Pros and Cons of Living in Flagstaff Arizona

If you’re considering living in Flagstaff, it’s important to understand both the benefits and the tradeoffs. Every place has its strengths and limitations, and Flagstaff is no different. Here’s a clear look at what you can expect.

The Harder Stuff

There are also some tradeoffs that matter depending on your lifestyle and expectations:

1. Higher Cost of Living

As a smaller city being surrounded by the National Forest, land comes at a premium. Higher home prices definitely drive up the cost of living, which has led Flagstaff to increase the minimum wage and that leads to higher costs for small businesses and higher wages for skilled workers. Some businesses have trouble filling positions because those who want to move here cannot afford the housing costs.

2. Limited Amenities Compared to Larger Cities

We love all of our local business owners and they do a great job supplying us with much of what we need. But, we don't have a Costco, a Trader Joes, or a Lowes Home Improvement. Online purchasing has definitely affected the Flagstaff Mall too.

While we have Flagstaff Medical Center, our level 1 trauma hospital, with air evac, which is great for emergencies. Chronic medical needs can take more time to manage when it might take a few months to get in to see a specialist. The good news is that Phoenix is only a 2-hr drive.

3. Seasonal Tourism Impact

Flagstaff gets over 1 million visitors a year. From holidays and festivals to NAU events, snow sports and site seeing, Flagstaff can get a huge influx of people which affects how long the lines are in the grocery store and how many cars are out on the street. Certain roads are known bottlenecks and can increase travel time regularly.

4. Weather Challenges (Snow, Cold, etc.)

With four seasons plus the minor ones, comes some challenges. Snow removal is a real concern and having the right vehicle for snow travel is important. You also want to make sure you have the right clothing for the cold weather, at least until you're more acclimated.

During Monsoons you will wake up to clear skies, plan a day long hike, and find yourself getting drenched in the afternoon if you forgot your rain jacket. And even though the days can get up to a sweltering 80 degrees, the nights will be cooler, so you'll want layers year-round.

Is Living in Flagstaff Right for You?

Once you start to get a sense of what living in Flagstaff is like overall, the next piece is figuring out where you would actually fit within it. Different neighborhoods can feel very different from one another, depending on the kind of lifestyle you're looking for.