Pros and Cons of Living in Mesa, Arizona (2024)

Pros and Cons of Living in Mesa, Arizona (1)

Arizona State is renowned for its intriguing cuisine, diverse landscape, many job opportunities and famous attractions. If you're searching for a change of scenery, Arizona is the place to go.

There are beautiful cities in Arizona, such as Mesa! That said, before making a move to Mesa, you should listen to what residents have to say about their experiences in the city.

In this post, Paramount Realty Real Estate is going over the advantages and disadvantages of living in Mesa, Arizona.

Pros of Moving to Mesa, Arizona

Here are some of the benefits of residing in Mesa:

1. Low Cost of Living

This is one of the most critical variables to consider when looking for new neighborhoods to live in. Some places may be more affordable than others in the State of Arizona.

Mesa has a relatively low cost of living.

The costs of housing, transportation, health care, utilities, grocery items, and services in Mesa tend to be less expensive than the national average.

This means Mesa is quite affordable.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mesa, Arizona (2)

2. Low Crime Rate

When looking for a new location to live, security is vital. You want to feel safe and secure in your new city.

Mesa has lower crime rates than comparable dense urban neighborhoods, both nationally and statewide.

If you live in Mesa or are considering relocating here, you probably won't have to worry as much, which is a huge benefit.

3. Good Quality of Education

It is critical to examine the level of education offered by the schools in the region before relocating to a new location, especially if you have school-aged children.

Overall, Mesa's education is good. It has good school districts that rate highly statewide compared to other cities. When rating the quality of education, local authorities consider enrolment rates, public school graduation rates, teacher-to-student ratios, and student-parent feedback.

Mesa also has options for higher education, such as Mesa Community College and Benedictine University Mesa.

4. Driving and Transportation is Easy

One of the best things about Mesa is how easy it is to drive a car.

You can drive without checking the GPS and figure out how to get to where you are headed. Even the highways in Mesa provide you a straight shot to your intended destination.

Public transportation is also very accessible and can help you get around the city. For instance, you can use the Valley Metro Rail or the Mesa Downtown BUZZ to go to anywhere you want, like the Mesa Arts Center or Downtown Mesa.

Even travelling abroad is simple as the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is in the city! You can also drive 20 minutes to get to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

5. Bike-Friendly

The city of Mesa is super bike-friendly.

Whether you love to cycle for pleasure, or you don't have a car, getting around on a bike is easy in Mesa as the city offers 40 miles of bike lanes.

If you don't own a bike, you can also use a bike from the bike-sharing program, Grid Bikes!

Finally, if you want an adventure, try cycling through the Superstition Mountatins or on the Tonto National Forest trails.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mesa, Arizona (3)

6. Warm and Sunny Weather

Residents never have to experience cold weather in Mesa, AZ.

The climate is semi-arid, with pockets of continental and alpine climate in the northern highlands. Mesa is the perfect location to live if you don't enjoy chilly mornings or mild breezes.

Also, most days are sunny in Mesa, and there are only a few days of rain.

7. Many Outdoor Activies

With such nice weather, spending time outdoors is super enjoyable. And luckily, Mesa and its neighborhoods offer many options for outdoor activities.

For instance, you can visit Usery Mountain Regional Park. Located on North Usery pass Road, the park offers several activities, from mountain biking to hiking to camping. For those who love bringing out the grill, this is a must-visit option in Mesa.

Other outdoor options for you to consider in Mesa include Hohokam Stadium, Desert Belle Cruises, and Saguaro Lake Ranch Stables.

Cons of Moving to Mesa, Arizona

Here are some of the drawbacks of residing in Mesa:

1. Lots of Traffic

The highways in Arizona are chaotic because they are always filled with cars. This is especially true during the winter when thousands of snowbirds flock to Arizona for warmer weather.

During rush hour, the roads and junctions get congested. Mesa residents always complain about the traffic.

2. Extremely Hot Summers

The winter in Arizona is pleasant since it isn't too chilly. But the summers are the polar opposite. Summer temperatures will exceed 90°F and may reach 120°F. Temperatures in the southern desert can reach 125°F on rare occasions - this is much warmer than the national average.

As a result, Arizona's summers are unpleasant. It is risky to go out in the afternoons during the summer. Similarly, if you want to stay indoors, you'll need air conditioning because coolers are ineffective at this time of year.

Because of this, you can expect the city's population to increase in the winter months.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mesa, Arizona (4)

Bottom Line

There are many benefits of living in Mesa, Arizona’s third largest city. But, there are also some drawbacks.

Benefits of living in this city include low cost of living, low crime rate, good quality of education, easy driving, bike-friendly, warm and sunny weather and many outdoor activity options. Drawbacks include lots of traffic and extreme heat in the summers.

That said, from our analysis and experience in Mesa, the advantages of living in Mesa outdo the disadvantages.

If you're thinking about moving to Mesa, AZ, call . We are Arizona's real estate leaders, with competent staff to assist you in effectively purchasing, selling, or investing in real estate.

Considering living in Tempe? Read our post here.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mesa, Arizona (2024)

FAQs

Pros and Cons of Living in Mesa, Arizona? ›

Known for its affordable housing and lower living costs compared to neighboring cities, Mesa attracts individuals and families seeking to stretch their dollars further. Safety is another critical consideration, and Mesa's lower crime rates, particularly in violent crime, make it a secure choice for many.

What are the disadvantages of Mesa? ›

Cons of living in Mesa
  • Limited public transportation options. One of the drawbacks of living in Mesa is the limited public transportation infrastructure. ...
  • Summer heat. ...
  • Limited nightlife options. ...
  • Traffic congestion. ...
  • Limited diversity in housing options. ...
  • Water scarcity concerns. ...
  • Limited higher education options.
Mar 21, 2024

Is Mesa, AZ a good place to live? ›

Known for its affordable housing and lower living costs compared to neighboring cities, Mesa attracts individuals and families seeking to stretch their dollars further. Safety is another critical consideration, and Mesa's lower crime rates, particularly in violent crime, make it a secure choice for many.

Is it expensive to live in Mesa, Arizona? ›

Mesa's housing expenses are 17% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 3% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 7% higher than the national average. Mesa has grocery prices that are 0% lower than the national average.

What are the cons of moving to Arizona? ›

Downsides of living in Arizona include: extreme summer heat, dry desert climate, limited public transportation, and potentially dangerous wildlife encounters with scorpions, rattlesnakes, and other desert creatures.

Why does Mesa AZ have unhealthy air quality? ›

Vehicular emissions are some of the most prevalent causes of ambient pollution worldwide, and in Mesa they still account for large amounts of pollution accumulations.

Why do people move to Mesa Arizona? ›

Mesa is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. With its proximity to the Tonto National Forest and the Superstition Mountains, locals have easy access to hiking, mountain biking, and camping. The city's parks, such as Red Mountain Park, offer ample green spaces for picnics, sports, and leisure activities.

What is the racial makeup of Mesa Arizona? ›

White: 65.7% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 59.6%) Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 27.3% Black or African American: 4.2% Two or more races: 12.3%

Is Mesa Arizona a wealthy area? ›

Exclusive communities in Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert and Mesa house some of the region's wealthiest residents, with median incomes ranging from $149,000 to $180,000 a year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data compiled by the Maricopa Association of Governments.

What is a good salary in Mesa Arizona? ›

$29,800 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $40,700 is the 75th percentile.

What is the coldest month in Mesa AZ? ›

December

What is the average electric bill in Mesa, AZ? ›

On average, Mesa, AZ residents spend about $154 per month on electricity. That adds up to $1,848 per year.

What are the risks of Arizona? ›

Natural hazards abound in Arizona. At the top of list: flash floods, severe weather, landslides and debris flows, earthquakes, and earth fissures.

Is it smart to move to Arizona? ›

Needless to say, it's a huge decision. But if you love hot weather and a reasonable cost of living, moving to Arizona is an obvious choice. There are plenty of good reasons to consider Arizona for moving or retiring, from warm and sunny winters to stunning natural attractions.

Why is Arizona ranked so low in education? ›

Arizona holds the lowest rank in the nation for per-pupil spending, with an average funding of $10,244, trailing behind the national average of $15,446 by a considerable margin of $5,202. The insufficient resources provided to students have drastic consequences for the quality of Arizona's education.

Is it safe to drink Mesa water? ›

Mesa Water provides 100% safe, local, and reliable water to its customers that meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards.

What are three facts about mesas? ›

Mesas are formed by erosion, when water washes smaller and softer types of rocks away from the top of a hill. The strong, durable rock that remains on top of a mesa is called caprock. A mesa is usually wider than it is tall. Mesas are usually found in dry regions where rock layers are horizontal.

What is the crime rate in Mesa? ›

Mesa Annual Crimes
ViolentProperty
Number of Crimes2,2079,455
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents)4.3118.45

What is the racial makeup of Mesa? ›

The largest Mesa racial/ethnic groups are White (60.3%) followed by Hispanic (27.3%) and Black (4.4%).

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