relocating to Wickenburg from NJ: Where should a single 20-something live?

[Jukesgrrl]

GSP Exit 105 (formerly) here. You're kind of in a no-win situation, if you liked living 11 miles from the Center of the Universe. I don't see either Wickenburg (Mayberry with mountains) OR Surprise (Wisteria Lane with cactus) being an easy change for you, so frame it as some sort of cultural experiment. I would suspect most of the posters here who posit that "you might find you like the laid-back, small-town life" have never lived -- and would never live -- happily in North Jersey. Who knows, though, maybe you'll settle in and find out this is what you were missing all your life ... like the doctor who had to practice in Alaska on that TV show Northern Exposure. You're in for some Southwestern Exposure!

Look at the six months as a long vacation. It's less than two school semesters. You're going to rent, right? So maybe take Richie_az's advice; bite the bullet and rent in Wickenburg and if that's completely untenable, go to Surprise. Wickenburg IS totally cute (put away your six-guns, cowboys ... Jersey grrls say "cute"). And you can start an authentic Southwestern jewelry collection that will be the envy of your friends when you go back to urbanity.

I'm a female quite a bit older than yourself who has traveled a lot for her work. When I was 30, I did almost six months in VERY rural Washington State. I lived in a residential hotel in the town of Olympia and commuted nearly an hour (one-way) to my job in a construction trailer. Needless to say, I beat a very quick path to the interstate out of town every Saturday morning. I got to know my way around Seattle, Portland, and also visited Vancouver and Victoria. I spent some time in a Washington Pacific beach town and hiked (something I've never been moved to do before or since) at Mt. Rainier National Park. So it was a most educational experience for this city girl and I'm very glad I did it, even though I had dreaded it before I went.

Very best of luck to you! Feel free to PM me if you're going nuts. I'm currently doing a cultural experiment of another kind in Tucson.

[musicforme]

Originally Posted by AZJoeD

I have to agree with kdog on this one. The commute from Wickenburg to Surprise is about 30-35 miles (depending where in Wickenburg and where in Surprise). Too far to hassle with. The commute to anywhere else is ridiculous.

You're projecting yourself on the OP.

From my experience, people in the NJ/NYC area would be very happy with this type of commute. I'm willing to go out on a limb and assume the OP probably feels the same way.

I don't know much about Wickenburg, been there twice for a quick meal and came back home in North Phoenix. I will say as someone who grew up in the Dallas area, Wickenburg is too small for me too. I can understand why you want to be closer to Phoenix.

[Leaving123]

There is nothing worse than being bored and that is just what you will be,sorry.Comming from a busy lifestyle to a area such as Wickenburg will drive you nuts! Try at least for a larger area such as Kingman!

[SedonaShadow]

If you weren't so young I would wonder why you are concerned about a mere 6
months. I have been to Wickenburg a number of times so I'm familiar with the
area. Nicer people I've never known. I have lived in mega-million cities as well
as mico-hundred towns. Just look at Wickenburg as one of those nice little
neighborhoods in Northern Jersey. And that's where it ends! Your commute
anywhere will be piece of cake compared to the NYC metro area. As most others
have suggested, I would stay in Wickenburg and head in the Phoenix direction on
the weekends. No need to answer but I'm really curious as to what you would be
doing in Wickenburg. It's a hundred miles for me to get to Trader Joes. I feel
your pain!

[nicetrywilliams]

Thank you everyone for your responses and opinions. I have decided to live in Wickenburg and commute to the city on the weekends for social life. An hour drive is nothing, and its better to make that ride once or twice a week, then deal with the stress of commuting every morning and evening to work. Plus, this means I get to sleep in more before work. thank you again AZ folks!

[Rick Lee]

Just curious. How do you find a job in Wickenburg from NJ? I'm not aware of any companies there other than chain restaurants and family-owned small businesses. I love it there, but even though I work from home, it'd still be way too far for me to get to the airport and the places I need to get for work once in a while.