Moving to Phoenix from Minneapolis. (Mesa, Scottsdale: low income, real estate, apartment)

[stayhuman]

I am in my mid-twenties am considering moving to the Phoenix area. I have lived in Minneapolis most of my life, and although I have a very tight-nit group of friends and family that I will miss immensely, I just cannot take the miserable weather any longer. I stayed in Gold Canyon, AZ for a few months as a teenager and have visited the Mesa area a few times since then. There is something about Arizona that I just love. If I do move there I will be attending ASU so ideally I would like to find an apartment in Tempe. I have a few questions before I make my final decision... Any advice or comments would be much appreciated!

What is the nightlife like in the Tempe area? I prefer seeing live music at whole-in-the-wall bars rather than the club scene. I'm into rock, reggae, jam-band stuff, but open to anything that doesn't suck. Can I find this in Tempe or the surrounding area? I'm wondering if, because of the "party-school" rep that ASU has, am I going to be stuck with a bunch of obnoxious frat boys every weekend if I want to go out for a drink? Of course every college town has it's share of frat kids, but is there any kind of diversity in Tempe?

I know Phoenix is considered one big suburb, filled with plenty of strip malls and chain-restaurants, but can you also find the alternative independent shops and restaurants?

Also, would it be reasonable to find a decent apartment for $600/mo. or less? I am perfectly happy with a small studio apartment.

I currently work as a nanny and am hoping to do the same kind of work there. I know that there are a lot of immigrants in Phoenix and I wonder if that would affect the likeliness of me finding a nanny position with a good pay rate. If anyone is a nanny or knows someone who is what is the pay like?

Is it possible to get on state-assisted health care? I know this is almost a laughable questions since healthcare in America is a joke, but I have managed to maintain it here in Minnesota since I am a full-time student with a low income.

Honestly, I have been researching this for years so I feel like I know somewhat of what I'm getting myself into. But, it would great to get some comments and advice from people who actually live in the Phoenix area or have moved there from other states. And yes, I have been there in the middle of summer and drove around in car that did not have a/c, so I know all about the heat!

[silverbear]

Nightlife -- Back in the '90s, Tempe had a great alternative music scene. You could walk down Mill Avenue and have your choice of live acts. These days, things are more fragmented. Real estate in Downtown Tempe has become too expensive for most types of live music clubs, so they've scattered all over. Some are in Tempe, some are in Central Phoenix, and a few are in Scottsdale.

Independent Businesses -- yes, there are many. See this thread: http://www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...downtowns.html

Don't know about the other questions.

[homesweetazhome]

The area around ASU in Tempe has a lot going on for twenty-somethings. Many also go to clubs in Scottsdale. There are a lot of college type housing apartment rentals in Tempe which may suit you. Gold Canyon is way out there so if you are going to ASU main campus, look into apts. in that vicinity.