Is Phoenix anything like Detroit???? (middle-class, sales, 2009)

[doublebb]

My wife and I are both unemployed and we want to get out of Michigan. What jobs are still available in Phoenix or is it sinking like Michigan? How hard would it be for my wife and I to find mediocre jobs temporarily just to pay the rent if we get an apartment? We have a teenage daughter also and we need to get her in a school not gang infested but in a decent area where a 2 bedroom apartment can be had for around $600-$700 per month? I would like to live close to work or public transportation. I am planning on making a trip out there to check out the Phoenix area and to apply for apartments in March or April before my wife and daughter come out in June. We've never relocated out of state before so its challenging and exciting we just want to do it right the first time so i am trying to do as much research via internet first. I really dont care what type of work I do as long as I can pay the rent and put food on the table which is getting harder and harder to do in Michigan. Thanks for any suggestions

[snowthedirtbub]

Originally Posted by doublebb

My wife and I are both unemployed and we want to get out of Michigan. What jobs are still available in Phoenix or is it sinking like Michigan? How hard would it be for my wife and I to find mediocre jobs temporarily just to pay the rent if we get an apartment? We have a teenage daughter also and we need to get her in a school not gang infested but in a decent area where a 2 bedroom apartment can be had for around $600-$700 per month? I would like to live close to work or public transportation. I am planning on making a trip out there to check out the Phoenix area and to apply for apartments in March or April before my wife and daughter come out in June. We've never relocated out of state before so its challenging and exciting we just want to do it right the first time so i am trying to do as much research via internet first. I really dont care what type of work I do as long as I can pay the rent and put food on the table which is getting harder and harder to do in Michigan. Thanks for any suggestions

No offense but Phoenix doesn't sound like its for you. The school systems are a wreck, and at risk of losing %40 percent of its budget, there are no jobs to be had, and public transportation isn't the greatest here.

[AzDreamer]

Here's a list of cities where jobs are easier to find.

In Pictures: 10 Cities Where They're Hiring - Forbes.com

[Dean Winchester]

From a racial demographics standpoint Phoenix is absolutely nothing like Detroit.

[buckeyenative01]

I can see a legitimate argument that Phoenix could end up like Detroit since the majority of our local economy is based on one area (construction, as opposed to the Big Three in Motown) if the economy doesn't improve, but in reality, I think its too soon to start considering the "Phoenix is Detroit Junior" doomsday scenarios.

[allio27]

Also, it would be really hard, if not impossible to find an apartment in a decent area for $600-$700 a month. Sorry you're going thru such a hard time.

[jd433]

Only because they both are experiencing massive job losses and urban blight. The car industry in Detroit is kind of like the Housing industry is to Phoenix.

[doublebb]

Thanks for the replys and perspective on Phoenix, Sounds like the whole country is in a mess, some just worse then others. Best of luck to everyone.

[wng]

Comparison would end there. And it's not a really applicable comparison of cycles per industry.
The housing industry was speculative, and as housing units went up, buyers moved in, it fed on itself by attracting retail and services which produced a job supply for the arrivals. Prices inflated and fed it further. Detroit is in urban decay for over 20 years. The auto industry all but evaporated. What is left is not self sustaining. Big 3 can't blame the Imports, the American buyers, the autoworkers' unions. Their products suck to be quite frank, and out of touch with market trends and buyers.
After sales support and service is another black eye. A lot of former domestic owners vowed to never buy another product due to the treatment they received at dealers.
Like the old steel towns in PA, Detroit needs to diversify, as auto manufacturing is a dying industry. There isn't much in the horizon. IMHO, I would never consider living in Detroit. They suffer from a perception image too, which they haven't reversed since the 70s.

Phoenix, is relatively young city-wise. The metro area growth is recent. Recessions are self-correcting. I believe the bail outs are the wrong idea, Keynesian economics is not going to work here.
A market correction is normal, those who can't afford, were never meant to have said properties, and a vacuum will be created. It will be filled by those who can afford. Those who did do their homework, and still have assets. Now it's affordable for them to acquire a house.
Phoenix is attractive to middle-class incomed people with intent toward raising families. The housing is in surplus, the infrastructure is new. Unlike Detroit, Phoenix's region holds what some deem a liability, but has the potential to be a business asset. Lot's of sunshine, and warmth. We already know the retirement and golf tourism industry it's responsible for. But renewable energy research and manufacturing is primed as the next major growth industry. If the state's representatives can enlighten themselves into action, maybe CA, TX, NV won't get a lead start on AZ. Solar research, and energy generation firms should be attracted to Phoenix. It's pretty obvious I believe.
We already have a handful of high tech and aeronautics firms in the metro area, but not enough.
I read Google actually pulled out of Phoenix because of the lack of qualified people available!
This can't be allowed to happen again. And Phoenix is well positioned to fill the vacuum while Detroit lacks these resources.

As for Phoenix's suburban sprawl, and lack of amenities for low income families, there is no immediate answer. This is from after many decades of the current urban model and supported industries.

[musicforme]

You didn't mention what job skills you or your wife have, but you may want to add the Dallas area to your list of cities to investigate.

The job market here is still relatively healthy and can easily get an apartment in your price range.