In 1878, General T. Sherman toured Camp Verde, Prescott, and Yuma. I believe it may have been the territorial Governor who said to him; “All Arizona needs is a little less heat and a little more water.” Sherman replied; “The same can be said about Hell.”

The monsoon storms are one of the things I miss about Arizona. The smell of it and how quick the desert comes to life. They are amazing.

You know, moving to another state to escape the people in your old state, only to end up surrounded by those same people, is truly the stuff of nightmares.

One you left out is that AZ has the second highest number of missing persons each year, second only to Alaska. That’s because the AZ Desert is nothing to fool with. Unlike NV, AZ has some of the roughest, most dangerous desert in the world. It’s also why the desert here is so beautiful. I’ve been a part of a search for a young man here, Danial Robinson, for almost four months. We haven’t found evidence of Danial other then his car, but we did find someone else’s skull.

Let me add another reason.....Freeways! They suck! I17 is almost unusable on the weekends due to volume and an inept AZDOT that has failed to widen the Interstate accordingly over the last 20 years.

I've lived in AZ off and on since the late 80s. It has changed so much! I can't wait to get out for good. The droves of people moving here are really messing up the things that were once good about Arizona. Our cost of living and housing market is out of control. Traffic is horrific. And the places you could live in that are cooler are outrageously expensive now. I could go on, but I'd seriously reconsider another place if you're thinking AZ will be the answer to your prayers. It's not.

i was born in AZ and have lived here for 70 years, now alone. My home is only 1200 square feet and I collect rain water from the roof. We usually get about 11 or 12 inches of rain fall per YEAR but last year we only got 6 or 7 inches TOTAL That is about 600 cubic feet of water collected/save for the year. With one cubic foot of water yielding about 7 1/2 gallons of water, the 4500 gallons I harvested (average is about 12.5 gallons per day) and is more than enough to support a couple of people's drinking and cooking needs. (with maybe a bath on Sundays, LOL)

I’ve lived in Arizona my whole life and this video is very true!

As a native of Arizona I can say I like this post. He's right, there isn't enough water here. You being lied to by the money hungry low life developers and has time goes by our water rates are going to go through the roof. One more issue, it is very dusty here, dust everywhere!

Spent quite a bit of time in Tucson in 1999 for a jet completion and we had a great visits. Great food and the beautiful monsoon season storms. Drove up to Mt. Lemon where the steers lay along side the rode. Temp in Tucson was 98 F in September, top of Mt. Lemon 45 minutes later was 68 F. Went back to Phoenix in 2011 for training in August, super hot. We stayed in Tempe that has wonderful people and restaurants. Last day of training was a half day so we went to Apache Junction and Canyon Lake and rented a boat. Beautiful area, it was 113 F that day but the water cooled us right down.

Lived in AZ for about 8 years in the 90's and early 2000's. Never even heard of a haboob but did experience many hard monsoons. Flash floods are mostly confined to the washes and riverbeds (Most rivers, streams and creeks in AZ are actually dry most of the year until the rains come). Caught Valley Fever my 2nd or 3rd year. Knocked me out for about a month and got pneumonia but I did fully recover. It’s caused by a fungus that grows in the sand / dirt and infects you when you breath it in. I believe that I caught it one day out driving around on some dusty country roads. Winters are beautiful, nothing like a 55 degree day with not a single cloud in the sky. Yes, you have to drive EVERYWHERE. Everything is spread out and connected by large roads. Cars are the only viable transportation options. You can bike around Tucson in the spring, fall and winter though. AZ is the most beautiful state that I’ve ever been to. Phoenix is in the ugliest part of the state though.

Spot on! I've lived in Arizona over 50 years and you're absolutely right! It used to cool off at night, storms were much gentler and the air was much cleaner.

Phoenix lives to its legendary name: The firebird that raises from the ashes. Sets the city on fire. And sends ash (dust storms) when angry. The other city in the world that has a similar climate is Dubai. Also suffers from dust storms and not monsoons but cyclones.

Really like it here, I think AZ is great. It's not perfect, no state is, but i really enjoy it. Various climates, great for road trips, great for hiking and the outdoors, legal marijuana, laid back people, great weather most of the year, etc. There are plenty of far worse states than here.

Sometimes I ask myself how in the world does almost 5 million people in the Phoenix metro Area live in A oven 🤔

I'm a huge fan of your channel thank you for helping me with my depression, you're a hero.

I don't understand how people tolerate the heat and temps down there. I would be miserable down their 24/7.

Have lived in AZ for 6 years: 10. Haboobs seem to come in waves. First 2 years here they were common. Last 4 it’s dust storms and not much rain behind them besides this summer. 9. Heat is a major issue. It’s not necessarily even dry heat during the wet summers. 8. Air quality does actually suck. Valley Fever lasts your life I believe. 7. “newer” cities have more walkable areas but the vast majority are sectioned off and shopping/things to do are separate. 6. We have many charter schools because the public schools aren’t great. 5. Crime is highly dependent on where you live like everywhere else. Suburb cities around Phoenix, especially East Valley are much safer. 4. True on healthcare. 3. Internet coverage- I’ve had decent internet in “major” cities outside of PHX. 2. Water is very “hard”. You get tons of calcification on appliances BUT you’d be surprised how cheap water is here despite being in a desert. It doesn’t make sense how cheap it is. 1. Came from California 6 years ago and it’s true, insane numbers of people are coming here. A majority of people moving to the suburbs are “red” so it hasn’t seemed to have much of an affect.

My brother and sisters all moved to Arizona a few years back. He said that the number 1 bumper sticker says, "Don't California-ize Arizona".

This was exactly the video i was looking for. Thanks briggs!

What!!! You forgot the huge spiders, tarantulas, scorpions, venomous snakes, black widows. Arizona is full of them.

“It’s a dry heat…” So is furnace but I’m not jumping into a furnace. Extreme heat + crappy air = serious lung issues

Thanks for the update looking forward to more videos of other states

I’ve never seen that cloud on your intro videos before. That’s cool

Phoenix, Arizona and AZ is a great place yes, it’s super hot in the summer otherwise the weather out there in non summer days is phenomenal! I’ve been living here for 15 years now! Go Cardinals

What really irritates me is that Northern Arizona snows in the winter and tourists that visit the Grand Canyon all think Arizona is just like Phoenix.

Greetings from the PPRC GOOD video. Couldn't agree more, guess it's going to be Texas or Oregon. 🚗.mini

Hey Ms. Brigg, could u do some more videos on the top 10 reasons not to move to a state. Please and thanks. Everytime I watch this video, I learn something new each time. Also, u r doing a great job making this video. Have a great day

You are correct about the Internet issues. Some areas, even in Phoenix and suburbs, internet options are limited. You either have Cox or CenturyLink. Cox, being a cable company, keeps raising their rates. CenturyLink does have Fiber but not every neighborhood is going to have it.

Thank you Briggs for your informative video especially the school numbers

Is there a episode of 10 reasons move to Arizona ? Can't find it if there is not would it be possible to make one . Thanks 👍 and have a good one

Your : "What Is Going On Everyone" in this video is brilliant Briggs , I had to tell you , you know that I love your voice 🥰

I live in Buffalo NY and I would take AZ any day. I lived in Tempe AZ it was great!

Got Valley Fever in California in the late 90s and it really sucked. Was sick for 3 weeks. Couldn't eat for a week and half without puking

I moved to Arizona 2016. Wonderful, but now it cost to much to live here. Too many people. Over crowded. The freeway is horrible. I can say one thing it's a clean state. I never see trash. Love fall winter and part of spring. I want to buy a house. Just to expensive. Love you all. Stay safe a d healthy. Peace

04:32 - That, my friends, is Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona. Yes, it's an actual place that's named after the infamous lyrics from "Take it Easy" by The Eagles. I stood there for a few minutes but I never did see a girl (my Lord) in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me. Maybe next time.

Let’s all admit it Arizona is a nice state when you have a nice checking account or money put away. Other than that, it’s completely useless to live here. I highly recommend getting a car. They’re doing fentanyl on the buses right next to you and behind you (:

I lived in Phoenix and Tempe from 2020-2021. It’s too hot during the day and it does get cold overnight when I worked (which defeated the purpose of having warm weather all year round) . It was also fairly expensive especially when everyone started moving into it early 2021. I missed having 4 seasons and everything was so spread apart when driving. There also was a decent amount of crime especially with the border crisis and traffic/aggressive drivers. It does have good scenery and great gun laws. While I did enjoy my time I’m happy I moved out. It’s a great place to visit but meh place to live long term IMO.

Too hot for me! Also, I need my cooler weather and fall foliage!

Living in Arizona is not my cup of tea. While I don't reside there, I live in a California bedroom community that looks similar to a Phoenix suburb in terms of weather, architecture, and rapid population growth. I don't like the heat. Some may argue that it's a dry heat, but so are ovens and furnaces, I wouldn't climb into either one. Besides, at least the oppressively humid summers of the South have lush, green landscapes that I find beautiful. Others may argue that it is at least better than a crappy winter in a Northern state. While both are unpleasant, I would rather deal with a crappy winter. I can always add more layers when it is cold, but I can only take so much off when it is hot (that is not true for everyone, but it is for me). There are many activities that I can do in the snow (skiing, sledding, snowboarding, snow tubing, building snowmen, making snow angels, etc) that I will have always have access to in the Northern states since the snow is everywhere. However, when it is hot in someplace like Arizona, there is no guarantee that I will have access to a pool. I can also justify winter being the time people spend mostly indoors as opposed to summer because I always pictured summer as a time when things come alive and people go outdoors. In addition to the heat, I don't like nearly everything being beige and brown. I prefer greenery as well as more vibrant colors. While not all of Arizona is the desert, almost any part of civilization that is not small and isolated is in the hot desert. The copious amount of construction and development due to rapid population is not for me, either. I deal with enough housing development in my hometown. Lastly, there are a variety of different states that I believe have just as many redeeming qualities as Arizona, but I don't think they get the credit that Arizona gets. If you love living in Arizona, then I respect that. In fact, I think it is a wonderful place for one of my close friends to live in. It's just not for me. I certainly wouldn't mind visiting someday, though.

It's not JUST hot. It's getting hotter all the time.

Live in AZ. I have to agree with your video. My dad had valley fever a few years ago. He's still taking medication for it. Internet sucks even in the Phoenix area. Given a choice, I would be a snowbird. However, right now that isn't a viable option.

I lived in Phoenix for almost 8 years and it was a nightmare and the biggest mistake to move there. It is a very beautiful city, the desert landscape, but looks are deceiving. It's extremely overcrowded, people are still moving there everyday by the droves, and the homelessness is out of control there. I have never lived in one place where there is such an influx of people from California and Chicago. My coworkers, neighbors, and the community college were all from California and Chicago. I only met about three maybe four people from Arizona, and a few from Utah. People from Chicago love to brag and tell you they're from Chicago, and my response is always, who cares???

I am actually in the process of moving out of AZ at the moment. Its become unrecognizable from what it was when I was a kid. I love certain things about it here. But...I am ready for seasons and ready to afford a house for my family which is near impossible now. Thank you, California.

Moved to Tucson in 1974 and I love Arizona, but that doesn't change the truth of this list. Infrastructure must have come in at number 11 because our roads and highways are sadly lacking. It does give you heartburn to visit a third world country with better streets than back home. Thanks for being fair!

Hey Tucson is one of America's most bicycle friendly cities. We have a 120mi loop walking/cycling path that circles the city. We have bike routes all over. Mt lemmon provides lots of mountain biking trails too. Riding in the summer can suck but I have a number of friends that primarily commute on their bicycles

Great video Big thumbs up and subscriber

spot on! Scary

It's the heat for me. I could never lol might visit one day tho

Things to do in arizona 1. Leave. Lol this comes from someone who has lived in Arizona his whole life.

Hey Briggs, your AZ analysis is right on, and was wondering if you can do one about Nevada. I know you have one, but can you update it.Especially Vegas and reasons not to move to. With Lake Mead really loosing water exponentially. Is it because of poor water management? Is there groundwater or is there an aquifer, without pipelining water to the southern Nevada area. Can’t seen to find that kind of info. Thanks, Love your work! Need your numbers to find me another place to live!

In Peoria once a guy at a gas station shouted “Up yer rear with a iron spear!’ When he couldn’t clear his windscreen

I grew up in Arizona. I hated it and I moved away. I can't stand the desert or the heat. Hardly any rain. Too darn hot for me.

Prescott was too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. It was so boring too. After one year I was glad to move back to Oregon!!😤🎉💛

Lived in Phoenix for 2!/2 years during 2 summers. The heat was brutal but the winter weather is perfect!!! Have to have lots of A/C and a swimming pool to get through that heat without dying.

I live in northern Arizona on the flanks of Mingus Mountain. It is fabulous here. No traffic. Always 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Snows a bit in winter, but it is melted off by the next day. Gorgeous sunsets. Lots of antelope and wildlife. No crime. Low cost of living. Can see the Milky Way most nights.

Speaking about Phoenix only, it's not just that it's hot, but its that it's hot 9 solid months of the year. You can expect temps over 100 anytime between early March to late October or early November. In summer it "cools down" to the 90s or high 80s at night. If you are an outdoorsy person, be prepared to get up before dawn for any activity most of the year. Get a house you really like because you will be in it with the A/C on and then in your car with A/C to the store/work/etc with A/C. If you can handle that, Phoenix actually has all of the amenities of Southern California minus the ocean.

I totally agree with all the reason. if you are elderly don't come or you will be sorry if you get seriously sick and need long term care.

Garry Shandling grew up in Arizona. He said "It's a dry heat: like a blowtorch!" -on the other hand I worked a couple of weeks there during Wintertime: it was heaven for somebody from the Northeast!

Nice presentation! One little "oopsie," though: A "monsoon" is not a single storm. Monsoon is a season characterized by moist air flowing up onto land from the ocean.

I’m moving to my home state of North Dakota from living in Arizona for almost 5 years by December 1st. Just signed for my place today. I knew I had to get out of here soon. My rent is going up sharply plus I know things are going down soon. Not looking forward to winters again but I know its a good decision.

As an AZ resident, I can't say that anything on this list is especially wrong or incorrect. I'm still not leaving, though. And for the record on number 1, I have been told it will destroy my state for (checks calendar) more than 3 decades now. Every time something is bad in AZ, that's what you'll hear from people. It's all the people from California's fault. There is even a company that sells "Not Cal" merch.

I lived in Mesa and I had Valley Fever, I was extremely fatigued spent 12 to 14 hrs, weird cough and major joint issues. It took a year to get rid of. 6 months from getting it to being diagnosed then 6 months on anti fugal meds which a side effect is hair loss. It sucked.

I have relatives that live in and around the Pheonix area. Monsoon season is their favorite time of the year because the heat breaks for a little bit.

Beautiful winters, waaaay too hot in summer

And if you want to see some reasons to move to Arizona. We do alot of drive tours of cool places around Arizona!

Good post, Briggs: things the tourism pamphlets never share. I imagine a certain number of new residents (not knowing the downside) say, "What the hell?" :^)

With the exception of the monsoons and dust storms, it reads more like the same issues people have with riverside county California.

I live in Arizona and this is pretty much spot on

Rode my bicycle from chandler to the grand canyon, amazing scenery.

I moved to Prescott Az last year and LOVE it.

Damn! Briggs!! I'm getting ready to go to Arizona for the winter!?🤔🤯

Now I would add that the housing and rents are out of control. Glad I own my home but for new peeps its almost impossible and the wages are not changing like the rest of the inflation here

I live in AZ and thought I would get angry at this video. I did not. And yes, it feels like they keep building and make my town bigger, taking away the open land. Water supply, and CA moving in, is my concern.

Thanks for the negatives, if more people would take these to heart and stay away, many of the things you listed would resolve themselves.

hey Briggs can you make a video on most hospitality countries in tho world

Hey Briggs, not sure if you were "KZfaq censoring," but the word you used should have been "Haboob," not Haboo " for a sandstorm. Still really enjoy your videos and look forward to hearing from you as often as you can stand putting up with us. Peace.

Guessing since I live there: Hot summers in the low desert, ac bills, ever increasing housing costs, crime, homelessness, drivers, roads need improvement, not too much priority is devoted to education, jobs, and an ever increasing water shortage.

I moved to a quiet mountain town 😉 about an hour north of Phoenix. Cuts about 3/4s of this list right out.

You nailed it . Everything is true .

F that heat!

Phoenix passed Philadelphia to become the nation's 5th largest city.

I moved to Arizona from Michigan 5 years ago. Winter is heaven. Summer is hard but if you have a pool you are good to go.

I was in AZ - Oro Valley @ 2015-16. The apt I was renting in foothills had gone up $600/mo. Allegedly remodeled. At the time, I moved there for the air quality. Admittedly water was not good then either. Now the scarcity would lean me to a no, were I to consider moving back.

OMG. WISHED I HEARD THIS 5 years ago. I’ve always hated it here and you’ve confirmed it. I moved from Colorado. Think I need my Brain examined. 🤬

its above 90degrees 8 months of the year in the valley, after 26 years i moved

Arizona native and monsoon season is literally my favorite time of year I love the rain 🌧️☔

As a neighbour of Arizona, from Sonora México, is funny we have some similar things except are not dust storms in July starts the monsoons, there is good internet connection including small towns, the copper still is exist, but the weather is similar as Phoenix in our capital state is very hot in summer!!!

The biggest reason for me to never go back to AZ is my scumbag ex and his family live there. Spent 5 years in that hell hole with him and I'm never going back! The heat was horrible, the tap water always smelled horrible and the 1 time I manages to call the police because my ex was being super violent they told me not to antagonize him and left.

the housing prices have skyrocketed in the last 18 months or so... i bought my first place (condo) back in july 2020 for $220,000 and the value now (15 months later)? $347,000! if you're moving here or just wanting to buy a home, there is only stock in the $750,000+ price range and most of those are going into bidding wars with some selling for $50,000 over the asking price and Californians paying cash for it. it's just insane right now. that being said, i LOVE the monsoons and haboobs; coming from washington state, it's not to get some rain once in a while, but in an actual intense storm kind of way... they are amazing!

I had to move to Phoenix for work in the mid-90's. I couldn't wait to get transferred to another state.

The slow internet speeds would drive me crazy too....so hilarious you mentioned the "Karens" and "Kens"

Top ten reasons why you shouldn’t colonize Mars, you’ll never guess number 1.

When visiting Phoenix I noticed how almost every street corner had an automobile radiator repair company. The area around the city was gorgeous. I was there in December. It rains a total of six inches a year on average. I saw all six inches when there. I liked Arizona. Only issue, it is to far away from the Atlantic Ocean.

Which do you choose walk across death valley with out water or buy a house that you plan on living in for the rest of your life in AR either way the key word is water

Ok don't lie. Who started singin Take it Easy when Winslow, AZ was shown.

Water....I need water....cool, clear water. :) Arizona is a testament to the significance of the inventuon of air conditioning. At the end of WW2 there were around 40,000 people in Phoenix.

The heat here is atrocious, the water quality is the kind that you can get sick from, and it’s sad, but the Emergency teams, like Firefighters, cops, Paramedics, Animal control, etc, are sorely lacking and unresponsive, so that the wildfires are often just allowed to keep burning, and those rattlesnakes in your yard or house are YOUR problem, nobody will remove them unless you pay a huge sum to a pest control contractor to remove them. The roadways aren’t EVEN adequate to handle the traffic flows, and it’s a big shame, but it seems that the crowds of people from surrounding states that are moving in here are a LOT of LA gang-bangers and scrounges. Sad, but true.

Been in AZ for about 13 years now. I loved it when I first came here. But it's getting worse every year. Heat is getting worse, low cost of living isn't a thing any more... Looking to move out as soon as I get a good opportunity somewhere else.

I would love to visit though