Considering moving to the Phoenix area in a year, a few questions.

[justagirl27]

What most of you guys are suggesting is exactly what I'm planning on doing.
I definitely want to go to school, I just figured why not go somewhere I think I would enjoy? I mean sure it's farther away, but I feel like it's a decent trade off.
My biggest issue is I want to be able to pay the bills while I go to school. So if I could get a job in retail, fast food, whatever, and have enough for my basic expenses I would be happy.
The cost of living and crime in Phoenix compared to other large cities is one of the things that got me looking at it to begin with, along with the weather, as well as family in the area (who would be more that willing to help me get settled in). I just feel like it would be a good match for me.
About monsoon season, what are the humidity levels and temperature typically like? It's not a huge deal so much as a curiosity.

[SubconsciousMe]

Yes, you need to go to college. Yes, you need to save money. However, you're young. I did pretty much what you're doing but I moved to Boston. My feeling is you're young--you only live once. If Phoenix becomes a life lesson, and you have to leave to go elsewhere--oh well.

My basic thought about life is to live without regrets. Yes, rent is cheap here. You can probably find a studio/1 bedroom off of light rail for less than $600 a month. However, "ghetto" neighborhoods don't scare me as much as most people. I have lived in Harlem, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit so a run-down apartment in Phoenix doesn't phase me--especially if I could just walk across the street to a grocery store. People will probably say otherwise about this, but that's me and I've seen a lot worse.

If you're willing to adapt and work anywhere, go for it. Community college is mad cheap (~$75/per credit for in state). Just be careful of apartments that say "utilities included" because sometimes there are catches to that.

This is your decision and you determine your happiness. You know you best.

[justagirl27]

Thank you all so much, you've been so helpful.
Does anyone have any opinions on renting? Like, do you think it would be smarter to live in a larger apartments with other people, or a studio apartment by yourself? I'm heavily leaning towards studio alone, but I figure there might be something I'm missing.
Also I keep hearing people talk about scorpions? Are they really a big deal, like do you have to worry about running into them all the time? I always assumed not so much, but the more I hear people talk about them the more I wonder.