Low cost of living? Check. Warm weather? Check. Plenty of activities? Double check. Arizona meets all the basic criteria for retirees. But it also offers great tax benefits, blazing desert sunsets, a variety of cities and endless outdoor attractions, which score more points for Arizona. It is the perfect state to enjoy the golden years of retirement!
Tax-Friendly and Affordable
Social security income is not taxed, property taxes are considerably lower than the national average, and public pensions qualify for deduction. There is no gift tax, estate tax, or inheritance tax in the state. Even groceries, one of the major living expenses for seniors, are exempt from Arizona sales tax. These tax benefits can have a huge, positive impact on a senior’s budget, especially those living off savings.
A City for Every Retiree
Phoenix is a highly livable and affordable city. Sedona is a spiritual haven with landscapes that will steal your breath away. Scottsdale hosts a collection of high-end resort-style living options. And Flagstaff feeds the adventurous soul. It is at a higher elevation and doesn’t get the same heat as the other parts of the state, attracts outdoor enthusiasts, and is close enough to Phoenix if you need a big city fix.
Climate Variation and Weather
People think of Arizona as one big, hot desert. It’s a reasonable generalization to make since Arizonians enjoy warm weather and over 300 glorious days of sun per year! But the climate actually varies considerably across the state. During the winter, residents enjoy comfortable temperatures in the 60s and 70s. And while Arizona is very hot in the summer, the low humidity tends to make it feel more comfortable than you’d imagine. Places with a higher elevation, such as Flagstaff, feel 25 about degrees cooler than Phoenix at any given time.
And there is the bonus of health benefits. Because the state is widely a desert, the vegetation that most people are allergic to is not present. Arizona is known for improving the quality of life for people with bad allergies and asthma. But it is a good idea first come to Arizona and see how your health fares.
Extremely Low Maintenance Lawn Care
You can have a nice yard with minimal effort. You just have to scrap the vision of a perfectly manicured lawn. Yards are full of the beautiful, colorful flora that thrives in dry climates. Lots of residents opt for gorgeous rock scaping. Some cities, such as Glendale, pay their residents to ditch grass in efforts to conserve water.
Outdoor Attractions
There are endless opportunities to get out and enjoy free and fabulous mother nature. Hiking in Red Rock State Park of Sedona, fishing along the Colorado River, and skiing in Flagstaff. No matter what city you choose, the Grand Canyon is only a few short hours away. And we can’t forget the hundreds of blazing desert sunsets you will enjoy from anywhere in the state, even your very own backyard.
Championship Golf
We can’t talk about the golden years without giving golf its own section. There are over 400 public courses in the state, and 70 of those are publicaly ranked! Arizona is a haven for professional and novice golfers alike.
The Home for Active Adult Communities
About 17% of Arizona’s residents are 65 or older. Nobody is going to be surprised to see retirees out and active--shopping, golfing, hiking the trails, skiing in Flagstaff, and even camping in a national park! Active Adult Communities, such as Sun City, are drawing retirees to the Grand Canyon State. It is the norm for retirees to be going about their daily business and enjoying the benefits of retiring in the wonderful state of Arizona.
