An eleventh hour job offer....need help please!!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by trz412

Thank you all so much for the information. I am so glad I fell upon the city data site when perusing for information on the city. Your insight has proven invaluable--now it looks like the decision could be left up to whether or not the $$ makes sense. If everything proves equal it will be tough to pass on ABQ.

If everything does prove equal (rarely does so), would you choose ABQ?

Tucson is quite a bit lower in elevation at 2600 feet--and the temps for this week starting with today, Monday: 97/67 101/67 101/70 101/72 97/67

ABQ (almost 5000 ft): 85/52 85/52 85/50 90/54 88/54

If you prefer hotter weather, Tucson might be the way to go. It's a pretty city, but considerably warmer than ABQ.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by trz412

My wife and I are headed to ABQ for a job she accepted next month (Thank you all for the information on the city, it's been a huge help). At the last minute, the same person has offered her a different position in Tucson. We have a few days to make a change if we want, but are really stuck about what to do. So...if you had to decide between Tucson and Albuquerque which would it be? I have read most of the other comparisons between the two cities, but I wonder if those opinions may have changed in the recent months due to all of the twists and turns of the economy. Any advice? The two jobs are fairly similar. I posted a question about housing near her job but got no love on the Tucson page. (Strike one) Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

well have you decided yet? I am sure we are all anxious to know..

Nita

[ApartmentNomad]

Originally Posted by yukon

If you have allergies, go for Tucson.

I have to disagree with this. I have no first-hand experience of Tucson, and Albuquerque is no picnic as far as allergies go, but Tucson has higher pollen levels, going by the spring and fall allergy capital lists found here (combining all years available):

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Information About Asthma, Allergies, Food Allergies and More!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by ApartmentNomad

I have to disagree with this. I have no first-hand experience of Tucson, and Albuquerque is no picnic as far as allergies go, but Tucson has higher pollen levels, going by the spring and fall allergy capital lists found here (combining all years available):

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Information About Asthma, Allergies, Food Allergies and More!

you are right, the most important thing any of us can remember about alergies: where to live or not live depends on what you are alergic to..If you are sesnitive to dust, don't live in the desert period or take your meds, if you are alergic to palm trees stay away from Hawaii or So California.

Nita

[trz412]

The big decision comes down tomorrow for those of you keeping score at home. It's a dead heat so far. Each positive associated with each place seems to be equaled by a negative. Big picture, little picture, today vs. tomorrow....on top of the feeling of "Are we really doing this?" Picking up and moving is such a monumental decision...we'll see what tomorrow brings.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by trz412

The big decision comes down tomorrow for those of you keeping score at home. It's a dead heat so far. Each positive associated with each place seems to be equaled by a negative. Big picture, little picture, today vs. tomorrow....on top of the feeling of "Are we really doing this?" Picking up and moving is such a monumental decision...we'll see what tomorrow brings.

I is a huge decision, but remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think everyone needs to experience life in a place different from anything they have had before. I will give you an example of our lives over our 50 plus years together:

Moved from So Ca to the bay area: not that different, we were busy raising kids, I was a stay at home mom

Back to So Ca: no biggy either

To sacramento: again not all that much different

Then things changed: Sac to Eureka, cultural shock big time. Forget the cookie cutter houses, the all middle income neighborhoods, everyone fitting into the nice little box, shopping malls at your finger tips and decent weather. It was an interesting experience and I wouldn't change it for anything, just wasn't us.

Back to So Cal for a few years: glad to be in familiar surroundings

From there to Wash DC: another cultural shock. Again I wouldn't trade those 7 years for anything and we still correspond with many friends we had. But by now we are thinking smaller town, quieter life

DAllas area (not in town I will add) again not for us, but we were near our kids and grandkids. What a wonderful 13 years.

Dallas to ABQ or actually Valencia county. We were totally involved in the community, hubby actually ran for public office and won the primary. We loved the weather, minus the wind and had so many friends and a great church. We miss them all.

NM to NWA. again we miss certain things about NM but love our life here and are closer to family, I am pretty sure we will spend our remaining years here.

I say, make the move, enjoy a new experience. The one time I hate to see people re-locate: when they do not have jobs. That is scary.

Good luck, keep us posted. I still say I would take ABQ over AZ but I am not making the move, you are.

Nita

[trz412]

Great info Nita! Luckily for us we would both have jobs in either city (which is nothing short of a miracle). If that wasn't the case, there would be no debate. We do have family that lives in PHX and that is an additional factor in favor of Tucson.

[trz412]

And the winner is.......Tucson. The job for my wife was a much greater opportunity and we couldn't pass it up. After discussing the decision all night and into today we finally pulled the trigger. I would really like to thank all of the wonderful folks that have given us all of the great information about Albuquerque. It seems like we wouldn't lose with either situation, but your feedback on the city was very much appreciated. It was almost like having close friends or family to ask. I really like this forum and I look forward to letting anybody who wants to know what Tucson ends up being like. Take care everyone. Thanks again!

[yukon]

Congrats on the job! Tucson is a nice place. And if you ever get tired of Tucson, maybe your jobs can transfer here Good luck!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by trz412

And the winner is.......Tucson. The job for my wife was a much greater opportunity and we couldn't pass it up. After discussing the decision all night and into today we finally pulled the trigger. I would really like to thank all of the wonderful folks that have given us all of the great information about Albuquerque. It seems like we wouldn't lose with either situation, but your feedback on the city was very much appreciated. It was almost like having close friends or family to ask. I really like this forum and I look forward to letting anybody who wants to know what Tucson ends up being like. Take care everyone. Thanks again!

Thanks for letting us know, I am sure you will be happy with your new life. Please do keep us informed on how the move goes and how you like Tucson. I am sure everything will work out for you.

Nita