Moving to AZ (Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma: 2009, how much, unemployment benefits)

[crypton]

If you can work from home, plop yourself down in the middle of the state. That way you can be equidistant from all areas of the state, which is gorgeous.

[mohawkx]

Hmmm, lots of land but near lots of people for a people person to interact, job site close so it's not a long commute. good schools for the kids.......Hmmm.......I'd say Something in the 700,000.00 to 1 million range in Paradise Valley ought to fill all your requirements.

[marcottejw]

Originally Posted by Lecia1965

First off thank you for all you help!! No I have never been to AZ. We want to move where is hot all year round no tonado's to worry about and we have just heard that it's a great place to live. We live out in the country now in Ohio and love it, there are houses around us so no I don't want to be out in nowhere land. My husband would love it but I need people, I'm a people person. Our daughter is 6 so ya kids around for her would be great. We want to have some land we don't want to live were the houses are on top of eachother and so close together. My husband would need to get a job, well he will before we move but live somewhere he doesn't have to drive very far too. It's going to be a year or so before we move. I just wanted to get an idea on the best place to live. I'm sorry i didn't give to much detail in the beginning. Lecia

I have some things for you to think about.

Land in the Phoenix area is very expensive. I would say overpriced.
The state education system is ranked as one of the worst in the country. Check the schools out before you make a decision to move.
Today it is 110 outside with lows in the 80's.
Phoenix is spread way out. It can take an hour just to go from one side of Phoenix to the other. (double for rush hour)

Please visit first.
If none of that is a problem, I wish you success on your move.

One thing I really enjoy about Phoenix is the quality of the houses. The city has grown so fast that nearly every home is modern. The rugged ATV trails outside of the city are a great family activity during the winter months. The lakes are something to be desired compared to most states but they can be a great place to play in the spring and fall. I tend to stay indoors during the summer as the heat is not just hot, but overwhelming and miserable.

[MZBEA]

DON"T move to Arizona. It's like quicksand. Looks great but you can get stuck here....even with money and a job and suffocate.

[Esenjay]

Originally Posted by MZBEA

DON"T move to Arizona. It's like quicksand. Looks great but you can get stuck here....even with money and a job and suffocate.

You should probably explain the how's and wherefores rather than just toss out a negative statement with no supporting information. Pretty useless opinion unless you have some factual rational for delivering it.

There are many nice areas in AZ but as stated by several others, definitely visit various places before making a decision. Do some research. Don't just rely on opinions from random people who may or may not be completely honest or rational.

[krock1dk]

Originally Posted by Lecia1965

My husband and young daughter are thinking about moving to AZ. I would like to know the best place to raise a family that has a good school system. We are not sure if we want to buy a house or land and build a house.

Lecia

Do you or your husband have a job lined up??? If not, it will take you significant time to find GOOD employment in this state. And when I mean GOOD employment, I mean a job that provides a good paycheck and a future and opportunity for advancement. Not many jobs in AZ offer either of those. Most jobs in Arizona, or even PHX, are low paying jobs in the retail or hospitality industries. That is a fact. Good jobs are few and far between here, and that includes B4 the recession hit.

And a word on education. Arizona ranks dead last--50th--in public education, in ACT/SAT scores, graduation rates and spending per pupil. Education is evidently not important in Arizona. Your best bet is sending your kids to a private school.

[krock1dk]

Originally Posted by Lecia1965

First off thank you for all you help!! No I have never been to AZ. We want to move where is hot all year round no tonado's to worry about and we have just heard that it's a great place to live. We live out in the country now in Ohio and love it, there are houses around us so no I don't want to be out in nowhere land. My husband would love it but I need people, I'm a people person. Our daughter is 6 so ya kids around for her would be great. We want to have some land we don't want to live were the houses are on top of eachother and so close together. My husband would need to get a job, well he will before we move but live somewhere he doesn't have to drive very far too. It's going to be a year or so before we move. I just wanted to get an idea on the best place to live. I'm sorry i didn't give to much detail in the beginning. Lecia

Ive lived in AZ for four years (moved from MI) and must have missed the memo on how "good" AZ is too live.

1. Education is HORRIBLE. AZ ranks dead last--50th--in public education, ranking near the bottom in ACT/SAT scores, graduation rates and spending per pupil. Education is definately not a priority here.

2. The cost of living is grossly overpriced for what you get and what jobs are available.

3. There are very few good jobs in AZ. Most jobs pay at most $10 an hour and are either in the retail or hospitality industries. And thats B4 the recession hit. Hint....Walmart is the states' largest employer by far and there is next to zero industry and producing goods of any kind.

4. AZ ranks poorly in social services (ranks 49th in unemployment benefits). The point......you may B lucky to find a job in AZ, but God help you if you lose it and need state and other public assistance.

5. Its oppressively hot for 5 months at a time, essentially making you a prisoner in your own home. 110 degrees everyday between late May and early OCT is not fun.

YOU need to think twice, or even 3 times, before moving here. Being a fast-growing state doesnt mean its necessarily a good place to live. Stay in OH if you cant; its economy will turn around. Midwesterners have this very false view of Arizona that is based on emotion and stereotype, instead of reality. I'm just warning you.......

[observer53]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

Ive lived in AZ for four years (moved from MI) and must have missed the memo on how "good" AZ is too live.

1. Education is HORRIBLE. AZ ranks dead last--50th--in public education, ranking near the bottom in ACT/SAT scores, graduation rates and spending per pupil. Education is definately not a priority here.

2. The cost of living is grossly overpriced for what you get and what jobs are available.

3. There are very few good jobs in AZ. Most jobs pay at most $10 an hour and are either in the retail or hospitality industries. And thats B4 the recession hit. Hint....Walmart is the states' largest employer by far and there is next to zero industry and producing goods of any kind.

4. AZ ranks poorly in social services (ranks 49th in unemployment benefits). The point......you may B lucky to find a job in AZ, but God help you if you lose it and need state and other public assistance.

5. Its oppressively hot for 5 months at a time, essentially making you a prisoner in your own home. 110 degrees everyday between late May and early OCT is not fun.

YOU need to think twice, or even 3 times, before moving here. Being a fast-growing state doesnt mean its necessarily a good place to live. Stay in OH if you cant; its economy will turn around. Midwesterners have this very false view of Arizona that is based on emotion and stereotype, instead of reality. I'm just warning you.......

To the OP, or anyone else with the same questions. Opinions on Phoenix or any other city run the gamut from very positive to ultranegative like this poster, who can't wait to get out of here but can't seem to leave. You can find a survey or study that supports either side of any argument; I think the ACT/SAT score issue is definitely one of those.

No place is perfect, you have to weigh the good and the bad of all your options, and make a decision for yourself. Visiting here to get some sort of feel for it is critical; no one should move a family anywhere they've never seen, based on anonymous opinions of strangers.

Best of luck to you.

[George from Kingman Az]

Lecia, you might consider Kingman. Kingman schools concentrate on the basics. There is good communication between schools, teachers, parents and kids. The internet plays a big roll on keeping the parents and their children up to date on homework, grades, etc. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's education. Yea, there's a few bad teachers, a few more bad students but if a parent is involved in his child's education, I'm sure he/she will do very well. Kingman is a pretty small town - there's about 49-50k in the greater Kingman area. It still has that small town feeling where you can very easily see your child's teacher at the neighborhood grocery store. If I can help answer other question regarding our town, please email gef2000@hotmail.com - please write "considering Kng" on subject line. Good luck to your child and husband regardless of where they settle.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

Ive lived in AZ for four years (moved from MI) and must have missed the memo on how "good" AZ is too live.

1. Education is HORRIBLE. AZ ranks dead last--50th--in public education, ranking near the bottom in ACT/SAT scores, graduation rates and spending per pupil. Education is definately not a priority here.

2. The cost of living is grossly overpriced for what you get and what jobs are available.

3. There are very few good jobs in AZ. Most jobs pay at most $10 an hour and are either in the retail or hospitality industries. And thats B4 the recession hit. Hint....Walmart is the states' largest employer by far and there is next to zero industry and producing goods of any kind.

4. AZ ranks poorly in social services (ranks 49th in unemployment benefits). The point......you may B lucky to find a job in AZ, but God help you if you lose it and need state and other public assistance.

5. Its oppressively hot for 5 months at a time, essentially making you a prisoner in your own home. 110 degrees everyday between late May and early OCT is not fun.

YOU need to think twice, or even 3 times, before moving here. Being a fast-growing state doesnt mean its necessarily a good place to live. Stay in OH if you cant; its economy will turn around. Midwesterners have this very false view of Arizona that is based on emotion and stereotype, instead of reality. I'm just warning you.......

Yet you are still living here: obviously Michigan or other places are even worse.