Considering a move to Arizona from Vegas. Help! (Phoenix, Mesa: rent, crime rate)

[Belldandy07]

Hello. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. My mother and I currently live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and have been living in Vegas for three years. Unfortunately, we feel that our time in Vegas needs to come to an end for the following reasons:

-The absence of a community spirit (We are not impossible to get along with. The people in Vegas are, as they are unforgivably rude and empty)
-The high rate of fatal car accidents (a Las Vegas newspaper and channel have recently reported a drastic increase in fatal car accidents)
-A high rate of violent crime
-The small list of recreational activities outside of gambling, shopping and drinking
-The rising cost of living, and how the previously mentioned points do nothing to soften the cost of living's blow

We're considering Scottsdale, Gilbert and Phoenix. Unfortunately, we're getting conflicting stories on how Arizona is a spectacular state to move to, but at the same time, it's one of the worst. Our salary is about $30,000 a year, but our main points of concern are:

-Crime rate (particularly violent)
-Sense of community
-Diversity and tolerance towards diverse communities
-Unemployment rate/Job market
-Recreational activities
-Cost of living

Any insightful information you have on Scottsdale, Gilbert, Phoenix or just Arizona in general would be most helpful. If we can't stand Vegas, would we enjoy living in Arizona at all?

Thank you for your help.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by Belldandy07

Hello. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. My mother and I currently live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and have been living in Vegas for three years. Unfortunately, we feel that our time in Vegas needs to come to an end for the following reasons:

-The absence of a community spirit (We are not impossible to get along with. The people in Vegas are, as they are unforgivably rude and empty)
-The high rate of fatal car accidents (a Las Vegas newspaper and channel have recently reported a drastic increase in fatal car accidents)
-A high rate of violent crime
-The small list of recreational activities outside of gambling, shopping and drinking
-The rising cost of living, and how the previously mentioned points do nothing to soften the cost of living's blow

We're considering Scottsdale, Gilbert and Phoenix. Unfortunately, we're getting conflicting stories on how Arizona is a spectacular state to move to, but at the same time, it's one of the worst. Our salary is about $30,000 a year, but our main points of concern are:

-Crime rate (particularly violent)
-Sense of community
-Diversity and tolerance towards diverse communities
-Unemployment rate/Job market
-Recreational activities
-Cost of living

Any insightful information you have on Scottsdale, Gilbert, Phoenix or just Arizona in general would be most helpful. If we can't stand Vegas, would we enjoy living in Arizona at all?

Thank you for your help.

30k each or total?

-Crime rate (particularly violent)> not bad at all. Most crime is drugs and property crime. Violence is usually domestic. Most crime is in the western side of the metro and central parts of Mesa. The west side does get nicer once you get to about 67th or 75th Ave and north of US 60.

-Sense of community>better in the east valley and central Phoenix because they are more established. On the whole, not great. Phoenix is a transient city like Vegas but to a much lesser extent.


-Diversity and tolerance towards diverse communities>Not sure what you mean by this, but Phoenix is very integrated in terms of race/culture and is generally divided by economics. My neighbors are, for example, African American, Indian, Hispanic, Asian, and White, all on one block. Most people in Phoenix are White, Hispanic, African American, or Native American with small pockets of Asian and Indian communities in Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler.

-Unemployment rate/Job market>could be better. If you work in service, Vegas is better. In most other industries, Phoenix is better.

-Recreational activities>drinking, eating out, hiking, long drives, gambling. Not terribly different than Vegas, but the hiking is more abundant

-Cost of living>About the same and also rising, especially rent in the central city.


On another note, not all of Arizona is Phoenix. This should probably be moved.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by Belldandy07

Hello. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. My mother and I currently live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and have been living in Vegas for three years.

Where in Las Vegas? It’s a big place. Many people have written to say that they’re happy there and cite none of the factors you mention. So I’m wondering what neighborhood you’re in.

[ringler24]

I don't think you can live in an even remotely safe area on 30k a year in Phoenix.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by ringler24

I don't think you can live in an even remotely safe area on 30k a year in Phoenix.

They posted the same comment in the Dallas forum and noted it is $30k a year each.