Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What do you look for in a relocation to a potential city? Does the city need to *grab* you?
For example, I've been considering relocating to AZ for years. I was headed that way a year and a half ago, but changed my plans on the fly helping a family situation in Las Vegas. Since that time, I've spoken to many posters on City-Data, friends, a former boss (who currently lives in the Phx area) and family who discourage me from relocating there.
They've said: wages are low like Las Vegas, only call center jobs are available, too many old people, too hot, it's too big, boring, lots of drug problems ect.
From personal experience, driving on the Phoenix freeways are a lot like CA - entangled traffic-filled web, there were more elderly than most places I've lived (except FL) and it did seem kind of boring. It keeps me on the fence.
I have no idea what the job situation is like for admin/executive assistants.
But Phoenix area does give me a snowless climate, a lovely cigarette ban, lots of IT school options, with a ton of national parks to explore, and better doctors than where I currently live. I also love that it's a red state. However, whenever I visit AZ I always, always, always get a spitting headache the entire time I'm there. I have no idea why this is, as I drink a gallon of water a day.
I recently returned from a road trip visiting friends (who were on tour) in Mesa and visited Tuscon for the first time. My impression of Tuscon was that it was clean with a cute, quirky downtown. But nothing *grabbed* me and said, "This is it! Stay here!"
What criteria do you base a relocation on? Have you ever initially not liked a city, but other things made it grow on you? Was your first impression accurate for you?
What do you look for in a relocation to a potential city? Does the city need to *grab* you?
For example, I've been considering relocating to AZ for years. I was headed that way a year and a half ago, but changed my plans on the fly helping a family situation in Las Vegas. Since that time, I've spoken to many posters on City-Data, friends, a former boss (who currently lives in the Phx area) and family who discourage me from relocating there.
They've said: wages are low like Las Vegas, only call center jobs are available, too many old people, too hot, it's too big, boring, lots of drug problems ect.
From personal experience, driving on the Phoenix freeways are a lot like CA - entangled traffic-filled web, there were more elderly than most places I've lived (except FL) and it did seem kind of boring. It keeps me on the fence.
I have no idea what the job situation is like for admin/executive assistants.
But Phoenix area does give me a snowless climate, a lovely cigarette ban, lots of IT school options, with a ton of national parks to explore, and better doctors than where I currently live. I also love that it's a red state. However, whenever I visit AZ I always, always, always get a spitting headache the entire time I'm there. I have no idea why this is, as I drink a gallon of water a day.
I recently returned from a road trip visiting friends (who were on tour) in Mesa and visited Tuscon for the first time. My impression of Tuscon was that it was clean with a cute, quirky downtown. But nothing *grabbed* me and said, "This is it! Stay here!"
What criteria do you base a relocation on? Have you ever initially not liked a city, but other things made it grow on you? Was your first impression accurate for you?
I will give this a shot and I'm sure others will chime in with other good suggestions and feedback. I think, with anyplace, you will want to check it out for yourself. You already have been to the Phoenix area and have seen what it is like so that's a plus. To more directly answer your question when I moved to Charlotte from Massachusetts I "knew" on my first visit that was where I needed and wanted to be. It was a feeling deep in my gut that it was the right situation and it proved to be right. Of course I did my due diligence, but that still didn't prepare me for many of the other benefits I didn't see in my initial observation of the place. Sometimes you just know.
What does your gut feeling tell you about Phoenix because in the end that will count more than opinions. Do you have a potential job opportunity out here or are you looking to make a change? A piece of sound advice I received when it comes to moving is to ask myself if I am running "from" something or "to" something? It makes a difference. Good luck with your deliberations.
I will give this a shot and I'm sure others will chime in with other good suggestions and feedback. I think, with anyplace, you will want to check it out for yourself. You already have been to the Phoenix area and have seen what it is like so that's a plus. To more directly answer your question when I moved to Charlotte from Massachusetts I "knew" on my first visit that was where I needed and wanted to be. It was a feeling deep in my gut that it was the right situation and it proved to be right. Of course I did my due diligence, but that still didn't prepare me for many of the other benefits I didn't see in my initial observation of the place. Sometimes you just know.
What does your gut feeling tell you about Phoenix because in the end that will count more than opinions. Do you have a potential job opportunity out here or are you looking to make a change? A piece of sound advice I received when it comes to moving is to ask myself if I am running "from" something or "to" something? It makes a difference. Good luck with your deliberations.
Thank you for the comment. I'm definitely running from Las Vegas. Absolutely hate this disgusting city and my living environment. While I think a city with snow (Pittsburgh) will offer me more entertainment/cultural things to do, I still want to live somewhere warm where my car won't get hail damaged, like it has several times in the past.
My gut tells me Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale/Gilbert (somewhere in the valley) would be a temporary new life experience. I see the city as a potential to change careers, getting more into the IT field. There are several areas of AZ I'm interested in exploring for fun as well.
In the past, I've had several fun experiences in AZ and found the people to be much friendlier than Vegas.
No, I do not currently have a job lined up there, but am currently applying. Staffing agencies don't want to talk to me unless I live there.
Thank you for the comment. I'm definitely running from Las Vegas. Absolutely hate this disgusting city and my living environment. While I think a city with snow (Pittsburgh) will offer me more entertainment/cultural things to do, I still want to live somewhere warm where my car won't get hail damaged, like it has several times in the past.
My gut tells me Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale/Gilbert (somewhere in the valley) would be a temporary new life experience. I see the city as a potential to change careers, getting more into the IT field. There are several areas of AZ I'm interested in exploring for fun as well.
In the past, I've had several fun experiences in AZ and found the people to be much friendlier than Vegas.
No, I do not currently have a job lined up there, but am currently applying. Staffing agencies don't want to talk to me unless I live there.
Well in some instances fleeing may be necessary! Lol! I think the greater Phoenix area may work for you, especially if you are into IT. There is a growing IT sector here and now would be a good time to get in. People are pretty friendly for the most part and you are correct, employers are more inclined to look at you if you're local.
What I look for in relo is weather- I love the sun, hate winter and humidity, scenery- I love the mountains, desert and the ocean, quirky, funky and plenty of things to do. For me Tucson fills the bill. I love that city and long to go back. It is like home for me. So, I guess it is a feeling too, Tucson "grabs" me. Every one is different and others are probably more practical, but for me, I would rather live in a studio apartment, living on beans and rice in Tucson, than to live in luxury anywhere else. Not that I am living in luxury here in the middle lol.
They've said: wages are low like Las Vegas, only call center jobs are available, too many old people, too hot, it's too big, boring, lots of drug problems ect.
Boring? OK, if you love deep sea fishing, sure, I'd be bored but if you enjoy hiking or cycling, other than a spot or two in southern CA, the PHX/TUS is the best. With Apple, Intel and other tech companies, there should be job opportunities for an IT person in PHX. I'd suggest the Mesa/Apache Junction area. Go there once, visit the Superstition Wilderness and then tell us it is boring. No way.
Location: When you take flak it means you are on target
7,646 posts, read 9,944,809 times
Reputation: 16466
First I look to see if I can be extradited to my former home. Then the supply of good drugs, also if they give food stamps with cash value and free medical.
Ok, seriously, you need to travel some, go to places you might enjoy. I like where we are in winter, but have not found anyplace cooler that "speaks" to me, unless of course it is someplace that costs 6 million dollars for a house.
Boring? OK, if you love deep sea fishing, sure, I'd be bored but if you enjoy hiking or cycling, other than a spot or two in southern CA, the PHX/TUS is the best. With Apple, Intel and other tech companies, there should be job opportunities for an IT person in PHX. I'd suggest the Mesa/Apache Junction area. Go there once, visit the Superstition Wilderness and then tell us it is boring. No way.
Apache Junction! LOL! Are you kidding me? AJ is trailer parks and desert! Apache Junction = Pahrump, NV.
Basically, I'm looking for better business/job opportunity than Las Vegas. I will say Phoenix has a ton of live music venues and a ton of elderly from personal experience. Just *kind* of hoping there was more than what I've personally witnessed.
The desert scenery and AZ is quite beautiful. Lots to be explored. Going to call some staffing agencies to get a better idea.
I lived in Las Vegas for 16 years, so I can understand wanting to "escape" from it, lol! There are only low wage jobs for low wage positions. I did very well there financially, but the city drove me nuts! There is no culture there, many are addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex. Pick your poison! Many are uneducated "worker bees" in the casino industry. I was in nightclub/restaurant/gaming management. We escaped 5 years ago back to Arizona (where I lived in Tucson for 8 years).
Tucson is great, but if you want higher pay and much better job opportunities, go to Phoenix. It's a hub of activity and new businesses are on the upward swing. Wages are much better than in Tucson. As opposed to Las Vegas, which has about 2 million people, Phoenix is on its way to having almost 6 million people. This equals more jobs and more opportunities. The freeways in Phoenix drive me crazy, but if income is what you want most, Phoenix is where I'd go.
I lived in Las Vegas for 16 years, so I can understand wanting to "escape" from it, lol! There are only low wage jobs for low wage positions. I did very well there financially, but the city drove me nuts! There is no culture there, many are addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex. Pick your poison! Many are uneducated "worker bees" in the casino industry. I was in nightclub/restaurant/gaming management. We escaped 5 years ago back to Arizona (where I lived in Tucson for 8 years).
Tucson is great, but if you want higher pay and much better job opportunities, go to Phoenix. It's a hub of activity and new businesses are on the upward swing. Wages are much better than in Tucson. As opposed to Las Vegas, which has about 2 million people, Phoenix is on its way to having almost 6 million people. This equals more jobs and more opportunities. The freeways in Phoenix drive me crazy, but if income is what you want most, Phoenix is where I'd go.
Thanks for the insights, I appreciate it!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
