thinking of packing up... (Phoenix, Tucson: rental, crime, how much)

[acealive1]

and moving to the phoenix area from ohio. im originally from los angeles and no less than 5 people i went to school with have moved there. is there something out there they like that im not aware of?


i mean is the housing dirt cheap? or the jobs that good that everyones moving? i just dont want to move on that basis and then be one of the hundreds of thousands with the same idea and by the time i get there its not cheap or safe crime wise anymore.

can anyone offer some insight?

[CodyW]

It sounds like you know nothing about Phoenix. Just because people you know are doing it, why should you? Do some research.

Phoenix is hot. Phoenix is (relatively) cheap. Wages are low.

If you haven't been to Phoenix in the last 10 years, you NEED to visit before you even think about moving here. It's a very love/hate type of place. It isn't for everyone.

[DR2012]

I think it's hard to make generalized statements. Job wise it really depends. My husband found a job he just loves, pays well, fairly easy. Me, not so much. Weather wise, heat sucks, but I like not dealing with tornados, blizzards, hurricanes, etc. But, me? I complain if its hot or cold so best not listen to me anyway.

I can only compare it to where I used to live, it's better than most but not my fave. I have very little complaints, but I wouldn't think it's enough to tell just anyone to uproot what they have and come out here sight unseen, either. It depends on your situation, your needs, your lifestyle, what you want for your future, what you are looking for, etc. I think you can't really just tell someone "yes do it" or "no don't" based on a broad post like that.

Sure, you know many people who are here but it's not like the whole country is running down here, either. I don't think you can make a decision like that so quickly or easy.

[Jukesgrrl]

Here is my insight (I was born in Ohio and have lived in many other states): Metro Phoenix fills almost every inch of Maricopa County, Arizona, that is not tribal land. And Maricopa County is almost the same size as the ENTIRE STATE of Connecticut. So other than the weather (which is sunny and comfortably warm for some months of the year and HOT AS BLAZES for about a six-month stretch), for everything someone tells you about Phoenix, the opposite is true in another part of the vast metro.

There's something for everyone. We have Mormons, gay activists, Native Americans. We have genius college students and stoner college students. We have dedicated feminists and a sheriff who is a Neanderthal. We have multi-millionaires and street people. We have every color. We have more than one Sun City filled with retirees and we have suburbs filled with babies. We have Democrats and Republicans and more Libertarians than you will find most places. We have people who water lawns that shouldn't be here and we have the core of the solar energy movement. We have casinos and mosques and shopping malls. But you can't just move here and then get a job only to find out it's like you're like living in Stamford, CT, and working in Hartford, CT, 80 miles away.

Visit. Once in December and once in July. If you like it, get a month-to-month rental until you find a job. Then and only then get a place to live a within a convenient commute.

[SubconsciousMe]

It depends on your preferences, honestly. I can't really stand the heat but, more so, I can't stand driving. And you have to have a car here, really. I did it 6 years without a car and it was freaking beyond miserable. We have since moved to the Central Corridor of Phoenix... but we have family in an area of Chandler that has no buses... so we still need a vehicle for reasons associated with that.

I don't mind cold, so we are in the process of moving away from Phoenix.

[KurtAZ]

Have to agree with the Love/Hate of the Phoenix area. I have lived here for 22 years and have watched this place change and change and sprawl and change some more. You used to not be caught dead in South Phoenix, now there are some really nice homes and neighborhoods there. You used to not drive through Sunnyslope, now that area is changing. Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Arcadia were where the rich people lived...now that has spread to parts of Chandler, Mesa, Verrado (Buckeye??!!??), Desert Mountain, etc.

The long and the short of it is...if you like desert and can stand multiple 110 degree days in a row, this may be the place for you. There is always going to be something to do, restaurants to explore, places to go. Jump in the car and head to Tombstone, Old Tucson Studios, Prescott, Payson, Sedona. Spend the day in Jerome browsing the artists displays, head to Flagstaff and go Mountain biking or head up to Woods Canyon and go camping. Rent a boat at one of the lakes and spend the day on the water. Take in a show at the Orpheum, Phoenix Symphony or Gammage. Come watch some of our mediocre sports teams...wait did I say that? sorry....GREAT OUTSTANDING SPECTACULAR Sports teams (there is always Spring Training).

Just cause your friends moved here doesn't mean you have to follow suit. What is it Mother always said? "If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?" But you may find it suits you. I would agree with Jukesgrrl and rent on a month to month if you want to try it out. Check a cost of living calculator to see how much your CoL is going to increase or decrease moving here and hit some of the job boards and see if there are any jobs in your chosen profession. Point being...only you can make the decision to move. There is only one rule...well guideline really...for those of us already living here. You never make the decision to move out of AZ in the Summer. Everyone wants to leave in the summer, that is why there are so many AZ license plates in San Diego in July.

Best of luck.

[acealive1]

Originally Posted by CodyW

It sounds like you know nothing about Phoenix. Just because people you know are doing it, why should you? Do some research.

Phoenix is hot. Phoenix is (relatively) cheap. Wages are low.

If you haven't been to Phoenix in the last 10 years, you NEED to visit before you even think about moving here. It's a very love/hate type of place. It isn't for everyone.

i just said i moved from los angeles. i know all about heat. it'll be no adjustment. i wasnt raised in ohio.

[acealive1]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Have to agree with the Love/Hate of the Phoenix area. I have lived here for 22 years and have watched this place change and change and sprawl and change some more. You used to not be caught dead in South Phoenix, now there are some really nice homes and neighborhoods there. You used to not drive through Sunnyslope, now that area is changing. Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Arcadia were where the rich people lived...now that has spread to parts of Chandler, Mesa, Verrado (Buckeye??!!??), Desert Mountain, etc.

The long and the short of it is...if you like desert and can stand multiple 110 degree days in a row, this may be the place for you. There is always going to be something to do, restaurants to explore, places to go. Jump in the car and head to Tombstone, Old Tucson Studios, Prescott, Payson, Sedona. Spend the day in Jerome browsing the artists displays, head to Flagstaff and go Mountain biking or head up to Woods Canyon and go camping. Rent a boat at one of the lakes and spend the day on the water. Take in a show at the Orpheum, Phoenix Symphony or Gammage. Come watch some of our mediocre sports teams...wait did I say that? sorry....GREAT OUTSTANDING SPECTACULAR Sports teams (there is always Spring Training).

Just cause your friends moved here doesn't mean you have to follow suit. What is it Mother always said? "If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?" But you may find it suits you. I would agree with Jukesgrrl and rent on a month to month if you want to try it out. Check a cost of living calculator to see how much your CoL is going to increase or decrease moving here and hit some of the job boards and see if there are any jobs in your chosen profession. Point being...only you can make the decision to move. There is only one rule...well guideline really...for those of us already living here. You never make the decision to move out of AZ in the Summer. Everyone wants to leave in the summer, that is why there are so many AZ license plates in San Diego in July.

Best of luck.

i agree on all counts, im not moving because they are. im moving because i really miss los angeles and anywhere closer is a plus.

they are the ones who probably arent doing so well standing the heat out there. ohio isnt really known for "hot" weather. more like swamp uncomfortable hot.

[CodyW]

Originally Posted by acealive1

i just said i moved from los angeles. i know all about heat. it'll be no adjustment. i wasnt raised in ohio.

Los Angeles weather is nothing like Phoenix weather. The all time highest recorded temperature in Los Angeles is closer to Phoenix's AVERAGE temperature in July. The weather in Phoenix is more similar to that of Palm Springs. Los Angeles isn't all that similar, and there WILL be an adjustment, regardless of where you are from. Few places have the prolonged high temperatures that Phoenix has.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by acealive1

i just said i moved from los angeles. i know all about heat. it'll be no adjustment. i wasnt raised in ohio.

Sorry, but that statement proves that you've done zero research and have no clue about our climate. Coming to Phoenix expecting LA weather is like going to Ohio and expecting Florida weather. We may be somewhat close to LA but the desert is a whole different ballgame.