NYC to Arizona (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: real estate, housing, lease)

[leo442]

I am planning on Moving from New York City to Arizona in about a year from now.
We are getting tired of the weather, tolls, low paying jobs, High real estate. High Taxes among other things. I heard Arizona is a great place to live. Please let me know what areas are good to live and how are the jobs in Finance????? Help???

Thank You

[esselcue]

Arizona is so diverse that your request is impossible to answer. Pick an area and then someone can help...deserts, mountains, big cities, small towns. Cost of living varies from county to county, as does real estate and the job market. Please do a lot of investigating first You can check real estate costs on-line, using Realtor.com or any of the other MLS sites.

[leo442]

thanks, esse:

My fiance and I were thinking Mesa, or anything within 20 miles or so. Fiance is exploring a job opportunity in Mesa. I'm in finance, and would like to know how the opportunities are in that area. We are tired of the overcrowding (8 million people in the 5 boroughs), the high home prices, high taxes, low salaries, oh, and ot being able to get into our cars when it is 5 degrees below 0 outside. thanks for any info!!! :-)

[frogandtoad]

"Finance" is really broad. Are you entry level Financial Advisor, or are you middle management for a large corporation? Are you a CFO? Finance can mean so many things which pay from about $20K to millions of dollars, so I don't think anyone can answer that w/o more info.

If you're anything above entry level, you might want to call a headhunter, send your resume, and have a conversation about what pay/opportunities are available in your field.

[AZBlue]

I moved to AZ from Connecticut in the 1980's and then again from Virginia in the 1990's and now live in NJ and am yearning to go back one last time and STAY. Beautiful place and incredibly diverse based on what you like in homes, neighborhoods, sports, food etc.

One recommendation is do not get trapped into the wonderful idea of living out in the desert (northern Scottsdale or Phoenix) because you'll spend forever in your car going to and from. There are a lot of older neighborhoods in central Phoenix and Scottsdale with beautiful older homes or knock down opportunities within minutes of everything you'd want to do work or socially.

Saw this blog the other day and thought it interesting on building/buying opportunities in older neighborhoods. The Roving Realtor

P.S. Don't mind the heat, it beats rain, snow and humidity anytime...

[Ron Chisler]

There are so many beautiful communities within the State of Arizona to choose from. I don't know if you have been here or not but the "Valley of the Sun" Phoenix area is huge! The city is designed using a grid system that makes it very easy to learn how to get around. Most streets run North & South or East & West. You don't see many streets thay curve around like some cities.
There are also several suburbs of Phoenix that all run together so Phoenix appears to be one huge city. In most of the suburbs they offer master planned communities that offer a wide selection of home styles and prices, shopping, freeways etc.
Arizona is a great place to live, we dont have blizzards, icy roads, tornados. hurricans, earthquakes etc. just alot of sunshine, golf, water sports etc.
If you need any specific information about a specific community, or ???? let me know and I will be happy to assist you.
I have enjoyed Arizona for 50 years, I'm a Realtor so if you want some specic information concerning housing, education, pricing etc. let me know. thanks Ron