Moving without visiting first? (Phoenix: apartment, hotel, neighborhoods)

[BobLeeVegas]

To save money, is it feasible that I could move to Phoenix without ever having been there?

I have a job waiting so that part is covered.

I can probably get a sense of bad and good neighborhoods on this board.

I could line up an apartment via online and phone, perhaps for a short term

lease in case it turns out to be not so great.

This would save me some money from a trip out there that I could put

towards moving.

I am not worried about the weather. I have been in Vegas in the summer,
and I prefer the heat.

Would it be too crazy or reckless to just move without scouting it out in
person first?

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by BobLeeVegas

To save money, is it feasible that I could move to Phoenix without ever having been there?

I have a job waiting so that part is covered.

I can probably get a sense of bad and good neighborhoods on this board.

I could line up an apartment via online and phone, perhaps for a short term

lease in case it turns out to be not so great.

This would save me some money from a trip out there that I could put

towards moving.

I am not worried about the weather. I have been in Vegas in the summer,
and I prefer the heat.

Would it be too crazy or reckless to just move without scouting it out in
person first?

To be blunt, I think it's insane to move anywhere without visiting first, preferably more than once. Some of the most bitter and disgruntled residents of the Phoenix Metro Area are those that moved with unrealistic expectations and insufficient knowledge of the area. I'd say do yourself a favor and come out first. The peak tourist season is drawing to a close, so hotel rates in May and June should be more favorable than they have been in recent months.

[pookycat1]

As long as you have an exit plan you might be alright.
Just because you've heard good things about the area it doesn't mean that you will like living there.
We are moving there soon, but we've been there many times at all seasons of the year. Yet we do realize that not until we live there will we truly know what it is like.
Just keep that in mind and don't just get caught up in the adventure of it.

[pookycat1]

["To save money, is it feasible that I could move to Phoenix without ever having been there?"]

One more thing...realize too that if you hate it there you will end up spending more money trying to get out again, so in the end your plan to "save" money by not visiting there first might back fire on you and end up costing you thousands more.

[ivanabacowboy]

Some folks have done it. As far as "visit at least once", sure that would be preferable. But even with one visit, especially a short visit, you are not going to "know" much of anything. And yes, you could always move back if you dont like it.

My sister moved here sight unseen with a friend about 20 years ago and did just fine.

[MovingSomewhere5]

Have you been to LA? I just drove around Phoenix and it reminded me a lot of LA- nice parts, not so nice parts, lots of strip malls, lots of concrete, etc. Where are you coming from? I bet if you make a few stops you can get there in a fairly inexpensive way....?

[kel9798]

[SIZE=3]I would say it depends on your situation. If you are single and will not be moving a family down there, which from your post seems like the case, I think you would be just fine. It would be a great adventure. But if you have kids and a family I would definitely check it out first. I am moving down there too and I was planning on going sight unseen as well, but my mom surprised me with airline tickets for us to go down and check it out first. Anyway, I think it is a great opportunity to get out there and try something new. If you don’t like it you could always go back home. [/SIZE]

[BurtsBees]

I took three trips and that was enough for me to make my own decision

[vegaspilgrim]

I'm about 80% certain I'm moving to Phoenix, and I've only visited one time before, 10 years ago. I am coming down there next weekend to check the place out. It will be a leap of faith to be sure, but I'm excited. Palm trees here I come!

[ITChick]

BobLeeVegas, based on this post and your other one in the Phoenix forum, I think you feel you have nothing to lose by moving to the area and everything to gain. If you have no other commitments, and nothing and noone to tie you down, it might be worth it to move to Phoenix sight unseen. Sometimes you just have to take that risk, especially if you need a break from the same old, day after day routine. I normally would say to visit first, but you seem like you really have your mind set and a job lined up, which a lot of people don't have when they move.

Just don't burn any bridges where your at, in case you need to move back!