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Welcome to the Arid Zone, Ms Mouse! Here's hoping it's a fit for you.
Thank you Colt Cassidy. I hope it's a good fit. I really do. I have an interview first thing in the morning.
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My mom has been weighing on my heart so I'm TEMPTED to get in my car and give up my Arizona dream to be near her. I'm super close to my mom and she needs a hip replacement ASAP. She has chronic bone on bone pain. I am so worried about her. She has seven children. She's up North now with my other sister and three brothers. I'm the baby of the family. I feel guilty for not following her up to Connecticut. I find Connecticut depressing. I hate winters and weeks on end with grey skies. I've lived there before near Hartford for about a year after college, and my car did a figure 8 in black ice once. That was scarry and I hated shoveling all that snow. I really don't think I could handle the snow at this point in my life.
I hear lots of people move out here to Arizona and get homesick. I have a brother in New Mexico and I adore his family but I like Arizona even more. I can always visit him and I can always call my mom.
I was supposed to relocate out West a year ago. I put my dream on hold, because my mother pleaded with me to stay in Florida until she had her surgery, but the surgery kept getting delayed because of her high blood pressure. I had a real love/hate relationship with HUMID Florida. No real high paying job opportunities except for one that I chose to leave after a few years because I outgrew it. At church, I was surrounded by snow birds and young families. I wanted to try something new. I was craving a change of scenery. I tried picking up odd jobs that didn't pay well when I didn't end up going out West. I tried to start an Etsy business sewing clothing. That was a foolish idea. Why would anyone want my designs when they can get a million different designs at all the malls? My last idea was to resell thrift store items on EBay. That was a bust. It just wasn't me.
I'm hoping I have better luck here job wise in Arizona. I feel I can meet plenty of Christians in this area too. There is something for everyone here in Arizona so the feeling I get is "just be yourself".
According to your post, I made every mistake in the book
I moved here without a job, rented an apartment long distance sight unseen, and had never visited in the summer...or at all, actually! (though I had spent a lot of time in the heat in Vegas so I had a good idea of what I was in for, but I had never set foot in Phoenix) it all worked out just fine. I actually had many recruiters willing to talk to me before I got here, and had several interviews lined up as soon as I landed. I then took a few weeks off when I first arrived as I wanted a break and time to unpack, etc, but once I started really looking for a job, I actually had 3 offers within about 10 days. My field isn't so specialized, either. (I was looking for jobs in the accounting field at that time)
It can be done.
Well, that is surprising considering you have multiple posts criticizing the Phoenix area and even regretting moving here in some manner. To hear that you like the Valley is a surprise to many of us. We've had threads started by people who experienced difficulty finding jobs for the reasons I posted. I am just restating their experience. Accounting is always in demand so it's no surprise your experience was different. Las Vegas has the same weather as Phoenix so you were already used to hot dry summers.
I stand by what what I claim. It is absolutely foolish for someone to move here without securing a job first. It shouldn't take a genius to understand that concept.
Well, that is surprising considering you have multiple posts criticizing the Phoenix area and even regretting moving here in some manner. To hear that you like the Valley is a surprise to many of us. We've had threads started by people who experienced difficulty finding jobs for the reasons I posted. I am just restating their experience. Accounting is always in demand so it's no surprise your experience was different. Las Vegas has the same weather as Phoenix so you were already used to hot dry summers.
I stand by what what I claim. It is absolutely foolish for someone to move here without securing a job first. It shouldn't take a genius to understand that concept.
I don't love it here by any means, and I won't live here forever. Not sure what you are talking about there. I have a lot of negative opinions about the valley, that's never going to change. My experience in Las Vegas was a few vacations so I knew what I was in for, but I hadn't experienced a full hot, dry summer until my first one here, actually. I've always known I loved the heat, so no worries there.
When the first job I had here turned out to be a dud, I started the search again, not in accounting the second time. Had frequent interviews right away doing a variety of different things, and found a new job in a completely different field within a few weeks. There's lots of opportunities here for many industries. I know of a couple who packed up and moved here from Nebraska without jobs just as I did and they are thriving. Found work quickly, etc.
Life's short. Do your research, save some cash, and make the move if that's what you want to do, even without a job. Some people let lifetimes go by without taking a risk. I didn't want to be one of those people.
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I don't love it here by any means, and I won't live here forever. Not sure what you are talking about there. I have a lot of negative opinions about the valley, that's never going to change. My experience in Las Vegas was a few vacations so I knew what I was in for, but I hadn't experienced a full hot, dry summer until my first one here, actually. I've always known I loved the heat, so no worries there.
When the first job I had here turned out to be a dud, I started the search again, not in accounting the second time. Had frequent interviews right away doing a variety of different things, and found a new job in a completely different field within a few weeks. There's lots of opportunities here for many industries. I know of a couple who packed up and moved here from Nebraska without jobs just as I did and they are thriving. Found work quickly, etc.
Life's short. Do your research, save some cash, and make the move if that's what you want to do, even without a job. Some people let lifetimes go by without taking a risk. I didn't want to be one of those people.
I think it depends what one's goals are in life. Sure, as you say, one could move to Phoenix without a job and get some basic job quickly, rent an apartment, etc. and survive. That's one way to handle it. But many others don't want to just survive. Many others want to plan ahead, line up a well paying job in what they really want to do that pays well and live in a nice place in a nice area before moving. There is no one right or wrong. It's what one wants in life/what their goals are, or lack thereof by drifting/the no plan method/let's hope it all falls into place when I get there.
As for las vegas or the Phoenix metro or anywhere for that matter, thinking one knows a place by taking a "few vacations" and thinking one by this can say "so I knew what I was in for", I think it's far different to actually live in a place for a year or so vs a few vacations. I think a vacation could make a place a "maybe" but living in a place for at least a year or so is what's needed to know if it's where one wants to live on many levels.
Sure, as you say, one could move to Phoenix without a job and get some basic job quickly, rent an apartment, etc. and survive. That's one way to handle it.
I agree and I think you are being too kind. No one moves here with the intent of just surviving. They move here with the intent of having a better life otherwise they wouldn't move. Certain things are implied. I didn't think I would have to state the obvious that someone could move here and find a crummy job and apartment just to survive. Well yeah duh! That is sort of beside the point.
Yes, you can move here without a job, and no prior experience with our summers and be perfectly happy here. You can also walk into a casino with a one dollar bill and hit the 10,000 jackpot.
I agree and I think you are being too kind. No one moves here with the intent of just surviving. They move here with the intent of having a better life otherwise they wouldn't move. Certain things are implied. I didn't think I would have to state the obvious that someone could move here and find a crummy job and apartment just to survive. Well yeah duh! That is sort of beside the point.
I'm with you/good analogy.
I'm a planner type myself/want things lined up/research the daylights out of things before making big life decisions but more than a few play the jackpot/drift around in life game. More than I would have ever realized after meeting some people here and there via others, posters here, etc.
A property manager put it in perspective in his line of business over a conversation we once had.....it's often a renters mindset vs those who buy, the planner vs the floating in life type personality. Of course all renters aren't drifters/not planner types and vice versa for home buyers but I can see where he was coming from in a general way.
I'm a planner type myself/want things lined up/research the daylights out of things before making big life decisions but more than a few play the jackpot/drift around in life game. More than I would have ever realized after meeting some people here and there via others, posters here, etc.
A property manager put it in perspective in his line of business over a conversation we once had.....it's often a renters mindset vs those who buy, the planner vs the floating in life type personality. Of course all renters aren't drifters/not planner types and vice versa for home buyers but I can see where he was coming from in a general way.
I'm sure you remember but this forum was full of threads from people who moved here and then wanted to blame Phoenix for all their troubles. I remember the people that moved here during the recession without any job nor any experience with the heat. Then after they moved here, they would complain about the lack of jobs and the heat. In reality they were morons for moving here without having experienced the heat or having a secure job in place
I've lived in NYC, near LA and DC. It's difficult everywhere, but here in Florida it's MOSTLY RETIRED folk (60+) and very young families. If that's your cup of tea, enjoy! I like a little more diversity is all and better pay.
I will get old soon enough but I want to EXPLORE the world a little more before my time comes so this move has been weighing on my heart for a year now. I'm practical for the most part. No wild ways or crazy habits. I hope someone understands how I feel.
Why on earth would you consider Phoenix if you don't want to be in a place with old folks and young families? What do you think Phoenix is? It's another sunbelt city with that demographic. We have a young singles crowd as well but not a vibrant 30's and 40's singles crowd. You need move to a place like NYC, Washington D.C. Seattle or Los Angeles for that. Your post is analogous to someone from Wisconsin saying they hate the cold and lakes but asking about moving to Minnesota.
I think it depends what one's goals are in life. Sure, as you say, one could move to Phoenix without a job and get some basic job quickly, rent an apartment, etc. and survive. That's one way to handle it. But many others don't want to just survive. Many others want to plan ahead, line up a well paying job in what they really want to do that pays well and live in a nice place in a nice area before moving. There is no one right or wrong. It's what one wants in life/what their goals are, or lack thereof by drifting/the no plan method/let's hope it all falls into place when I get there.
As for las vegas or the Phoenix metro or anywhere for that matter, thinking one knows a place by taking a "few vacations" and thinking one by this can say "so I knew what I was in for", I think it's far different to actually live in a place for a year or so vs a few vacations. I think a vacation could make a place a "maybe" but living in a place for at least a year or so is what's needed to know if it's where one wants to live on many levels.
I absolutely planned. For YEARS,literally like 5 or 6. I researched, researched, researched. I had a list of possible cities to move, and Phoenix was not even in my top 5 at first, and spent countless hours digging up any info I could find about each of them from jobs to climate to quality of life. I absolutely know the difference between vacationing someplace and living someplace, I was just pointing out that I had experienced some of what the desert can bring as far as heat while vacationing (and LOVED it) before I moved, unlike some who don't know what they are in for. To think that vacationing someplace and living someplace are the same is quite foolish. I also had a house to sell and other things to consider before I moved; I didn't just up and leave. To assume that just because one moves without a job that they must be some sort of a drifter or have no plan is ridiculous.
I guess I just hate to see someone who really thinks they want to make a major move to a new place discouraged because so many tell them "don't do it without a job first." I am giving the perspective that it CAN be done without. When reaching out to perspective employers before my move, I was up front with my plans to relocate and I didn't get any real resistance from any of them. In reality, I really didn't WANT a job the moment I landed, but if I had, I am certain I could have found a job before I moved. The apartment I rented sight unseen was really nice in a safe area. I did more than just "survive."
I had friends tell me I was "brave" because I moved across the country on my own to a new place where I had never been and knew no one. I didn't see myself that way. I saw it as taking a chance in life while I still could. Sure, I didn't land my dream job when I first got here (though they are a great company and people are often impressed to hear that I worked there), but that set me on the path to find the job I have now, which is amazing.
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I agree and I think you are being too kind. No one moves here with the intent of just surviving. They move here with the intent of having a better life otherwise they wouldn't move. Certain things are implied. I didn't think I would have to state the obvious that someone could move here and find a crummy job and apartment just to survive. Well yeah duh! That is sort of beside the point.
On that same note, I don't think it is unrealistic for someone to move here and take a "lower" job to get themselves established, either. That's the great thing about the plentiful temp agencies in the valley. You can get a job through one of them to get some money coming in while you continue to look for something else. The fact that those jobs are temporary gives lots of flexibility and do not count as a bad mark on your resume if you are just there for a short time. I know I don't consider any job beneath me if it is a stepping stone to get to where I am going.
Same goes for a place to live. I'd almost rather see someone rent a crummy apartment "for now" than buy their "dream house" right off the bat; once you live here you may not like the area you bought in as much as you thought you would. At least in an apartment you have an out. Purchasing a home, you are much more stuck. Again, I am a prime example of this. I moved here to an area I liked, but thought I would rather be in a different area. Moved to that different area, hated it, now I live someplace completely different that I may not have even considered had I been looking to purchase from day one, and I like it best of all.
As always, YMMV.
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