Phoenix, Cali, or NYC? (mortgage, apartment, job)

[Everis20]

Hi, right now i am living with some relatives in Lake Jackson, Texas, but I am from Phoenix, where I lived 19 years of my life, I am now 20 years old. I'v experienced New York City already and liked it alot too, other then missing my family and friends in Texas and even more in Phoenix where I was born. I am ready now to start my own life, and I know its not in this small town where I am at the time, because I cannot do anything with my life here, cause there are no oppurtunities, no public transportation, I have no car, and eveything is far appart here. Of course im going to need alots of help and resourses because fror the most part.. im on my own. I don't have anyone to support me , just me. So I already saved alittle and I plan on moving soon, I just can't decide so I thought I would make this post. Im going to start my own life, get my own place, if NYC, a roomate, and start college so I can better my life, i just want to start somewhere exciting and somewhere that will have meaning to my life. I loved living in NYC, but I also love AZ where I was born, I don't want to move somewhere I will not like, so I wanted your opionions on where would be the best place to move, grow up a little and start my own life, I just need to make a desicion soon, cause I need to move within a week, cause I already quite my job, and im already familiar with PHoenix and New York, just which one? Put yourself in my place?

[nikorock28]

Phoenix is much cheaper than New York. I'd go with Phoenix.

[MotleyCrew]

In your title block you also mentioned CA. I would pass on CA and NYC just because of the cost of living. If you are going to school you would not be able to work enough hours to afford a decent place to live in CA. In N. CA, Chico State had many slum lords running dumps for students and our daughters boyfriend lived in a closet in one old home. They charged him $500 a month for it. Not much fun. I would choose Phoenix.

[vegaspilgrim]

What I would do in your situation is to try to get yourself into a college as quick as you can... ideally starting this fall. There are many colleges across the country that have open admissions. You should find out if you still have AZ residency or not, or if you have TX residency. It will probably depend on if your parents claim you as a tax dependent or not. I'd recommend going to a college where you can get in-state tuition, preferably located in an area with a low cost of living-- and see if you can qualify for need-based aid. The problem with moving to NYC is you could get run over there if you don't have a solid career plan. If you're making 150k+ a year there, you can do great in NYC. Anything less and you'll be living in poverty there. "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere," the saying goes, but it will be a lot easier starting out on your own if you can find a place with a low cost of living. Phoenix could be a good choice for you-- especially if you could get in state tuition and attend ASU.

Oh yeah, if you just want to work for a year or two, in a blue-collar job, I would recommend moving to Las Vegas. Bartenders, black jack dealers, and cab drivers there can make a hefty sum.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Everis20

Hi, right now i am living with some relatives in Lake Jackson, Texas, but I am from Phoenix, where I lived 19 years of my life, I am now 20 years old. I'v experienced New York City already and liked it alot too, other then missing my family and friends in Texas and even more in Phoenix where I was born. I am ready now to start my own life, and I know its not in this small town where I am at the time, because I cannot do anything with my life here, cause there are no oppurtunities, no public transportation, I have no car, and eveything is far appart here. Of course im going to need alots of help and resourses because fror the most part.. im on my own. I don't have anyone to support me , just me. So I already saved alittle and I plan on moving soon, I just can't decide so I thought I would make this post. Im going to start my own life, get my own place, if NYC, a roomate, and start college so I can better my life, i just want to start somewhere exciting and somewhere that will have meaning to my life. I loved living in NYC, but I also love AZ where I was born, I don't want to move somewhere I will not like, so I wanted your opionions on where would be the best place to move, grow up a little and start my own life, I just need to make a desicion soon, cause I need to move within a week, cause I already quite my job, and im already familiar with PHoenix and New York, just which one? Put yourself in my place?

Go back home to Phoenix.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by Everis20

Hi, right now i am living with some relatives in Lake Jackson, Texas, but I am from Phoenix, where I lived 19 years of my life, I am now 20 years old. I'v experienced New York City already and liked it alot too, other then missing my family and friends in Texas and even more in Phoenix where I was born. I am ready now to start my own life, and I know its not in this small town where I am at the time, because I cannot do anything with my life here, cause there are no oppurtunities, no public transportation, I have no car, and eveything is far appart here. Of course im going to need alots of help and resourses because fror the most part.. im on my own. I don't have anyone to support me , just me. So I already saved alittle and I plan on moving soon, I just can't decide so I thought I would make this post. Im going to start my own life, get my own place, if NYC, a roomate, and start college so I can better my life, i just want to start somewhere exciting and somewhere that will have meaning to my life. I loved living in NYC, but I also love AZ where I was born, I don't want to move somewhere I will not like, so I wanted your opionions on where would be the best place to move, grow up a little and start my own life, I just need to make a desicion soon, cause I need to move within a week, cause I already quite my job, and im already familiar with PHoenix and New York, just which one? Put yourself in my place?

I would vote for NYC. You want somewhere exciting. Seems like you loved the city. Personally, I would take CA off the list since you did not mention any ties to that state. NYC is better than CA anytime.

AZ is not the same place. Too much growth in a short time. You may not recognize the place. You could always go back to AZ later on in life after your wonderful experiences in NYC.

[nevercoldcall]

If you like NYC then go for NYC. Few people like it and fewer people can handle the hustle and bustle of living there. I'm over 30 now and couldn't deal with NYC, but would have loved it in my single 20s, so if that's where you're at, go for it!!!

I'm in CA now and it's beautiful and I can live here for the rest of my life ... which is exactly why I'm recommending NYC. Go enjoy it and live it up and when you decide you've had enough excitement, you can move somewhere more laid back like CA.

As for Phoenix, it's boring as hell if you're under 60 and not a retiree. The cost of living is really the only attraction and the only reason anyone moves there.

[nikorock28]

Originally Posted by nevercoldcall

As for Phoenix, it's boring as hell if you're under 60 and not a retiree. The cost of living is really the only attraction and the only reason anyone moves there.

I am sure there are many other reasons why people live in Phoenix as opposed to CA other than the cost of living. What, you say? There are people who actually like Phoenix more than CA, cost notwithstanding? Shock shock! Personally, I would rather retire 20 yrs earlier than spend those 20 yrs paying off an exorbitant mortgage. But, hey, that is just me.

[Everis20]

Thanks for your replys you guys.... I still havn't decided, but your opionions are giving me more to think about before I do move.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Everis20

Thanks for your replys you guys.... I still havn't decided, but your opionions are giving me more to think about before I do move.

Yeah go for NYC, start practicing. Section off about a 3x5 corner of your bedroom and put away about 2000 a month and see if you can stand living like that. Oh maybe you want to rip the carpet off your floor too and nail down the nails so you don't get one in your foot. Oh sorry,that decribed my apt If you are going to spend that kind of money for a dumpy place at least move to California.

Good Luck on whatever you decide. No comments from Ny'ers please, you didn't live in my apartment I did.