Would like to relocate from NY to Arizona? Any suggestions would be appreciated?

Question

I'm interested in relocating from NY to Arizona within a year. I've never been out there, however I know people that relocated and love it. I would like to know any information regarding the Phoenix (surrounding suburb areas). I have 2 boys, ages 4 & 11, would like to know the area with the best schools. Also, the job market (my position currently is an accounting manager) , as well as quality of living. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Well it all depends on how much you want to give up in NY, as well as what part of NY you are from. (City or LI vs. upstate/rural)

I grew up in central NJ close to Staten Island. We moved to the Phoenix area when we got married in 1999. I am a teacher, so finding a decent school district was important to me. I hate to sound negative about it, but I do still feel that the the schools are just better in the NJ/NY/CT area. BUT-there are many fine and excellent schools here.

You may want to look into Chandler, Higley, and Gilbert schools. Excellent districts that expect quality teachers and have consistently performed well on state stabdard assessments. There are also areas in Surprise that are excelling too. Scottsdale and Paradise Valley have great schools. The housing boom is huge right now, so it is possible to invest in a great home for a much lower price than one could ever afford back home!

The air quality is not so great in the actual city of Phoenix area. Lots of reports of the 'brown clouds' overhead. Further east, west, or north tends to be better. The air is much dryer out here for obvious reasons. We try to conserve water too.

The little things back home is what you will miss: real seasons, great tasting tap water, the sounds of the city, the shore and boardwalk, and specific foods like great pizza and bagels. My husband misses White Castle-don't know if that really qualifies as 'food' though!

As a teacher though, I am constantly getting new students who move to this area from all over the country. Kids do adapt well, and with the nice weather there are always plenty of outdoor activities.

Good luck in your decision!

Answer 2

I have lived in Phoenix for 20 years, I have always lived on the northwest side, north Phoenix, northern Glendale (near the Arrowhead area) my children went to Blue Ribbon Schools in the Washington Elementary School District and in the Glendale Union High School District...there are always good and bad at every school, but you can pretty much take your pick on schools and we have wonderful private schools that probably don't cost nearly what it costs most people to park a car in New York. I don't know why everyone is saying there is no grass...there are beautiful parks everywhere you go in this city and every house I've owned has had large grassy yards with a big pool dropped into the middle of it. Now, I live in North Phoenix, but I work in West Tempe and here is the reason I would recommend North Phoenix. No matter how big the freeways in the Gilbert, Ahwatukee, Chandler and Tempe area get, they are still bumper to bumper traffic... and it starts at 6 am goes to 10 am and then starts again about 3 pm and goes to 7 pm...it is miserable. I live off of I-17 which is only 3 lanes each way and I have NEVER seen the traffic that you get in the south. I know it's because there are newer homes and younger people (ASU is there) but coming from New York you might actually appreciate the 30-60 year old homes that are still on the west side! Just don't move to Surprise...there is only one way in and out of there and it is a PAIN! Good luck if you decide to move, we came here from South Dakota and have not missed one flake of snow and I would not trade 115 degree days for -20 for anything in the world.

Answer 3

Always watch your boys. I'm not lying there are a TON of sex offenders in the Phoenix area, and there is always child abductions/attempted rapes all over the news along with the usual stuff like cops getting killed, murders, robberies, etc. Last year we had three serial killers attacking random victims in Phoenix AT THE SAME TIME.

Phoenix is to the point where it is overcrowded already and the population is supposed to double in the next couple of decades.

Also, why anyone would want to move to Phoenix without first experiencing what it's like to be standing in 115-120 degree heat with the sun right over top you and no shade anywhere around is beyond me! Phoenix set the record this year for most days of 110 degrees or more. Next year will be even worse, and it is still too hot right now. I moved here 2 years ago and I am miserable. I'm sick of the heat, the crime, the traffic, the illegals everywhere you go, etc.

Answer 4

First thing you want to do is Sell or throw away all your heavy snow like jackets away.......LOL

If you read the other phoenix questions on here about relocating, you will see what areas people like the most around Phoenix. The Most of the East Valley suburbs are good places to raise a family, but more congested then the North West Valley. The Arrowhead area in Glendale (North West) is really nice with lots of shopping, restaurants, close to the new stadium and good school districts.

Answer 5

I lived in the Phoenix area for several years, but now live in the Boston area.

The area is growing like crazy because people like you smarten up and get a way from the winters in the north. I'm sure there are plenty of jobs for someone with an accounting background.

The nicer parts of Phoenix proper is north of the city, north of Northern Ave. Also Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler SE of Phoenix are nicer areas. Scottsdale is the nicest part of the area but very pricey.

Regarding the other comment about lawns etc.. It's the freaking desert. Water is at a premium around there, so maintaining a lawn isn't a priority for most people. They call it zero scaping, using the materials that are native to the area. If there is one big drawback to the area - water is it. It's expensive, tap water tastes bad, and it doesn't rain often. If your expectation is the types of homes & yards you see around NJ/CT/NY/MA - then AZ is going to be a disappointment.

After 4 years or so I got tired of there being only one season.

Answer 6

I am from NY. Been out here 3 years. Its great to raise kids and get them into doing diffrent things. As far as jobs you can and will find something with in a week. The school system is fair. Not the best not the worst. As a parent if you drill into your childs head what they learned in school, the children will be fine. I have a house in South Phoenix that I rent out to a family from Boston and I have a house in Maricopa. This would be a great area for you. Trust me I am a stickler when it comes to my kids being safe and learning. IM me when u want. I am always on. NY2AZ061277

Answer 7

well i have lived in arizona all my life, so i know what i am talking about. arizona is a great place to live. i would say you should live in either gilbert or east mesa! both are very nice places to live. gilbert is more lively and very fast growing! tons of resturants, shopping and things to do. they have really good schools there too! and there is alot of open land since its a relatively new town, so you can build a brand new house if you want. and there a alotta of family orientated neighborhoods. so any neighborhood you choose to live in will probably have lots of kids you children can play and hangout with!

the living in arizona is alot like california except for the fact that we dont have an ocean. but other than that the pace of living is pretty much the same. crowded free ways, lots of people, and tons of malls and shopping places. and tons of good resturants!!




well good luck and have fun in AZ!

Answer 8

Jobs and schools, I don't know, but I went to visit my sister (Tucson) and it's kind of boring compared to NY, you can pay a million $ for a home or you can pay $100,000 for a home and all you'll get is sand and cactus, I did'nt see any grass the whole time I was there, I realize, if your in the city there's not much grass but, there's more grass in Central Park than the whole city of Tucson, hope whatever you do your Happy, Good Luck with those boys, I have 3

Answer 9

Best stay put. We have way to many coming from Ca and out East wanting to make Arizona like the state they left!

Answer 10

Gilbert move to Gilbert.