First and foremost, I would advise you to live in the city.
As a result, there would be enough of places to buy food and water, as well as houses and places to sleep, jobs, and pleasant weather. You might only receive half of what you get in the city in the desert.
There is little water and food in the desert, the weather is warm, and there are few people living there. in the desert, where I live, there aren't many properties for sale. You'd have to spend a lot of money to buy a house.