Midwestern People (Phoenix, Tempe, Flagstaff: apartment, property taxes, move to)

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

Jobs? What jobs? The only jobs here are low-paying customer service jobs that dont offer a paycheck or future. At least the Midwest has INDUSTRY that balances the economy and creates a higher cost of living. Those states actually produce something, Arizona doesnt. As far as taxes goes, it depends on where you live. And Arizona bar none has a higher cost of living than IN, WI, OH, MI and IL outside the Chicago area. I honestly dont see any advantage AZ has to those other states.

Arizona has the trump card------------decent weather.

Besides; being an automotive alignment tech by trade, I hate working on those rusty POS vehicles from the Rust Belt.

If you are that disgusted with the Phx area-----------no one is holding a gun to your head telling you that you need to stay.

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Arizona has the trump card------------decent weather.

Besides; being an automotive alignment tech by trade, I hate working on those rusty POS vehicles from the Rust Belt.

If you are that disgusted with the Phx area-----------no one is holding a gun to your head telling you that you need to stay.

Not only that, but a lot of jobs available in Arizona require a degree; Nursing, Business Management, Education, "High-tech," Engineering, Financial planning, etc. to name a few.

[mhouse2001]

Originally Posted by Donna7

I've lived in NE OH for 40 years (am still here, but looking at Phoenix, AZ for future relocation). Main reason for wanting to get out: Yes, indeedy, it "does suck" here in a major way during winter. As someone has already said, the months of pervasive dark, overcast skies as well as lack of direct sunlight affects a person. For me, lack of direct sunlight in winter affects me profoundly. Can't say that I felt the effects as much in my earlier years, but starting in my late 30's, I started feeling it and now, in my mid-40's, it's killer every winter. I can't say that Ohio is horrible at other times. However, five to six months of winter (and SAD) seems to negate the good months more and more the older I get.

Additionally, one begins to realize that there are choices of where to spend one's life, as there are a finite number of years in each and every life.

We haven't been affected by unemployment (knock on wood), but I know those that have. Most that I personally know have moved to the South. For me, I prefer the landscape/topography and culture of the West. I'm looking forward to coming out there in the short-term future and spending some time there to see how it "feels."

I feel a kinship here. While I didn't originally move to Phoenix to escape the winter blues, I did notice almost immediately that the sunshine made it next to impossible to be "down". The sun brightens my mood and I'm sure you'll enjoy the same effect when you move here.

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by mhouse2001

I feel a kinship here. While I didn't originally move to Phoenix to escape the winter blues, I did notice almost immediately that the sunshine made it next to impossible to be "down". The sun brightens my mood and I'm sure you'll enjoy the same effect when you move here.

"The sunshine bores the daylights out of me". The Glimmer Twins.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

And Steve-o, while the skiing in AZ doesn't really compare to Colorado, the vertical drops are longer and higher than any hill in Michigan. In fact, the drops in AZ actually measure the physical distance of mountains, over 1000ft. You don't have that in Michigan. There are black diamond runs in AZ, they have those in Michigan??? Don't think so.

There are hundreds of black diamond runs in Michigan.

And while there are a few select areas in AZ where you can ski, MI has lots of options all over the state, no need to drive hours upon hours to go ski. And IMO, the skiing in MI offers a more quintessential skiing experience. You know, deep pine forests, European-inspired lodges with wood burning fireplaces and hot cocoa, snow all around the area that just isnt confined to the top of the mountain most of the time (ie AZ). And nowhere in AZ can you get a view like this while youre skiing! Suckers!
Flickr Photo Download: lutsen mountain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8327111@N03/717705094/sizes/l/ - broken link)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Arizona has the trump card------------decent weather.

And the shallowness continues!

You really, honestly, truly, officially think AZ has the ultimate trump card because you have "decent weather"? Hmmmm, I bet my thermometer right now would disagree with that ridiculous statement. NO PLACE HAS PERFECT WEATHER!!!! San Diego is about as close as it gets. And if you could afford it, you'd live there, too (unless youre a self-proclaimed masochist who prefers AZ's climate to SD's).

And speaking of trump cards....I know things like schools, COL, community, wages, culture, arts, public transportation, diversity and jobs MEAN NOTHING TO (most) ZONIES, but to the rest of us who actually like VARIETY and OPTIONS, it means the world. I know, I know, we dont get as much sunshine as AZ, so therefore we dont have the ultimate "trump card". I guess you really dont see how silly you truly sound. That would be the equivalent of someone from Podunk, KS saying their city is better than PHX because they have better roads. Would you not shake your head and wanna laugh yourself to death?

[Ritchie_az]

Here are two photo's of Mt Lemmon, the ski slopes just 1 hour drive from my home:






The best part is, one can play in the snow, then drive home and enjoy wonderful mid-60's temperatures.

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

And the shallowness continues! NO PLACE HAS PERFECT WEATHER!!!!

What about Hawaii? I think its weather is even better than San Diego's.

[Ritchie_az]

And this is where I live:


And this is where I'm moving to in a couple months:

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

The best part is, one can play in the snow, then drive home and enjoy wonderful mid-60's temperatures.

We have a place in Ruidoso, NM where you can snow ski in the morning and play golf in the afternoon in the middle of winter. The best of both worlds.