Thinking about relocating to Tucson, AZ....Help, haha!! (insurance, house)

[Funnyguy1986]

I am looking for some input on the area! I am 23 years old and I currently live in Minnesota... work in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area! I am not a college graduate, but I have worked my way up in my company (Commercial Insurance). I mainly am concerned with the the economy down there, since I will have to start from scratch mostly, so some insight would be nice on what to expect... I have two years experience in my position, but 4 total in the industry. I do like it here in Minnesota, but my g/f is planning on going to UofA for med school, so that's what has spurred on the move. Also, how is the younger nightlife there? Thank you for your time, I appreciate it!!

[ihatetucson]

I would NOT recommend moving to Tucson or even Arizona for that matter. To begin with, Arizona is ranked ROCK BOTTOM in education, that means 50 out of 50. There is also word that thanks to the economy, and the state's budget shortfall, DEEP cuts in education are planned in not just the public schools but at the UA as well. Now for the jobs, except for Raytheon, there are NO HIGH PAYING JOBS HERE, the highest paying job I have seen is for call center jobs that pay $8.50 per hour. And trust me, you don't want to work in a call center, especially here in Tucson. Sadly, I have not seen any jobs pertaining to insurance, so moving to Tucson would not be your cup of tea at this time. The nightlife around the U of A is pretty good during the fall and spring, you have Main Gate Square which runs through University Blvd between Euclid and Park Ave, and the Wildcat House on North Stone Ave. But at this time, because of the fact that AZ is rock bottom in Education, the jobs here for non-college grads are all low wage AZ is not a good place to move to right now.

[michael krotchie]

Originally Posted by Funnyguy1986

I am looking for some input on the area! I am 23 years old and I currently live in Minnesota... work in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area! I am not a college graduate, but I have worked my way up in my company (Commercial Insurance). I mainly am concerned with the the economy down there, since I will have to start from scratch mostly, so some insight would be nice on what to expect... I have two years experience in my position, but 4 total in the industry. I do like it here in Minnesota, but my g/f is planning on going to UofA for med school, so that's what has spurred on the move. Also, how is the younger nightlife there? Thank you for your time, I appreciate it!!

Funnyguy spend a few minutes searching the older posts on this board, you should find most of the answers you are looking for.

It isn't as bleak as the 2nd poster indicated but, like any other town, we have our issues.

[Funnyguy1986]

Thank you, I appreciate your input... it is a bit of a struggle right now since I am pretty well set in my roots here.... just trying not to lose a girl that I've been with for 4 years, but at the same time trying to do what's best for me. The last thing I would want to do is go down there and fail. Plus I do like having my four seasons! I would consider moving if I thought that I could jump into a position that pays fairly well... I'm accustomed to about $18-$20 per hour, but if I can't survive, that's not going to help either one of us! I just don't know why she feels like Tucson is the be all and end all, but I guess it's all a matter of personal opninion. Plus, she's only been there for vacation... not to live... But how do you tell someone that?!?!

[witchchick]

Originally Posted by Funnyguy1986

Thank you, I appreciate your input... it is a bit of a struggle right now since I am pretty well set in my roots here.... just trying not to lose a girl that I've been with for 4 years, but at the same time trying to do what's best for me. The last thing I would want to do is go down there and fail. Plus I do like having my four seasons! I would consider moving if I thought that I could jump into a position that pays fairly well... I'm accustomed to about $18-$20 per hour, but if I can't survive, that's not going to help either one of us! I just don't know why she feels like Tucson is the be all and end all, but I guess it's all a matter of personal opninion. Plus, she's only been there for vacation... not to live... But how do you tell someone that?!?!

Funnyguy1986, failing isn't such a bad thing. At least you will find out what you don't want. How will you ever know what you like?
Having lived in Tucson a few months now, I am finding I love, love, love the sunny days here. Remarkable compared to the east coast. No humidity, warm sultry nights. NO dampness, which goes straight to your bones. You might not find the highest paying job there, but the quality of life is so laid back, and really neat. I like it so far a lot! Visiting the east coast now and can't wait to get back to Arizona!

[Funnyguy1986]

I hear you! I am originally from the east coast actually... I'm a transplant up here already, haha!! I moved to Minnesota from North Carolina about 4 years ago. Just decided that I needed to be in a better job market, plus I love the weather here in MN a lot more then the weather in NC... for the most part that is! I have failed... to some degree that is, when I first moved here to MN. So I've been through that and it's not fun. Not being able to afford the things I like to do to relax is not fun at all (golf, travel... anything, haha)! Also, I wanted to someone to clarify on another statement I saw in another thread... Is AZ really bad for skin cancer? or is that just a falacy someone has used to emphasize a point? Just worries me because I am at high risk. I've been burnt really bad twice in my lifetime... to the point where I had to be put on antibiotics for sun burns. Just wondering if I should be concerned. Thank you again for all the help!!

P.S. for all of the ASU fans, that was a big win yesterday against UNC in the College World Series! Good game and congrats!!

[Chorizo]

Originally Posted by Funnyguy1986

I hear you! I am originally from the east coast actually... I'm a transplant up here already, haha!! I moved to Minnesota from North Carolina about 4 years ago. Just decided that I needed to be in a better job market, plus I love the weather here in MN a lot more then the weather in NC... for the most part that is! I have failed... to some degree that is, when I first moved here to MN. So I've been through that and it's not fun. Not being able to afford the things I like to do to relax is not fun at all (golf, travel... anything, haha)! Also, I wanted to someone to clarify on another statement I saw in another thread... Is AZ really bad for skin cancer? or is that just a falacy someone has used to emphasize a point? Just worries me because I am at high risk. I've been burnt really bad twice in my lifetime... to the point where I had to be put on antibiotics for sun burns. Just wondering if I should be concerned. Thank you again for all the help!!

P.S. for all of the ASU fans, that was a big win yesterday against UNC in the College World Series! Good game and congrats!!

Careful now.. a lot of people in Tucson don't like ASU fans.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Chorizo

Careful now.. a lot of people in Tucson don't like ASU fans.

And then there are those of us who don't give a rat's patootie about any sport, so at least they're safe from us.

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by Chorizo

Careful now.. a lot of people in Tucson don't like ASU fans.

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

And then there are those of us who don't give a rat's patootie about any sport, so at least they're safe from us.

ASU has its good moments, like when their grads bring your pizza to your door...

[Funnyguy1986]

Haha... to be honest, I was pulling for UNC, but I wanted to nice since I am talking to (mostly) people from Arizona. By the way, funny quote on them being pizza delivery boys, haha!! I'm sure they're not all that bad!! So I'm assuming the desired college down there is UofA? That where the g/f wants to go... still not sure if this is the right move for me... or her... her options for med school are UofM (MN), Duke, UNC, or UofA (AZ).