10 Pros and Cons of Living in Buckeye, AZ

Buckeye is one of the top Phoenix suburbs, especially for families and people who enjoy the outdoors. Buckeye, Arizona, has been one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States in recent years.

The town of Buckeye was formerly known as Sidney, but its name was changed after the completion of the Buckeye Canal in 1886. In honor of his native state of Ohio, a pioneer named Malie Jackson gave the canal its name.

Buckeye is well-known now for its small-town ranch atmosphere, excellent horseback riding, and hiking trails. Families, outdoor enthusiasts, horse owners, and cyclists all love the high quality of life and varied recreational opportunities in this area.

Let’s talk about ten pros and cons of living in Buckeye, AZ! 

Pros of Living in Buckeye

1. A reasonable cost of living

The cost of living in Buckeye is only 3% more than the U.S. and state averages. This implies that living in Buckeye won’t break the bank.

The Economic Policy Institute estimates that a family of four in Buckeye will need an annual income of $89,619 to provide for their basic necessities. Housing will cost $1251 per month, transportation will cost $1195, child care will cost $1517 per month, and healthcare will cost $1193 per month.

Buckeye has a median home price of $392,907. According to RentCafe, a monthly rental in Buckeye costs an average of $1,829.

2. Visit the Skyline Regional Park or Buckeye Aquatics Center

If you enjoy being outdoors, you will love Buckeye. It’s easy to find something enjoyable to do in Buckeye, whether you’re moving with a young family or settling into retirement. The area is home to stunning Sonoran Desert sunsets and mountain treks, as well as horseback riding, golfing, camping, and swimming. 

Situated in the southern White Tank Mountains, Skyline Regional Park spans about 8,700 acres. Those who enjoy walking around in the great outdoors will enjoy a day in this park. You should take your kids to the Buckeye Aquatics Center since it is a fantastic swimming facility. The pool is a great place to take your kids for swim lessons or just relax on a hot summer day.

Verrado Golf Club provides an opportunity for those who have always wanted to play golf in the desert. The greens and fairways here are well maintained, making for a picturesque setting for a round of golf.

3. The schools perform well on a national scale

If you plan on having kids, finding good educational options should be a top priority. The good news is that Buckeye has a high standard of education.

There are seven educational districts that serve the Buckeye area, and they include the Buckeye Elementary Educational District and the Agua Fria Union High School District.

The local schools perform admirably on a national scale. Schooldigger.com recommends Liberty Elementary School, Verrado Middle School, and Festival Foothills Elementary School as the top public schools in the Buckeye area.

Estrella Mountain Community College’s newly remodeled Buckeye Educational Center campus provides people with convenient access to various academic and job-training programs.

4. The crime rate is 29% lower than the national average

It’s important to research the safety of a city before relocating there. Fortunately, the crime rate in Buckeye is rather low.

When compared to other rural areas across the country and state, Buckeye has a lower crime rate. AreaVibes.com claims that the city’s crime rate is 29% lower than the U.S. average.

Therefore, safety should not be a concern if you are thinking of relocating here.

5. Eat at Rancheros Rodeo Restaurant or Sheep Camp

There are various kinds of cuisines represented in Buckeye, so you’re bound to find something you like. 

The Mexican food at Rancheros Rodeo Restaurant is among the greatest in all of Buckeye. Reviews consistently praise the extensive menu, which offers something for everyone’s palate as well as a wide variety of refreshing beverages. 

You can’t go wrong by stopping into Wild West Cowboy Steakhouse, a local favorite for Mexican food in Buckeye. Another local favorite is the Sheep Camp. You wouldn’t know it from the exterior, but once you try the food, you’ll see that it’s some of the best home cooking in town. 

6. Get a job in nearby Phoenix

Buckeye’s proximity to Phoenix makes it easy to travel there for work if you so want. However, Buckeye itself offers a number of employment possibilities. The Odyssey Preparatory Academy, the City of Buckeye, and Duncan & Son Lines are the three major employers in the Buckeye area.

The average wage in Buckeye is $67,000 per year, or $18.04 per hour, according to Payscale.

7. Don’t miss the Buckeye Days Festival

Since the construction of the Buckeye Canal in 1884, the city of Buckeye has provided residents and visitors with several opportunities to honor its pioneer past. Buckeye Days is a 40-year-old festival that includes a cattle drive procession down Main Street, the senior pro rodeo event at the South Buckeye Equestrian and Events Center, a steak cook-out dinner, and street dances themed like the Old West.

The Buckeye Valley Museum is a great place for history buffs to discover more about the city, as it houses an extensive collection of relics dating back to the city’s early days, including pre-Columbian pottery, historic photographs, and local antiquities.

Cons of Living in Buckeye

1. Summers are scorching

The average annual temperature in this city will be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, 121 days a year. Extreme heat, greater than 86°F, can occur at any time of the year. In Buckeye, the average high temperature is 108°F in the month of July.

Be well-prepared before relocating to Buckeye. You should make it a daily routine to use broad-spectrum sunscreen and UV-protective eyewear. Without adequate protection from the sun, one’s chance of developing skin cancer in the Phoenix area is significantly higher due to the high levels of UV radiation present throughout the year. Bringing a full water bottle with you whenever you leave the house is another healthy practice.

2. There’s wildlife everywhere 

You’ll be living with wildlife if you choose to move to Buckeye. It is normal to encounter large lizards, spiders, scorpions, and tarantulas in this area, just as you would anywhere else in Arizona.

You might not like living in Buckeye if you’re terrified of snakes, lizards, and other reptiles.

3. There’s a higher risk of contracting Valley Fever

One of the drawbacks of living in Buckeye is the risk of contracting Valley Fever. In Arizona, it is one of the most frequently reported infectious illnesses, and a staggering 94% of all instances are found in the arid regions of Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties.

So, if you come here, you run the risk of contracting this illness. The good news is that Valley Fever isn’t a life-threatening illness, and you’ll get better quickly after treatment.

In Conclusion

Buckeye offers a reasonable cost of living, a thriving economy, great educational opportunities, and a safe community to live in. However, there are also the scorching summers, the presence of wildlife, and the risk of Valley Fever.