Moving from Seattle to Phoenix in June 2011 (Scottsdale: real estate, how much)

[Allemand]

I'm looking to move my art school/ painting business to Phoenix in June 2011. My son wants to go to ASU, but will start at a communtiy collage first.

I would like to move to Scottsdale art district or by the SD mall for our business. When I was there in October I saw a lot of art galleries were out of business, I know were in a recession, but is it picking up in Phoenix metro area for building and interior design? Where would be the best place to open a interior design/art school/painting business there?
Thanks

[gsm113]

There is a design district in north Scottsdale near the scottsdale airpark. I think designers are hurting right now since most construction projects going on are small remodels, not very many new builds. Phoenix in general is hurting, our economy was based on real estate and construction, and everything around it such as retail and services. As much as people are declaring a rebound in the economy, the Phoenix unemployment picture is still bleak.

I can't think of 2 places that are more different than Seattle and Phoenix!
Good luck

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by gsm113

There is a design district in north Scottsdale near the scottsdale airpark. I think designers are hurting right now since most construction projects going on are small remodels, not very many new builds. Phoenix in general is hurting, our economy was based on real estate and construction, and everything around it such as retail and services. As much as people are declaring a rebound in the economy, the Phoenix unemployment picture is still bleak.

I can't think of 2 places that are more different than Seattle and Phoenix!
Good luck

If you were from Seattle, you would better understand why someone wants to come to Phoenix.
Rain 10 months of the year. It gets old even worse than heat and sunshine.
Too much of anything gets boring.
I live in Oregon and I'm headed to the Phoenix area as soon as my house sells as well.

[Allemand]

The weather has really changed in the NW it has been very cold and rainy. I just love being in AZ, it is so beautiful and everyone is so friendly there. I know it will be a shocker when the endless months of 100 plus hit. But, I would rather be somewhere hot and sunny then dark and rainy, thats pretty much why we are all moving to AZ.

Seattle's building industry has been hit hard, so I figure if I have to rebuild my business I might as well do it in Scottsdale. Hopefully it will start picking up in 2011, several of my clients are selling here and buying up homes there because it is inexpensive. Homes selling there for 2 million would cost $4-5 million here in Seattle. Is the high-end market picking up there?

[cacto]

As a lifelong Phoenician I can tell you that most of the people I grew up with always talked about how much it sucked here and how life would be better where there are trees and it rains and gets cold. I always meet people who've moved here from the Pacific NW who say they're here for the sunshine and after one or two summers really freak out and move back, and I always hear from Northwest people about how people from the SW move to Portland or Seattle and after endless grey skies for 9 months or so freak out and move back.
I love warm sunshine. I get excited when it's getting hot again, but it's not for everyone. You should spend 2 weeks or so in PHX in August and really think about whether you'll like that from May-October every year( not including 90 degree weather in the fall and spring). And you ought to really decide if you like the Sonoran Desert when you're coming from the greenest part of the West.