thinking of moving - making me nervous (Phoenix, Tucson: relocation, work)

[chatty]

Hi just come on this forum - and everyone makes you a little nervous about moving to az - came there once loved the gilbert chandler area - but reading everything that everyone writes about all the areas its makeing me sick about moving - can all this stuff be true - there are good and bad places or areas everywhere you live i live upstate ny which is very safe but you can go into our village and think elsewise still going to come and look again if someone can give me some good advise would greatly appreciate it have 2 highschool kids (hope we would be doing the right thing) husband wants to become a cop again - did 20 years already thanks for anyones input

[silverbear]

There's really no substitute for visiting your target areas and doing intensive research. Although I am enthusiastic about Phoenix, it's certainly not for everyone. In addition, relocation is always an emotionally disruptive process, no matter how attractive the destination. Maybe your relocation could wait until your kids graduate high school? It would probably be less disruptive then. In any case, why do something that makes you feel sick or nervous? Take your time and make an educated decision rather than rushing into something you might regret later.

[sablebaby]

This will be very different than upstate NY. My whole family on my mother's side lives in upstate, so I spent every summer up there as a kid. We are exact opposite of a small town up there. I wouldn't want to move near my crazy family, however, the small, safe town up there is so inviting! I do love the greenery and the peacefulness. Down here we just have so many people! And everyone is in a hurry.

Whenever I go upstate and drive on the highways I find it so peaceful and calm. The people move over to let you on the highway! It blows my mind. People go the speed limit, otherwise the state troopers will get you. All laws are followed!

I'm serious when I say this, here if you don't go 10-25 mph OVER the speed limit people get very angry with you and pass you in a heartbeat (and they pass within inches!!). We just don't have the cops here to stop it. That is one difference you will see here. It's very fast-paced.

However, I read your other post about chandler and gilbert not being as safe as you thought. I don't know. It may not be as safe as where you are from definitely, but I keep reading people on here that swear those are the places to raise a family here. I'd keep researching. It has been talked about a lot here.

Hope this helps!

[Candida]

There are areas in Chandler and gilbert that aren't that great but there are some very nice areas there too. It depends on where you are in those areas. And yes it is very different than upstate NY. I am from NY. If you like the slow pace and the seasons and also the green. You will not like it here. If you don't like the heat you will not like it here either. Have you been here in the summer? If not than you should come here in the summer before you move here. Good Luck on your decision. Don't make yourself so nervous about it. Just relax and think of the pros and cons and decide what you think would be best for you and your family. Moving is always a little scary no matter where you go because it is change but sometimes change is good and just what you need. Only you and your family will know that.

Candida

[chatty]

thank you for your input - i am from a little lake community in upstate ny but originally from the bronx so definately no the hussle and bussel of people coming back in march to look again with my family (like I said my other half wants to become a police officer again) and looking in a few of those areas and yes moving is a scary thing no matter were it is especailly with my kids ages 14 and 16 the daughter is the crazy one thinks it will be better then her school (kids) so I'll just have to browes around - Ill tell you this site can scare you from moving anywhere I quess its a good thing people are honest. thanks for input

[.45acp]

Yeah... people drive fast here, but the speed limit on I-10 (75mph) would get you arrested in NY. 'Sounds like the previous responders are in Phoenix (LOL).
Try lookin' in Marana, Red Rock, Picture Rocks, Avra Valley. All close to, but not 'in' Tucson. Marana 'n Tucson have fairly large Police Dept's... Pima County has the Sheriff's Dept. (Pima County is larger than CT.) All that snow in NY would be enuff to convince me. This is the Sonora Desert... think 'cowboys, cactus 'n heat'. (Altho we did have a freeze recently... coldest in 40 years.) I love it here..... but I must'a been a cowboy in another life... 'cause this is a 'natural' for me.

[MotleyCrew]

Speaking of cowboys..... I wish Phoenix could retain some of the western flavor we once had. I read where Wickenburg was trying desperately to hold on to it's small town western feel. I think they should set up an architectural review board and insist that any new building going in should have a certain western look to it. Sad to see it go.

[aj661]

Your husband can pretty much have his pick of police departments here. Just about all are hiring. If you want, PM me and I'll be happy to give him some detailed inside info on some of the agencies and what he may be facing to get certified in AZ. My wife is from Brant Lake and worked for the Warren Co. SO. I put in a total of 28 years here (city and state).