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

[scongress1234]

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.

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.

This is true.....while I disagree to some extent, as they have outsourced so much, and pay so little in so many jobs in Phoenix, yes, an education in something viable per degrees wil open up doors. truly, you have to make it happen yourself even after that degree, but it makes for a far better calling card till you can build up a res......

Maybe we just have too many uneducated and underemployed people out there....still, far too many people in Phoenix ARE making very little....and
there USED to be living wage jobs for those people....now, you need a VIABLE degree just to have a SHOT at a living wage job.....but thats how it is.....we can't change it...all we can do is be hard and tough in a tough job market.........and give it all the fight you have..

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by Greatday

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

What good is it if you don't have access to it, regardless of what it NOW is?

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by Greatday

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

What hospital treats those without ins. exc. in the emergency room?
If they do treat people without insurance, please get the word out throughout the valley. Immediately!

[Prinny]

First hand....... we have medical care all over the place in Az. and Phx. I've been to Mayo. Univ of Az. and been to Calif for medical care for various ailments. We have all the care here for all kinds of conditions but the problem here is what kinds of Dr.'s we have. I have the best team currently but it wasn't always that way for me. Got turned down by at least 15 pain specialists before my current one took me. My neurologist is the best and I'm thankful I have him and my internist is wonderful as well. I had the worst misfortune w/ urologist ever in Phoenix or I would never have had to go to U of A. Some Dr.'s will say what they want and they get away w/ it. Some Dr.'s do not treat patients w/ respect and that is unfortunate but that is medical care. I have insurance that will cover me going to Mayo Clinic but I wouldn't give up the team I have now to go to Mayo and have all my care there. I think I have better than I got at Mayo, just because it has Mayo name doesn't mean anything. How you get treated is what means the most. Level of care means many things. How fast a diagnosis is given, being treated w/ dignity and respect. I have gone to many a urologist who will treat me very disrespectfully because I have alzheimers. Just because I get confused sometimes does not mean my brain doesn't work all the time. Facilities are all over and emergency care is very good in Phoenix. We do have good care at every corner and have that to be happy about. Finding a good physician one must be selective and if you don't find one you like then I say keep looking till you find one. Banner is the best though!

[Prinny]

Whoops I mean Barrow! St. Joesphs

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by Prinny

First hand....... we have medical care all over the place in Az. and Phx. I've been to Mayo. Univ of Az. and been to Calif for medical care for various ailments. We have all the care here for all kinds of conditions but the problem here is what kinds of Dr.'s we have. I have the best team currently but it wasn't always that way for me. Got turned down by at least 15 pain specialists before my current one took me. My neurologist is the best and I'm thankful I have him and my internist is wonderful as well. I had the worst misfortune w/ urologist ever in Phoenix or I would never have had to go to U of A. Some Dr.'s will say what they want and they get away w/ it. Some Dr.'s do not treat patients w/ respect and that is unfortunate but that is medical care. I have insurance that will cover me going to Mayo Clinic but I wouldn't give up the team I have now to go to Mayo and have all my care there. I think I have better than I got at Mayo, just because it has Mayo name doesn't mean anything. How you get treated is what means the most. Level of care means many things. How fast a diagnosis is given, being treated w/ dignity and respect. I have gone to many a urologist who will treat me very disrespectfully because I have alzheimers. Just because I get confused sometimes does not mean my brain doesn't work all the time. Facilities are all over and emergency care is very good in Phoenix. We do have good care at every corner and have that to be happy about. Finding a good physician one must be selective and if you don't find one you like then I say keep looking till you find one. Banner is the best though!

I would never guess you had AHM's..you type beautifully....and hang in there and fight it all the way...only way to deal with it..once you give up, you are lost...but if you keep your head above water, and give it all the fight you have, you can keep it at bay!

[AzDreamer]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

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

Sorry to give the impression that college is the only way to improve yourself, I don't believe that is true. Many of the self-made millionaires in our country are small business owners that learned a trade and stuck with it.

Below are some excerpts from "The Millionaire Next Door"...

Who is the prototypical American millionaire? What would he tell you about himself?

Many of the types of businesses we are in could be classified as dull-normal. We are welding contractors, auctioneers, rice farmers, owners of mobile-home parks, pest controllers, coin and stamp dealers, and paving contractors.

We live well below our means. We wear inexpensive suits and drive American-made cars. Only a minority of us drive the current-model-year automobile. Only a minority ever lease our motor vehicles.

As a group, we are fairly well educated. Only about one in five are not college graduates.

Simon & Schuster: The Millionaire Next Door (Trade Paperback) - Read an Excerpt

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by scongress1234

What hospital treats those without ins. exc. in the emergency room?

Just an FYI: If it is a life threatening emergency, they all treat regardless of insurance. It is the law.

As for other non life threatening situations - most do treat even without insurance.

And, the ER already know this.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by _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.

I must be in the monority here too because I am making great $$ plus I get free Medical and Dental.

My husband is also in the minority because he makes double $$$ and gets free medical and dental and he's in the Construction Industry.

Neither one of us have a degree and between the 2 of us are pushing 140,000.

In the Carolinas we couldn't rub to sticks together. We were making good money before we left AZ for the Carolinas but since we've been back we make almost 40,000 more than when we left last year.

I thank God everyday and in my 20 years in the Valley we have never had trouble finding good jobs with good wages and benefits. I can't say that for the Carolinas or I'd still be there.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by sheena

In the Carolinas we couldn't rub to sticks together. We were making good money before we left AZ for the Carolinas but since we've been back we make almost 40,000 more than when we left last year.

Ha, that little trip worked out quite well for you, sheena!