Cities you think I should move to BASED on listed demands (Phoenix: house, job market)

[D E T 85]

Okay I'm glad I found this site because I think it will be helpful to me. I've read threads on here but I'm still confused and lost. In two months it is very likely I'll be moving from Farmington Hills Michigan to Arizona. I've lived here my whole life and know very little about Arizona. I was there once and loved it (especially the year round warm weather). Things in MI are horrible, I want out and need change, am not happy here, plus I want to live out that way. I own two properties which will be rented before I leave. I will be moving without finding a secured job there so I will most likely start out in a roommate situation for a while (to keep initial costs low) I'm 23 if this will help in your recommendations.

While I understand every city has pro's and con's, the below demands are what I'm looking for.

-Nice surrounding (clean, moderately safe, and at least somewhat fun, not overly boring)
-Good potential for employment (I come from the financial lending background however; I am open to whatever as long as businesses and opportunity are present)
-Community suburban living, I want to live near most necessary things and around other people. (Near businesses, food, stores, decent evening life, attractions, etc) I do NOT want to live in the middle of no where.
-Affordable (Somewhere nice yet not extremely expensive)
-Near California or Nevada if possible (not required)
- Year round warm weather, I don't mind slightly cooler temps in the winter however; I'd like year round good weather. Is there a place that has the above yet isn’t super hot in the summer, yet has a warm winter?
-How about a place that has the above yet neighbors other cities alike rather than a good city far from alike cities.
-Multi cultural city of if possible

I think that’s good enough lol. I’m a professional mature 23 year old looking for a good surrounding. I’d like to be close to the necessities and live in a well rounded positive place. Please feel free to recommend cities that you think would interest me or ones that I should look into. Sorry if my post was confusing, I hope I was able to explain what I’m looking for. If there are cities that you think I like but lack a certain demand, please specify which. Best regards!

[D E T 85]

Couple things...

I'm Albanian, are they any cities that describe the above yet have other Albanians (If not, that’s fine, j/w)

The cities I've thought about (only because I'm heard about them are Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Prescott, etc) I don’t know much about them. Feel free to recommend any cities. In Farmington Hills Michigan I'm surrounded by city after city that connects to another, and most of the area is a nice community to live in. I'm looking to keep the same atmosphere yet have the climate change and improved economy/job market.

[Arizona Bound]

I recommend Kingman. 1 and half hours to Vegas, a few hours to Grand canyon,
only a half days drive to the west coast. 45 minute drive down the mountain to Laughlin, Nv.
a couple hours drive to (party town) Lake Havasu City.. they love tourists lol!
Plenty of stores for needed supplies. Jobs are there for those that look. Much cheaper
housing than Phoenix metro. Home town feeling. BUT.. if you are looking for a few million
people, cities that run into one another.. you'll have to go to the Phoenix metro area.

[sassy2]

I don't mean to be rude but I would make sure I had a job before I made a move like that. Good paying jobs are hard to find nowadays and you're considering a pretty big move. We have a house in Lake Havasu, which we plan to move to full time in the near future. I wouldn't recommend that area unless you can make a decent living. It can get pretty expensive and high paying jobs are not the norm. Good luck.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Arizona Bound

I recommend Kingman.

I was thinking that too, until I saw the part about decent nightlife and year/round warm weather. Kingman gets pretty cold in the winter.

Maybe Lake Havasu?

[jaada]

wow i dont think a city like that exsists here in az. maybe scottsdale or phoenix area. but dont let anyone tell you to move to yuma, yes its close to california, but is way to hot crowded in the winter and nothing going on as far as nightlife, this town is soooo boring. unless you like going to the movies, drinking in run down bars and eating there is nothing here. maybe tucson? not close to california but more to do. or lake havasu like they said.

[D E T 85]

Thanks for the replies so far. I will look into those cities. If I'm missing out on good cities based on the Vegas and California comment, you can void that. Sure it would be nice, but if there’s other cities that encompasses what I'm looking for, it doesn’t matter if I’m further away.

There doesn’t have to be city after city neighboring each other, I just don’t want to be in a town that’s nice but also in the middle of no where.

RE: Job comment, I’ll have enough money to make it a year without even working therefore; I’m being optimistic about finding a job there. Its risky yea but I’m willing to take that risk. If I can get a feel for where I want to move (which is why I’m asking) perhaps I could have something set before leaving. Lake Havasu City sounds neat, No??

[kdog]

Originally Posted by D E T 85

Lake Havasu City sounds neat, No??

The only problem with Lake Havasu is the heat. It's one of the hottest places in the country, pretty much as hot as Death Valley. However, that's the price you pay to have warm temps in the winter as well. If you can picture yourself getting into the boating scene there, and you don't mind regular 115F temperatures, you might be a happy camper there.

[Havasu]

Kdog is right,Lake Havasu is very hot during the summer and does not cool off until Oct. The nights are also hot in the 90s. If you are into boating then its the place to live but just to live there you better love the heat. Visit http://www.newtohavasu.net/

[Nikki Shinn]

Ditto on Lake Havasu...from his description on demands, LHC seems to meet that requirement. Add Parker, half an hour south of there if right in the middle of LHC isn't as appealing. I'm still not sure why they dismantled and rebuilt the London Bridge at Lake Havasu of all places, that's a little out of synch with the whole area! But, if nothing else, you can still keep a touch of European culture right off in the middle of the windy city.

And yes...it's about the windiest place I've ever seen. Lake is gorgeous though, no shortage of recreation there. If you're all testy about your hair do, LHC will irritate the crap out of you...constantly beating you in the face. Other than that and the issue raised above, Lake Havasu sounds like it'd do the trick.