If you had to leave AZ where would you move? (Phoenix: relocation, wages)

[Gretchen B]

I have a son & daughter-in-law in Montana. Gorgeous country! I visit in the summer and love it and think about moving there. But there is no way I could handle those winters! Parts of Utah might be nice, or New Mexico, or Grand Junction, CO. And I'd like to check out northern CA. . . . But when I really get serious, I truly like it here in Prescott, weather, location, downtown, . . . traffic (just kidding!!!).

[Nice Nice Baby!]

I'd move to hell and then back just to remind me how I ended up here in the first place. Honestly, I'm staying put after that experience.

[deem]

As soon as our house sells - off to Idaho (boise area) or TriCIty area of Washington - looking for green, water(been landlocked too long, clear skies ( no smog or dirt clouds,
still looking for the minimal snow though - but the outdoors - to be alive with fishing, camping, biking, green everywhere - smaller areas with cities with some culture that all can enjoy - a picnic in the park, hike in the woods.
You can look at brown for so long - as my 12 yr old son said "Isn't there any other colors in the universe"

[kawgpz550]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

I have a son & daughter-in-law in Montana. Gorgeous country! I visit in the summer and love it and think about moving there. But there is no way I could handle those winters! Parts of Utah might be nice, or New Mexico, or Grand Junction, CO. And I'd like to check out northern CA. . . . But when I really get serious, I truly like it here in Prescott, weather, location, downtown, . . . traffic (just kidding!!!).

I was actually raised in northern California. If things do not work out going to Texas, I could actually see myself moving back there under the right circumstances. Although it is still quite a bit cheaper than southern Calif. it still higher there than most other places. There really should be a line and divided into 2 separate states..northern and southern, they are NOTHING alike! I lived in Redding (and Central Valley <now called Shasta Lake City>, and Anderson. Anderson is actually where I went to school. I loved it there. Beautiful trees, grass, mountains and Lake Shasta is GORGEOUS! Gorgeous view of Mt Shasta and Mt Lassen with year aroud snow. I don't know if they still do it or not, but you used to be able to go to Mt Shasta when the sun went down and watch people ski down the mountain wth torches...it was SPECTACULAR! I also have a lot of memories of summers and weekends with my parents on Lake Shasta We had some really good times there!

[MicheleVanDetti]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

I have a son & daughter-in-law in Montana. Gorgeous country! I visit in the summer and love it and think about moving there. But there is no way I could handle those winters! Parts of Utah might be nice, or New Mexico, or Grand Junction, CO. And I'd like to check out northern CA. . . . But when I really get serious, I truly like it here in Prescott, weather, location, downtown, . . . traffic (just kidding!!!).

Believe it or not, you get used to the winters. I can still remember when I was little growing up in Shelby, MT, when it was 65 degrees outside my mom would let us go play outside in the sprinklers. Now that I'm a Phoenecian, 65 degrees is freezing!! It's a matter of perspective.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by MicheleVanDetti

Believe it or not, you get used to the winters. I can still remember when I was little growing up in Shelby, MT, when it was 65 degrees outside my mom would let us go play outside in the sprinklers. Now that I'm a Phoenecian, 65 degrees is freezing!! It's a matter of perspective.

Yes, but did your mom go out there with you?

[Master Shake]

Originally Posted by kawgpz550

We are looking at either Dallas or Tyler areas (suburbs). I'm not a big city person lol

Funny how a lot of people are considering Texas. I know a few people from PHX that are moving to Houston, mostly because of the lower housing costs. Houston is basically what PHX was about 5 years ago, before the housing boom (I guess Houston never really had a housing boom). The upside is all of the green/landscaping that PHX doesn't have, as well as the housing costs and the fact that Texas does not charge state income tax, plus their economy is also booming like PHX. The downside would probably be the weather (hot AND humid), as well as the high property taxes (which might be offset by no state income tax?).

[chionactis]

CT might not be the first choice - but that is where we are moving this summer. We will be closer to family (in MA) and that is most important to us. Family, better job for spouse, quality of living, green trees, grass, lakes for swimming, boating and fishing (and ice skating/ice fishing in the winter), the ocean, reputable public schools, small town, forests, variety of climate, fall foliage, ability to travel throughout New England states or others closeby within the same amount of time you'd drive from one end to the other in AZ.
We are natives of New England (MA) but have lived in Gilbert, AZ for 7 years and want to leave it. We've also lived in Pearland, TX (outside Houston - ICK - the humidy and mosquitos just horrendous - the air in the summer is like a brick wall - I had the worst skin (bad bad acne living in Houston). Also lived in Bennington, VT - no thanks - bad memories and to be honest, kind of a depressed town.
If could afford to live there, Hawaii would be nice for a while, but think I'd always end up back in the NorthEast.

[LGub]

My wife and I moved from Gilbert to my hometown in the Netherlands. I suspect if we ever move back to the US, it'll be somewhere in the Seattle area. My mother in law lives there and my wife's 2 sisters.

[SpeedyAZ]

I'd be on the first plane to Dallas, TX. I LOVE Dallas; it's a world-class city. As much as I love Phoenix I'd have to say that Dallas is a step above. It offers many things that Phoenix doesn't:

Inexpensive housing
An actual skyline (for being the 5th biggest city in the US, we have a pathetic skyline)
Stronger job growth
A large business/ finance sector

Someday I may leave Phoenix and Dallas is definetly in my #1 spot for relocation.