Arizona flunks overall for opportunity - is that why so many are leaving? (Phoenix: lease, insurance)

[_Charles_]

Let me emphasis I like AZ and do not wish to live elsewhere but the truth is the truth. The working poor are a huge class here in the Valley. The most numerous jobs are with call centers as customer service reps, sales, retail clerk positions and a plethora of low paid clerical jobs. The state's largest private sector employer is Wal-Mart followed closely by Circle K.
I am one of the fortunate ones. I work in a specialized area of IT and I am remunerated very well but I am in the extreme minority in terms of my job.
AZ also continues to have a dependency on real estate speculation and transfer payments to well heeled retirees.
These factors do not a true middle class economy make.

[AzDreamer]

I worked for the Arizona Heart Institute when I was a kid going to ASU and my wife was a secretary for at the same time Barrows. Most other states can't even dream of having quality health care like AZ has.

As for people leaving AZ because of a lack of opportunity, I would like to see some proof this is really happening. Does anyone have a link to stats showing AZ is loosing population?

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

I worked for the Arizona Heart Institute when I was a kid going to ASU and my wife was a secretary for at the same time Barrows. Most other states can't even dream of having quality health care like AZ has.

As for people leaving AZ because of a lack of opportunity, I would like to see some proof this is really happening. Does anyone have a link to stats showing AZ is loosing population?

The only articles I've been able to find show Arizona is increasing in population. The newest one was from the end of 2007 though. The idea that everyone is leaving the state may be more anecdotal than anything else.

[odinloki1]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

I worked for the Arizona Heart Institute when I was a kid going to ASU and my wife was a secretary for at the same time Barrows. Most other states can't even dream of having quality health care like AZ has.

As for people leaving AZ because of a lack of opportunity, I would like to see some proof this is really happening. Does anyone have a link to stats showing AZ is loosing population?

My brother and mother both work in detroit hospitals. My mothr in law and I both work in AZ hospitals. Based on what I've seen and what I know of health insurance in AZ vs. MI, AZ is lacking.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

In addition, the cost of living in Michigan is low, lots of houses available for not a lot of money. AZ is extremely overpriced with jobs that pay inadequetely. I go home to MI and see far more small businesses than AZ. Here in AZ it seems like aside from specialty shops, there is just a bunch of big box stores with minimum wage workers. Education here is a joke and most of the health care organizations are are also lacking.

Classic example of quality vs. quantity....Quadalajara, Mex. has many jobs too, but they include Jarritos soda pedal truck people and balloon salespeople......Phoenix may have(should I say had)many big-box dead end positions, with no bennies, and low pay, need I mention non-union as well? Michigan may be hurting, but the jobs left still are in the $20 and up range with benefits. many jobs az hasare the type that the displaced people from the mills took in chicago in the early 80's....convenient stores, 9 dollar an hour security guards, big box, apron wearing, "how can I help you, while I make peanuts?", type jobs...

Again, when we have only big-box left to excite us in "hot job" markets, its better to stay in high-paying places and fight while they have any left to fight for.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Yeah - Mayo is bad. Arizona Heart Institute is bad. Barrows is bad - LOLOLOLOLOL

Great education here in Arizona also -

I think they are referring to the access to health insurance..what good is having the equiv of the mayo clinic in your backyard for the rich snowbirds, when you can't even afford to fill the cavities in your mouth?

[AzDreamer]

One thing that I like about this country is we have the freedom to move if we see better opportunities someplace else. This forces the bad places to wake up and adjust to realities.

I doubt if there is going to be an exodus from AZ heading to old rust-belt states like Michigan.

Other posters make valid points about there being lots of low wage employees in AZ. I used to be one of these workers but after graduating from ASU a different world opened up. Anyone that wants to expand their opportunities can achieve that, unfortunately too many just want to keep doing what they have always done and complain.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

One thing that I like about this country is we have the freedom to move if we see better opportunities someplace else. This forces the bad places to wake up and adjust to realities.

I doubt if there is going to be an exodus from AZ heading to old rust-belt states like Michigan.

No joke there.

Parts of The Midwest are dying..........as its high age manufacturing jobs disappear (admittedly; all too often the wages were too high IMHO factoring in the benefits but still.........)------people are fleeing there in droves.

Other posters make valid points about there being lots of low wage employees in AZ. I used to be one of these workers but after graduating from ASU a different world opened up. Anyone that wants to expand their opportunities can achieve that, unfortunately too many just want to keep doing what they have always done and complain.

Not just college jobs; skilled trades are a quantum leap upwards in lifestyle as well.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

My brother and mother both work in detroit hospitals. My mothr in law and I both work in AZ hospitals. Based on what I've seen and what I know of health insurance in AZ vs. MI, AZ is lacking.

So - now its "health insurance" and not healthcare?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by scongress1234

I think they are referring to the access to health insurance..what good is having the equiv of the mayo clinic in your backyard for the rich snowbirds, when you can't even afford to fill the cavities in your mouth?

Access to health insurance is the same throughout the US -

BTW - MAYO treats many without insurance - who are not "rich" nor snowbirds. OBTW - it is not the "equiv" of Mayo - It is Mayo