Phoenix versus Tucson (Mesa, Chandler, Safford: home, find a job, living in)

[CEBMurray]

My husband and I had originally planned to move to Phoenix from Southern California to be closer to his daughter in Safford. I have already landed a job in Mesa and will be starting the middle of next month. We will also be putting our CA home on the market in the middle of next month as well. Now his daughter wants us to move to Tucson rather than Phoenix so we'll only be 2 hours away from her versus 3 hours (She originally wanted us to move to Safford, but I vetoed living in a small town -- I originally grew up in a small town).

My background is in social work so I know I won't have a problem finding another job, but my husband's background is in the semiconductor industry as a electronics technician. We honestly don't know if there's much of a tech industry in Tucson as compared to Phoenix/Chandler.

We have visited Phoenix several times and liked it, but have only driven once through Tucson. Would love to get everyone's feedback on the differences between Phoenix and Tucson and whether we should rethink our plans.

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance!

[CEBMurray]

My husband and I had originally planned to move to Phoenix from Southern California to be closer to his daughter in Safford. I have already landed a job in Mesa and will be starting the middle of next month. We will also be putting our CA home on the market in the middle of next month as well. Now his daughter wants us to move to Tucson rather than Phoenix so we'll only be 2 hours away from her versus 3 hours (She originally wanted us to move to Safford, but I vetoed living in a small town -- I originally grew up in a small town).

My background is in social work so I know I won't have a problem finding another job, but my husband's background is in the semiconductor industry as a electronics technician. We honestly don't know if there's much of a tech industry in Tucson as compared to Phoenix/Chandler.

We have visited Phoenix several times and liked it, but have only driven once through Tucson. Would love to get everyone's feedback on the differences between Tucson and Phoenix and whether we should rethink our plans.

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance!

[Bummer]

This is an easy one, CDBMurray . . . try comparing Los Angeles to Fresno or Stockton.

The weather in Tucson is definitely less brutal, especially the Summer Weather. There are no freeways and considerably fewer as well as generally friendlier people. Also, the cost of living overall is a little friendlier.

Exactly why I chose Tucson over Phoenix when I decided to relocate to Arizona from the Bay Area about twenty years ago.

[Burkmere]

Originally Posted by CEBMurray

My husband and I had originally planned to move to Phoenix from Southern California to be closer to his daughter in Safford. I have already landed a job in Mesa and will be starting the middle of next month. We will also be putting our CA home on the market in the middle of next month as well. Now his daughter wants us to move to Tucson rather than Phoenix so we'll only be 2 hours away from her versus 3 hours (She originally wanted us to move to Safford, but I vetoed living in a small town -- I originally grew up in a small town).

My background is in social work so I know I won't have a problem finding another job, but my husband's background is in the semiconductor industry as a electronics technician. We honestly don't know if there's much of a tech industry in Tucson as compared to Phoenix/Chandler.

We have visited Phoenix several times and liked it, but have only driven once through Tucson. Would love to get everyone's feedback on the differences between Phoenix and Tucson and whether we should rethink our plans.

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance!

If you search the forum there are many posts about this...probably thousands.

[American Expat]

Originally Posted by CEBMurray

My husband and I had originally planned to move to Phoenix from Southern California to be closer to his daughter in Safford. I have already landed a job in Mesa and will be starting the middle of next month. We will also be putting our CA home on the market in the middle of next month as well. Now his daughter wants us to move to Tucson rather than Phoenix so we'll only be 2 hours away from her versus 3 hours (She originally wanted us to move to Safford, but I vetoed living in a small town -- I originally grew up in a small town).

My background is in social work so I know I won't have a problem finding another job, but my husband's background is in the semiconductor industry as a electronics technician. We honestly don't know if there's much of a tech industry in Tucson as compared to Phoenix/Chandler.

We have visited Phoenix several times and liked it, but have only driven once through Tucson. Would love to get everyone's feedback on the differences between Phoenix and Tucson and whether we should rethink our plans.

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance!

Almost certainly both of you will have better job opportunities in Phoenix. Otherwise, Tucson is probably a little cheaper, has a better climate (in my opinion), the area is prettier with a little more rain and mountains right there, and only you can answer whether you prefer a larger city (Phoenix) versus a medium sized city (Tucson).

[Dewey59]

Tucson has several electronics companies, but they are not semiconductor companies like what you will find in the Phoenix area. The companies in Tucson are more end product companies and mostly involve defense electronics. So if his experience is all semiconductor, I would have to say he has a better chance in Phoenix. Since you already have a job lined up in Mesa, you are on the right side of town for him to find a job. But there are lots of applicants every time one of those jobs open and so the pay is not great. With Intel finishing their foundry in south Chandler, there should be plenty of opportunities (although not for a couple years I believe).

[Bygeorge]

Originally Posted by CEBMurray

My husband and I had originally planned to move to Phoenix from Southern California to be closer to his daughter in Safford. I have already landed a job in Mesa and will be starting the middle of next month. We will also be putting our CA home on the market in the middle of next month as well. Now his daughter wants us to move to Tucson rather than Phoenix so we'll only be 2 hours away from her versus 3 hours (She originally wanted us to move to Safford, but I vetoed living in a small town -- I originally grew up in a small town).

My background is in social work so I know I won't have a problem finding another job, but my husband's background is in the semiconductor industry as a electronics technician. We honestly don't know if there's much of a tech industry in Tucson as compared to Phoenix/Chandler.

We have visited Phoenix several times and liked it, but have only driven once through Tucson. Would love to get everyone's feedback on the differences between Tucson and Phoenix and whether we should rethink our plans.

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance!

Aside from the heat issue, Phoenix hands down. I am sending you a direct message.

[Pink Jazz]

As for climate, Tucson may be cooler, but is also more humid.

[BigEinAz]

I've always thought Tucson to be more than a little dumpy, and the roads are total crap. It does have its nicer areas out on the perimeter though. Being from California, you may find Tucson more in line with what you're used to than Phoenix.

[Jkgourmet]

I have no kids. I admit that. But isn't it more sensible to live where you enjoy living more than living one hour closer to them? And, perhaps more importantly, where you can get work easily?

I mean, it's ONLY one hour.