22/Male Starting afresh and need some advice (Phoenix, Mesa: apartment, rentals)

[Eielsonlow]

Hi all,

I did a search but noticed that my case is rather unique so I typed out this post.

Some quick info: I'm turning 22 next year, Chinese Male and was born in Phoenix. For the past 10 years I have lived with my Parents in the also sunny city of Singapore (South of Malaysia).

After some reflection over the past couple of months I have decided to move on from Singapore and start afresh back in the States. Currently, I have around 8,000 USD in savings along with a GCE 'O' Level Cert (Equivalent to a High School Diploma) and a Diploma in Mass Communications which I earned from a Local Singaporean Polytechnic (Some credits are able to be transferred). Furthermore, I have experience working in a Public Relations agency for around 6 months as an Intern.

As of the moment, I have no friends or family over in Tempe and will be touching down with not much help. Thus, I am looking at roommates rather than renting a place on my own for the first 6 months to help me make contacts and friends in the area. My mid-term plan is to work part-time or full-time for about a year to gain some Residency rights and then take my SATs to get into a Communications Degree at ASU. Long-term wise, its get into the field of Public Relations/Media which I love and am comfortable with.

I will be moving sometime in March/April so I'm wondering if its too early to be searching for rentals/roommates at the moment?

Couple of questions:

• Do you guys think my plan is viable thus far?
  
• What kind of neighbourhoods are suitable for someone like me?
  
• I notice the rental is around $500 - $700 a month with a roommate is this viable with me working full time? Wouldn't want to touch my savings much except for initial start-up costs.
  
• I chose Tempe because of its reputable Public Transport system, does it live up to the hype?
  
• Other than that, I would love to know about the Nightlife and culture in Tempe, I decided to moved out of Singapore because of my desire to find myself in a more culturally vibrant place as well. Does Tempe fit that bill?
  
• Lastly, what is the right pronunciation of 'Tempe'?

Cheers and have a good day ahead.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by Eielsonlow

Hi all,

I did a search but noticed that my case is rather unique so I typed out this post.

Some quick info: I'm turning 22 next year, Chinese Male and was born in Phoenix. For the past 10 years I have lived with my Parents in the also sunny city of Singapore (South of Malaysia).

After some reflection over the past couple of months I have decided to move on from Singapore and start afresh back in the States. Currently, I have around 8,000 USD in savings along with a GCE 'O' Level Cert (Equivalent to a High School Diploma) and a Diploma in Mass Communications which I earned from a Local Singaporean Polytechnic (Some credits are able to be transferred). Furthermore, I have experience working in a Public Relations agency for around 6 months as an Intern.

As of the moment, I have no friends or family over in Tempe and will be touching down with not much help. Thus, I am looking at roommates rather than renting a place on my own for the first 6 months to help me make contacts and friends in the area. My mid-term plan is to work part-time or full-time for about a year to gain some Residency rights and then take my SATs to get into a Communications Degree at ASU. Long-term wise, its get into the field of Public Relations/Media which I love and am comfortable with.

I will be moving sometime in March/April so I'm wondering if its too early to be searching for rentals/roommates at the moment?

Couple of questions:

• Do you guys think my plan is viable thus far?
  
• What kind of neighbourhoods are suitable for someone like me?
  
• I notice the rental is around $500 - $700 a month with a roommate is this viable with me working full time? Wouldn't want to touch my savings much except for initial start-up costs.
  
• I chose Tempe because of its reputable Public Transport system, does it live up to the hype?
  
• Other than that, I would love to know about the Nightlife and culture in Tempe, I decided to moved out of Singapore because of my desire to find myself in a more culturally vibrant place as well. Does Tempe fit that bill?
  
• Lastly, what is the right pronunciation of 'Tempe'?

Cheers and have a good day ahead.

The plan is viable, your rent requirement can land you an apartment by yourself or a fairly nice one with a roommate. Tempe has a good transit system (for Phoenix) but it's not great. Since you're you're young and in College Id strongly recommend a look at Northern Tempe or Southern Scottsdale.

As for the media field, ASU has a great journalism program with their own outlets so I'd definitely try to get involved in that, but media in general is pretty weak in Phoenix. Understand that ASU isn't a traditional cohesive unit and that the journalism program is actually in DT Phoenix, should you go this route find a place you can access the Light Rail or look downtown which is much quieter than Tempe. The preferred areas of downtown are north of Downtown.

Culture: Get drunk and party. Go to an ASU football game, come trashed then leave and get more trashed

Tempe is pronounced Temp-ee

Your plan is viable talk to an advisor at ASU stat get some FAFSA loans and then look for work, be humble everybody starts at the bottom but the opportunities are there.

[ElleTea]

I always thought Tempe was pronounced TEM-pee, with stress on the TEM. After moving here I hear Tem-PEE more often, stress on the PEE.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

I always thought Tempe was pronounced TEM-pee, with stress on the TEM. After moving here I hear Tem-PEE more often, stress on the PEE.

I only hear the TEM pronunciation on television by people who don't live in Az. (sports commentators, etc.) Proper accent is on the 2nd syllable, as you note.


To the OP- it is very possible to absorb the student/young adult culture in Tempe without getting trashed before going somewhere to get more trashed.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by observer53

I only hear the TEM pronunciation on television by people who don't live in Az. (sports commentators, etc.) Proper accent is on the 2nd syllable, as you note.


To the OP- it is very possible to absorb the student/young adult culture in Tempe without getting trashed before going somewhere to get more trashed.

But what fun is that?

[observer53]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

But what fun is that?

You can have fun as a college student without getting "trashed". Lots of them do. I did, at ASU. It occurs to me that the OP might possibly not be interested in getting "trashed", so I said what I said. That's all.

[phx1205]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

Culture: Get drunk and party. Go to an ASU football game, come trashed then leave and get more trashed.

You forgot to say: then fill up on some Gus's or Hungry Howies pizza, or maybe even Filbertos!

[coffeerox]

OP: Is there anywhere else you can go? Speaking as a male Asian resident who was born here, this isn't exactly the most hospitable state to be in.

Do you guys think my plan is viable thus far?

In the right area, yes, in AZ, no.

What kind of neighbourhoods are suitable for someone like me?

You definitely targeted the right town. Tempe has the University there, so residents are younger and more diverse than it is elsewhere. Outside of Tempe, your odds will go down. You may be able to skate by if you have a job, but social life sucks here, especially so for Asians.

I notice the rental is around $500 - $700 a month with a roommate is this viable with me working full time? Wouldn't want to touch my savings much except for initial start-up costs.

The rent is cheap (as are other housing in AZ) but it's a "looks too good to be true" trap. Jobs are in short supply and you have to travel outside of your town to find work.

Other than that, I would love to know about the Nightlife and culture in Tempe, I decided to moved out of Singapore because of my desire to find myself in a more culturally vibrant place as well. Does Tempe fit that bill?

I think Tempe is fine, much better off than Phoenix and Mesa, that's for sure. Tempe has Mill Ave and they recently had the NYE block party. Shopping is pretty good as they have Arizona Mills (probably our best indoor mall)

Lastly, what is the right pronunciation of 'Tempe'?

Tem, as in temple, and pee (pretty obvious lol)

[Hschlick84]

I thought it was pronounced TEM-PAY

[phenomenon]

You have also posted this exact same posts on Reddit.

Where else on the internet have you spammed this?