Thinking of moving to AZ

Hoozdo, ADN · Mar 18, 2011

Jobs are very scarce here for new grads. That may change in two years.

For now, it is not a promising place to live for those in nursing school.

MassagetoRN · Mar 18, 2011

Don't!

I am an AZ native, and the economy sucks here and the leaders of this state are so narrow minded to think that recovery involves killing healthcare and worsening education (which is already 47th out of 50 states). I love this state, and I am seriously looking at getting out.

However, if you do still move, maybe you can rent one of the two houses that I own here!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2011

AZ is on the verge of turning into a 3rd world nation-type state. If the state legislature succeeds in slashing AHCCCS (AZ's medicaid), it will get much, much worse. Jobs are hard to come by for new grads. I'm glad I am not at the mercy of a private employer (I'm gov't). If you can get a job with IHS, the VA, etc, you would be insulated from the current woes, mostly.

pitaya · Mar 18, 2011

Don't!
I am an AZ native, and the economy sucks here and the leaders of this state are so narrow minded to think that recovery involves killing healthcare and worsening education (which is already 47th out of 50 states). I love this state, and I am seriously looking at getting out.
However, if you do still move, maybe you can rent one of the two houses that I own here!

I love Tucson and Arizona in general, too! But the thing is that they are driving out the people who need to stay and oppose crap laws like that so they don't get passed.

jessm215 · Mar 18, 2011

Thanks everyone! The main reason I want to leave Chicago is because the winter months suck! Another reason is our current governor has increased just about everything in the state. Taxes here are the highest in the nation. It's getting too expensive to live here.

Jobs are pretty scarce here too. Seems like you have to know somebody to get in to the major hospitals around here.

What type of laws are they trying to pass? Are the schools bad? I currently have a 7 year old and we currently live in a top rated school district.

Ugh if Chicago could just have Arizona's weather lol

MassagetoRN · Mar 19, 2011

The schools are horrible. You are talking 30+ students (sometimes as many as 40) in a class, 1 (grossly underpaid) teacher. They've already sliced the budgets in the last 2 years and are talking about another $250 million in cuts for this coming year. You're talking about schools cutting even more teachers, supplies, and specials like art, music and PE.

Kabin · Mar 20, 2011

I was thinking federal jobs would be good too but lately they've been hard to come by and may even be good to avoid. I understand the local VA suddenly eliminated some open jobs as well as contract/temp employment. Not sure if it was all depts but I know it heavily impacted psychiatry. Could be some large changes with federal pensions, retirement ages, and benefits down the road. Plus Obama is planning to cut federal cost of living raises for the next 5 years.

jessm215 · Mar 20, 2011

Well I'm def having 2nd thoughts about moving! If you guys don't mind me asking where in AZ do you live? If we ever do move we were thinking about Chandler or Mesa

mommyoftwinks · Mar 20, 2011

I just moved to AZ in February and after reading all of the posts on this board, am starting to feel a little discouraged! My family and I live in Maricopa, AZ and love it out here.

Do what is best for you and what you feel is right =)

MassagetoRN · Mar 20, 2011

I live in the far east valley of Phoenix (cheap houses out here). I'm about 20 mins from Mesa. However, the entire valley is this way with schools and jobs. The rural areas of AZ are worse....