Job opportunities in Cleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZ

[The Cactus Leaguer]

Originally Posted by YaFace

Your money can go a lot further in CLE than in PHX

I'm not sure what you're basing the "money going a lot further in CLE" on, but I can't think of anything (except utilities) that is currently cheaper in CLE.

-PHX has lower taxes
-In any apples to apples comparison, PHX housing is cheaper right now
-PHX flights are generally cheaper with a better selection and fewer connections (due to the hub status)
-Your car won't rust out in PHX
etc.

That being said, I would not relocate to Phoenix right now unless your job opportunity was fantastic and had long term security (and you did all of your due diligence first like visit, ask around, see if you can stand the dust, pollution, and summers there, etc.). Phoenix is going through a huge and painful transition right now because their economy was based primarily on growth and construction.

Also, I think that Northeast Ohio is a better place to raise a family.

With jobs specifically, I don't have much to add to what others said except to say that the Marcellus Shale discovery has the potential to add a lot of long term spin off jobs (including financial) in the eastern Ohio/western Pennsylvania region.

(side note - I have family in AZ & OH and visit both often, and I have no particular bias one way or the other - love both areas for different reasons)

[Peregrine]

Good post Leaguer.

Originally Posted by The Cactus Leaguer

I'm not sure what you're basing the "money going a lot further in CLE" on, but I can't think of anything (except utilities) that is currently cheaper in CLE.

-In any apples to apples comparison, PHX housing is cheaper right now

Only because of the recent real estate market crash which brought home prices more in line with where they really should be. In some cases.
So actually since the Pheonix market crashed HARDER then the Cleveland market did your money could actually buy more housing bang for your buck.

-Your car won't rust out in PHX

BAH. Any MODERN car built in the last 10 years won't rust out on you if you take reasonable care of it.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Only because of the recent real estate market crash which brought home prices more in line with where they really should be. In some cases.
So actually since the Phoenix market crashed HARDER then the Cleveland market did your money could actually buy more housing bang for your buck.

Yeah, it's relatively dubious to argue that an area is better or in better shape because the housing market there recently crashed like an out of control freight train.

BAH. Any MODERN car built in the last 10 years won't rust out on you if you take reasonable care of it.

Yes, and "modern" = anything built in the last 25 years. There are plenty of older cars on the road up here that are still rolling and not rusted out.

[The Cactus Leaguer]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

Yeah, it's relatively dubious to argue that an area is better or in better shape because the housing market there recently crashed like an out of control freight train.

I agree, and I'm not sure if (and if so, how) you inferred that from what I said.

Yes, and "modern" = anything built in the last 25 years. There are plenty of older cars on the road up here that are still rolling and not rusted out.

Northeast Ohio has harsh winters and salty roads. Cars do not wear as well compared to other parts of the country.

The first time my in laws came out West to visit, they kept going on and on in amazement about how many older cars they saw that looked fantastic and did not have a speck of rust. Of course, the flip side of this is that traffic grinds to a halt during that once or twice a year when snow falls because they don't salt the roads.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Older cars, for sure. With newer cars, the difference is negligible. Virtually everything is built to withstand salt related corrosion (which is a year-round issue on the coasts). Pretty much the only places it isn't an issue is in the desert and a small amount of the deep south. There, the problem is excessive and rapid dry-rot. It really doesn't matter where you live, mother nature will take its toll.

[The Cactus Leaguer]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

Older cars, for sure. With newer cars, the difference is negligible. Virtually everything is built to withstand salt related corrosion (which is a year-round issue on the coasts). Pretty much the only places it isn't an issue is in the desert and a small amount of the deep south. There, the problem is excessive and rapid dry-rot. It really doesn't matter where you live, mother nature will take its toll.

I disagree with you, but it really doesn't matter. I was merely refuting the position that "everything is cheaper in Cleveland". If anyone wants to continue nitpicking it to death, feel free.

Here is the deeper issue... When someone comes in here and asks "should I move to Cleveland or should I go to XYZ instead?"... I don't think it does any good to be so zealous in support of Cleveland that they lose credibility, and therefore support for their position. This is equally (if not moreso) true of people who are zealously anti-Cleveland. And in this case, it would be really sad, because in my opinion, Cleveland would be a MUCH BETTER place for a young professional couple to move to right now.

[hipp]

Originally Posted by The Cactus Leaguer

Here is the deeper issue... When someone comes in here and asks "should I move to Cleveland or should I go to XYZ instead?"... I don't think it does any good to be so zealous in support of Cleveland that they lose credibility, and therefore support for their position. This is equally (if not moreso) true of people who are zealously anti-Cleveland. And in this case, it would be really sad, because in my opinion, Cleveland would be a MUCH BETTER place for a young professional couple to move to right now.

Well said!