Arizona has been one of the top destinations for families leaving California, Washington, Oregon and the upper Midwest for a decade, and the appeal is easy to state: a flat 2.5% income tax, property taxes well under the national average, three hundred days of sun, and a state that still votes for limited government outside its two big cities. But Arizona is not one place. Phoenix and Tucson proper lean left; the suburbs, the high country and the river towns do not, and the difference between a Prescott winter and a Yuma summer is the difference between two climates. The right town depends on whether you need the Phoenix job market, want four seasons at elevation, or are looking for water, acreage, or a quiet retirement. Here are the areas our movers choose most, and what makes each one work.

Prescott and the Quad Cities: Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt

Ninety minutes north of Phoenix and a mile above sea level, Yavapai County is the most reliably conservative part of the state and the first place many relocating families look. Prescott has a historic courthouse square, pine forests, four real seasons and a steady stream of movers from California and the Pacific Northwest. Prescott Valley is the newer, more affordable side with most of the new construction and retail. Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt are where you go for acreage, horse property and room between neighbors. The trade-off is the job market: it is small, so this region suits retirees, remote workers and anyone who can run a business from anywhere.

The East Valley: Gilbert, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and Mesa

The southeast side of the Phoenix metro is where the growth has gone, and it is the most popular landing zone for relocating families with jobs in the Valley. Gilbert has grown from farm town to one of the largest suburbs in the country, with master-planned neighborhoods, a restored downtown and a deep base of healthcare and tech employers. Queen Creek and San Tan Valley, farther out, are the value play: newer builds, larger lots and a drive that is longer but still workable. Mesa is the established anchor, with everything from older ranch homes to new developments near the Gateway airport. Chandler, next door, carries the semiconductor jobs and prices to match.

The West Valley: Surprise, Peoria, Buckeye and Goodyear

The west side of Phoenix was the affordable side for years, and much of it still is. Surprise and Peoria have filled with newer master-planned communities and sit beside Luke Air Force Base, which draws military families who decide to stay. Buckeye and Goodyear, farther out on I-10, offer the most new-construction house per dollar in the metro and are among the fastest-growing cities in the country. The trade-off is the commute into central Phoenix and the fact that these towns are still building their own employers, so check the drive before you buy.

North Phoenix and the foothills: Anthem, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills and north Scottsdale

The north edge of the Valley is where desert living meets the premium address. Anthem is a self-contained master-planned community off I-17 with its own parks, shops and a straight shot north to the high country. Cave Creek and Carefree keep a Western, horse-property feel just minutes from Scottsdale. Fountain Hills is quiet, hilly and tucked against the McDowell Mountains. North Scottsdale is the upscale anchor, with golf communities and some of the highest prices in the state. Buyers trading coastal equity land here most often.

Mohave County and the river: Lake Havasu City, Kingman and Bullhead City

In the far northwest corner, along the Colorado River, Mohave County votes about as reliably Republican as any county in America, and it has quietly become a favorite for families leaving California and Nevada. Lake Havasu City is the anchor: a boating town built around the lake and the relocated London Bridge, with newer neighborhoods and a retiree and small-business economy. Kingman, on I-40, is the affordable crossroads town with high-desert elevation that takes the edge off summer. Bullhead City sits across the river from Laughlin. Prices here are among the lowest in the state; summers are among the hottest, so visit in July before you commit.

Rim Country and the White Mountains: Payson, Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside

Two hours northeast of Phoenix, the Mogollon Rim lifts the state into pine forest and real winters. Payson is the closest mountain town to the Valley and a favorite for people who want elevation without giving up a reasonable drive to the city. Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside, farther east in the White Mountains, are where Phoenix families have kept summer cabins for generations and where more of them now live year-round. These towns are small and the economies are local, so this works best for retirees, remote workers and anyone with a Phoenix tie who is willing to drive.

Pinal County: Casa Grande, Maricopa and Florence

Between Phoenix and Tucson, Pinal County is the most affordable part of the central corridor and one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. Maricopa, south of the Gila River reservation, is a bedroom community of newer subdivisions with the lowest entry prices in the Phoenix area. Casa Grande is a real town with its own downtown and a growing manufacturing base, including the electric-vehicle plants that have landed along I-10. Florence is smaller and older, with a historic main street. Water is the question to ask on any new build in this county; your agent will know which developments have an assured supply.

Southern Arizona outside Tucson: Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita and Sierra Vista

Tucson proper leans left, but its suburbs and the county to the south do not. Oro Valley and Marana, on the north and northwest sides, are the established suburbs with mountain views, newer neighborhoods and the University and healthcare job base twenty minutes away. Sahuarita and Green Valley, to the south, are the value side, with Green Valley built almost entirely for retirees. Sierra Vista, an hour southeast in Cochise County, is anchored by Fort Huachuca and draws military and intelligence families who want a quiet, affordable, high-desert town. Winters down here are the mildest in the state.

What to look for in your new Arizona hometown

A few things worth sorting out before you commit to a town:

  • Summer heat and cooling costs. Phoenix, Yuma and the river towns run above 110 degrees for weeks. Prescott, Payson and the White Mountains do not. Ask for a year of utility bills on any specific property and decide which Arizona you actually want.
  • Water. Most of the Phoenix metro is covered by a 100-year assured water supply. Some outlying developments, especially in Pinal County, are not. Ask before you buy a new build.
  • HOA and master-planned community fees. Much of the new construction sits inside planned communities with monthly fees and design rules. Read the documents; they vary widely.
  • Commute. The 101, 202, I-10 and I-17 all carry heavy traffic at rush hour. If you will drive in daily from the East or West Valley, test it at 7:30 in the morning.
  • Property tax. Arizona’s effective rate is well under the national average, and the state caps annual increases on a primary residence, but rates vary by county and by school and fire district.

For a fuller picture of taxes, cost of living and how the regions compare, start with our Moving to Arizona guide. Curious how the state votes now? Read Is Arizona a red state?

How Conservative Move helps

Choosing a region is the first decision. Finding an agent who knows it, shares your values and will tell you honestly which neighborhoods fit your budget is the second. Conservative Move connects you with a vetted, like-minded real estate agent in the part of Arizona you are considering. Our referral service comes at no additional cost to you. The agent we introduce pays us a referral fee only when your move succeeds, and represents you under their own separate agreement. If you are also selling a home in another state and do not already have a listing agent, we can connect you with one there too.

Get started with Conservative Move and tell us where in Arizona you are looking.

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