Need information about Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson: relocate, hotel, income)

[weverjames]

I am currently living in Chicago. I am planning to relocate after I finish my businesses here. I am looking for a warmer state, would prefer living in a mid size city or town near a bigger city. would like to live near to work and not commute more than 20 minutes. Low crime, few traffic, restaurants, some malls, airport within 2 hours.
I will be working in a hospital, 160k-180k/year. Could you suggest me the best choices based in the income, moving with my wife and planing to have and rise children.?
would also like to buy a house. i don't like living in small spaces as I am doing now.

[kdog]

Depending on your definition of "malls", Kingman could fit your description. There's currently one big hospital in town, KRMC. The town is small enough that even in the best residential areas, you'd only be looking at 15 minutes tops to get to KMRC. Plus they're building a new hospital as well (MedCath), and another new medical center is in the works too. So there's plenty of work here for you. Both of those new places are in the newer part of town, so you might have a 5 or 10 minute commute to those places if you live out that way (the Hualapai area, which I recommend).

Las Vegas is two hours away, and that's the airport I use, although Kingman has an airport as well. You won't find any big traditional indoor malls in Kingman, like you would in a large urban area. Lots of strip malls, although some of them are good sized, at least by desert standards. Restaurants are hit and miss. The Hotel Brunswick restaurant is solid four-star, expensive, and good for special occasions. There's an awesome Thai place (I've lived in NY and CA, so am qualified to know.) A few good Mexican places in town, one good chinese. There's a Chilis, a few other chains like that. Laughlin's only 30 minutes away and has a ton of restaurants, and of course lots of casinos. Traffic is pretty much non-existent out here, save for a two mile stretch of Stockton Hill Rd where most of the business are. Even that is nothing compared to any place you've every been. But the locals here are spoiled and like to whine about it. Even that can be avoided if you know the backroads.

Kingman might be a bit smaller than you're thinking, but I'd still check it out if I were you. We've been here for a year and a half, and are really enjoying it.

[AzDreamer]

The only towns in AZ that would qualify are going to be within 2 hours of Phoenix and Tucson, unless you are willing to fly out of smaller airports like Yuma.

One thing about most towns in the Western US, crime rates are higher. It's not like South Chicago, but it's not Iowa either.

There are lots of towns near the Phoenix metro area, most are suburbs, some are a ways out, like Wickenburg. Tucson has some towns nearby, maybe Oro Valley would be worth a look.

Good luck

[weverjames]

1. which area has the milder summers?
I am tired of the big city life. Actually I am living in the suburbs and hating the commute. Any airport with connections to Houston, miami or atlanta is fine.
2.what about Yuma?
3. Is the cost of living as expensive as here in Chicago?
4. Any good options for children?
5. Any options for having a big yard, house?

[yumadons]

Originally Posted by weverjames

2.what about Yuma?

There are some good recent posts on Yuma addressing your concerns. Yuma's airport has US Air (all connections through Phoenix), United (all connections through L.A), and Delta (all connections through SLC).

[Dangerous Dave]

Originally Posted by weverjames

1. which area has the milder summers?
I am tired of the big city life. Actually I am living in the suburbs and hating the commute. Any airport with connections to Houston, miami or atlanta is fine.
2.what about Yuma?
3. Is the cost of living as expensive as here in Chicago?
4. Any good options for children?
5. Any options for having a big yard, house?

Yuma has very extreme summers. The winters are nice, but you pay a high price for them come May, and you won't see it under 90 degrees again until almost Thanksgiving.

Prescott has a nice climate, and would be an easy drive to the PHX airport. Sedona and Flagstaff may also be worth a look. At least you wouldn't be going from one extreme to the other.

I'm sure the cost of living is a lot lower than Chicago, from everything I've heard. You won't be cramped as in the big city. Most yards in Arizona, unless you're close to downtown PHX, are good sized.

I would also consider other places in the West. I often suggest looking into western Oregon since the climate is fairly mild here. I don't recommend Yuma without spending a week there in August, then decide if you want to endure 4-6 months of it every year.

[LordBalfor]

SE Arizona has a very mild climate. Places like Sierra Vista have Summer highs typically in the low 90's and upper 80's and winter highs near 60.

Ken

[esselcue]

Check out the Prescott area...it has all you are asking about, and if you go a few (10-12) miles north of there to Chino Valley you can get a home on an acre of land for a decent price. Unless you like HOT weather (90-120+ day and night) stay away from the lower elevations like Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, etc. Folks think the desert warmth is wonderful, and in the winter it is, but try it from June through September or October before you make a decision.

[Dangerous Dave]

Originally Posted by esselcue

Check out the Prescott area...it has all you are asking about, and if you go a few (10-12) miles north of there to Chino Valley you can get a home on an acre of land for a decent price. Unless you like HOT weather (90-120+ day and night) stay away from the lower elevations like Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, etc. Folks think the desert warmth is wonderful, and in the winter it is, but try it from June through September or October before you make a decision.

I always tell folks that the only good places in AZ connect to hwy 89a or are in the SE corner....

If he and his wife are going to be making well into the six figures, they will do fine in Prescott. It's pricey to Arizonans (unless you live in Flag or Sedona), but coming from Chicago is would be an absolute bargain.