Thinking about moving from PA to AZ (Phoenix, Scottsdale: lease, house)

[Not sure!!]

My husband really wants to move to somewhere warmer.....so do I. He recently took a weekend trip to AZ and loves it. He has a job that he will be transfering into in June 09 So he is really happy about moving. We have no kids but have a house to sell and many other things that he does not want to take to AZ ( will have to give away).
The problem is that I am not very excited about the move. I recently started a 6 figure job and it is not the best but it pays the bills. There is a possiblity of me being hired by this company in Sept or early next yr.
my husband would like me to make a commitment to join him in September 09 regardless of a job offer ( pa company) or finding a job in AZ that can pay me as close as possible to what I make now.

I am very independent and can't see myself going to AZ without a job offer or one paying me well. Additionally, the economy is not great anywhere so I am very much afraid to give up my house and my life to move to AZ. My husband does not have these concerns because his job is in the 'bag'.

Oh I am a systems/Analyst PM....so do you think the job market in AZ is doing well for me to find a job that is comparable to what I am presently making? Do you think it is a good decision to move to AZ now?

I have seen may threads saying that the cost of living in AZ is too high so I am afraid if I do not get a job I will have to struggle to make ends meet....

Pleas help I want to make an informed decision because I do not have family or friend down there......

please suggest also companies that are hiring now in AZ....

thanks!!

[caryberry]

The job market is very weak in Arizona. Technical jobs in the Phoenix area have never been plentiful nor has the pay been that great. IT people are a dime a dozen here, many coming from California during past busts. The best job markets are going to be in the larger cities - as the small towns are VERY SMALL.

Very few companies will hire somebody that is not already settled in Phoenix. Too many people come for the warm weather and then leave when the summer is in full swing. Commuting and location of work vs. home is a big consideration for employers and employees as the valley is very spread out. Commuting is a HUGE issue.

Best advice is get a strong, professionally crafted (targeted) resume out to as many technical recruiters as possible - work on getting phone interviews set-up. Get a feel for your specific market. Set-up a week of face-to-face interviews (you will not get a job without a real time interview - too many freaks come here to re-invent themselves) - come to Phoenix for a week and sell yourself. Be prepared to hustle your ass off for this face time.

The job market really sucks here - but if you are really a go-getter you can find a job - probably not six figures - but a job to get you started. Good luck!

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by caryberry

The job market is very weak in Arizona. Technical jobs in the Phoenix area have never been plentiful nor has the pay been that great. IT people are a dime a dozen here, many coming from California during past busts. The best job markets are going to be in the larger cities - as the small towns are VERY SMALL.

Very few companies will hire somebody that is not already settled in Phoenix. Too many people come for the warm weather and then leave when the summer is in full swing. Commuting and location of work vs. home is a big consideration for employers and employees as the valley is very spread out. Commuting is a HUGE issue.

Best advice is get a strong, professionally crafted (targeted) resume out to as many technical recruiters as possible - work on getting phone interviews set-up. Get a feel for your specific market. Set-up a week of face-to-face interviews (you will not get a job without a real time interview - too many freaks come here to re-invent themselves) - come to Phoenix for a week and sell yourself. Be prepared to hustle your ass off for this face time.

The job market really sucks here - but if you are really a go-getter you can find a job - probably not six figures - but a job to get you started. Good luck!

Crayberry

How do we know that you are not another disgruntled ex-recruiter who was layed off from her job due to the poor economy? Everyone knows that recruiting is a volatile field and at the mercy of the market. You claim you were an IT recruiter and mention how bad the IT field is yet were are supposed to believe that you "retired" and were not layed off like all the other recruiters. If that's the case, is it really fair that you can speak on behalf of the entire IT market in Phoenix. Just because you got fired doesn't mean the entire valley is devoid of IT jobs. And what makes you an authority on the IT market when you worked here a little over 2 years. You have made false claims before such as stating in one thread that you have no children and then in another thread stating how your children in LA find the smog to be more bearable than the pollution in Phoenix. In one thread, you claim you have been here for 4 years and then in another you state you moved here a year after Hurricane Katrina and then in another thread you said you have been here for "many years." I find it hard to believe that a person who was transferred from New Orleans after hurricane Katrina suddenly chose to retire after recently moving here. It sounds to me that you got layed off and are now blaming the city for your problems.

And for someone who hates Phoenix and bashes it continuously, you still live here. You claim you are retired and don't own a home yet you chose to sign a new lease and move from the Biltmore to Scottsdale. Why would a retired person who doesn't even own a home here and claims she wants to leave still living here.

[Not sure!!]

Thanks Caryberry.. I appreciate your comment. That is my fear that my chances of getting a good paying job will mean that I leave my job and relocate to really put some effort into pounding the pavements..... Looks like I have a big task ahead of me...

[mikec34]

Originally Posted by Not sure!!

My husband really wants to move to somewhere warmer.....so do I. He recently took a weekend trip to AZ and loves it. He has a job that he will be transfering into in June 09 So he is really happy about moving. We have no kids but have a house to sell and many other things that he does not want to take to AZ ( will have to give away).
The problem is that I am not very excited about the move. I recently started a 6 figure job and it is not the best but it pays the bills. There is a possiblity of me being hired by this company in Sept or early next yr.
my husband would like me to make a commitment to join him in September 09 regardless of a job offer ( pa company) or finding a job in AZ that can pay me as close as possible to what I make now.

I am very independent and can't see myself going to AZ without a job offer or one paying me well. Additionally, the economy is not great anywhere so I am very much afraid to give up my house and my life to move to AZ. My husband does not have these concerns because his job is in the 'bag'.

Oh I am a systems/Analyst PM....so do you think the job market in AZ is doing well for me to find a job that is comparable to what I am presently making? Do you think it is a good decision to move to AZ now?

I have seen may threads saying that the cost of living in AZ is too high so I am afraid if I do not get a job I will have to struggle to make ends meet....

Pleas help I want to make an informed decision because I do not have family or friend down there......

please suggest also companies that are hiring now in AZ....

thanks!!

YOu are crazy if you move now, espeically without a job now and even more so since it sounds like are doing very well where you are at.

If you really like AZ, then wait, because it's not going anywhere anytime soon. I've suffered for 14 long gaaawd dang ;-) months where I'm at (not phoenix area) due to the economy. I've never been unemployed other than myself wanting to be, so it's not a lack of confidence in me finding employement. The reaility is that the economy sucks even for skilled people. I don't know in relation about other places(besides unemployment numbers), but AZ is hurting pretty bad right now.

[Not sure!!]

Thank you MickC34......

I appreciate your honesty.......I think I will stay till year end and see what happens. My husband will most likely still move.....

[lcgyy]

Thanks so much!I appreciate your comment.



Moderator cut: signatures are not allowed

[caryberry]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Crayberry

How do we know that you are not another disgruntled ex-recruiter who was layed off from her job due to the poor economy? Everyone knows that recruiting is a volatile field and at the mercy of the market. You claim you were an IT recruiter and mention how bad the IT field is yet were are supposed to believe that you "retired" and were not layed off like all the other recruiters. If that's the case, is it really fair that you can speak on behalf of the entire IT market in Phoenix. Just because you got fired doesn't mean the entire valley is devoid of IT jobs. And what makes you an authority on the IT market when you worked here a little over 2 years. You have made false claims before such as stating in one thread that you have no children and then in another thread stating how your children in LA find the smog to be more bearable than the pollution in Phoenix. In one thread, you claim you have been here for 4 years and then in another you state you moved here a year after Hurricane Katrina and then in another thread you said you have been here for "many years." I find it hard to believe that a person who was transferred from New Orleans after hurricane Katrina suddenly chose to retire after recently moving here. It sounds to me that you got layed off and are now blaming the city for your problems.

And for someone who hates Phoenix and bashes it continuously, you still live here. You claim you are retired and don't own a home yet you chose to sign a new lease and move from the Biltmore to Scottsdale. Why would a retired person who doesn't even own a home here and claims she wants to leave still living here.

Good grief...get a life.