Jobs outside Phoenix city (Scottsdale, Tempe: home, job market, buy)

[Clutch718]

Hi. I was wondering, are jobs outside the Phoenix city limits as plentiful as they are inside?

I hope to one day move to the area, but from what I have seen of Phoenix, I really dislike it. The whole Los Angeles-esque suburban-style urban development is a real turn off. I'd like to be more in tune with the desert, so I figure I should look at places on the outskirts of the metro (Fountain Hills, Sun City West, Surprise, etc).

Do these locations have growing job markets? Or does everybody just make the commute to Phoenix?

Thanks in advance.

[joninaz]

The Scottsdale airpark area is a major economic hub, home to a number of public company HQs and other businesses, large and small. It would be a relatively short hop to Fountain Hills.

[ibarrio]

For the most part Sun City West/ Surprise is a Los Angeles-esque suburban-style urban development. Unless you buy land and build your own home in this area you will be in a suburban-style urban development.

[sablebaby]

I believe most jobs will be found in Phx. You will find a lot in Tempe as well. But on the outskirts much less. You would have to be really in the outskirts to get away from the typical phx atmosphere. Phx is like one large suburb.

[Master Shake]

As always, it depends on what type of job and/or field you are looking for. Basic service related jobs will be anywhere where people are (either living or visiting). High paying executive type jobs will mostly be in Phoenix.

[vegaspilgrim]

You're only deluding yourself if you think you can escape sprawl... by moving to the outskirts of sprawl. Especially if you're going to be driving in to the core of the metro area ever day... you're not escaping anything. Time will catch up with you quicker than you know it.

I'd suggest if you want to be "in tune" with the desert, look at small towns in Arizona which are at least 100 miles from anywhere in the Phoenix metropolitan area-- beyond even the outer suburbs and satelite communities. Otherwise you WILL have to put up with LA style sprawl.

[MotleyCrew]

Peoria is making noises about attracting high end employers to the 303 loop area, but that will probably be many years out before that happens. At least they are talking about it.

[silverbear]

The suburbs you have named are all just as sprawlish, if not more so, than the actual City of Phoenix. If you dislike decentralized, suburban development, you then have three choices: 1) Move to the area's urban core (Central Phoenix, Downtown Tempe, etc.) This area is still suburban compared to major cities in the Eastern US and abroad, but not as sprawlish as outlying areas. There are a fair number of jobs there, and these areas are actually close to parks such as South Mountain where large swatches of desert have been preserved. 2) Live in a small town far outside the Phoenix Metro area. Unforunately, there are few towns of this type and job opportunities there will be quite limited. 3) Choose another area for relocation. It may not be a good idea to target the Phoenix Metro Area if you dislike the region's core city.

[Clutch718]

Well if I'm going to live in a cookie cutter, why live in a city at the same time? Like I said, I'd like to be more in tune with the desert. Phoenix doesn't exactly offer that. You know you're in a desert, but all you're seeing is pavement and brick. Ech

Oh, and thanks for the Scottsdale suggestion. I'll consider it!

[Patty Stewart]

There are some great companies on the north end of Scottsdale just off the 101. Then you could live in North Phoenix, North Scottsdale, Cave Creek or Carefree where you can get some land with your home. From Cave Creek and Carefree it is about a ten minute drive to the 101.