Would Phoenix/Scottsdale work for me? (Tucson, Tempe: cheap apartment, for rent, condo)

[rexthedestroyer]

I currently live in the Bay Area, renting a dirt cheap apartment in the East Bay while making $110k a year. I have an opportunity to work in the Phoenix Scottsdale area with a starting salary of $100k. I am a 38 year old single black male. Would it be a wise move to head to the desert?

[phx1205]

Yes

[rexthedestroyer]

It would be nice to expound more on your response. I work for the federal government, so although it would be a promotion, the locality pay would be lower, which means less pay for me. However, I have read cost of living in Phoenix area is substantially lower than what it is in the bay, so the pay cut would not be that bad. Am I correct to assume this is true ?

As far as dating goes, where is a good place to meet late 20s to. I'd 30s women? I have no racial preference so I'm open to all types.

Should I buy a home or just rent?

My work location would be north Phoenix, where is a good place to live?

[smoochaz]

You'd live like a king on $100k/year - depending on where your job is and what you like to do on your leisure time you will be able to rent or buy a nice condo or home.

[Ponderosa]

It's a promotion. Everything is lower here, taxes, rents, gasoline. You can rent a very nice place for 15% of your gross and a palace compared to what you are probably in in the Bay area for 25%. The night life for your age in in Scottsdale mostly. Northeast Phoenix/Scottdale will work for you both with a nice place to live and proximity to work. I guess it comes down to how much you love the Bay area, because career-wise and economically, it is a no brainer decision.

[rexthedestroyer]

Great to hear. I love the bay, but I am kind of in no mans land when it comes to promotions here, and although I pay $1100 for rent, if I ever have to move, I'll be paying close to $2k, which would make me very unhappy.

Well I think I'm moving in the affirmative direction of going to Phoenix.

[Finper]

Have you ever been to Phoenix ? You might want to spend a wknd there to see if you can take the heat and get a lay of the land. I live in Orange County and just did that to Tucson. I loved it there it's not the CA rat race and I feel at home in the desert but not everyone can take the heat.

[Zathras]

I second a weekend visit. June is a good time to experience what 110-115 degrees actually feels like. Personally I don't mind it too much- just the price we pay for great weather the rest of the year. But it isn't for everyone.
My daughter lived in the east bay area for a few years and the cost of living there is ridiculous compared to most other places.

[observer53]

You could start with this coming weekend. Going to be a hot one. It will get more humid a bit later in the summer, but you will get a taste of the 110 plus.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

$1100/month gets you a luxury apartment here or one in a high demand area like Biltmore/Downtown/Midtown/Downtown Scottsdale/Downtown Tempe