Most Arizona homeowners who haven’t foreclosed already are upside-down in their mortgages. That is, they owe more on the home than it’s worth. Arizona took a huge hit in the recession and it will take a long time to recover.

• 2012 foreclosure rate: 2.69%
• November, 2012 unemployment: 7.8% (17th highest)
• Home price change (2007Q2-2012Q2): -45.1% (2nd largest decline)
• Processing period: 90+ days

Over the 12 months ending in the second quarter of 2012, home prices in Arizona rose by 12.7% — by far the largest increase in the U.S. during that time. Additionally, foreclosure activity in the state fell by 32.9% — one of the largest decreases in the nation. Despite these improvements, home prices in mid-2012 remained 45.1% lower than they were five years before, the second-largest drop in the nation during that time, while the state’s foreclosure rate remained among the nation’s highest.

Source

Arizona’s Low Grade Schooling

Arizona made the list for one of the worst school systems in the nation. The facts are startling, especially if you have children attending Arizona schools.

•  State score: 72.2 (tied-7th lowest)
• State grade: C-
• High school graduation rate: 72.3% (23rd lowest)
• Per pupil expenditure: $8,698 (4th lowest)

Arizona received a grade of C- in terms of its students having a strong chance for success, a grade that was near the bottom of all states. Only 34% of children ages 3 and 4 were enrolled in preschool in 2011, the second-lowest percentage in the country and well below the rate of nearly 48% across the U.S. That year, only 39% of children in school had at least one parent with a secondary degree, well below the 45.4% of children across the country. Arizona is just one of four states to receive the worst grade for teaching profession, indicating that it is hard to retain and recruit talented teachers to the state. In 2010, Arizona joined most states in adopting  more rigorous national education standards, called the Common Core Standards. But The Arizona Republic reports the state presently lacks the funding to properly train teachers or purchase supplies needed to implement the new standards.

Source

Read more about Family Life in Arizona.

Arizona’s

Water Supply

As a desert state, Arizona receives its water supply primarily from the Colorado River. The past few years have seen a boom in growth, especially in the Phoenix area. With all this growth and people moving in, will there be enough water to go around in the years to come? As I sought to answer this question, I came across some startling facts.

The Age of Thirst in the American West

I first came across a stunning essay by William deBuys, who goes into great detail about the water supply to the southwest. The primary message that stuck out to me:

And here’s the bad news in a nutshell: If you live in the Southwest or just about anywhere in the American West, you or your children and grandchildren could soon enough be facing an age of thirst, which may also prove to be the greatest water crisis in the history of civilization. No kidding.

The fact Arizona could run out of water within our lifetime is very scary to think. It would be the end of civilization as we knew it in the southwest. The article states Arizona has been leaving beyond their water means for years.

Just think of the coming age of thirst in the American Southwest and West as a three-act tragedy of Shakespearean dimensions.

The Colorado River Runs Dry

This photo is of the Colorado, where it comes to an end in Mexico. The Colorado River, which once flowed all the way to the sea, now ends in a dry bed in the deserts of Mexico. This article also has a very ominous message about Arizona’s water supply:

“There’s not enough fresh water to handle nine billion people at current consumption levels,” says Patricia Mulroy, a board member of the Colorado-based Water Research Foundation, which promotes the development of safe, affordable drinking water worldwide. People need a “fundamental, cultural attitude change about water supply in the Southwest,” she adds. “It’s not abundant, it’s not reliable, it’s not going to always be there.”

For some astonishing photos about the declining Colorado River, look here.

In this interesting article, a writer traveled the complete length of the Colorado and describes what he saw.

According to this article,

According to research conducted by 24/7 Wall St, ten major cities are in danger of expending their water supply by 2050 or sooner. The list includes Phoenix, Los Angeles,Orlando, Las Vegas, Fort Worth, San Francisco, and Houston.

This article’s author also traveled the Colorado River, and brought interesting facts about the Colorado River to the light:

• 30 million people depend on the Colorado River and its tributaries for their water. The population is projected to grow another 10 million in the next decade. The river’s supply will be hard-pressed to keep pace with that growth.
• The 1922 Colorado River Compact that divvied up use of the river’s water by seven western states was based on assumption that the river provides 17.5 million acre feet in the average year. Recent modeling shows it averages closer to 14.5 million acre feet.
• The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation calculates that the river could run short of water 58 to 73 percent of the time by the year 2050.
• Roughly one-fifth of the 1,450 miles of the river is “impounded” by dams. One of the grandest and most controversial dams, the Glen Canyon Dam, buried more than 2,000 Native American sites when it was commissioned starting in 1963.
• Las Vegas is known for gambling, but its casinos account for only 7 percent of the city’s water consumption. Residential uses account for half, and 70 percent of the water used by residences is for landscaping.
• The Colorado River last reached the Sea of Cortez in 1998.

Repeating History: The Demise of Ancient Arizona Tribes And Our Future

The Hohokam Indians inhabited what we know as the Phoenix area over 3,000 years ago. They enjoyed immense growth and development, and later strained their water supply as a result. Ancient water canals and irrigation systems have been found in Arizona built by these ancient civilizations. Ancient society spanned as far north as Flagstaff, through Phoenix and down to Tucson. This ancient society simply grew until it couldn’t sustain itself. Is Phoenix headed for the same fate?

Hohokam is a Pima word that literally means “all used up”. The Pima are a tribe who still exist today, and perhaps they knew the fate of the Hohokam better than anyone. When American settlers arrived shortly after the American Civil War, they discovered ancient adobe ruins, the remains of a lost culture. They called their new settlement Phoenix, imagining themselves rising from the ashes of a lost city.

The settlers eventually dug their own canals in the mid-1800s,  and engineers planned new canals with almost all of them following the original Hohokam canal system. The Hohokam built nearly a thousand miles of irrigation systems and Phoenix repeated the same construction that eventually led to the demise of the Hohokam.

A leading theory regarding the fall of the Hohokam is that their overdeveloped civilization was not sustainable and they may have taken their water supply for granted. I fear the same is happening in Phoenix. Developers create new communities with indigenous plant life and houses crammed together. Every bush, tree and house all require their own water supply. The development in the Phoenix area gives the illusion you’re not in the desert. People just don’t think about it until they either fly above the city in an airplane, or drive beyond the development of Phoenix. There is simply no way of getting away from the fact Arizona is a vast desert. Phoenix is surrounded by desert on all sides for thousands of miles.

Is This The Future for Phoenix?

Greetings from a place where people look forward to summer!

Hello, 100°F+ Degrees, My Old Nemesis

Sunday, April 28, 2013 was greeted with this year’s first 100°F degree weather, and we’re now in it for the long haul until October…

I’m sure there are a few straggling snow birds who regret not leaving sooner and are probably packing up right now as we speak!

Weather Beyond Arizona

With 4/28/2013 as the first 100°F degree day, let’s see what the weather was like in other parts of the country! The temperatures listed were the high temperatures for 4/28/2013.

• Seattle, WA: 61°F
• Minneapolis, MN: 82°F
• New York City, NY: 69°F
• Atlanta, GA: 61°F
• Washington D.C.: 68°F
• Raleigh, NC: 62°F
• Green Bay, WI: 72°F
• Miami, FL: 84°F
• Baghdad, Iraq: 95°F
• Kabul, Afghanistan: 68°F

(Source: Weather Underground)

Although the Heat Has Arrived, It’s Still Not Hot By Arizona Standards

If you’re new to Arizona and struggling with this heat, I’m sorry to report it gets much worse. In July and August, we will be be wishing for the low 100′s. I have written other weather-related articles about Arizona to help explain why it’s so hot here and how to protect yourself from the heat.

Arizona Weather FAQ

Based on queries from the web logs, people are finding NoArizona when searching for topics about the weather in Arizona. I thought I would post answers to some of the most common search terms. If your question is not answered here, feel free to contact me.

Q: Why is Arizona / Phoenix so hot?
A: Although I’m not a weather expert, I wrote this article explaining the dynamics of the Arizona heat based upon my research.

Q: Why is Phoenix so polluted?
A: Primarily, because  Phoenix lies in a valley surrounded by mountains. Read more about Arizona pollution in this article.

Q: What causes Arizona dust storms (haboobs) and what are the dangers of being caught in one?
A:  They’re caused by storm fronts blowing across the desert. Please see this article for more detailed information. The biggest danger of dust storms is contracting Valley Fever.

Q: What are Urban Heat Islands (UHI) aka “the heat bubble effect”.
A: UHI’s are created by man-made structures that capture heat and make it even hotter in the desert. Read this article for more information.

Q: What are the challenges to living in the Arizona desert?
A: Too many! Please read the articles filed under the Arizona Weather Category.

Q: How much water do I need to drink while in Arizona?
A: Without exertion, the average person loses THREE GALLONS of water per day, so you need to drink that much just to maintain. More detailed information can be found in this article.

Q: How do you get acclimated to the Arizona heat? Do you ever get used to the heat?
A: I’m sorry to say, you never get used to it. Your blood gets thinner living in Arizona. No, your blood doesn’t actually thin as if you were on an aspirin regimen! What I mean by that is anything below 60 degrees feels cold to you. As for the summer heat, you never truly get used to it…you just know what to expect. I’ve been here many summers, and I’m still not used to it.

Q: How long does the heat last?
A: You can count on 100+ degree weather starting in April and lasting until October. Arizona typically deals with 6-8 months of hot weather. Don’t let the Chamber of Commerce or the Arizona Tourism Board fool when they  say it’s only 3-4 months of hot weather. And please, don’t fall for the “dry heat” excuse. It should really be called “you’re an ant under a magnifying glass heat”.

Stay connected!

No Arizona provides information about Arizona and reveals the truth about life in the desert based on facts and observations.

Want to know more about Arizona that you can’t find elsewhere?

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Arid - ar·id  [ar-id]

Stay connected!

No Arizona provides information about Arizona and reveals the truth about life in the desert based on facts and observations.

Want to know more about Arizona that you can’t find elsewhere?

Like us on facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
Follow us on Tumblr!
Receive updates to your inbox by signing up for email updates to get the latest articles!

I often see comments come through from people who say we should just move out of Arizona since we dislike it so much. If it were that easy, it would be done. In this article, I will hopefully provide an explanation on that subject. For those who can empathize and also feel trapped in the desert, I appreciate your understanding.

NoArizona Comments

I really enjoy reading the comments people post on NoArizona. The comments posted on NoArizona are moderated to prevent harsh language, personal attacks and political rants. Whether the comments are positive or negative toward the viewpoints on this website, I do not censor them unless the comments cross the line. I’m honored someone would even take the time to share their thoughts, so THANK YOU!

The Housing Market

In the early-to-mid 2000′s, the Arizona real estate market was booming. As a result, home values became artificially inflated causing homes to be worth more than they really were. Many out-of-state investors swooped in and bought income rental properties and controlled most of the market. When the economy tanked, investors backed out and even abandoned their properties. The homeowners who stayed behind were left to deal with the aftermath. Their property values significantly decreased and neighborhoods were filled with vacant homes and unkempt yards.

As a result, many homeowners are “underwater” with their mortgages. Basically, they owe more than their house is worth. This article states  50% of Arizona homeowners are underwater with their mortgages. It’s a staggering number, and it can be seen in just about every neighborhood.

Simply put, you can’t sell a house for more than it’s worth. You can’t move…you’re stuck. The only option is to walk away from the property and mortgage, but it will wreak havoc on your credit rating.

The National Job Market

In order to move out of Arizona, you need a job to go to. The downfall of the economy had a devastating effect on the job market. According to this article,  if the economy were to produce 88,000 jobs every month, as it did in March 2013, the labor market would never return to pre-recession employment levels.

With a weak job market, finding a new job anywhere in the country is difficult. You must also factor in travel expenses just to interview for an out-of-state  job.

Family

Moving across the country is very strenuous on a family. I speak from experience, because I’ve made the move twice. With children in the picture, you have to find good schools in a new area and help them cope with leaving their friends. Children are resilient and can handle it, but it is a stressful situation nonetheless.

If you have family in Arizona, it is difficult to leave them as well. Family issues offer varying degrees of complexity when it comes to move it. Some family members may take it personal and believe you are moving away from them (maybe you are!). For me, family matters outside of my nuclear family are inconsequential.

Friends

Perhaps you’ve made a lot of friends in Arizona, and leaving them would be difficult. For me, I have more friends in my native state than in Arizona. Getting to know people in Arizona is difficult. For more information, read about Arizona People.

Career

Another layer to this dilemma is your standing at your job. After working with the same people for a while, you gain respect and (hopefully) a good reputation. Starting over in a new workplace can be difficult. But, it can be done because you’ve done it before. I sometimes consider staying in Arizona until retirement, but then I’m reminded of those who retired before me. Once retired employees are gone, they are quickly forgotten. You even forget their names and their contributions! It’s a shame, but it’s the simple truth.

Money

A parent often tells the child, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

What binds many people to Arizona is money. The root of all evil, perhaps, but a necessary commodity in today’s world. Packing up and moving could cost at least $20,000. If you’re looking to stay in the western United States, your costs may not be as high. For me, I want to move back to the Southeast and it’s incredibly expensive. Unfortunately, playing the lottery is not a wise investment plan.

What Keeps YOU In Arizona?

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, I really do enjoy reading your comments! Please, share your thoughts!

• Do the aforementioned reasons for staying in Arizona apply to you?
• What other reasons are there keeping you in Arizona?
• Do you stay in Arizona because you truly love it?
• Did you leave Arizona? Share your experiences!

Stay connected!

No Arizona provides information about Arizona and reveals the truth about life in the desert based on facts and observations.

Want to know more about Arizona that you can’t find elsewhere?

Like us on facebook!

Follow us on Twitter!

Follow us on Tumblr!

Receive updates to your inbox by signing up for email updates to get the latest articles!

If you have more to say, feel free to leave a comment! As always, thanks for reading!

As 2012 comes to an end, we take a look back at the year’s most popular articles! Read on, there may be an article you missed!

Top 10 NoArizona Articles

10. Quick Facts About Arizona Valley Fever - Valley Fever (Coccidioides) is a well-kept secret, but it’s a potentially deadly sickness found in the Southwestern United States. I have personal experience with Valley Fever, and it was the worst sickness I’ve never experienced. The scariest aspect about contracting Valley Fever is the fact it looks like lung cancer, and you must go through additional testing to rule it out. If you don’t know anything about Valley Fever, I would highly suggest reading this article.

9. Air Quality In The Phoenix Desert - Pollution in Arizona’s urban regions are another well-kept secret. The promotional materials provided by those who have a vested interest ($) in people moving to Arizona will never show you photos of the brown cloud that hovers above the cities.

8. Valley Fever In Arizona: “A Regional Epidemic” - This was our first article about Valley Fever (Coccidioides). I hope readers have found this to be an informative article. Most never hear about Valley Fever, even after living in Arizona for a while. There are often stories about pets succumbing to the sickness, but there isn’t much public discussion regarding infected people. The worst thing about Valley Fever is it will be in your body the rest of your life.

7. Chilling Crime Facts: Phoenix, Arizona - Crime is very prevalent in Arizona, especially in the urban areas. Every section of town, and almost every block, has its own gang. The thug culture is very prominent in Arizona, as it seems everyone has something to prove.

6. How Much Water Do You Need To Drink In Arizona? - The short answer is it is suggested people in Arizona lose THREE GALLONS of water per day without exertion. With that said, you have to drink that much just to maintain your current level of hydration. Having water readily available is a must while living int he desert.

5. More People Are Moving Out of Arizona Than Moving In - It seems when people move to Arizona, they eventually realize the mistake they made. I’ve met people who were born and raised Arizona who also wanted out of the state. Arizona is NOT the norm.

4. Automobile Maintenance for the Desert - This article came to be because of automobile problems I’ve experienced while living in Arizona. It’s very difficult to keep your vehicle looking nice, especially if you have to park outside. The sun and dust in Arizona are VERY harmful to your vehicle, so you must be extra diligent in maintenance.

3. Arizona, Meet Your Criminals - The purpose of this article was to give a face to the crime problem in Arizona. Maricopa County posts their mugshots online, and you can even vote for mugshot of the day! It’s very eye-opening to see the type of people who are arrested and the crimes they’ve committed. You can see what murderers, rapists, robbers and burglars are by visiting the mugshot website. Not only are they Arizona’s criminals, but they are the citizens’ neighbors.

2. Arizona’s Drug Addiction - Arizona is one of the primary gateways from Mexico for drug distribution, so it makes sense drugs are very prominent there. Illicit drugs are readily available in Arizona, which leads to its high crime rate. Drugs are bad throughout the country, but it’s a noticeable problem in Arizona.

1. Why is Arizona So Hot?

So why IS it so hot in Arizona? This article took a bit of research to piece the information together. There is a scientific reason as to why Arizona is so much hotter than the rest of the country, and I hope this article helps answers those questions.

The summers in Arizona are very unforgiving and you never truly get used to it. Rather, you know what to expect when the heat comes. Temperatures are typically above 100 degree between April and October, and it’s getting hotter every year.

Thank You

When I first created this blog, I didn’t realize there were so many others who, like me, hated living in Arizona. Knowing I’m not alone is what keeps this site going and drives me to finally move out of Arizona.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and a bountiful 2013!

Sincerely,