Should I hoof it to AZ?/Anyone ever just relocated not for work?

[amicold]

To make this as short as possible, my sister and my BIL are moving to AZ this week both for work and because they love the southwest.
I've lived here (western New York) my whole life: due to "coming of age" later in life I'm 26 and a c-hair over half way through a BS in Mechanical Engineering. With my sister/BIL gone it leaves just my parents and an uncle I'm close with up here. My uncle and father I'm close with, my mother though I love her was never close with anyone. My dad will be moving in the winter, my uncle following if he finds work.
I'm torn because I want to move for the experience. I'd be closer to my family and I could finish my education at U of A.

Though I'm not unhappy here I'm at that age where my close friends I rarely see but keep in touch with regularly. I'm still recovering (though it's been a year) from leaving a six year relationship so I'm not tied down. So ATOT, do it up?

 

[lxskllr]

If I were younger, I'd get the hell out of this state(MD), but AZ is pretty close to hell. If you think you'd enjoy living in hell, go for it.

 

[jlee]

I moved there from NH in 2011 without even having a job lined up ahead of time. I love it there.

It's hot, though. Really, really hot.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Stay where you are and finish school before you make any decisions to relocate.

 

[Jumpem]

I know the feeling, being from western NY. The only thing we have going for us is the cold winters and lake effect snow. If I were to move it would probably be a state with summers that aren't overly hot and with cold snowy winters. Maybe New Hampshire or Maine. I also like the rural mountains of eastern Tennessee and the western Carolinas. Though I think the lack of winters would be depressing. I wouldn't move anywhere hot like the south or southwest.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Since you mentioned the U of A, I'm assuming you mean Tucson. I definitely encourage people to move when they're younger for the experience. However, after graduating, you'll soon realize the need to move again. Prepare yourself for a major cultural and economic change. Nothing gives greater perspective on the US than experiencing different regions by living in them. Go for it.

 

[brianmanahan]

I know the feeling, being from western NY. The only thing we have going for us is the cold winters and lake effect snow.

what about them finger lakes? what about that wine country?

 

[madoka]

I'd be closer to my family and I could finish my education at U of A.

My friend would joke about the University of Arizona churning out strippers and porn stars. I thought it was just a joke until I actually visited the school to teach a weekend class and found how true it was.

 

[Ns1]

It was like 110+ the past week there. Good luck with that.

 

[Linux23]

At least it's a dry heat. I'll take that any day over this muggy Northeast heat.

 

[Craig234]

Look at your username OP.

It's hard for me to recommend AZ, but I can't compare it to your location.

Understand you can see 115 degrees in AZ.

Why not visit and see how you like it. July is a good time to find out the heat.

 

[feralkid]

Look at your username OP.

It's hard for me to recommend AZ, but I can't compare it to your location.

Understand you can see 115 degrees in AZ.

Why not visit and see how you like it. July is a good time to find out the heat.

It's all about surviving the heat of June, July and August, then basking in the glorious climate the rest of the year.

Also AZ is huge; there are places where it doesn't get so hot.

 

[BoomerD]

I'm not sure about moving to AZ full time...but I've seriously considered "snowbirding" there in the winter months.

I'm one of the gypsies here...I have no problem with relocating. My dad was in the USAF, so we moved pretty frequently, I served in the USMC where I had several duty stations, and I boomed construction jobs for decades. When I was finally retired a few years ago, we packed up and moved to Western WA...someplace we had never lived...and only knew a couple of people. Now, one of my neighbors just asked me if I knew anyone who might be interested in selling their house. We live in a desirable senior citizen community...houses don't stay on the market here for more than a couple of weeks...if they even ever get listed. I'm seriously considering it. We were just looking at some places on the Oregon coast.......

 

[jpiniero]

It's all about surviving the heat of June, July and August, then basking in the glorious climate the rest of the year.

Also AZ is huge; there are places where it doesn't get so hot.

Yeah I have to wonder how many people live in Phoenix during the winter and head to Flagstaff during the summer. It's not that far between the two either.

 

[Vaux]

I spent about 5 days in Mesa, AZ to visit extended family. Drove a little around Phoenix, hot, went to the zoo, hot, went to the huge Mesa Market Swap Meet, got a salt lamp, saw a mountain and cacti and hot. Heard 2 people got shot in a bad drug deal in a park not too far from where we stayed the night after we left.

Highlight of the trip: In-N-Out burger. Please come to MN! Oh but I will see you in Vegas soon!

Done with Arizona.

 

[feralkid]

I spent about 5 days in Mesa, AZ to visit extended family. Drove a little around Phoenix, hot, went to the zoo, hot, went to the huge Mesa Market Swap Meet, got a salt lamp, saw a mountain and cacti and hot. Heard 2 people got shot in a bad drug deal in a park not too far from where we stayed the night after we left.

Highlight of the trip: In-N-Out burger. Please come to MN! Oh but I will see you in Vegas soon!

Done with Arizona.

Jesus wept; you're judging an entire State from one visit to (gasp) Mesa?

That's absolutely proper and objective.



No really; a regular Corps of Discovery expedition.

I suspect you are Rick Steves' alt.



.

 

[Jumpem]

what about them finger lakes? what about that wine country?

The Finger Lakes are nice. I grew up around them. They don't get quite the snow that the areas closer to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie get.

 

[Pardus]

Pros And Cons of Living in Arizona
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXwO_Nwby4

 

[TallBill]

Moved there on a whim a few years back and loved it. Would maybe go back again.

 

[RossMAN]

I spent about 5 days in Mesa, AZ to visit extended family. Drove a little around Phoenix, hot, went to the zoo, hot, went to the huge Mesa Market Swap Meet, got a salt lamp, saw a mountain and cacti and hot. Heard 2 people got shot in a bad drug deal in a park not too far from where we stayed the night after we left.

Highlight of the trip: In-N-Out burger. Please come to MN! Oh but I will see you in Vegas soon!

Done with Arizona.

Always our first stop in Vegas :thumbsup:

 

[zinfamous]

I've made large moves twice just because. Found work later.

Oh, wait...3 times.

:hmm:

 

[Red Squirrel]

It gets well over 80F there, typically in the 100's, that alone would turn me off.

 

[RossMAN]

Pros And Cons of Living in Arizona
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxXwO_Nwby4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhxLhPSTvh4

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Stay where you are and finish school before you make any decisions to relocate.

Seconded. You transfer, expect to spend an extra semester or two in school and paying for it.

After that, well, sure, why not?

 

[Humpy]

They do have cars and buildings with air conditioning there, so unless you plan on getting a roofing job or something it's not that bad.