Thinking of moving to AZ...any tips? (Phoenix, Tucson: job market, place to live)

[observer53]

Massage Envy is all over the Valley, not just in Glendale. And, there are nice apartments and houses in other areas. BTW, Glendale is actually 35 feet higher in elevation than Phx, so it certainly isn't hotter. It's essentially the same temperature.. .not enough difference either way to matter.


As far as the other cities you mentioned, it might be a good idea to post on those forums as well, to get input from people who know them well.

[MandiFitzy]

What other areas would you suggest?

I will do that, but I think my boyfriend is coming round to the idea of Arizona now. =)

[observer53]

If you don't want extreme heat, then the whole metro Phoenix area may not be what you want. However, there's not as much market for your job fields in the more temperate areas... the Cottonwood/Sedona idea is a possibility, as mentioned earlier.

[MandiFitzy]

I was never too bothered about the weather around Glendale, it was just my boyfriend but he seems to be warming to it so I want to look into that more. Apart from Massage Envy, is the Phoenix area a good place for our job fields? Or would you still recommend Cottonwood/Sedona?

[KarmaPhx]

You get used to the heat, it's not that bad. I enjoy being outside in the summer, unlike others, but most of these "others" are older people, which could have somthing to do with it.

I would suggest looking for jobs, then when you find a job, research the area.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by MandiFitzy

I was never too bothered about the weather around Glendale, it was just my boyfriend but he seems to be warming to it so I want to look into that more. Apart from Massage Envy, is the Phoenix area a good place for our job fields? Or would you still recommend Cottonwood/Sedona?

Phoenix area has more opportunities in MOST job fields, including yours just due to its size. Cottomwood/Sedone was suggested by someone in part because you said you didn't want extreme heat.

[MandiFitzy]

Yeah, I figured that would be it, looking around I've seen a huge amount of spas etc in the Phoenix area. Any areas that you'd think it'd be best to live other than Glendale, cost and good housing-wise/area wise?

You all are being very helpful, so thank you.

[123.DieselBenz]

Oracle is a little town, just north of Tucson, much cooler temps than Tucson, which in turn is cooler than PHX.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by 123.DieselBenz

Oracle is a little town, just north of Tucson, much cooler temps than Tucson, which in turn is cooler than PHX.

Not much of a job market there, though... the OP would have to be working in Tucson.

You can find housing in pretty much the same price range in many of the suburban areas, and in Phoenix itself. I would hope you could come to visit before you would actually commit to a move. It's very difficult (well, no, it's impossible!) to get a feel for a place from posts on the Internet. I live in Tempe, diagonally across the Valley from Glendale. I've lived in Phoenix and in Scottsdale in the past. There really are lots of options.

[LinaJo76]

Tips:

1. The summers are very hot here in Arizona. Wear lots of light clothing (mostly shorts and stuff like that).

2. It does get cold too, during the winters, so get some warm type clothes (sweaters, jeans, boots, etc.).

3. Talk to a real estate company and they may help you into a reasonably priced house. Maybe try apartment living for a while. Apartments are more reasonable than the houses, really.

4. Watch out for scorpions and snakes around your property.

5. Jobs aren't that great here like everywhere else right now, but keep trying and put applications everywhere. Whoever calls you first, take it. Hey, it's better than nothing, right?