Arizona Real Estate For Sale

There are 15 counties in Arizona, and Maricopa County is the most populated. Maricopa County includes some of the state's most popular places to live. Phoenix is its county seat. There are also several up-and-coming cities surrounding the Phoenix metropolitan area. The most popular are Scottsdale, Gilbert, Peoria, Chandler, Surprise, and Mesa.

You probably know that Phoenix is Arizona's capital and largest city. What you may not know is that it is also America's fifth-most populous city, ranking just under Houston. Unfortunately, as the city has grown, real estate in Phoenix, Arizona has become less and less affordable, with a median price of $495k. Yet, these rising prices haven't stopped the influx of would-be residents. What do people love most? It's hard to say. It could be the majestic sunrises and sunsets. Maybe it's the fact that people call it the "Valley of the Sun." It might be the beauty of the desert landscape. It might even be the ubiquity of the backyard swimming pool. Whatever it is, it seems like migrants from out of state just can't get enough of Phoenix. 

If Maricopa County doesn't appeal to you, fear not. There are other great places to buy real estate in Arizona. For example, you might consider a move to Yuma County. Compared to many other cities in Arizona, real estate in the county seat of Yuma is fairly inexpensive. This is probably what makes the city so appealing to the many Californians who opt to move there. The median price point for a house is around $284k, or $190 per square foot. That's around 40% less than the overall median in the Arizona real estate market.

Or maybe you dream of Arizona real estate somewhere smaller, more rural. Look no farther than Pima County. A small suburb north of Tucson named Oro Valley is recognized by many as an incredible place to live. The median income there is more than half the national average, and its crime rate is among the lowest in the nation.

Historically, Arizona has experienced some struggles with the state of its education department. However, in recent years, Arizona's leaders have poured millions of dollars and hours of effort into improving the schools, and it shows. Arizona real estate is now a place where children can blossom, and many end up attending one of the 13 high schools in the state that are ranked in the top 100 (of 18,000) in the country.

Just as the population of Arizona tends to be concentrated in Maricopa County, so do the best of the state's public schools. Mesa, Chandler, and Scottsdale are the top towns for great K-5 schools, including the top-rated Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies (Mesa Unified District), Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence (Chandler Unified District #80), and Cheyenne Traditional School (Scottsdale Unified District). 

Maricopa County is also home to outstanding secondary schools. 1st in the state and 11th in the country is BASIS Chandler, a school serving students in 5th through 12th grades. BASIS has locations across the country, and all of its schools are excellent. Oro Valley is home to another BASIS charter school, which comes in second place behind its Chandler cousin. 

Tucson is where most of the population of Pima County is centralized. High school students there can attend University High School. Students can earn dual enrollment credit through the University of Arizona while they are still in high school. Additionally, the school is one of the top performers in all of Arizona on state assessments.

For families with children: Chandler's award-winning school system, the array of welcoming cafes and playgrounds, and family-friendly events throughout the year make Chandler a family's top choice for Arizona real estate.

For young professionals: The biggest concentration of millennials in Arizona is found in Tempe. This small city, only a short drive from Phoenix's downtown area, provides tons of nightlife and entertainment options for young adults. The commute to Phoenix's myriad of job opportunities is manageable. Best of all, art lovers will appreciate the annual Tempe Festival of the Arts. 

For retirees: Believe it or not, there's plenty of waterfront real estate in Arizona to choose from. Bullhead City is situated along the Colorado River, which may be why it attracts so many retirees. Nearly 30% of its population is 65 or older. The warm weather, livability, and proximity to Las Vegas are pretty good perks, too.

Due to its proximity to America's southern border, many companies in Arizona are eager to hire bilingual employees. You're likely to be an even more desirable hire if you have training in interpretation or translation. 

Other common jobs in Arizona include technical careers involving HVAC systems, roofing, construction, and electricity. Tourism is a strong industry in Arizona throughout the year, and hospitality, as well as food and beverage workers, are highly sought after. The highest paying jobs in Arizona tend to go to engineers and other people working in science and technology.

Arizona real estate has access to nine commercial airports, two of which offer international services. The largest in the state is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). PHX has the distinction of being one of the busiest hubs in the country as well. International flights also fly through Tucson International Airport, the second busiest airport in Arizona. Other options for domestic commercial flights include Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN), and the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP) in Bullhead City. The smallest commercial airport in the state is Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC). Most flights out of PRC depart to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Denver. 

Schools in Arizona tend to begin in early August or even late July. The end of the school year usually occurs in mid-to-late May, before Memorial Day.

The natural beauty of Arizona is such that it can be difficult to decide which of its many landmarks deserves the most attention. No matter where you buy real estate in Arizona, there are plenty of things to do and places to explore. The following list covers only a few of the stunning destinations that Arizona has to offer. 

It's impossible to talk about must-see landmarks in Arizona without bringing up the Grand Canyon. The 277-mile long, 18-mile wide chasm is visited by over 15 million travelers each year. Visitors who make the pilgrimage to see this phenomenon in person tend to do so along the South Rim. Those who seek a different perspective may prefer the North Rim; however, the entrance is closed during the winter. And some of the most daring long to try the Skywalk, the glass bridge that juts out into the canyon. Should you be willing, you can get to the Skywalk from Eagle Point.

Fans of westerns will recognize the name of Wyatt Earp. If you don't, then all you need to know is that he is one of the most famous historical figures from the Wild West. Tombstone, AZ, was once home to Earp. It is now a ghost town recreating the era during which he walked its streets. One of its most popular sites is the OK Corral, where the Wild West's most notorious shootout occurred.   

One of the most commonplace images of Arizona scenery is of jagged red formations standing sentinel in front of a butte. Such images portray the striking landscape of Monument Valley. It's an incredible area to take a scenic drive along the seventeen-mile stretch that leads through the park. 

An enormous and innovative undertaking at the time of its inception, the Hoover Dam still stands as a testament to human ingenuity. It was completed in 1935 and stands 726 feet high. The reservoir it creates is Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake in the entire United States. Lake Mead's waters are equivalent to two years' flow from the Colorado River. You can drive or walk across the dam or take a tour inside.

● Don't spring forward or fall back. Arizona does not participate in Daylights Saving Time, so the clock is set all year round. 

● If you're prone to allergies, get to know the word haboob. It is the term for the dust storms that sometimes occur in the desert. They frequently cause havoc to homes. Worse, they are responsible for increasing cases of valley fever, the sickness that occurs from the fungus in the soil.  

● Every city is built on a grid, so it's pretty difficult to get lost.

● Less humidity = fewer bugs. One of the best parts of living in most of the state is that you can leave the bug spray at home.

● It's hot. Even in the winter, the average temperature is in the high 60s Fahrenheit. During the long, arid summer months, you could be facing an average of 107°F.