Relocation Considerations - I value your opinions!

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by GNandGS, Nov 4, 2016.

  1. GNandGS

    GNandGS Well-Known Member

    Firstly, there is no wrong response! Feel free.

    Considering a move back from Asia. While I doubt anyone that knows me will read this, I hope they keep it secret until confirmed. IF pulling this off, I need to find the right place to satisfy two diff life experiences - an Asia based large city and a US based small town.

    On to it then!

    Considering perhaps suburb of Phoenix. Glendale?

    Desires/Comments:
    * Population, a city of some size but not 1-3 hour 1 way commutes to work.
    * Been there done that on high density link (Terrace) houses. Currently in a city+burbs of >8 Million! I want a garage
    * Housing budget. Hard to say yet but I might be able to put 100k down. MAX. Income likely >5k monthly.
    * No to snow. Wife rule#1. Hot is ok, we are already used to some heat and humidity. 90+/80%. Houston might be too high.
    * Near some stuff to do. LA and Vegas are not that far thus AZ
    * Been there done that for Kansas - wife isn't up for it. Probably rules out Oklahoma or similar
    * Car culture. I want to be able to buy what I want and modify it. Kansas as a benchmark was good enough.
    * I have a 6yo so schools matter, activities matter, and safety matters
    * Near higher education - wife is currently a lecturer at a University so might have employment opportunity
    * I need to be able to find work so local economy can't suck too bad.
    * Used to 4G mobile coverage so 3G is a minimum
    * Good internet providers, currently have solid 10Mbps

    If you have a recommendation, feel free to suggest unless it is KS. Example: I had even wondered about Plano Tx. Just not sure about the traffic and occasional ice.

    Thank you so much for reading!

    Similar thread:
    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?309317-Thinking-of-relocating-to-Phoenix
     
  2. Bogus919

    Bogus919 Silver Level contributor

    As you have seen in my post I have also been looking to relocate.

    Lots of the south Texas areas are nice. Austin, San Antonio to name a few. You'll find temps in the upper 70's in late December.

    I am still shooting for a Phoenix suburb though.
     
  3. GNandGS

    GNandGS Well-Known Member

    I'm far behind you in the process but did have about a 15 min call with a company there (I work for same). If qualified for an opening, its an easy hire but no CV sent or anything just yet.

    I might suggest reaching out to recruiters via direct contact or even networking (LinkedIn). What work do you do?
     
  4. Bogus919

    Bogus919 Silver Level contributor

    I'm former military, have a law enforcement background and a degree in criminal justice. I've worked for the federal government for the past 8 years. I've been getting some luck with analyst type jobs but would prefer something in the criminal investigator field. At this point, I'd be willing to take any job that was decent pay and got me to the right location. That's half the battle with these government jobs is that usually if you are not in the local commuting area you can not apply.
     
  5. JZRIV

    JZRIV Platinum Level Contributor

    You have some good criteria on your list. One thing not listed I would factor as a higher priority is the state TAX RATES. Florida and SC are very low comparatively and probably have areas that meet most of your criteria.......unless you don't like humidity. If I didn't have family connections in PA I would move out of this horrible taxed state.
     
  6. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Sounds as if you wish to stay west of the Mississippi. If I'm wrong, I'd be happy to suggest some nice places in the South.
     
  7. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    I am an American living in New Zealand. I have most all of what you are looking for........

    internet speed in steadily improving, but not as fast as what you are used to. I moved here from San Francisco and was used to very fast internet as well. After a while, you will get used to it. It isn't that big of a deal really, all things considered.

    I have been in NZ for 6 years.

    Are you definitely going to relocate to the USA?
     
  8. black70buick

    black70buick Well-Known Member

    Responses embedded.

     
  9. David G

    David G de-modded....

    We moved to Gilbert AZ in June, and we LOVE this area! (Get a pool). I'm job hunting, but we moved knowing that.

    Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
     
  10. DeeVeeEight

    DeeVeeEight Well-Known Member

    New Jersey sux.... high taxes and more on the way...
     
  11. GNandGS

    GNandGS Well-Known Member

    Great feedback so far. I think why it seems biased toward the west is that while hot, it's less humid and less rain than here. Also, we did a road trip in July from LA to KS with one of the stops in Vegas. Family is in KS and some may be moving to CO.

    NOT ruling anything out. Sell it!

    Had not thought about Hobbitland. I know there is a car culture there
     
  12. GNandGS

    GNandGS Well-Known Member

    Black70,
    Any more info on schools and commutes? Some people might say similar for their area. As job seeking would be first, I would be mindful of housing choices.

    BYoung,
    Send it!
     
  13. Topcat

    Topcat Got TORQUE?

    Went to Austin twice this year.......too many people......roads not keeping up with growth.

    Fun to visit.....would not want to live there(unless you got the $$)........real Texans have been outnumbered.

    Peace WildBill
     
  14. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    Two I have looked at are Prescott, AZ (about 20-30 degrees cooler than Phoenix) and here's a deep track, Rapid City, SD. Lots of growth and development (jobs), milder climate, and low taxes. Best of luck to you!
     
  15. wovenweb

    wovenweb Platinum Level Contributor

    Living here in SA, TX I would recommend elsewhere, particularly Dallas. Bigger city but still manageable, much of it is newer and the economy there is less dependent on oil than other places in the state.
     
  16. black70buick

    black70buick Well-Known Member

    https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-schools/5335/

    I moved from AZ to CO last year (Job). This school thing became VERY obvious with my son (just see the link above). So, I will say that if you want to go to AZ pick an older community with well established schools. Specifically North PHX, North of Bell Road West of I17. Forget Anthem. Definitely South of Anthem. This would also be Glendale. These are hard lines no matter what imho if you are serious.

    New schools and more Southern schools on the West side can be really, really crummy. Dont be fooled East Side Snottsdale schools are not a model either.

    South East Schools would only be my other recommendation (Gilbert/Mesa), those are closer to the "technology" center of the AZ workforce.


    I will say this though, CO is of better quality living than AZ. imho of course, and the snow IS NOT like anywhere back east. You would be surprised. I was very reluctant to move from AZ, now Im glad I did. Az will always have a place in my heart, but my perspective has been expanded. Family life is much better now even though our (Grandparents, cousins etc) are in AZ. Further removed family in Ohio & TN. So, CO is it! imho. 4 seasons, pretty warm, easy snow. My only exception to this would be to move to a more northern AZ location like Prescott, Payson, maybe flagstaff - but flagstaff is $$.

    Forget Sedona, bunch lame poor rich people too cheap to drive to Utah and live in Snottsdale paycheck to pay check. :)
     
  17. chucknixon

    chucknixon Founders Club Member

    We live in Fort Worth, TX, 30 miles west of Dallas "where the west begins":grin: Seriously, we moved here from Houston in 1981 and raised our family and it is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

    In reality DFW means the Dallas/Fort Worth region which is 7 million+ population as of 2015 but we are scattered North/South/East/West from the central cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. Arlington is in the middle between the two cities (Texas Rangers Baseball and Dallas Cowboys AT&T stadium). Major growth to the North of both Dallas and Fort Worth, Toyota and many other major corporations relocating to the DFW area.

    Fort Worth still has small town feel in many ways. Great suburban public school districts or lots of great private schools. Every type of employment in the region. DFW fastest growing region in the country except for Houston which grew slightly faster. I grew up in Houston and go back and forth once and a while and would not choose it over DFW even though it is one of the top cities in the country with growth and opportunity.

    Here are a few web sites to surf: https://www.dallaschamber.org/why-dallas/about-the-region/dfw-facts/
    http://www.fortworthchamber.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/FTWChamber/
    https://www.fortworth.com/
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas–Fort_Worth_metroplex

    Hope that helps a bit,
     
  18. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Being from the South, I am partial. Warning, it WILL get humid but the winters are mild with little to no snow and the cost of living can't be beat. Low taxes, low cost housing, and low gas prices.

    With that out of the way, there are some beautiful areas with plenty to do and multiple educational opportunities nearby.

    The Greenville-Spartanburg area of SC is thriving. Many business relocations , lakes, hiking, mountains, and a great car culture. Clemson, Furman, and Wofford Universities are all in the immediate area with USC and UGA less than 2 hours away.

    Charlotte, NC is growing into one of the larger metro areas but still has that small town feel with outer communities, parks, lakes, hiking, and again a great car culture. UNC-Charlotte and the Greenville-Spartanburg schools are not far away. Great climate, low cost of living but higher taxes than in SC.

    Athens, GA is one of my favorite. A little over an hour to Atlanta, low cost of living, educational opportunities, and just a cool atmosphere. Lot's to do like the other places I mentioned.

    Good luck in your search!
     
  19. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

    What profession are you in? I am a recruiter in high level IT positions. I can probably put you in touch with the right person. Our parent company staffs everywhere from labor to engineering executives.

    Louis
     
  20. Dr. Evil

    Dr. Evil Silver Level contributor

    Responses above
     

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