Head West............?

OnTheFly7

OnTheFly7

Well-Known Member
It has been forever and then some, since the last time I posted anything here at JC. There are many reasons for that, the primary being that I have had a lot going on.

In any case, I am here to get some opinions and advice from those on JC who live in the Phoenix area. My girl friend received a phone call this afternoon telling her that she was selected for a position that she has been interviewing for for the past two months. We are trying to decide if it would be worth the move (from the western suburbs of Chicago) in regards to finances, friends, etc.

She would be starting at roughly 10K less than she is making now and I would not have a job right away. Understanding that everyone has a different financial situation, as a whole, is is more costly to live in the Phoenix metro area as opposed to the Chicago area? Specifically, we would be moving to Anthem, on the north side near Lake Pleasant.

I understand that the area is one of the hardest hit with regards to the housing market, however, I do not know the status of the job market. What is the main industry in that area? How are the job prospects for a new comer to the area?

I am just trying to get as much info. as possible so we can make the proper choice for us. Any and all feed back and input is welcomed.

Thanks in advance.
 
Well the trouting sucks, thats for sure.

Other than that, I am no help whatsoever.

PS: you are missing an epic Ephemerella infrequens hatch.
 
bdhill1979 said:
Well the trouting sucks, thats for sure.

Other than that, I am no help whatsoever.

PS: you are missing an epic Ephemerella infrequens hatch.
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You have to tease me about the hatch..........thanks a lot! We have had so much rain everything has been blown out and the weeds are down, tough year.

Actually, the fishing out there is outrageous! I never would have thought! Some of it is a drive (3 to 4 hours), but it is rediculous. Check out the gallery at www.azflyfishing.com. Look at the rim country Browns, the spring Crappie and the suprise Smallmouth. The stillwater stuff is nuts too!
 
PGA07 said:
You have to tease me about the hatch..........thanks a lot! We have had so much rain everything has been blown out and the weeds are down, tough year.

Actually, the fishing out there is outrageous! I never would have thought! Some of it is a drive (3 to 4 hours), but it is rediculous. Check out the gallery at www.azflyfishing.com. Look at the rim country Browns, the spring Crappie and the suprise Smallmouth. The stillwater stuff is nuts too!
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3-4 hours????? That is forever

My brothers in law's family has a cabin in the White Mountains. They say the biggest trout they have caught up there was 14 inches......not even worth getting out of the car.

I was up a few hours ago and was hooking up on almost every cast. Then I saw the life flight chopper land down river and I guess some kid had drowned in the river, I couldn't stay after that.

edit: So I guess they found the little girl alive, http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=7225293
maybe I should head back up before taking my boss to Vegas this evening. Its that epic.
 
I don't really know anything about the cost of living in either area, but a somewhat useful tool I found was a relocation calculator. (you can do a google search and many pop up.)

The random one I selected (using simply Chicago vs Phoenix) and using a current income in Chicgo of $50,000, you would need to only make around $45,000 in Phoenix to "live in your current lifestyle".
 
No one has any insight or information that they can provide to someone looking to make a move half way across the country? I know there are quite a few folks who live in, near or have lived in the area.

Also, if anyone has suggestions as to which flight schools at either Deer Valley or Scottsdale are worth checking into, that would be great also.
 
The question I have right off the bat, is why is your girlfriend looking at a job paying 10k less? Does the new position have better growth potential? What is your field?

Have you (both) looked a one income budget?
 
cloudman said:
The question I have right off the bat, is why is your girlfriend looking at a job paying 10k less? Does the new position have better growth potential? What is your field?

Have you (both) looked a one income budget?
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My field is in sales. I am not sure if I would want to remain in that field, however, given the proper opportunity I would.

She is considering the job for numerous reasons. It is a job that is more in line with what she wants to do. There is room for growth (100k may be, may be not. But where will you get that now a days), her medical ins. would be $30 a month not $500 a month, she would have a pensions after 10 years, she would be able to work from home two days a week and she would be getting in on the ground floor of a new division within an existing department.

Oh yeah..........its secure as well. Its a state government position that is federally funded! Basically it is like winning the lottery for her!
 
Anthem can be a little spendy from what I've seen and it's kind of isolated on the I-17. That being said, the cost of living out here can be significantly cheaper than other major cities. Unlike Chicago, there isn't much viable public transportation so you will need two cars.
 
And normally I would say commuting in PHX is easy, but you're limited to I-17 which is one of the worst for backups, as that is the only main artery to Flagstaff. Matt is right, Anthem is kinda known as one of the more "Spendy" areas along with Scottsdale / Fountain Hills.

My wife's family is from Chicago (Naperville) and overall the cost of living here in the valley is much cheaper. PM me if you want any more info.




-Matt- (one of the many Matt's on JC)
 
My first question is, are you obligated to move with her right away? If you can sit tight for a couple of months while you search for a position in that area prior to actually moving, that would be an option to make the transition a little easier.

My second question is, what kind of sales are you in? "Sales" itself can be a pretty broad occupation. Generally though, if you are good at sales you can find a lot of opportunities - especially if you aren't opposed to commission-only jobs.
 
Anthem is really nice, but when you go there it feels like you're in a little self contained Happyville. (think leave it to beaver)
 
drew09 said:
Anthem is really nice, but when you go there it feels like you're in a little self contained Happyville. (think leave it to beaver)
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Anthem is rumoured to have the highest concentration of swingers of any Arizona town. Could explain the happiness.
 
N826AW said:
Anthem is rumoured to have the highest concentration of swingers of any Arizona town. Could explain the happiness.
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Well..............at least I know we will have some fun down there!:cool:

In any case, it is official, we are packing up and hauling butt 2/3 of the way across the country!

It looks as though we will be arriving in the area some time between August 15 and August 20. The exact dates have not been nailed down just yet. Once we get in and settle down, my main priority will have to be making myself employable. Once we are situated I am very excited to meet some of the faces from JC at a M&G, since I know there are quite a few in the area.

Needless to say the move will be stressful and as much as I look forward to it, I am nervous and scared (scared of the unknown). Funny, someone lives in Amsterdam for a while and then in Ontario and moving to Arizona is worrying me. I guess you have less to worry about when you are younger. Either that or you are just nieve, young and dumb!
 
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