To those contemplating a move to AZ

[locolobo13]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Where did you get that groceries are cheaper in California? They most certainly are not. I'm from Los Angeles and moved to Phoenix. I still go back there frequently to visit my parents and brother.



Fry's, Safeway, Bashas, Albertsons, Fresh Market, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Food City, and Walmart. That is 9 chains right there so what was your point? Furthermore, two of those chains (Bashas and Sprouts) are headquartered here. And I didn't include other stores like Trader Joes and AJ's Fine Foods (Basha's). We have plenty of options here.



The reality is there are jobs in Arizona but the local talent doesn't cut it. That is why they have to recruit from out-of-state. That is one of the reasons Google left because they had a difficult time obtaining local talent. Then the local talent complains that there are no jobs here. In reality, there are jobs but the people perusing those ads are not qualified for those jobs. It's the unfortunate truth. And this is one of the best places in the country to start a new business and many QUALIFIED young entrepreneurs are starting companies here and doing well. Regarding your other comments regarding gangs, and crime, umm, you really havent' spent much time in Southern California.



Actions speak louder than words. Words are cheap. Anyone can vent but look at how many of these complainers STILL LIVE IN ARIZONA!!! And look how long they've been complaining on these forums yet still live in Arizona. Some have had to change or adopt different usernames because of the sheer embarrassment of having to explain how they've been posting here for 5 plus years of how they hate it yet are still here. The truth is these critics recognize that other cities are not as rosy as they make them out to be hence the reason they don't move. Many can't afford to move meaning they wouldn't be able to afford the type of lifestyle they envision other cities having. For example, the people who rant about Phoenix would probably experience a worse lifestyle in California because they wouldn't be able to live in the nice areas that afford those amenities in California. This is the real reason they don't move but can't admit it for obvious reasons.

LOL Feel better now.

I was referring to another post comparing the price of groceries in CA to the Midwest. I think specifically IN. I have no doubt groceries aren't any better priced in LA than PHX. But try some fresh produce in Tulare. Then try the same in the Midwest in winter.

[hellokittykatt]

I'm moving out of here when my family situation get sorted out. I hate this place with a passion and I've been here a few months. I joked with my mother asking her why she can't spend her last years dying in Pasadena like we talked about. No...I should be near her no matter where she is...only she's in the most worst place in the country. I would have preferred her to be in the wilderness and snow of New England than here. At least there, people are intellectual and can read.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by hellokittykatt

I'm moving out of here when my family situation get sorted out. I hate this place with a passion and I've been here a few months. I joked with my mother asking her why she can't spend her last years dying in Pasadena like we talked about. No...I should be near her no matter where she is...only she's in the most worst place in the country. I would have preferred her to be in the wilderness and snow of New England than here. At least there, people are intellectual and can read.

I think there are more readers and intellectuals here than you think.

[corydon]

most worst ... that just doesn't sound all that intellectual....

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by Minntoaz

... I'd beg to differ that Arizona is diverse. I've been in Minneapolis area for 8 months now and it's not unheard for me to feel like a miniority which has never happened in my life elsewhere except maybe NYC or NOLA.

Do you WANT to feel like a minority? Not that matters, it's just a bit unusual. Where did you live in Arizona? I doubt it was Tucson. As I said before, there are white, black, and Latino families in my suburban development. My bank is next door to a Korean church. The man Sears sends to service my appliances is a recent immigrant from Serbia. Since I've been here (eight years), I've met recent immigrants from France, Ireland, Russia, Denmark, Croatia, Greece, Iraq, the Sudan, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China. That, of course, doesn't count the many people who have emigrated here from Central American, South American, and Caribbean nations. And please note, I live in a suburb, not anywhere near the university. I would imagine there would be a lot more immigrants around that area. (I've heard tell there are people who read there, too, MsKittyKatt.)

[SageCats]

Originally Posted by hellokittykatt

I'm moving out of here when my family situation get sorted out. I hate this place with a passion and I've been here a few months. I joked with my mother asking her why she can't spend her last years dying in Pasadena like we talked about. No...I should be near her no matter where she is...only she's in the most worst place in the country. I would have preferred her to be in the wilderness and snow of New England than here. At least there, people are intellectual and can read.

I bet you'll miss AZ if you leave. I had a room mate here who absolutely hated AZ. She was from the northeast and everything was about the Northeast being so much better, according to her. She moved back and was miserable. She actually missed AZ. It's not so bad here.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by hellokittykatt

I'm moving out of here when my family situation get sorted out. I hate this place with a passion and I've been here a few months. I joked with my mother asking her why she can't spend her last years dying in Pasadena like we talked about. No...I should be near her no matter where she is...only she's in the most worst place in the country. I would have preferred her to be in the wilderness and snow of New England than here. At least there, people are intellectual and can read.

Heeeyyyy! I'm from New England and I represent that insult! Lol! I honestly don't think you have gotten around enough because I have found PLENTY of intellectuals out here. But then again, you may be blinded by that "Northeast" smugness. I know, I too was blinded by it when I first moved here. I will grant you that the desert is certainly not for everyone, but from one New Englander to another; it's not as bad as you make it out to be, in my opinion. In the meantime, enjoy your time with your mother and cherish every moment. I wish you well in your future endeavors.

[AZCards]

Originally Posted by Sabiya

I hate how horrible it became after 2005, it all went down the crapper.

I agree. Too many Californians moved in trying to turn Phoenix into L.A.

Originally Posted by Sabiya

When there's more loan places and liquor stores than legit businesses, you know the state is doing horribly. Plus we're #42 when it comes to unemployment.... almost dead last. Texas and Washington has better economies. All of my professors in college recommend to move out of AZ or even out of the country (only two reccommended that) simply because AZ is a call center mecha, it's only good for $9 an hour customer service/call center jobs.

As someone already pointed out, it's not AZ that is at fault it is the lack of qualified applicants. It's not just Google either, Apple had a call center here years back that employed about 1,000 people. The shut it down and left the state because of the lack of talent pool.

Alternately, if you don't see a call center job as "legit" then feel free to create a "legit" business. In AZ, unlike other surrounding states you have that freedom. Instead of complaining about the problems create some solutions.

Originally Posted by Sabiya

backwards government (Jan Brewer and Joe Arpaio),

Now THAT speaks volumes. About you.