Rents in Tucson seem easily affordable compared to Seattle, but is there a catch? (Phoenix: real estate)

[beenhereandthere]

Is it a land of 10 dollar an hour service jobs? That may be fine to start out with, but not exactly a cup of tea for a long term future, of course. Advice?

[thedirtman]

Originally Posted by beenhereandthere

Is it a land of 10 dollar an hour service jobs? That may be fine to start out with, but not exactly a cup of tea for a long term future, of course. Advice?

There is that to some extent. Tucson isn't going to have as many jobs to offer as Seattle (or Phoenix for that matter). A lot has to do with water. If you're moving from Seattle be prepared for a shock when it comes to costs of water and everything that goes with it, such as landscaping, golf courses and swimming pools. Some people will adapt and others cannot.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by beenhereandthere

Is it a land of 10 dollar an hour service jobs? That may be fine to start out with, but not exactly a cup of tea for a long term future, of course. Advice?

Over the years, except for a few exceptions, I have learned overall "expenses vs paychecks" seem to balance out, BeenThere.

When I originally relocated to Tucson from Northern California the starting wage startled me, however, I soon learned there was more left over at the end of the month due to the much lower cost of living. Lower real estate is just the tip of the iceberg. Most everything is more reasonably priced.

Yes, my starting wage was a little on the low side but that didn't last for long.

Good Luck is you decide to settle here.

[borregokid]

If you live near one of the major bus lines you can not only find an affordable rental but you might be able to get by without a car. Tucson has more stores, fast food restaurants, etc that are within walking distance of a lot of apartments and houses. Two people earning $10-$12 an hour under one roof could fare better in Tucson than Seattle. Electricity is about the same and water-sewer-garbage is actually less than Seattle. It would be easier to own a house in Tucson than Seattle. There are still some bargains in Tucson, not so much in Seattle. Despite the similar populations Tucson is a lot smaller than Seattle and there isn't as much money around. There is no Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, etc and the only team anyone cares about is the U of A. The teams in Phoenix no one seems to know exist.

[actinic]

Seattle has more downtown residential units under construction now than Tucson has had combined in a decade. I would say that bodes well for future employment ... in Seattle.

[azdr0710]

and Seattle is much more hip than Tucson...so there's that

[beenhereandthere]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

and Seattle is much more hip than Tucson...so there's that

True, but with a cost of living that is at least 30% higher.

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by Bummer

... When I originally relocated to Tucson from Northern California the starting wage startled me, however, I soon learned there was more left over at the end of the month due to the much lower cost of living. Lower real estate is just the tip of the iceberg. Most everything is more reasonably priced ...

Whether or not that is true for others will largely depend on what housing costs are where they are from, versus what they are in Tucson. Homes and even rental apartments DO look like a bargain in Tucson if you move here from anywhere in California. Overall cost of living IS a lot less (certainly gas and utilities in addition to housing and maybe even food), so lower salaries are bearable. But I moved here from a place where houses were half the price they are in Tucson. So having my salary crash to 60% of what it was where I paid half as much for a home was a financial set-back I have yet to recover from.

I'm not knowledgeable enough about Seattle to compare housing there to here, but I'm quite sure there are fewer well-paying jobs here.

[DebBho]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

and Seattle is much more hip than Tucson...so there's that

"Hip" is subjective. I just moved to Tucson after living in Fort Collins, CO for 30 years and it's considered very "hip" and up-and-coming. Puhleeease. I felt like a fish in a bowl there for all of those thirty years. It's a quintessential, small town and vanilla valley to boot. Not enough to do or see and everything shuts down at midnight. I am SO glad to have finally escaped it.