Relocating! New Mexico or Arizona? (cons, size, job, economy)

[jm02]

Originally Posted by ScottsdaleBrat

I'm not quite sure why people always compare Albuquerque to Phoenix as they are two different animals. Tucson, which is actually larger than Albuquerque, is a better comparison, but often gets shadowed by Phoenix. As far as the arts scene is concerned Scottsdale alone has more than 125 professional art galleries and studies, one of the highest per capita of anywhere in the nation.

In any case, most people I know in AZ rarely if ever visit New Mexico, but rather CA, NV, Utah, Colorado. NM has its pluses, but for some reason, it doesn't have that same pull as the other states.

Last I checked, I can compare any cities I want my posts. I chose the two major cites in each state. As for Tucson, I already stated I find Tucson to be the more appealing of the two major AZ cites (by far). If you want to add different cities in the region, Phoenix also falls well under Santa Fe in my book.

You should read my post more carefully - I said Arizona MAY have a good art scene, but IN MY EXPERIENCE, I found art much more prevalent and integral to the culture in NM. As you state you rarely go to NM, could it be that you may not have have as much data in hand to compare the two?

Finally, what does your assertion that your acquaintances in AZ don't visit NM have to do with my post? If you and they are more attracted to other states, good for you and them. I'm not.

[DANNYY]

I really like both states, and Arizona is just beautiful. But what I like about Arizona are Tucson, Flagstaff, & Sedona. I never cared much about Yuma to be rather honest and Phoenix I am neutral about.

Phoenix has great potential but its pursuing its span to become a major city, which is fine but it was always way too much for me. I would enjoy the scenery more if Phoenix was smaller, the city would be more enjoyable if it was around Tucson's size. Tucson is my favorite city in the country, and what I like about it is that it feels authentic Desert Southwest, it doesn't feel like its trying to be a major big league city, while having all the amenities of a big city accessible.

Tucson exhibits great food, great standard of living, and just all around a great and peaceful atmosphere. There isn't that hectic "big city lifestyle in the desert" like Phoenix where there's so much traffic, congestion, and even pollution. Tucson is about the right size, and it retains its culture of the desert southwest quite nicely.

I'm not the biggest fan of Phoenix, its an okay place but its just way too big for me to appreciate everything it has to offer directly, in my opinion. Also Albuquerque & Santa Fe are both nice cities too, I quite like both of them as well, a bit less than Tucson but they're up there too.

[ScottsdaleBrat]

Originally Posted by jm02

Last I checked, I can compare any cities I want my posts. I chose the two major cites in each state. As for Tucson, I already stated I find Tucson to be the more appealing of the two major AZ cites (by far). If you want to add different cities in the region, Phoenix also falls well under Santa Fe in my book.

You should read my post more carefully - I said Arizona MAY have a good art scene, but IN MY EXPERIENCE, I found art much more prevalent and integral to the culture in NM. As you state you rarely go to NM, could it be that you may not have have as much data in hand to compare the two?

Finally, what does your assertion that your acquaintances in AZ don't visit NM have to do with my post? If you and they are more attracted to other states, good for you and them. I'm not.

Yes, reading is fundamental and you should try it sometime. I never stated that I rarely go to NM. I also wasn't trying to target you in my post, so you shouldn't take it so personally.

[jm02]

Originally Posted by ScottsdaleBrat

Yes, reading is fundamental and you should try it sometime. I never stated that I rarely go to NM.

Mea culpa. I see you said MOST PEOPLE you know rarely if ever go to NM as "it doesn't have that same pull as the other states." I assumed you meant it doesn't have the pull for you as well.

I'm glad you see the attraction.

[ckzona]

Originally Posted by Burquebinder

^ No, they don't. Most of the population in New Mexico lives above 5000 feet in places like Santa Fe and Albuquerque whereas most the population in Arizona resides in the Phoenix metro area - which sits at about 1,000 feet in elevation. That makes for a huge difference in the temperatures - Santa Fe is around 30 degrees colder than Phoenix for much of the year, and Albuquerque is around 20 degrees colder. Much of Arizona is high desert, similar to New Mexico, but the portion of AZ where most citizens reside is low desert. Big difference.

Well in your original post you said they have much different climates and my response to that was no they don't. Cities at similar elevations have nearly identical climates. No i take that back. I just looked at Sante Fe and It gets way less snowfall than Flagstaff and its at a little bit higher elevation.

[MissLatte]

Originally Posted by chikid

Yes you would, I suggest you post in the Arizona section because I promise you will get a lot of flack regarding Arizona.

Honestly that's how I feel about Arizona and it's my opinion. I could care less if someone really disliked Chicago or the Midwest, but this person is asking for opinions therefore I am giving it.

Arizona is a beautiful state, but with its backwards laws, lack of culture, environmental degradation and lackluster cities, I think New Mexico is much more interesting and a better bang for your buck.

You obviously never spent much time in northern arizona. You should give it a try. And just as an input culture can be found anywhere.

Culture is a definition highly misunderstood and misused, thus the need for an explanation:

Culture refers to the following Ways of Life, including but not limited to:
[LIST][*]Language : the oldest human institution and the most sophisticated medium of expression.[LEFT] [/LEFT][*]Arts & Sciences : the most advanced and refined forms of human expression.[LEFT] [/LEFT][*]Thought : the ways in which people perceive, interpret, and understand the world around them.[LEFT] [/LEFT][*]Spirituality : the value system transmitted through generations for the inner well-being of human beings, expressed through language and actions.[LEFT] [/LEFT][*]Social activity : the shared pursuits within a cultural community, demonstrated in a variety of festivities and life-celebrating events.[LEFT] [/LEFT][*]Interaction : the social aspects of human contact, including the give-and-take of socialization, negotiation, protocol, and conventions.[/LIST] All of the above collectively define the meaning of Culture. (roshan institute)

I witnessed all of these when I visited Arizona.

[Darien_Rod]

Originally Posted by AZLiam

I don't understand why some posters feel the need to purposely go out of the way to trash a city or state. Why don't you offer something of significance instead of complaining about AZ being a waste of space when your response is nothing more than a waste of space itself.

Arizona is a far better place to buy a "distressed" property than New Mexico. Ever see the random pervert on "To Catch a Predator" react with a faux-surprise once his morally repugnant pipe-dream fantasies are over and the pain is starting now that he is caught? Multiply that facial expression by about 6 million, and you have the zeitgeist of Arizona.

Sand, home equity loans, mall-store credit cards and Crystal Meth are a rough foundation to grow on. Stick with New Mexico.

Northern Arizona is fantastic, though.

[chikid]

Originally Posted by MissLatte

You obviously never spent much time in northern arizona. You should give it a try. And just as an input culture can be found anywhere.

Culture is a definition highly misunderstood and misused, thus the need for an explanation:

Culture refers to the following Ways of Life, including but not limited to:

• Language : the oldest human institution and the most sophisticated medium of expression.
• Arts & Sciences : the most advanced and refined forms of human expression.
• Thought : the ways in which people perceive, interpret, and understand the world around them.
• Spirituality : the value system transmitted through generations for the inner well-being of human beings, expressed through language and actions.
• Social activity : the shared pursuits within a cultural community, demonstrated in a variety of festivities and life-celebrating events.
• Interaction : the social aspects of human contact, including the give-and-take of socialization, negotiation, protocol, and conventions.

All of the above collectively define the meaning of Culture. (roshan institute)

I witnessed all of these when I visited Arizona.

No I haven't spent time in Nothern Arizona. I am familiar with Phoenix and everything south of it.

[bongo]

Originally Posted by smackiesgirl

Hi everyone, My husband & I are wanting to relocate to the southwest, went to New Mexico & Arizona on vacation and fell for the area but we are having a hard time choosing where to move to.
My husband is a heavy equipment technician & I am a Esthetician so job availability is very important.
I have heard a lot of negative things about both places and just want some real honest information so we can make a informed decision.
Thanks for any help!

New Mexico and Arizona share similarities of course. However, different regions in each state are unique unto itself.

Both have incredible ancient cultures of the Anasazi, Hohokom & Mogollon with the existing ruins & petroglyphs. Mesa 1,2, & 3 in Arizona holds some of the oldest continually inhabited Hopi pueblos. New Mexico's pueblos are also beautiful. Both states share the Navajo Nation.

I notice in another post you are trying to decide between Tucson or Mesa & Albuquerque. I'm from NM & have lived in Albuquerque but have also spent a winter in Tucson. I enjoyed the desert outside of Tucson as it began blooming but was not crazy about the city of Tucson which seemed to have an inversion factor while we lived there. Then again, I'm a country gal & was not wild about Albq. either, although I was working on grad course work on campus which was an interesting area.

I would think that with your highly specialized professions in this economy, you could look for the jobs first & thus follow the $$$ trail.

Best of luck with your decisions!

[smackiesgirl]

Thank you Bongo, your input was great and since I posted this ? my husband has been contacted by a company in Albuquerque, so we are planning a visit there soon. I will not be looking for work until we move so where ever my husband decides to take a job is where we will be going. I just can't wait because I am so tired of the cold!