Buckeye is a suburb in Arizona and was initially known as Sidney.
The town changed its name when the Buckeye Canal was completed in 1866.
A pioneer named Malie Jackson named the canal in honor of his native state, Ohio.
Buckeye is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States and is best known for its small-town atmosphere.
If you’re considering moving there, you should understand the benefits and the downsides of living in Buckeye.
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Pros of Living in Buckeye
There are several great things about living in Buckeye, which is why so many people are moving there today.
The pros of living in Buckeye could help you decide whether moving to Buckeye is best for you and your family.
The Cost of Living Is Reasonable
One of the first things people consider before moving to a new place is the cost of living.
The cost of living in Buckeye is about 3 percent more than the national and state averages, so moving to Buckeye will only affect your bank account a little.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four must make an annual income of $89,619 for all their basic needs.
The median price of a home in Buckeye is $392,907, and the average monthly rent is $1,829.
Families can expect to pay around $1,193 monthly for healthcare and $1,829 for child care.
Excellent School System
If you have children, learning about the school system before moving to a new place is essential.
The schools in Buckeye perform well nationally, and there is a high standard for education.
The schools are great, and the top schools include:
- Liberty Elementary School
- Festival Foothills Elementary School
- Verrado Middle School
Adults can attend Estella Mountain Community College at the Buckeye Educational Center campus, which was recently remodeled.
The campus provides convenient access to many academic and job-training programs.
Low Crime Rate
The crime rate is an essential factor when planning a move.
Knowing that you’re moving your family to a safe place and Buckeye has a low crime rate is necessary.
According to Areavibes.com, Buckeye’s crime rate is 29 percent lower than the national average compared to other rural areas in the state and the rest of the country.
If you’re thinking about moving to Buckeye, you’ll have peace of mind that your family is living in a safe place.
You Can Easily Find a Good Job
If you’re not moving to Buckeye for a new job, you’ll need to find something before you arrive or at least have a few prospects.
Fortunately, finding a good job when you move should be easy.
Phoenix is about 37 minutes from Buckeye, so commuting to work won’t be a hassle, and there are more job opportunities in a major city.
If you don’t want to worry about a commute, you could get a job at one of Buckeye’s three major employers, including the City of Buckeye, The Odyssey Preparatory Academy, and Duncan & Son Lines.
The average salary is $67,000 per year or $18.04 per hour so you can make a pretty good living in Buckeye.
The Weather
If you’re tired of rain ruining your outdoor plans, Buckeye is a great place to live.
The area gets about 29 days of rainfall yearly, with about 8 inches of rain annually.
If you’re moving from the Midwest, New England, or another area where it snows often, Buckeye will be a drastic change because the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing and will rarely drop below 56 degrees.
The average temperature during the winter is 69 to 73 degrees, so you can leave your coats, hats, mittens, and snow boots in storage.
Excellent Neighborhoods
Overall, Buckeye is a great place to live.
Whether you’re looking for a home for your family, a luxury 55+ community, or a master-planned community, you can find a great neighborhood in Buckeye.
There are over 30 master-planned communities in Buckeye, which continues to grow.
There are a few neighborhoods that are considered the best, including:
- Douglas Ranch is a 37,000-acre master planned community that finally got off the ground in 2021. There will eventually be up to 300,000 people living in the neighborhood, and since it’s in the early stages of development, you may find a brand-new house there.
- Verrado is the largest suburban community and provides a small-town feel. The neighborhood has winding, tree-lined streets, hiking trails, and over 70 neighborhood parks. You can walk down Main Street to shop and eat, and the community was designed for families and retirees. You won’t have trouble finding a house that fits your family’s style, whether it’s a Western-style farmhouse, a Craftsman bungalow, or a Ranch hacienda, you can find each type in Verrado.
- Tartesso is a great place to live if you love attending community events. It is a large master-planned community with over 49,000 units. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, with family-friendly amenities like tennis courts, pools, and a splash park.
Cons of Living in Buckeye, Arizona
There are no perfect places to live, and every town, city, and state has downsides, including Buckeye, Arizona.
Although there are plenty of great things about living in a rural town, there are also things that could be better.
The cons of living in Buckeye include:
The Summers Are Very Hot
The weather in Buckeye is excellent during the winter because you don’t have to worry about freezing temperatures and snow.
Also, it doesn’t rain often so you can spend plenty of time outdoors.
The weather isn’t always perfect, particularly during the summer.
If you can’t stand the hot weather, there may be better places to live than Buckeye.
The temperature can exceed 86 degrees at any time of the year and reach over 100 degrees 121 days of the year.
The average high temperature during the summer is 108 degrees, which many people can’t handle.
The only upside is that it isn’t humid in Buckeye, and the air is dry.
You Have to Protect Yourself From the Heat and Sun Every Day
The sun’s UV rays can cause cancer, and since it’s almost always sunny in Buckeye, you shouldn’t leave the house without protection.
You’ll need to use sunscreen daily and wear UV-protective eyewear.
Also, because it gets so hot, you shouldn’t leave the house without a water bottle.
If you don’t think you can or don’t want to remain vigilant and always prepared, consider moving to another part of the country.
Creepy Creatures
If you’re afraid of insects or reptiles, Buckeye may not be the best place for you to live.
It’s normal to see spiders, tarantulas, scorpions, and lizards in Buckeye, so if you’re terrified of any of these creatures, you won’t be happy in Buckeye or anywhere in Arizona.
There’s a High Risk of Contracting Valley Fever
Valley Fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides organisms, causing fever, fatigue, and a cough.
It is one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases, and 94 percent of cases are found in arid regions of Arizona, including Pinal, Pima, and Maricopa counties.
Since Buckeye is in Maricopa County, there’s a good chance you’ll develop the disease at one point.
Although it isn’t life-threatening, you’ll be miserable until the illness passes.
Pros and Cons of Living in Buckeye, AZ – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Buckeye | Cons of Living in Buckeye |
|---|---|
| 1. The Cost of Living Is Reasonable | 1.The Summers Are Very Hot |
| 2. Excellent School System | 2. You Have to Protect Yourself From the Heat and Sun Every Day |
| 3. Low Crime Rate | 3. Creepy Creatures |
| 4. You Can Easily Find a Good Job | 4. There's a High Risk of Contracting Valley Fever |
| 5. The Weather | |
| 6. Excellent Neighborhoods |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there fun outdoor things to do in Buckeye?
Yes, there are many things to do in Buckeye, depending on your interests, including:
- Skyline Regional Park: If you are an avid hiker, you’ll love Skyline Regional Park. The park spans 8,700 acres in the Southern White Tank Mountains. The park is also a great place to take the kids to show them the beauty of nature. There are also great places to have a picnic with your family, and the trails are open from sundown.
- Verrado Golf Club: If you’re an avid golfer, you’ll love Verrado Golf Club. The scenic club is beautifully landscaped, and the fairways and greens are well cared for. Also, current club members can’t say enough about how wonderful the staff is.
- Buckeye Aquatics Center is a popular place in Buckeye because it’s a great place to cool off on a hot summer day. It’s a great place to take the whole family, and you can sign your kids up for swimming lessons so you’ll feel more comfortable when they go in the water.
Will I have to leave Buckeye to find a good restaurant?
No, you won’t have to leave Buckeye to get a good meal.
There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Buckeye, and you can choose from American cuisine, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, and more.
The top-rated restaurants in Buckeye include:
- Rancheros Rodeo Restaurant serves the best Mexican food in Buckeye.
- Wild West Cowboy Steakhouse is a steakhouse, and they also have some Mexican dishes on the menu.
- The Sheep Camp serves American cuisine and is a local favorite.
You can also take a ride to nearby Phoenix if you can’t find what you’re looking for in Buckeye.
Is Buckeye a good place to retire?
Yes, Buckeye is a great place to retire.
There are many master-planned 55+ communities already built and many under construction.
Buckeye has some of the best senior living facilities in Arizona, and seniors who are tired of cold winters will love Buckeye’s climate.
Will I have trouble finding a house in Buckeye?
No.
With so many master developments under construction, you can move into a brand-new house.
If you don’t have the money for a brand new house, you’ll likely find many resale homes in the town, which will be a great place to raise your family.
Do I need a car to get around Buckeye?
It’s best to have a car in Buckeye because you can get to your destinations quickly.
Also, a vehicle will make it easy to visit Phoenix, which is nearby.
However, if you don’t have a car or can’t drive, Valley Metro has busses that offer service between Ajo/Gila Bend and Phoenix.
The buses run for five trips Monday through Friday and two on Saturday.
The cost of living is good and the neighborhoods are really nice here, we retired here 3 years ago as my oldest son moved here for a job about 10 years ago and we don’t regret it for a second. One of the best places I lived in, and we moved states 3 times before. finally, a place to call home.
Buckeye, Arizona is a fast-growing community with a small-town atmosphere and reasonable cost of living.