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I am planning on moving my family from NJ to Phoenix. I visited in Aug. 2016 and really loved the area and decided I would rent in Gilbert/Queen Creek once I move.
My major question is how is the IT field? Most of my life I lived in NY/NJ so it has been no problem getting a job even if I get laid off. Jobs in Phoenix for IT look good online but would love to hear from people who work in IT in Phoenix who can give input. I do not think looking for a job by flying in for interviews will work for me and I have read online that company's want to hire locals.
Its a far better idea to land a job before relocating. I know several people in IT, and its hit-or-miss when it comes to looking for jobs. They appear to be plentiful, but word of mouth is many don't pay very well. Again, this is only what Ive been told from a few friends of mine who are in that field.
Thanks for your response. Do you have idea what they are paying for a Windows server Administrator/Engineer. I am willing to do contract work or FT. Both have pros and cons.
Thanks for your response. Do you have idea what they are paying for a Windows server Administrator/Engineer. I am willing to do contract work or FT. Both have pros and cons.
thanks,
Frank
I wish I could fill you in, but I really have no idea. Sorry! That's not my area of expertise, I have no clue.
I'll start off by stating I have no idea about the IT job market or industry for that matter. However, my husband and I moved to the Phoenix valley from NJ in 2009. It was a different time economy wise back then, but we found employment within 3 months after moving here.
Are there a few reasons you are wanting to move here? I ask because we fled NJ due to the cost of living, we were paying $1200 a month for a tiny 600 sqft 1 br apartment in Scotch Plains. The cost of living is much less here, much more affordable however the pay is much less. You will not find high wages like in NJ or NY anywhere else, besides perhaps Northern California. So the high wages go hand in hand with high cost of living and vice versa.
I'll say this, I've lived here for 7 years now and do miss many aspects of New Jersey such as the following:
-diverse population (segregation and racism towards Mexicans-Mexican Americans and even liberals/conservatives is obvious)
- change of seasons ...may sound crazy but I do get tired of the oppressive sunshine. The immense summer heat would be more tolerable with partly cloudy skies, but we rarely have clouds. You learn to hide from the sun. Pumpkin picking in 90 weather is strange (Schnepf Farms) we prefer to drive two hours north to do a day of fall activities.
-the ocean This is a huge one for me. Driving 5 hours to San Diego is just not possible to do as often as you'd like, especially with small children in tow. Costs add up and the drive is tiresome. Can't go down the shore for the day.
- Education The worst part for me as my children grow. AZ ranks the 48th or 49th state in education, and it shows! There are a handful of great primary schools in the valley, but many are charter and never a guarantee. NJ ranks #2 in the nation on the other hand.
-Culture/History Honestly, not trying to bash the Phoenix valley (since I am sure Tucson and the high country have much more history--but I learned more about Native American culture and history when I lived in Warren County NJ. There is no history, no culture other than the college party scene, Scottsdale party scene, Outdoorsy scene (which requires lengthy drives up north) or your good ol' suburban sprawl family scene. I miss driving past the colonial homes, plaques and old towns where you could feel and sometimes see the history. The majority of the suburbs out here are suburban sprawl, strip malls with lots of restaurants and shops since that is mostly all people do- go out to eat and shop.
-Transient people Perhaps living in a smaller suburb I have seen this more than say Chandler or Gilbert, but I can't tell you how many people I have seen come and go in AZ. It is not easy to make friends, so it gets very disappointing when the ones you do befriend end up moving back home or somewhere else. I want my young girls to make friends for life, not for this season.
- Summer lasts from April-October Temps in high 80's/mid 90's start in March/April and just sky rocket from there. We hibernate in the summer while everyone else in the country is out enjoying the weather, when they pack inside to brace the cold we come out and enjoy life again. It takes a long time to get use to that switch.
I think the novelty of living out west, where everything is brand new and clean wore off after a couple of years. In no way was I anticipating or hoping for a "Cheaper NJ out west". I embraced the west coast vibe, albeit took me a few years. But there is just something about the east coast that speaks to me. AZ is a beautiful state and great place to live for many. But I think it becomes home to so many escaping more expensive states, without many taking into consideration what they gave up or exchanged for the cheaper rent/mortgages.
In my own opinion, I believe Arizona is like Florida and Pennsylvania. Great place to visit, vacation and retire like Florida but I would never live in FL. Cheaper cost of living, slower pace, more spread and a less expensive nearby state for California just like Pennsylvania is for New Jersey. I have a cousin who lives in Sedona with her family, while we visit a few times a year and it is absolutely magical, I couldn't live up there either.
That being said my family and I are looking to relocate to North Carolina by the first of the year. Ready to enjoy mild four seasons, east coast vibes, familiar culture and the beach of course!
I would honestly visit a few more times before you decide to pick up and relocate. If you have any questions feel free to pm and I would be happy to answer. I simply stated my opinion, AZ may be the perfect fit for you. Just doing part in helping someone think and think again, as I begin to budget another cross country move.
Thanks for the advice. I am one of the many who are tired of the rat race here in the north and cold and snow. I have a pool and only get to use it like 2.5 months. With the nice pay here I just make my bills each week. I understand that the salary will be lower in Phoenix but I guess it depends on how much lower if my quality of life will be same or less. More research is definitely needed. I hope to visit again in Jan with my family to see how they like it. Main thing is to find out as much as possible able job situation.
On the job situation: If you want to be here, either be patient there and keep looking, or do what I did and move, find some type of job and keep looking for others.
As far as the post above, I move from NYC and it's absolutely not true that there are no seasons...the seasons are the same as elsewhere, just much milder. Summer is actually mid-late May 'till early September, and while hot, is no worse than NY area summers-and the heat's easier to escape from here than there on god awful subway platforms.
I'll start off by stating I have no idea about the IT job market or industry for that matter. However, my husband and I moved to the Phoenix valley from NJ in 2009. It was a different time economy wise back then, but we found employment within 3 months after moving here.
Are there a few reasons you are wanting to move here? I ask because we fled NJ due to the cost of living, we were paying $1200 a month for a tiny 600 sqft 1 br apartment in Scotch Plains. The cost of living is much less here, much more affordable however the pay is much less. You will not find high wages like in NJ or NY anywhere else, besides perhaps Northern California. So the high wages go hand in hand with high cost of living and vice versa.
I'll say this, I've lived here for 7 years now and do miss many aspects of New Jersey such as the following:
-diverse population (segregation and racism towards Mexicans-Mexican Americans and even liberals/conservatives is obvious)
- change of seasons ...may sound crazy but I do get tired of the oppressive sunshine. The immense summer heat would be more tolerable with partly cloudy skies, but we rarely have clouds. You learn to hide from the sun. Pumpkin picking in 90 weather is strange (Schnepf Farms) we prefer to drive two hours north to do a day of fall activities.
-the ocean This is a huge one for me. Driving 5 hours to San Diego is just not possible to do as often as you'd like, especially with small children in tow. Costs add up and the drive is tiresome. Can't go down the shore for the day.
- Education The worst part for me as my children grow. AZ ranks the 48th or 49th state in education, and it shows! There are a handful of great primary schools in the valley, but many are charter and never a guarantee. NJ ranks #2 in the nation on the other hand.
-Culture/History Honestly, not trying to bash the Phoenix valley (since I am sure Tucson and the high country have much more history--but I learned more about Native American culture and history when I lived in Warren County NJ. There is no history, no culture other than the college party scene, Scottsdale party scene, Outdoorsy scene (which requires lengthy drives up north) or your good ol' suburban sprawl family scene. I miss driving past the colonial homes, plaques and old towns where you could feel and sometimes see the history. The majority of the suburbs out here are suburban sprawl, strip malls with lots of restaurants and shops since that is mostly all people do- go out to eat and shop.
-Transient people Perhaps living in a smaller suburb I have seen this more than say Chandler or Gilbert, but I can't tell you how many people I have seen come and go in AZ. It is not easy to make friends, so it gets very disappointing when the ones you do befriend end up moving back home or somewhere else. I want my young girls to make friends for life, not for this season.
- Summer lasts from April-October Temps in high 80's/mid 90's start in March/April and just sky rocket from there. We hibernate in the summer while everyone else in the country is out enjoying the weather, when they pack inside to brace the cold we come out and enjoy life again. It takes a long time to get use to that switch.
I think the novelty of living out west, where everything is brand new and clean wore off after a couple of years. In no way was I anticipating or hoping for a "Cheaper NJ out west". I embraced the west coast vibe, albeit took me a few years. But there is just something about the east coast that speaks to me. AZ is a beautiful state and great place to live for many. But I think it becomes home to so many escaping more expensive states, without many taking into consideration what they gave up or exchanged for the cheaper rent/mortgages.
In my own opinion, I believe Arizona is like Florida and Pennsylvania. Great place to visit, vacation and retire like Florida but I would never live in FL. Cheaper cost of living, slower pace, more spread and a less expensive nearby state for California just like Pennsylvania is for New Jersey. I have a cousin who lives in Sedona with her family, while we visit a few times a year and it is absolutely magical, I couldn't live up there either.
That being said my family and I are looking to relocate to North Carolina by the first of the year. Ready to enjoy mild four seasons, east coast vibes, familiar culture and the beach of course!
I would honestly visit a few more times before you decide to pick up and relocate. If you have any questions feel free to pm and I would be happy to answer. I simply stated my opinion, AZ may be the perfect fit for you. Just doing part in helping someone think and think again, as I begin to budget another cross country move.
Hmm, first complaint is that you're tired of "public racism" and to fix this you're moving to NC? My guess is you'll probably be unhappy there too.
But I can relate, as a westerner who moved East for about 5-years the novelty of the Northeast quickly wore off for me too. I missed the scenery, openness and vastness of the West. There really isn't anything in the East that can rival the mountains, rivers and scenery we have all over the West. I also quickly grew tired of rainy weather, super short summers and the lack of outdoorsy people since most folks were perfectly content working 50 hours a week and spending another 2 or more hours a day commuting. Add to that a winter that seemed to last 6 months out of the year and I couldn't wait to get out.
In my opinion, I believe places like NJ and NY are great to visit but I would never live there.
Further if you think the Phoenix valley has no history, is full of suburban sprawl and offers little culture besides a party scene, you clearly moved to a distant suburb (so you could have a shiny new big house) and spent little time exploring the older parts of the valley in Tempe and Central Phoenix.
But you should go to wherever makes you happy, I don't think people should stay somewhere they don't like. But most of what you said above is your own story brought about by what you chose to do and see during your time here. Some of us dig a little deeper and get a different sense for what and who Phoenix is and you're not going to find that by living off Power Road and the 60.
Thanks for the advice. I am one of the many who are tired of the rat race here in the north and cold and snow. I have a pool and only get to use it like 2.5 months. With the nice pay here I just make my bills each week. I understand that the salary will be lower in Phoenix but I guess it depends on how much lower if my quality of life will be same or less. More research is definitely needed. I hope to visit again in Jan with my family to see how they like it. Main thing is to find out as much as possible able job situation.
thanks,
Frank
You should visit a few more times if possible and talk to recruiters in IT. What I've found from IT friends who are also considering moving here from the Northeast is that the pay really depends on your skill-set. I've heard of great relocation packages and salaries being matched from major Northeast areas and I've also heard the opposite where the salary is substantially less. At the end of the day is this is a metro area of nearly 5 million people now, there are a ton of jobs to be had, and many companies to keep an eye on: GoDaddy, Amazon, Freeport McMoran, Uber, LifeLock, Taser, PetsMart, American Express, Yelp, Intel, PayPal, Garmin, WL Gore, Local Motors, Uhaul, Waste Management, Allied and the list can go on and on...
Good luck with your job search and keep us posted on what you end up doing.
One other piece of advice I'd offer, if you can swing it, don't rent in Gilbert or Queen Creek. Pick somewhere more Central. If I were in your shoes I'd shoot to stay close to downtown on or around the area called Roosevelt Row. This is the home of Phoenix's burgeoning local arts scene and one of the coolest neighborhoods in America, according to some survey. You'll find yourself immersed in arts, culture, local chefs, and never a lack of things to do. By bike or light rail you'll have access to many of the largest concert venues in Phoenix, pro sports, a dozen or so museums, one of the largest monthly art-walks in the country and some amazing craft breweries and smaller music venues like Cresent and Valley Bar.
It's a much better place to live then Gilbert/Queen Creek when it comes to both to walkability and things to do.
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