Cost of Living in Arizona (Phoenix, Mesa: insurance, apartments, jobs)

[submitqueen]

Can anyone tell me how much it costs for living in this state for a family of 4 people. Also how is the transportation and entertainment.

[sablebaby]

This is a large state. Whereabouts are you thinking about moving??

[phoenix_talons]

Mesa is (one of) the least expensive.

[esselcue]

Depends on what area of the state you are moving to.

[MotleyCrew]

Where are you coming from? There is a good web site for comparing cost of living. Google "cost of living comparisons" and it will direct you to several. We use this to check out possible retirement spots and end up right back here.
We are less than CA, so we are content.

[kozycabin]

Where are you thinking of. Phoenix has high crime. The mountains have no employment, no entertainment & meth labs.

[socialiteprincess]

Originally Posted by submitqueen

Can anyone tell me how much it costs for living in this state for a family of 4 people. Also how is the transportation and entertainment.

cost of living in phoenix is really low compared to the rest of the states! me and my mother lived comfortably in Phoenix (near Glendale, but also near Paradise Valley) on a little more than $1200/mo. and i only had a little $6.50/hr job in the Paradise Valley Mall.
So for a family of 4 about $2500 & ^/mo is good DEPENDiNG on where you're renting, how many bedrooms,the utilities and all the extra stuff you want! we also had a VERY nice almost 1,000 sq. ft 2br on 19th and Thunderbird Rd. with full size washer/dryer for only $850/mo. with water/trash included! you have to watch out for renting apartments that get scorpions from time to time though!

Oh! and i'd say the transportation as great... i rode the bus to and from Wal-Mart on Bell Rd. and to the Paradise Valley Mall just about everyday, they're usually good with being on time and are fairly nice! the only thing is depending on where you catch the bus there's a crap ton of drunk and homeless people riding it, but i've never felt TOO uncomfortable to where I didn't feel safe! I'd still reccommend mase because people seem to get a bit shady come dark time... lets say around 9pm! lol

As for entertainment... IN MY OPINION the nightlife isn't very good in Phoenix unless you're a raver, there are S0ME places in Phoenix but nightlife isn't nearly as good as Scottsdale or Tempe or some placeeee.... if you're just looking for good malls and theatres there's a bunch all over arizona!

[Friend of Sonic]

I'd second Mesa being an area to consider. You're within driving limits (although gas is getting up there now) of high paying jobs in Phoenix (not that you probably couldn't find something adequate closer) and it seems to me to be affordable in Mesa, at least.

[nebulous1]

Moved here for a job, which was given to a coworker's friend after a month...I find it expensive. My car insurance has doubled. Food is very high here.
Not many jobs in my field here, so I am right back at square one. Am working part time, maybe enough money to squeeze by on, with no benefits till I find better. So much for having 2 degrees.
I know no one here, and I came to get on my feet financially with a good job, now that is not happening, so I am considering going back to the midwest.
I can handle any kind of weather if I had a decent job.

[varapetra]

Cost of living in AZ is definitely lower than, say, in CA (esp. around N. California), but there's a price to pay in nightlife or other activity depending on where you settle down.