Should I move to Phoenix with no job? (fit in, for rent)

[nep321]

Just to clarify to everyone....I am not interested in "public" accounting, where you have clients (i.e. CPAs). I am not a CPA. I have a master's in accounting, but my experience and interest is in working within industry (i.e. for a company's tax department), and that is what I've been doing for four years now and prefer it. Public accounting is very stressful and requires a LOT of overtime. So I will refuse to even apply for those types of jobs.

[AZgarden]

I sent you a DM. Let me know if you don't get it.

[AZgarden]

Most of the answers on here are from people who don't know how accountants get jobs. Its different than the norms we usually think about. Here in Phx its recruiter heaven and they know where the openings are and get the jobs for people easily.

[goolsbyjazz]

After reading your post a and seeing how you have some savings I'd say give it a try. Other posters who advised you not to move without a job mean well and that is usually my advice. However, I grew up in the Northeast (MA), and know what it is like to not like where you live. It's not that Hartford is a bad place, but the real issue here is that you need a change. If your dream is to relocate continue to plan to make it happen. As for the salary, well, the pay out here tends to be a little lower, but so is to COL. In any event, I wish you well.

[ILikeEveryone]

I understand wanting to leave the Northeast, especially now that the cold weather is on the way. I would never go back North. If the economy was better, I would say go for it. We left NJ for NC in 2004 with no jobs, but had money from the sale of a home as a cushion and times were better. DH had a job the same week we moved.

I would say hold off a little and put some more money aside. In the meantime, get your resume out to the headhunters and see if you can't get something lined up first. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[fennec2009]

Originally Posted by nep321

Well right now my salary is $69K. I would hope to land a job that pays at least $62K or even $60K in Phoenix.

By the way, should I be scared of things like dust storms, monsoons or scorpions? Or is all that stuff overexaggerated? Also, what about the supposed lack of water supply? And is the crime, drug cartels and illegal immigration really that bad? Would it impact my daily life?

I understand why you would want a salary similar to your current one, but with the COL so much lower here you can lead a similar lifestyle for much less. I'm not saying accept $30 K or anything, but just keep an open mind when job searching. Don't automatically discount something because it isn't quite as much as you were hoping for.

Dust storms are pretty much over for the season. They happen 2-3 months of the year and usually aren't quite as huge as that huge haboob that made nation wide news last year. Not a big deal. Monsoon is actually a welcome break from the heat, they cool the air down but also increae the humidity. Also only 2-3 months of the year, and not a big deal. Some large storms and flooding in the washes, but it is gone quick enough. I have never seen a scorpion, and live pretty close to open desert (the indian resevation). Water supply, don't concern yourself. It is not bad enough to worry at this point. No, crime will not affect you. Don't involve yourself in illegal activity and you will be completely fine. I have had no problems in that regard.

[shiphead]

Originally Posted by nep321

Because employers are not willing to invite someone for an interview if they are not local to the area. It's tough. But if I moved there first, then I would have an AZ address, and they would take me more seriously and maybe care to interview me. From my experience, I never hear back from job applications that are farther than 2 hours away from my current address.

[Theoretically]

ding! I hear the oil fields in the northern states have similar issues. You'll also run into this problem in Tokyo. Unless the company does background and drug testing, which is hit or miss in AZ, why not get a PO BOX, put down a fake physical address, and get a google voice phone # for this area? When they want to interview you, say you will be available so and so day. It will cost a little more, but it's better then chancing no job at all.

If you have no family bound to you, why not take the chance if you have money saved up? BTW though the COL is much less then NY, there are jobs out here that pay NYC and CA rate. No it isn't someone that needs a PHD or to be a CEO either. Though it's too bad you don't work for one of the big banks, you could probably transfer out here.

[/Theoretically]

[43north87west]

In this economy, you should never move anywhere without a job. My field is still strong, but I'd never think of doing that. Just because you have a cushion built up, doesn't make it a good decision to actually go through with it. You could be successful at this plan, but there is a high degree of variability. You could fail horribly, then end up taking a job for 1/3 less because it's what you can get, and be stuck here because you chewed up your savings.

I'd find a job first, then decide how to move. If you don't find one, then be glad you didn't move.

Also, to be honest, it seems that people from the northeastern 1/4 of the US have the hardest time adapting to things out here. It's basically the opposite from where you live. People see palm trees and mountains and think it's going to be paradise, but like anywhere else, there are challenges unique to the area, and those always seem to be the "gotchas" that people don't consider. For the wrong person, those things could mean the difference between enjoying the area, or hating it.

[breakingbad]

Instead of hiring a moving company perhaps you can rent a Penske and a trailer hitch for your car and drive yourself? It would be far less expensive than hiring someone to do it for you which would allow for more time to find a job.
You have a master's degree in accounting so I would think you could find a job quickly.
I know it is depressing to be one place and long for another and that is why I move all the time myself. I have learned that the place doesn't make one happy, the relationships you make do. However, if you can't find internal happiness it is even harder to find happiness from external sources.....money helps though
I know some people that got a job from virtualjobs.com (I think that is what it's called). I know many people that work remotely for BofA- I think they are hired from a recruiter though.
One question.... Why don't you like Hartford? It was absolutely beautiful when I was there!

[nep321]

Originally Posted by breakingbad

Instead of hiring a moving company perhaps you can rent a Penske and a trailer hitch for your car and drive yourself? It would be far less expensive than hiring someone to do it for you which would allow for more time to find a job.
You have a master's degree in accounting so I would think you could find a job quickly.
I know it is depressing to be one place and long for another and that is why I move all the time myself. I have learned that the place doesn't make one happy, the relationships you make do. However, if you can't find internal happiness it is even harder to find happiness from external sources.....money helps though
I know some people that got a job from virtualjobs.com (I think that is what it's called). I know many people that work remotely for BofA- I think they are hired from a recruiter though.
One question.... Why don't you like Hartford? It was absolutely beautiful when I was there!

I agree that Connecticut is a beautiful state. But it's lacking for a young, single gay guy like myself. Most of the guys end up moving to nearby NYC or Boston, which I refuse to move to, since they're super expensive. So my main reason for moving is for social/dating purposes. Plus, there is a lack of young people in CT. And a lack of attractive people lol. It's depressing.