so small that they can often make it through the cheaper grades of mosquito-netting, so shell out some extra bucks for the good stuff. They come out at night like good little vampires should, so you don't have to worry about them by day. Cultivate bats. Bats are your friends. They eat mosquitos. Oh, and tuck the netting in around your mattress, and keep the opening sealed with clothespins or safety pins or something. Leave your shoes in a fold of the netting and put them on before leaving no matter how badly you need to rush to the bathroom. Scorpions like to hang out in bathrooms, where it's moister than the rest of the house, and you do NOT want to step on a scorpion. For that matter, they also like the moistness inside your shoes, hence the advice to keep the shoes inside the netting when you're not wearing them. But by all means get netting! I can't tell you how many times I saw something on the outside of my netting that I was very glad didn't get inside. 2. Yep, it's an open-carry state with drive-through liquor stores. 1. The biggest objection I've heard was that the state was running out of water, but then I tended to run with a more liberal crowd when I lived there, who were happy to have people change the votes. Get a rain barrel. Cover it with mosquito netting. BONUS: Hit the thrift stores! Being a retiree destination means that Grandparents move in with a lifetime's accumulation of goodies that they don't even realize are antiques now, die a few years later, and then their kids arrive to settle the estates. These heirs don't want to pay to haul all that back to wherever they live, especially when they have their own furnishings, now, so they dump them at thrift stores. There's some incredibly good buys for incredibly low prices--Arizona has the best secondhand goods ever!

[@e020443]

I've lived in AZ off and on since '63 and don't care for it a whole lot, mostly due to the heat. Now I'm up in Forest Lakes and have a much improved outlook. Your comments on the 10 points are excellent. Well done!

[@uKaZdAb]

#3..wtf? netting? I have lived in AZ for 50 years, none of this resonates. I have seen one scorpion inside since the 70's. No one uses netting. #8 The valley has thriving school sports programs. I drove by a school last week with pre season football workouts going on on artificial field with top tier facilities. #2 AZ is a concealed carry state, over 21 you can carry conceal without a permit. #1 Enough with the mosquito netting.........it is not a Honduran jungle. PS #1, if you live in the valley, any reliable car will do. If you live in southern or northern az or in county zoning, then yeah, you might be better off with some clearance. But I see copious amounts of low clearance luxury road machines in the valley.

[@DoloresJNurss]

@@uKaZdAb I'm guessing you live in an urban setting, probably Phoenix/Scottsdale, am I right? I lived in the desert a few miles outside of Tucson. My husband got stung by scorpions twice going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. We've both been bitten by kissing-bugs numerous times before getting the netting. I have woken up multiple times to see scorpions or tarantulas perched on the outside of my netting. I've watched a giant centipede run all over my desk area while I was trying to work at the computer, and another time had a tarantula tap at my sandal'd foot, again at the computer. We have a great photo of a tarantula the size of my hand tiptoeing over our teapot in the kitchen. We've seen a scorpion skitter around on the wall behind a TV that we were watching. And oh my gosh, the clouds of mosquitos! Maybe I should also mention having to use a broom to evict a rattlesnake from my kitchen twice. I'm not saying it was all bad by any means. It was scary but thrilling to have a herd of javalinas pass through my open-sided art studio, or to have a pigmy owl perch high above my work area out there. I remember that, among the bats who lived up in the rafters of the studio, there was this one who sometimes chittered vaguely in his sleep. I loved it when deer came right up to my window, or strolled up the path to my door, and I got some great shots. It was a bit alarming when a bobcat came up to my screen door, sat down and stared in expectedly like a housecat waiting to be let inside, but also amazing. And the coyote serenades were awesome! Get out of the city now and then. You will find it rewarding.

[@tammysue53]

Yeah that’s all pretty much true but haven’t heard anything about netting. I’ve had three rattlesnakes in my backyard this last week that I had to get rid of, and no they weren’t the same one, but the Scorpions freak me out! Especially in the house! There is something so creepy about them.

[@WriterandPhotographer]

Not sure how you determined the areas that are red or blue, but you did say you no longer live here. Let me correct that. The state is increasingly blue. That started with the 2018 midterm elections. I am a researcher, so I'm not offering my opinion. The city of Phoenix and its residents are definitely dark blue. That is true of Tucson also. There are still more Republicans left in the East Valley. You are correct about Bisbee and Jerome and other "arty" towns. There are also a number of rural areas that are red. I can't speak to retirees, because they come from both red and blue states, but contrary to what Briggs said, much of the reason the state has become more purple the past two election cycles is because of the enormous number of transplants from California, Washington and Oregon. My neighborhood is about a third California transplants from just the past few years. It used to be dark red and is now purple, teetering on blue. Barry must be rolling over in his grave about now.

[@JC-il4or]

Hows the water supply? Are folks using cisterns or rain barrels during the rainy season? How about the border situation? Seems like these would be appropriate areas to investigate before moving...

[@mindibear]

We have no rainy season! 🤣

[@darant3673]

😂😂😂😂 you think there’s a rainy season…..

[@mirandavance3208]

I started watching this video thinking it was posted YEARS ago.. I am surprised.. the cost of living in the Phoenix Metro area has skyrocketed this year and is no longer affordable. Inflation on food and goods in general have skyrocketed, housing prices are through the roof. You can't find anywhere to rent for less than $1500/month. Gas is currently over $5.50/gallon. Here's to hoping it'll go back to normal one day 🤞🏻 However the pools are perfect temperatures right now!

[@blitzofchaosgaming6737]

The Phoenix Metro area makes up 0.9% of the state.

[@larryyeadeke2953]

I lived in Tucson for a couple years. I had a swamp cooler and that was all I needed. Of course I was way younger back then, so maybe I would need AC if I moved there now.

[@Annabelle3Rose]

Even not liking the snowbirds for the traffic

[@mahmoodahmed6486]

Do this series for all popular states Briggs good job

[@PHXez7939]

I'm a native Arizona and I don't mind people moving here...as long as I don't have to hear about how much better the place is that you came from. If it's that much better go back.

[@PHXez7939]

@Three Fifths Of A Man Your absolutely right about that...but I put it out there anyways. 👍

[@jakejennings5152]

I cannot wait to retire in Arizona!

[@teejay6063]

Love the "YEAH" animation Briggs 😄

[@comebychance]

Very cool.

[@michaelsharp3615]

I do have seen California plates in Arizona but lots of times they are rental cars and people visiting from out of town basically!!!

[@Tom67X]

I'm a 50+ year native...and I _wholeheartedly_ agree with #1. The decline I have seen over the years...you can't imagine. I now want out of my beloved- but all too hot- birth state. We are nice folk though...almost Midwest nice, if you are a decent human.

[@me-mj5dt]

Just to clarify you don't need a permit to conceal as well. Nice video.

[@anthonyg.4761]

I was thinking about moving back to Arizona. Went there in April and was sad to see how growth has ruined it. Roads were horrible, bring heavy duty shocks. Someone needs to get the prison chain gangs picking up the abundance of litter along the highways.

[@meon3wheels]

Litter on the highways is indeed atrocious! I emailed the highway dept about it and they informed me that it's not a safety issue! I disagree!

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@meon3wheels It is a blemish on the state though evenif it is not deemed a safety issue. Nevada was actually pretty clean. Arizona was filthy. Sad.

[@meon3wheels]

@@anthonyg.4761 As a motorcycle rider I do consider litter a safety issue. But, traveling along I-10 and seeing so many out of state plates it is definitely embarrassing to see the condition of the highway! Maybe if more people complained to ADOT they would do something.

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@meon3wheels Agreed, all I was saying is if ADOT does not see it as a safety issue it is a reflection on the state which relies a lot on tourism. Get Sheriff Joe back and the chain gangs to clean it up. I don’t live in Arizona anymore but I did plan on it again in the near future which is why we were there. Nevada was actually much cleaner.

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@meon3wheels The condition of the roads especially from Kingman to Flagstaff is definitely a safety issue. My truck is new and no doubt after that trip will need new shocks.