Ready to Move Out of California? Arizona Has some Advice!

It's hard to imagine why anyone would want to live in Arizona. I mean, with an average of 300 sunny days every year, that much good weather would drive anyone mad.

Beyond all that beautiful weather, we rather insist on letting people make their own decisions here in Arizona. We also let them take responsibility for their actions.

We're not big on bossing people around when it comes to things like what you should eat or how you should protect your family.

We don't overcharge you for basics like food, housing, or fuel. Those simple things are more affordable here.

For example, Arizona collects .18 cents per gallon in gasoline tax, versus California's .51 cents per gallon. That seems excessive, California, especially considering how much gas is wasted while sitting in freeway traffic!

If You're Going Through Arizona, Keep on Moving

There's been a lot of chatter lately about people ditching California and moving somewhere different. We know giving up those dazzling smog-enhanced sunsets will be a big change, but you'll adapt.

If you're a tech mogul living in Silicon Valley or a mega-movie star with a beachfront home in Malibu, there's a good chance you're happy right where you are.

But if you aim to live at least a middle-class life, you've probably noticed it's increasingly difficult in California. Everything costs more and your income probably isn't covering much.

So here's some advice from Arizona residents to Californians who might be considering a move.

Commute Times

If you're used to sitting for hours in California's snarled freeway traffic while listening to your favorite audiobook, you're in for a rude awakening. You may as well cancel your Audible subscription because you're never going to have time to listen to a full book again.

The traffic here, even in big cities like Phoenix and Tucson, is much less oppressive. If you plan well, you're less likely to sit in stop-and-go traffic every day. So get used to leaving later and getting home sooner.

And in smaller towns, you're probably not going to be traveling longer than ten or fifteen minutes, so you may as well just listen to the radio instead.

Political Differences

Arizona's political climate is drastically different from California's. You might want to research our existing political landscape and consider whether your political values align with Arizona.

Even our slightly more left-leaning politicians are closer to the center than most Western states. We appreciate balance here and we're not interested in leaning to either extreme.

If you like high taxes and regulations, might we suggest Oregon? Or Washington? We hear they're beautiful and we just want you to be comfortable.

How to Take the Person Out of Cali, Yet Leave the Cali in the Person

If you just can't live in California any longer, but don't want to change your preferences and priorities, consider these options instead:

Oregon: Known for its natural beauty, progressive culture, and outdoor recreational opportunities, you won't even have to change the way you vote.

Nevada: Offers a relatively low cost of living and is known for its entertainment options in cities like Las Vegas and Reno. Plus, the gas tax is almost half of what it is in California. You can use the savings to try your luck in the casinos.

Texas: A diverse state with a strong economy, job opportunities, and no state income tax in many areas. In some areas, Texas is more conservative than Arizona, but it's less of a battleground state. Focus on the "no income tax" aspect and consider moving there.

Colorado: Known for its stunning landscapes, outdoor activities, and thriving tech industry in Denver. You'll feel right at home. While there's no access to the ocean from Colorado, there are more lakes and waterways so it'll feel more natural than arid Arizona.

Washington: Still on the left coast, you'll feel right at home near the ocean. It's a little colder than California, but you have ferries so you can pretend like you're surfing without freezing. Also, Microsoft is there, so if you're a techie, you'll feel right at home.

Ultimately we trust you'll make good decisions. After all, that's what Arizona is really all about.