Moving from Alaska to Arizona usually means shipping a vehicle south, trading long dark winters for long hot summers, and buying in a market where VA loans and assumable VA loans are common tools. Most Alaska buyers I work with land in the West Valley near Luke Air Force Base or wherever a new job is, then plan the move around the summer heat.

Moving from Alaska to Arizona at a glance

  • Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time all year. That is two hours ahead of Alaska in winter and one hour ahead in summer.
  • Vehicles typically ship by ocean carrier between Alaska ports and Tacoma, then drive or truck south.
  • Luke Air Force Base sits west of Glendale; most of the base is inside Glendale city limits.
  • VA buyers can use their benefit here, and some listings carry VA or FHA loans a qualified buyer may be able to assume.
  • Plan house hunting for fall through spring if you can; summer heat is the adjustment.

I'm Terry Day, REALTOR® with DeLex Realty. The Alaska folks who call me are often military families on orders, people finishing a stint in the oil fields or on the North Slope, or retirees who have had enough snow. The questions are surprisingly similar: How do I get my truck down there? How hot is it really? And can I use my VA loan on a house with a pool?

Getting your vehicles to Arizona

You have two main options. Ocean carriers such as Matson move vehicles between Alaska ports (Anchorage, Kodiak and Dutch Harbor) and Tacoma, Washington, and carry cars in auto frames or closed containers. From Tacoma, you drive or hire a carrier for the rest of the trip south. Matson allows limited personal items in the car for an extra fee, so read the current rules before you pack.

The other option is driving the Alaska Highway through Canada. If you go that way, check the current Canadian border rules for your vehicle, pets and any firearms before you leave. Either way, budget time: your car may arrive days or weeks after you do, so plan a rental or temporary ride.

Once you're here, Arizona expects new residents to register their vehicles. In the Phoenix metro, many vehicles also need an emissions test first. The Arizona Department of Transportation's new-resident page lists the steps.

Trading winter for summer

Alaska winters are long and dark. Phoenix summers are long and bright. Most people find the Valley's fall, winter and spring wonderful, and spend the first summer learning the routine: errands early, pool or mall in the afternoon, shade on everything.

  • Look for shade: covered patios, garage space and trees matter more than you'd expect.
  • AC age matters: ask how old the cooling system is and when it was last serviced.
  • Pools: nice for nine months, a real expense to maintain all year. Decide with your eyes open.
  • Monsoon season: summer brings dust storms and short, heavy storms. Ask about roof age and drainage.

Military moves and the West Valley

Luke Air Force Base is about 7 miles west of downtown Glendale and trains F-16 and F-35 pilots, so many PCS moves from Alaska land in Glendale, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Waddell, Goodyear and nearby. I help buyers sort neighborhoods by commute and home type, and I always ask about the length of the assignment first. A two-year tour changes whether buying or renting makes sense.

For a deeper look at living near the base, see our guide for federal, military and VA buyers.

VA loans and assumable VA loans

If you have VA entitlement, you can use it to buy a primary home here. Arizona also has a good number of homes with existing VA and FHA loans that a qualified buyer may be able to take over, with the servicer's approval. That can be worth asking about, but it has rules:

  • The buyer must qualify with the servicer, and the process takes time.
  • You usually need cash for the difference between the price and the loan balance.
  • If a VA loan is assumed by a non-veteran, the seller's entitlement can stay tied up. If you are the one assuming, ask how it affects your own entitlement.
  • Not every listing that says "assumable" will pencil out. Ask early.

I check these details with the servicer before we write an offer around one.

Oil-field and rotation work schedules

If you work a rotation in Alaska and plan to keep doing it from Arizona, look at homes with easy access to Phoenix Sky Harbor, a lock-and-leave layout, and an HOA or neighbors who can keep an eye on things while you're gone. Many buyers in that situation like newer homes with low-maintenance desert landscaping.

Picking an area from far away

  • Decide on your must-haves: commute, lot size, single-level or two-story, pool or no pool.
  • Watch video tours, then plan one in-person trip to see your top choices.
  • Ask about HOA rules, especially for RVs, trailers and boats if you're bringing them from Alaska.
  • Leave room in the timeline for your vehicles and household goods to arrive.

See all homesCall Terry: 602-483-4665

Moving from Alaska to Arizona: FAQ

What time is it in Arizona compared with Alaska?

Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time all year, so it is two hours ahead of Alaska in winter and one hour ahead when Alaska is on daylight time.

How do I ship my car from Alaska to Arizona?

Many people ship by ocean carrier from Anchorage to Tacoma, then drive south. Others drive the Alaska Highway through Canada.

Can I use my VA loan in Arizona?

Yes, for a primary residence, if you have entitlement and qualify with a lender.

Where do military families from Alaska usually live near Luke AFB?

Common choices include Glendale, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Waddell and Goodyear. Commute and home style usually decide it.

Is the heat hard to get used to?

The first summer takes adjusting. Good AC, shade and an early-morning routine help a lot.

Moving from Alaska? Call Terry Day, DeLex Realty, at 602-483-4665 and I'll help you plan the move around your timeline.