Phoenix for teachers? (Glendale, Florence, Queen Creek: credit, apartment, salary)

[sablebaby]

Well, first of all the starting salary for a teacher in phx is not $40k, it's more around $30-32k. On that salary you will be able to live in a "decent" apartment, but that's about it. No homeownership in anyway, unless you had a huge down payment or something. Our housing is high and it takes two incomes to live a good life.

[James9283]

Thanks, this is important to consider, I will just have to find a wealthy girlfriend or something!, only kidding. Is there still a need for teaching, I am concerned becuase I have only one year of teaching experience under my belt and am not in a high demand field, thus another major concern.

[SElaine]

Originally Posted by James9283

Thanks, this is important to consider, I will just have to find a wealthy girlfriend or something!, only kidding. Is there still a need for teaching, I am concerned becuase I have only one year of teaching experience under my belt and am not in a high demand field, thus another major concern.

Hi James,
I'm not in the teaching field but I do know that there is a lot of growth going on in this area and I'm sure they need teachers to keep up with that growth. I know a lot of people from out of state have been offered teaching jobs down here. Good luck with your decision.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by James9283

Thanks, this is important to consider, I will just have to find a wealthy girlfriend or something!, only kidding. Is there still a need for teaching, I am concerned becuase I have only one year of teaching experience under my belt and am not in a high demand field, thus another major concern.

No, you need to get rid of that house in Surprise, which I cannot believe it's 210k when the prices were half not long ago. I noticed you mentioned only having limited experience in teaching, this reduces the salary Keep in mind, there are better paying states with liveable housing prices.

Finding a wealthy girlfriend is not a viable solution.

This is a hot point for all of us, the fact that we cannot pay our teachers a liveable wage is beyond low.

[ibarrio]

No, you need to get rid of that house in Surprise, which I cannot believe it's 210k when the prices were half not long ago. I noticed you mentioned only having limited experience in teaching, this reduces the salary Keep in mind, there are better paying states with liveable housing prices

I think you got the people mixed up. I bought the house in Surprise for 210K, which is a steal in my eyes.

And I have 11 years in the teaching game. I paid my dues in California and have 40K saved up. After thinking about it, I'm not to worried about moving to AZ and making 70K a year. If I cannot make it on that then I have some serious spending issues.

We would not move to Colorado because I hate the cold. We could stay in the LA area and make 100K per year... but then we get to pay $3500 a month for a mortgage.

My payment in AZ is less then $1500 per month which includes the property Taxes and HOA. (Can't believe how cheap Taxes Are!!)

Don't tell me electric is high in Phoenix because during the summer months in California my bill is $500. Cheapest gas around is $3.27 (car). My gas (home) bill in the winter is $170. I paid $450 for 1 year to register my truck. I pay close to $3000 per year for car insurance.

I have already checked everything out and yes it is true. Live is cheaper in Phoenix then it is in Los Angeles.

As it is I already spend about 10-12 weeks per year in Phoenix so I know the freeways and more importantly the cost of living.

[ibarrio]

James. Teachers are needed throughout the Country so you can pretty much get a job anywhere you want. It is up to you. If you are young and really want to move to Phoenix then I say go for it. Just budget your money and continue your education.

I should add that I teach Special Education and special ed teachers tend to make bigger salaries.

Check out the links I PM'd to you. What subject do you teach?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

No, you need to get rid of that house in Surprise, which I cannot believe it's 210k when the prices were half not long ago. I noticed you mentioned only having limited experience in teaching, this reduces the salary Keep in mind, there are better paying states with liveable housing prices.

Finding a wealthy girlfriend is not a viable solution.

This is a hot point for all of us, the fact that we cannot pay our teachers a liveable wage is beyond low.

This is one of the worst pieces of advice I have seen in a while here. I don't think you have any idea what you are talking about in regards to housing. $210k for a home is CHEAP!!!!!!! Even in Surprise. If you don't understand the market stop giving advice!

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

This is one of the worst pieces of advice I have seen in a while here. I don't think you have any idea what you are talking about in regards to housing. $210k for a home is CHEAP!!!!!!! Even in Surprise. If you don't understand the market stop giving advice!

I did get him mixed up with James....Sorry for the confusion. I do; however, work in the Real Estate Industry and have a relative who works in the education system on a national level. He mets with governors of many states and is a high advocate. Sorry I offended anyone.

[uconn99]

If you made 40k in Phoenix as a teacher you could survive. You may not be able to buy a place right away, but that would be stupid anyways, you need to like where you live before you make a purchase like that. I am in the 40-50k range and still have times when the checking account can get low. Phoenix isn't as cheap as it used to be!!!

[James9283]

Teachers are not needed everywhere, this is a myth! Teachers in certian fields are needed and only in certian areas of the country. I have been to several job fairs and interviews where I was one of hundreds, and sometimes even more, applicants who were just as qualified. The mistake that I made was going into social studies becuase these jobs are few and far between. One of the first schools that I applied for in my home state of Michigan had over 2100 other applicants! Where my sister lives in western New York the odds are even worse. Most people who graduate from states like MI and NY are forced to move south or west to find employment. It was even a fight for my current postion, which is in a very poor district. So far this year, I have areadly applied to over 42 school districts none of which I plan to hear from, this is just reality. If there still is a teacher shortage somewhere then please let the rest of us know.