Moving from Canada to US (Phoenix, Scottsdale: for rent, car insurance, condos)

[smartcuty]

Hi everyone,

I am considering a move from Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario in Canada to either Greater Phoenix Area (GPA), AZ or Las Vegas, NV

Can you please advise if that would be a good move or not especailly the salary range is a bit less because of a relatively lower than it used to be US$ vs C$ exchange rate

Although Toronto is a nice city, but I am somehow a fan of USA, but not sure about the state & city

Thank you

[smartcuty]

Don't know how is Phoenix compared to Toronto with regards to quality of life, prices & safety

Can anyone advise please?

[dano]

Don't know much about Torronto but do know about both Phoenix & Vegas. Lived in Phoenix for 18 years and Vegas the last 6. The following are some of my takes on various topics:

Population: Phoenix is roughly twice the size of Vegas. In my view Pheonix is starting to test the upper boundries of its size and how that size effects everone's quality of life. You may be ok with that coming from Torronto.

Economics/Job Climate: Not much difference; both continue rapid expansion. More corporate jobs in Phoenix ($40K - $100K) but also alot of competition. Reason I moved was less competition and to be more visible in my profession. Vegas is still a one-industry town (locals call in gaming) but improving.

Climate: Again not much difference. On average Vegas is roughly 7 degrees cooler. Summers almost get as hot (100+ every day) but don't last nearly as long as they do in Phoenix. Falls & springs are generally not as hot in Vegas but that positive is offset by alot of wind that Phoenix typically does't have. Winters are perfect in Phoenix while winters in Vegas can get a little cold.

Culture: Vegas tends to mirror its neighbor Southern California - uptight, trendy and image-contious. Although larger, Phoenicians tend to be a little more laid back (tea shirts, shorts, fip-flops)

Entertainment: Night life - not much competition with all the casinos. Both have good golf courses with Phoenix probably taking the edge. Both have good outdoor recreation, I'd say equal. Day/weekend get-aways within respective state - Phoneix hands down with a much neater state in terms of geography and topography. Alot of neat small to medium-size towns in higher elevations and cooler climates. Vegas is somewhat isolated with at least a 3-hour drive anywhere. Northern Nevada attractions like Lake Tahoe are an 8-hour drive.

[smartcuty]

Thank you Dano for the useful information, but how about the safety concerns & what will be the best places to live in & the worst places to avoid in Metropolitan Phoenix?

How is the car insurance premiums with all what we hear about accidents & car thefts there?

Are most of the city streets dark at night & how is the downtown area life?

Toronto is really a big metropolitan city with lights all around almost in every single street but much colder place & driving can be real dangerous at winter time especially with snow or black ice formation

[smartcuty]

Cost of life in Toronto, Canada:

An average 1 bedroom condo rent in a decent hi-rise building with 24/7 security conceirge in Toronto will cost around US$1000-1200 with all utilities included

Average grocery for 1 person per week is around US$60-70 & for a couple around $100/week

Dining outside average for 2 persons in a decent restaurant will be US$45-50 for dinner & $30-40 for lunch

TV Cable: with 70 US/Canadian channels US$60/month & Hi-speed internet will be US$40/month, A phone line US$25/month

Car insurance premiums are high & range from US$500/month for a new car & a new driver to $150/month for old car & experienced driver
Car Plate renewal: US$70/year

Bus-Subway Ticket: US$2.25/ride

Toronto is generally safe most of the time with few exceptions in some areas

How are those figures compared to Phoenix or Vegas?

[sablebaby]

Hi there,

Your prices in Toronto seem very close to Phoenix, except maybe the car insurance and plates. The plates will be higher here, and it all depends on the car you drive. For a new car it would $300-500 a year?? And it goes down each year as the car ages. Insurance will be lower if you have a clean driving record. My insurance for either a new car or a car that's a few years old is usually around $100-125/month. I don't drive a sports car like my boyfriend (his is around $175/month after a few years). It also depends on where you live in the valley. We have lived downtown and paid a few hundred more each year. Or if you live near a mall or where there's a lot of traffic. So, the areas vary.

A bus ticket here costs $1.25.

We don't have hi rise apt buildings. But you can easily find a nice 1 bedroom in a good area for $750-900, cheaper if you look in cheaper areas of course! However SO many of our apt complexes have gone condo, so you'd have to buy one and that would be more.

Our streets are lit at night. No worries about dark streets. The downtown area is actually becoming impressive. I recently drove down there and found many new developments of businesses and condos. ASU just opened up a downtown campus so there will be more nightlife for college students.

Hope that helps!

[smartcuty]

sablebaby,

Thanx a lot for the info, just worried about the crime rate, but I think Phoenix would be a great place to live in, I talked already to a couple of people there & everyone seems to be very helpful & freindly, I was hoping for cheaper life but that would not be the case as I can feel

As for rent I heard Scottsdale is the best but expensive with safe Zip codes 85250, 251,252, 253 & 254

Then comes Tempe safe Zip codes 85281, 282, 283 & 284

Also Phoenix safe zip codes 85051, 52, 53, 29 & 32

Correct me if I am wrong please

And since utilities are not usually included within the rent, how much they could cost & what is the minimum rent term, as one would prefer short term first to try

[ColdCanadian]

smartcuty: Greetings from of Mississauga, ON. (sorry to interupt)

[smartcuty]

Hi ColdCanadian,

Do you live in Mississauga now or you are live in US?

Do you have any experience living in any state?

Thanks

[irwin]

I’ve been to Toronto once and it is a lot better city than Phoenix. Well, to be more precise, Phoenix really isn’t a city, it is a giant suburb. Toronto is a big, world-class city with a great downtown and different living options, whether it is downtown, historical districts, suburbs, etc. Phoenix does not have a downtown. Toronto has unique neighborhoods. Phoenix doesn’t have classic neighborhoods like real cities. It is really pathetic. Also, public transportation is non-existent, so get ready to drive everywhere and for anything. But, if you like chain restaurants and strip malls, you will love it here.

A lot of people who move to Phoenix and grow to like this place are from the Midwest and never experienced a “real city.” When you are from Nebraska or Iowa, I’m sure Phoenix is a big improvement. But if you are from a world-class city and like the urban lifestyle of that city, you probably are not going to like it very much here. I moved here from Washington D.C. about a year ago and I can’t wait to leave!