Help making the move (Phoenix, Scottsdale: relocate, trip , jobs)

[funinsunny]

I would like some help with towns in Arizona. My family and me are looking at moving to Arizona to get away for the cold, snow, wind and wind. I would like to hear from people who live in Arizona. I have a family with small kids and we are still young, so I would like somewere small around 50,000 or under, good school, low crime, good weather, good jobs, middle house prices, good stores. I have read about Bullhead city but durgs is all I hear about it, Lake Havasu City water problems, Prescott costed of live very high. I would love to go for that small town feel but still be about to shop and work in the same town.
thank you for you help

[Steve-o]

Have you been to AZ before? Make sure you visit before you decide to relocate. Ive seen too many people look to relocate there, just to hate the dryness and hellish heat. Schools in AZ are horrible, you really need to ask the locals where the select good schools are too.

With that being said, Id look at Surprise or Anthem.

[funinsunny]

What do you think of Sun City and Surpire or Superior? Are good places to live? I cant find much about Superior. I sure would like more information

[funinsunny]

sorry about that I ment Surprise.....Why are the school so bad in Arizona? I plan to make a couple of trip over a year or more. I would like to find some where with nice weather and nice landscape.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by funinsunny

What do you think of Sun City and Surpire or Superior? Are good places to live? I cant find much about Superior. I sure would like more information

Sun City (and west) are retirement communities, you cant get in to those. I dont know about Superior, but Surprise is your typical AZ suburb-- boring, growing like a weed, endless tract homes, endless chain stores and strip malls. It attracts people because its cheap (for now). Its getting bigger by the day and will continue to do so, just like every other wasteland suburb (besides Scottsdale and Fountain Hills and Carefree) that rings Phoenix.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by funinsunny

sorry about that I ment Surprise.....Why are the school so bad in Arizona? I plan to make a couple of trip over a year or more. I would like to find some where with nice weather and nice landscape.

Schools are rated the worst in the nation, and are getting worse (according to AZ Central). If you want "nice" weather, youre only really going to find it up near Prescott/Sedona, IMO. Winters in AZ are mild, but summers are endlessly long and brutally hot. Be sure to visit AZ in, say, mid June to get a taste. Its really too hot to do much of anything outdoors for an extended period of time. Nights are also equally hot sometimes. Winters are nice, expect 40-70 degree temps with the occasional sub-freezing temps. Snow is very rare, but can occur.

[funinsunny]

What have you heard about Avondale, Glibert, Williams, Chino Valley. thanks for you help steve-o

[funinsunny]

ok I know Iam going to get hit with this one but here it go's... What do you think of New Mexico......arizona sound like alot of retired people....and not alot in the way of jobs, young families and fun.(but to tell you the truth arizona sound alot nice then New Mexico)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by funinsunny

ok I know Iam going to get hit with this one but here it go's... What do you think of New Mexico......arizona sound like alot of retired people....and not alot in the way of jobs, young families and fun.(but to tell you the truth arizona sound alot nice then New Mexico)

Its quite the opposite of what you think. AZ does have tons of retired folks, but also tons of young people and "hip" areas near Old Town Scottsdale and along Mill Street in Tempe. AZ does also have a good job market (much better than NMs), but they dont pay all that well.

Have you looked into Las Cruces, NM? Its similar to AZ's burbs, but generally cheaper. Nice area!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by funinsunny

What have you heard about Avondale, Glibert, Williams, Chino Valley. thanks for you help steve-o

I only know a little about Gilberts and it was only based on a few short drives through it. From what I saw, I was not impressed. Its your typical sunbelt city. Read: BORING. Ive heard of some high-crime areas in Gilberts, but couldnt tell you where. Like I said, my experience with Gilberts is limited. Perhaps a local or two can help you out.