If you could move to Arizona, would you? (Phoenix, Tucson: apartment, house)

[Midgejohn]

We did move to Arizona.

My husband and I are renting on a small rural dirt road off one of the main highways in Prescott, AZ. We have coyotes to sing to us at night, the javelinas come to get in the trash, there are mice, squirrels, rabbits, hawks, deer, and once we saw a herd of elk up on the ridge. My favorites, though, are the quails. Both my husband and our landlord (who lives next door) leave bread out for them. They call the quails their "chickens". It's fantastic.

Yet we are only 10 minutes from the center of town. If we look up at the top of the hill, we can see the larger of the two local casinos.

We moved here ten years ago - homeless and looking for work. We found it. Ideally, I would like to move back to Oregon. My husband would like to move back to Florida. Prescott makes a pretty good compromise, so we stay.

[Leana76]

Lot's of great clubs, taverns, and bars. Lot's of great restuarants too. But most of the people are rude and some obnoxious (no offense to anyone) and the cold weather is horrible. I can handle the summers (just don't wear so much clothing then).

[43north87west]

Why to move here? I just did.

Good job market (almost a "can't miss" market)
Many public service opportunities too
Inexpensive taxes compared to New England or the coasts
Weather
Cheaper real estate
Scenery
Outdoor opportunities

I have posted quite outspokenly about my distaste for the North Scottsdale crowd. I stick with those opinions. But there are many opportunities and reasons to move here, which are very significant. Great weather (yeah, it is hot, but it is NOT bitter cold), inexpensive property, cheap taxes, great scenery... you name it.

I hate the crowd up here in North Scottsdale, but I still will have a problem leaving the weather, if I do so. I have amended my decision and may in fact buy a house in the Midwest for summer use, rather than abandoning the area altogether. I may re-evaluate the location in Arizona, but the weather is too good to pass up. Except for a little bit of the year... and then it is time to take a vacation somewhere cool.

[brandnewme]

I came from CA so getting out of that rat race was #1 priority. Being retired and living in CA was not something I wanted to do any longer. Yes, it's hot, however you live your day accordingly. You can actually see stars here, Fort Mohave, and there are so many other beautiful things about the area. Yes, we don't have all the ammenties we had in CA, but if that is what I wanted I should have stayed in CA, right?

[Sonone]

You don't want to get into law enforcement in Arizona......it will ruin your whole life. Unless you have no problem taking part in all the corruption here.

[whowants2know]

Originally Posted by wilkermoo

If you could move to AZ, what would be your reason.

Would you be moving to escape the high cost of living in other areas?

Would you move for the scenery?

Would you move for family or other similar reason?

Move you move to escape cold weather?

If you already live in Arizona and love it there, why?

I would like to hear reasons why people would want to move to Arizona, often there are very negative posts from people who hate the state or want to leave and it can get depressing.

1. No
2. Yes..in Northern AZ
3. No
4. No

Not into the creepy crawler life-style so would avoid most of AZ...lol.

[lilypad]

I doubt I will ever leave Texas, but it would depend on the lifestyle I was going for. If a GREAT job presented itself in the Tucson area, I might go. If I was retiring, probably the Globe area. Spent a few months there and loved it! Would go through the mountains to Tucson (Oro Valley) for great shopping on the weekends, 90 to 120 minute drive. Or could go up north to ShoLow area, or south to Bisbee. It does get VERY hot of course, but is dry. I always appreciated the cooling "spray" when walking by the shops in Oro Valley.

Yes, there are critters! I love to hike, would go and had to constantly be on the lookout for the rattlers. Thankfully, never came across one, but did see a huge tarantula on the trail!!

[yukon]

Just spent a week in Phoenix and I'd move there in a heartbeat. Forgot how much I loved the heat and no humidity as a kid (seriously, I DO!). As soon as I got off the plane in Tampa, the humidity hit me like a blanket - ugh! Your freeways are awesome, drivers are nicer than mine and job market is good. I love what the city has done with the "art" on the freeway embankments. My insurance (health & car) would be less in AZ. Only thing making me think twice is housing prices - rent is as expensive there as it is here, and I'd like to get away from astronomically high rents if I can.

[janelandbob]

Originally Posted by Sonone

You don't want to get into law enforcement in Arizona......it will ruin your whole life. Unless you have no problem taking part in all the corruption here.

I am in law enforcement in Arizona and I would like to clarify something. Everywhere you look, in every form of work, there will be some sort of corruption. Yes, this does include law enforcement, but I am wondering about your broad statement about the entire state of Arizona. I would like to see some hard evidence of that. There will always be people who are less than stellar, in any area of employment. To call that entire business "corrupt" is just not fair, nor is it correct.

Now, to answer the question that started this thread....
I moved from Orange County, California to the Tucson area in 1992. I left a very good job with the California Highway Patrol and had no problem getting work in my same field here in Arizona. I was tired of the traffic, and smog, and just the fast paced living in general.
I visited relatives first, then came to visit again with my resume. I left that second time with a job offer. 1 month later, I moved to Arizona (on July 4, 1992.. 113 degrees that day!)
Yes, it is hot here, but I aclaimate better to heat than I do to the cold. That is just me.
The scenery can't be beat, and the wildlife just outside your door (as many before me have said) is awesome! The mountains that surround the Tucson area are majestic and beautiful when the sun hits them just right.
I am so glad I made the move, and the cost of living is so much less, I even have an easier time saving money. I was able to buy my first house just this year.. something I would NEVER be able to do in southern California (for the same amount, anyway)

Love it and will never leave it... Arizona. My home.

[Stumblina]

Originally Posted by yukon

Just spent a week in Phoenix and I'd move there in a heartbeat. Forgot how much I loved the heat and no humidity as a kid (seriously, I DO!). As soon as I got off the plane in Tampa, the humidity hit me like a blanket - ugh! Your freeways are awesome, drivers are nicer than mine and job market is good. I love what the city has done with the "art" on the freeway embankments. My insurance (health & car) would be less in AZ. Only thing making me think twice is housing prices - rent is as expensive there as it is here, and I'd like to get away from astronomically high rents if I can.

Yukon - Where the hell do you live exactly . . . Iraq? I agree with everything else you said, but drivers in AZ are horrific!!!! They scare the b'Jesus outta me! P.S. The freeways are awesome, aren't they? I love the hieroglyphic art too!