From NYC to AZ: Is $72,000 A Good Salary in the Phoenix Area? (Mesa: affordable apartment, foreclosed)

[CheyDee]

To add my 2-cents to the hospital recommendations above re Mayo... If your SO would enjoy a much smaller version of a Lenox Hill-type facility, Mayo is definitely a place to consider. If she enjoys a Beth Israel Medical Center environment, not so much. If she's more the Bellevue type, (not NYU Langone), she would probably hate working at Mayo.

[EdJones]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I don't necessarily agree that $72k is "good" anywhere, but a lot will depend on where you work. As others mentioned, the valley is deceivingly large, so where you work is going to dictate where you live to some extent. Do you know where your office will be?

Banner Health system in Mesa.

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

The Valley is always in need of competent RN's but many jobs at the top hospitals are pretty competitive anymore. I'd highly suggest she apply to the Mayo in Scottsdale- by far the best Medical Center in the Southwest. I wouldn't mess around with Banner Baywood from experience with friends who are BSN's that have worked there before. The Mayo is definitely that place your SO wants to apply if she has some experience under her belt.

Thanks for the advise! I'll tell her to star looking into it.

Ironically, I'll be working with the Banner Health system but not at the location you mentioned. Banner seems to have a good reputation as a system. They go all the way from Alaska down to TX. But you are right, some of their facilities do not have great reviews. I hope I'll be ok in Mesa

Originally Posted by CheyDee

I disagree. There is no reason to move all the way out to central PHX when you already know you're working in Mesa. It's one thing to make the drive if/when there's something you want to do, but a mandatory five day a week round-trip for work would get old real fast, particularly when there are many nice neighborhoods closer to work.



Congratulations and welcome.

Thanks

[Goober13]

On the bright side, you will be leaving the humdity and balminess of the Northeast, and coming to the triple digit dry heat of the Southwest.

[EdJones]

Originally Posted by Goober13

On the bright side, you will be leaving the humdity and balminess of the Northeast, and coming to the triple digit dry heat of the Southwest.

I am sick and tired of the weather here. Half the year it rains, the other half it snows. This year so far we haven't seen a lot of sunny days. It is raining right now as I type these words

As an outdoors person this drives me crazy. Yeah, the big city is glamorous with its concerts, culture, great restaurants and bars, etc. But that fades away after a couple of years. I've had my "NYC experience", and am ready to move on.

So I am willing to experience the triple digit heat

[DetroitN8V]

Since you'll be working in Mesa, I'd look in Chandler or Tempe. Both are very nice with relatively low costs of living.

[EdJones]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Since you'll be working in Mesa, I'd look in Chandler or Tempe. Both are very nice with relatively low costs of living.

Thanks so much.

I'll be looking into those towns!

[QERose]

You will like Tempe or Chandler for starting a family and the Mesa commute will be relatively easy. Don't go north of the 202 and use the 101. Bad at rush hour (the 101 going both ways through Scottsdale).

Personally, I think you'd like Tempe because you're young and used to a more eclectic and cultural environment. So many things to see and do in that area on both sides of the river, and it's close to downtown and the Paradise Valley Mountains and South Mountain and the mountains out east (Superstitions, etc.)

To me, it seems like a good move. I would never live in NYC though I like visiting there. This is a great area to raise kids if you live in a good area.

[EdJones]

Originally Posted by QERose

You will like Tempe or Chandler for starting a family and the Mesa commute will be relatively easy. Don't go north of the 202 and use the 101. Bad at rush hour (the 101 going both ways through Scottsdale).

Personally, I think you'd like Tempe because you're young and used to a more eclectic and cultural environment. So many things to see and do in that area on both sides of the river, and it's close to downtown and the Paradise Valley Mountains and South Mountain and the mountains out east (Superstitions, etc.)

To me, it seems like a good move. I would never live in NYC though I like visiting there. This is a great area to raise kids if you live in a good area.

How do you know that I am young?

[liz451]

Originally Posted by EdJones

How do you know that I am young?

That was actually my question...how old are you? Different areas have vastly different age demographics as you can imagine. Would help a little bit.

Also, you can live north of the 202. I used to live right off Indian School and the 101 (Scottsdale) and commuted to chandler which is a reverse commute and got to work in under 20 minutes. It starts to get crowded heading northbound in the afternoons around Chaparral but that still leaves a lot of South and Central Scottsdale available to you. Also, I live in Scottsdale and love it. Based on my lifestyle I'm happy to pay a little extra but I agree it's not for everyone...just like Gilbert isn't for me (being mid 20's and child free).

Plus, since you're in healthcare will you even be working traditional 8-5 days?

[EdJones]

Originally Posted by liz451

That was actually my question...how old are you? Different areas have vastly different age demographics as you can imagine. Would help a little bit.

Also, you can live north of the 202. I used to live right off Indian School and the 101 (Scottsdale) and commuted to chandler which is a reverse commute and got to work in under 20 minutes. It starts to get crowded heading northbound in the afternoons around Chaparral but that still leaves a lot of South and Central Scottsdale available to you. Also, I live in Scottsdale and love it. Based on my lifestyle I'm happy to pay a little extra but I agree it's not for everyone...just like Gilbert isn't for me (being mid 20's and child free).

Plus, since you're in healthcare will you even be working traditional 8-5 days?

I'm in my mid-30s.

And yes, I will be working traditional days but with very long hours. So I'll be spending a LOT of time outside of apartment.

YOu said you live in Scottsdale. Generally speaking, are prices really that much higher there? I''m to rent a 2 bedroom apartment. I've been looking at some websites already, but wanted to have an opinion from somebody that actually lives in the Scottsdale area.