Introducing Another New Arizona Resident: Me! (Phoenix, Tucson: relocation, insurance, hotels)

[ivanabacowboy]

Hi all! I have been reading around here for a couple weeks and there seem to be some great people. I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi and learn everything I can about the area. My job is relocating me to Scottsdale in September (our office is by Fashion Square) from Cleveland, Ohio.

I have been to Scottsdale numerous times-in all the seasons except winter. For some reason they left me in the Cleveland office in winter or would ask me to go places like Ontario (Canada) in February lol! I already know the people in the Scottsdale office I will be working with very well. I will be doing the exact same job I do in Cleveland, working with the exact same people-->so zero job stress other than I get to do it from a place where it DOESNT SNOW!

I have family in Scottsdale. My sister lives off Greenway near Kierland and has been in Scottsdale for about 20 years. My niece just moved out last month from Wisconsin and is temporarily staying with my sister until she gets acclimated. My other sister is a short flight or day trip away (Vegas).

Having been out there, I knew I wanted to a) avoid a nasty commute (aka anything requiring any highway between the hours of sunrise and sunset) and b) rent at least for the first year or 2 until I get more familiar and perhaps venture out farther to places like Chandler or Gilbert and c) live somewhere in the area I was familiar with so I could find my way between my sister's and my job (in general a square of Camelback on the South, Frank Lloyd Wright or 101 on the North, Scottsdale Rd on the East and Tatum on the West). So I came out already with a list of about a dozen places to look at that I knew I could find. (That most of the main roads in that part of town are essentially straight lines was immensely helpful lol!)

I was out last week to look at the places. As I already had my list, I was the proud applicant of the place I will live by noon on the first day lol! They called yesterday and I am good to move in anytime after August 10 (I wanted a Unit with a garage and they only had one, but could only hold it 14 days). Even tho I physically wont be there until September 1 lol!

I chose Desert Club off Scottsdale Rd. I hope I made a good choice. If not, I can always move again in a year. I liked it because a) close to my sister and b) a straight shot about 10 miles down Scottsdale Rd to work (sufficient time for morning coffee and breakfast sandwich lol!). Near shopping, stores, etc. The Zip is technically Phoenix I think.

I already know the following: a) she who buys a new car 1 month before moving is going to get socked on the Vehicle registration b) it is hot during the summer c) it is dusty d) have gloves to drive with in the summer e) your car battery may randomly blow up from the extreme weather f) monsoon season=HOT, humidity, sun, clouds, dust, rain. rinse, wash, repeat for a few months. g) watch for critters such as scorpions and snakes h) no daylight savings time i) most of the cacti bloom feb-april and it is very pretty and j) being semi-fluent in 2 languages is helpful and k) I DONT NEED THE SNOW SHOVEL....

Any sage advice or just general area info much appreciated.

[silverbear]

Well, you're about a million miles ahead of many people who relocate here. You've actually visited multiple times, done extensive research, and learned the local geography. All that bodes well for a successful relocation.

As you suggest, your complex is within Phoenix city limits, although it may be associated with Scottsdale due to its proximity to Scottsdale Road. Keep that in mind if ever one of your neighbors says, "I never go into Phoenix."

[Bummer]

You sure sound like you have all the bases covered, Ivanabacowboy.

When I relocated to Tucson from Northern California about ten years ago, although I was fairly comfortable with the area due to frequent visits, I knew absolutely no one and no plans for a job.

Welcome and Good Luck!

[sablebaby]

I think you have it all down!! Good for you! You must be very smart.

I looked at that complex a couple of years ago. It's in that small area that is Phoenix, not Scottsdale. I was kinda bummed about that. I figured if I was up in that area, I should have a Scottsdale address. Oh well, it's a great location and a very nice complex, you should be happy there. Plus, it's very close to your sister and lots of shopping!

Were you able to make the trip to your new work from the apt during rush hour while you were in town? I'm curious how long that will take. Probably no more than 30 minutes to get there, if I had to take a guess.

Good luck!

[ivanabacowboy]

Thanks all!

I just wanted the move to be painless as I am coming from so far so I tried to cover the bases. The "relocation specialist" at work who is assisting me has also been super! She does everything from arrange flights/hotels to hook me up with a realtor (if I needed one), schedule and pay for the move (they even PACK FOR ME!), even assist me in turning on utilities lol (which I suspicion I've come this far I can handle the utilities) and filling in the plethora of forms and checkboxes to switch my taxes and medical and stuff.

Sablebaby, during my numerous trips out there, I often stayed with my sister. The trip from her house (near Greenway/52nd) was a flat average 20 minutes or so give or take rush hour both ways am/pm (depending if I stopped for coffee and whether I timed the traffic lights correctly lol!). So I suspicion I am looking at something similar (I will be a little bit north of Greenway, but I dont have to cut over from 52nd either). The traffic really wasnt bad-I never just "sat" (unless at a traffic light of course...), it kept moving-->and usually close to posted speeds (or over posted speeds depending how close the person behind you was to your bumper lol!).

[sablebaby]

20 minutes is great. I don't think it was like that before they opened the 101. I know I used to avoid taking Scottsdale rd during rush hour back years ago.

[topjimmy]

You don't need gloves to drive in the summer, you just need to remember to put up a sunshade in your car and you will be fine.

As for your battery blowing up from the heat, it is possible, but I have never experienced it or known anyone who did either. The heat does take its toll on your battery, though, and you will have to replace it about every 2 years.

[kjcramer]

Sounds like you have everything covered. A remote start for your car can be really nice in the summertime too. Just set the AC to high before you get out of the car then start it about 90 seconds before you are going to go somewhere--takes the edge off!

[toomuchsunshine]

welcome! it's more humid than normal this summer, so don't let that scare ya.

[ivanabacowboy]

Thanks toomuchsunshine!

I was out there a week or so ago and it was just fine. I am ready. ;-)

I had the moving company come yesterday to inventory (they do the COMPLETE move and pack, they even drive my car right into the moving truck to take it along lol!), have started hooking up my utilities in AZ (so far at least I have electricity, water and sewer lol!), notified my current rental I will be vacating, as I send out my August bills I am including my address changes---->I can't wait!

I still have a lot to do like change all my bank accounts (but since I work for a bank lol I presume my relocation specialist there will guide me through it) and insurance etc.