Requesting Proper Advice From Folks! (Phoenix, Tucson: affordable apartments, for rent, house)

[looklistenfly]

Hi, I currently live with my parents in Michigan, and am a unemployed college student. Before the economy went crappy here, I had worked in manufacturing shops during the day, as a laborer in carpentry and also in restaurants. I have some money saved in, that would hold me a good 6 months alone without a job.

(I'm 22 and have a wife (no children) and we want to move together)

Now, I been wanting to move out of my parents house for about 1 year now, and am really wanting Arizona, is it the place for me?

I really, really hate Michigan, I hate sudden temperature drops, climate changes, my head hurts...and it's cold all the time, summer lats 2 months maybe...

I would like expert kindly advice on where should I first start off in Arizona? What part of Arizona? Tucson? Mesa? Phoenix? I really would like part that has the most jobs open for someone like me (labor/manufacturing, etc.) and of course affordable apartments (under $700 a month? if possible) in a nice, safe neighborhood.

I appreciate kind responses and suggestions. Thank you.

[Jethro]

The company I am currently working for is looking for people in the shop.

Link... Meyer and Lundahl Manufacturing Company - Architectural Woodworking Since 1948

Located in downtown Phoenix.
It's a good company with steady work, I'm about to leave (on Tuesday, wewt!) after 4 years and I'm off to NC!!!

[nitram]

You're not going to find a nice place to live in a 'safe' neighborhood for much under $1500.00 per month.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by nitram

You're not going to find a nice place to live in a 'safe' neighborhood for much under $1500.00 per month.

SOOOOOOOO NOT true!!! What are you talking about?? There are numerous areas (most are) less than your stated $1500 that are great, safe areas. Most of Scottsdale isn't even that much for a 1-2 bedroom.

[nitram]

What part of the older South Scottsdale are you talkin about? I have to laugh at the reality of your posts.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by nitram

You're not going to find a nice place to live in a 'safe' neighborhood for much under $1500.00 per month.

Wow I bet I can rent a 3000 sqft foot house with a pool and spa in an upscale community for that.

[sablebaby]

First of all, I have lived in many great areas that are less than $1500/month, I'm not saying that it's cheap like the OP wants, but it's not as much as you are saying. Secondly, I used to be a realtor, and yes like Sheena said you can find a large home in a nice area for $1500/month (rental of course). So, talking about reality, I'm talking it out of EXPERIENCE.

[Jethro]

I live in a really nice neighborhood in Litchfield Park and the going rate for a 1700 sq ft house is about 1,000/month.

[camelclutch]

Sometimes you need to focus on the positives of what you have. 4 seasons, real rivers and lakes not all man made. Not living in AC 250 days a year. Buildings downtown that are more than 30 years old. No variety in the weather. This is coming from someone who lived in Cleveland Ohio for 32 years and just a year ago moved to Glendale AZ. I'm not saying everything is bad there is a lot of cool things too but we are already thinking about moving back. I don't know what home values are where you're at now but research what they are here, it's a joke what people are paying for homes out here. You're not getting what you pay for that's for sure. To rent homes most want $2000-$3000 just for a deposit and then between $1200-$1600 a month for rent. Just my 2 cents.