Planning to move to phoenix (Tempe, Surprise: relocating, apartment complex, motel)

[Baggsie138]

Hi, my name is Nick and I'm planning to move to the phoenix area. I took a trip there in august and liked it alot. I live in MA and the weather here is usually terrible.

I am a machinist and I have been looking at jobs out there. The job market seems to be pretty open in Phoenix. I'm just kind of worried about leaving with no job to go to.

I'm 20 and I have a pretty light load to take with me. The only moving I have done by myself is moving in with my roommate which was very easy. But i don't think moving to AZ is going to be quite as easy since I have to leave my current job and find an apartment.

Can anybody lend me some friendly advice?

[CodyW]

Well, first of all, I'd say, at least try to secure some job INTERVIEWS. It's a pretty bad idea to move here and THEN look for a job. Even if the job market is good, its still VERY unpredictable. Second of all, it would help to know what kind of stuff you like to do - clubbing, museum stuff, nature things. Theres probably a place that fits you very well, you just haven't found it yet.

(Still, I'm going to probably point you toward Tempe.)

[Steve-o]

Tempe is pretty affordable, as is Surprise. Your best bet would be to get a job first, then find a place to live. The traffic around PHX is as bad as youll find in Boston, so make sure your home is close to your workplace.

And be prepared for 5-6 months of brutal heat. Its the equivalent of 5-6 months of winter, except you burn instead of freeze, and want to be indoors or in a pool.

[aj661]

Nick, If you were here in August, you experienced the some of the monsoon. A little humid, but the lows in the upper 80's at night are great. Sorry I can't help with the job search.

Steve, check your spelling...

Didn't you mean, '5-6 months of b-l-i-s-s-f-u-l heat?'

[silverbear]

You've already passed a critical test if you've come here in August and survived. I offer a few suggestions:

1) As suggested by others, try to line up a job before relocating. It will make it easier for you to select a place to live and make the move less stressful.

2) Do not try to select an apartment based purely on what you read on Web sites and Internet message boards like this one. Instead, during the same visit that you interview for jobs, also visit several apartment complexes and identify your favorites. You can handle the signing of the lease remotely, but in selecting an apartment, there is no substitute for your own visual inspection.

3) If you find yourself attracted to an area of town that is far from your likely workplace, make sure you visit during a weekday rush hour in order to assess just how bad the commute might be. It's easy to be seduced by an easy drive to an outlying area on a weekend only to find a horrendous commute waiting on Monday.

[mhouse2001]

I agree with the other astute posters above. At 20, I too would suggest Tempe as the place to live, provided your job is nearby. Check www.craigslist.org for apartments and even roommate situations (a good idea if you come and find things different after a month or so and want to move--you can't do that with a 12 month lease). I also agree, that if you came in August and liked it, you'll love it here the rest of the year. August is the worst time here with both heat AND humidity! After 21 years, winter here reminds me of summer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Good luck to you!

[councilor j]

first of all I would find a different city to live in, Phoenix is a poor excuse of a city, just take my word for it.

[wilberry]

tempe is great ! downtown tempe !