Ficus are very vulnerable to freezing temps in the winter. In 2006 most were lost or severly damaged in the metro Phoenix area. They are also high water users and attract 'city' birds like grackles & starlings (noisy, messy).

Here's a link to information on a number of trees and other plants that do well in our location in the low desert.

Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert

Maybe a Brazilin pepper. Next door is a Ficus and he rakes leaves everyday. Then again that is all he has to do