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Hey ya'll. I wanted to know if you all would help me out. I am planning on moving to Arizona in the spring of 2005 once I graduate.

I have 3 cities narrowed down that I am interested in living in.

1. Sedona (my ideal city)
2. Tucson
3. Phoenix

Does anyone have any information about your preferences on these places? You all live there so maybe you all could let me know what the cost of living is like, etc. Also, I'm a personal trainer and nutritionist, so I'm gonna need a place (like an athletic club) where I can get a job.

I want to take a trip out there this summer if I can afford it. I've been to Sedona before and I loved it. I was in heaven there. But I haven't been able to see much of phoenix or tucson.

Got any help guys and gals? Maybe some good webpages with info about real estate, condo's, etc.....

 
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Hot, Hot, Hot.

Man, I love SC....one of my favorite US vacation spots.

 
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I don't mind the heat, but the humidity in SC will kill ya.

 
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you should be fine finding a job in either town, at a resort spa, etc..

 
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Well what towns are good for that sort of work? I'm pretty sure phoenix is huge and has a lot of jobs but i dunno if i wanna live in that big of a city.

I love Sedona, but I'm afraid that there isn't enough business there for me to be a fitness trainer or spinning instructor.

 
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Scottsdale has a **** load of upscale resorts/spas...lots of money floatin around in that city.

Its part of the Phx metropolitan area if you didnt know

 
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dont move to phoenix. it sucks.
its hot
its got ugly chicks
there is no where to party
and there is absolutely nothing to do here

move to Fargo.

 
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SOHC, you don't want me to move to your town do ya? Don't worry, Sedona or Tucson is looking much better right now anyways.

 
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Hey Fly, I used to live about 45 minutes away from Sedona and it's a cool place, but WAY TOO MANY TOURISTS. I only know of 2 resorts/spas. But there may be more. I live in Tucson and I like it alot. I also like Phoenix area too, but I think Tucson is just a little bit cheaper(if that matters) There are quite a few resorts and we also have L.A. Fitness', Gold's Gym's, many other gyms. Maybe you can be a trainer at the UofA rec. center. All I have to say is wow!!! I love that place. Well, if you want me to find some more info on jobs, housing, etc... PM me. Until then, talk to you laterz

Mike

 
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Oh yeah, you would fit in just fine, since you have a SSM Civic. Almost all AZ owners have SSM, with the exception of a few.

Mike

 
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Yes, I would love to find info about jobs that are offered out there. Is there a place where I can search? Big sites like monster.com aren't usually the best. I need to find a local listing of jobs.


Also, do most people own houses or live in apartments out there? In charleston, most living in apartments or condo's.

Thanks for the help AZNRACR

 
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There are a shyt load of gyms and stuff in Scottsdale, the cost of living here is kinda high but you can live in Tempe or something and make it into Scottsdale within 20 minutes from the 101. Don't know much about Tucson except everyone I've talked to says its the "armpit of hell"

 
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I just got off the phone with Jodie. I will probably be going out there in May to stay with her for about 10 days and see the world of Arizona.

 
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Hey Fly, move to Cali, nothing but fine ladies here

 
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Jodie...aka Rbabe? She hasnt posted her in a long time

SOHC sucks, dont listen to him

 
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Yes Rbabe. I just got off the phone with her.

 
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I would, but I can't deal with those emissions restrictions. Don't worry. AZ is close enough. I'll be sure to visit

 
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ya...for resort stuff, look into scottsdale or paradise valley.

 
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i'll hook ya up with some ladies like the 1 pic i posted, but believe me, they're BETTER than that chick

 
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Jodie and I are staying in Phoenix while i'm in AZ. She is gonna show me Sedona, PHX, and Tucson. From what she explains it seems like Tucson is where I wanna be. Not too big, not too small.

GreenNVicious, I'll make my way over there to party with you cali people once i move to AZ.

Anyone else got any info?

 
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the only thing that i agree with here is the hot part

 
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it all depends...im in a house

 
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try www.azcentral.com

 
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we have to get together during your stay

 
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i agree

 
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Fly, hmmm, this is a tough one, but I've been living in Phoenix for about 12 years now. I can better answer your question on what your priorities are (jobs, cost of living weather, etc.). I'll try to take it from several viewpoints though.

1) If job availability is a top priority then go with Phoenix
2) If weather is your utmost priority then go with Sedona
3) If it's cost of living then go with either Phoenix or Tucson
4) If it's night life, then Phoenix for sure

I know everone says Phoenix is hot, but heck it's only hot during the stretch from your car to the mall, gym, etc. This is what AC is for ;p What's great about Phoenix is that there is lot to do with ASU being a big part of the city (UofA too, in Tucson) and the fact that you're close to LA and Vegas, minus the crap traffic, smog, and friggin way to tempting slots, etc.

Personally, I'd go with living in Phoenix. Cost of living in Phoenix is excellent and not much different from either Sedona or Tucson. You could get into a house easily, especially with the great financing programs available these days (interest only LIBORS and HELOCS rock). Plus, there are jobs aplenty (like Alex and Falken said, Scottsdale & PV have a ton of resorts and spas), also Phoenix has so much new development going on that more and more Fitness clubs are opening up too (Mountainside Fitness, LA, 24 hr, Lifetime, etc.). Phoenix, has several cities ranked in the top 10 nationwide (Peoria is the #5 growing city in the nation and Gilbert is #1). Phoenix imho has a lot more to offer nightlife wise as well. If you value smaller and quieter cities you don't have to live at the heart of Phx, you can move to some outlying cities that are still considered Phoenix, but far enough away for peace and quiet, but still close to Phoenix should you want to come down for nightlife stuff. Such cities, include Gilbert, Happy Valley, Queen Creek, Laveen, Avondale, Litchfield Park, Glendale (west of the 101), Peoria (north of the 101). In these cities you can get nearly a 1000 sf more house for the same money vs. something in metro. Like Falken said, azcentral.com is a great starting point to find out about Phoenix or AZ and all aspects of it. Let me know if you have any questions Real Estate-wise, I'm not a realtor, I just know a lot about it as I am buying a new house. I have a lot of realtor/financing connections though, should you need help in that area.

Good luck Fly, and it'll be nice to see another moderator in Phoenix (who hopefully stays longer than the last).

 
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Wow NorrinRadd. You da man!! Thanks for the info.

I was talking to a friend who is from AZ. He used to live in Gilbert and he said it was hella cheap compared to other places. He said that the smart thing to do is to live in Gilbert and work in Scottsdale.

I can't wait to get there!!!

 
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You're Welcome!

Fly, your friend gave you good advice. I'm actually buying my new house in Gilbert too, awesome area for new homes and new development. If you buy a new house in Gilbert keep in mind that depending on where in Gilbert, your commute to Scottsdale may take awhile (1 hr is worse case, but 35-45 mins is about right). If you need to have immediate freeway access stay close to Elliot, Warner (these 2 get you to the 60), Cooper, and McQueen (these 2 are somewhat close to the 101) roads. Otherwise a new freeway (Loop 202) will be going thru Gilbert in about 1-2 years, giving the city great freeway access throughout. Let me know if you have any other questions about Gilbert of Phoenix as a whole.

 
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wow...good advice.

I live in North Phoenix and it takes maybe 25 minutes to get to Scottsdale via the 101 freeway...or you can take surface streets

 
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Does nobody care about Flagstaff. I mean this place is awesome. Unlike Phoenix and Tucson we actually have 4 seasons. Unlike Sedona we actually have a few things to do around here if you are under 65. Not as many noticible tourists as Sedona. Also we have a university in town that has approx. 65-35 ratio of girls to guys. So tell me...why haven't you considered the fine city of Flagstaff?