I am looking to relocate to a warm area out west (specifically Arizona) will anyone share information they know or their salary/pay range and number of years experience so I can narrow down the choices?
124676
Use the below for the salary range, I found it to be $47K to $53K and MedHunters is a good website for finding openings.
135106
Yes, $36K is adequate. As to the schools, I am not certain. \n However, as to the quality of life... We are an All American City and the first metro area to have all of our government vehicles on natural gas instead of petrol. We have 3 of the nations top ten fastest growing cities here in the Phoenix metro area. \n It does not matter your interests, hobbies, etc, you will find something to do in Phoenix. \n We also have a very low poverty rate, a fairly high mean income, and a fairly low average debt to income ratio. \n As to the negatives/potential negatives: CRIME! Mesa, AZ in 2004 lead the country in car thefts. Phoenix proper led the nation in home burglaries. Gilbert led the nation in home invasions. \n HUGE immigrant population, both legal and illegal. \n Good luck, and enjoy our city!!
18764
You are wise to purchase land now and build your equity position. In 20 years there can be many changes in our lives. I suspect the land will appreciate or go up in value even if you do not retire there.\n\nIn addition with many boomers retiring in the next decade, I would suspect there will be many active outdoor retirment locations in the US.\n\nWhere would you like to go? How important are weather conditions? How about medical needs?\n\nI have seen those who have retired from the west coast to the South and they cannot take on the huminity.\n\nPresently there is a huge exodus leaving Southern CA for Arizona.\n\nMany Northern Calfornians are going to Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montanna.\n\nSome are leaving the country to such destinations as Mexico, Costa Rica.\n\nMy plan is to have a free & clear Home in California & Louisiana, where I can travel in between and use them as a base.\n\nI'm presently 55 and Louisiana offers me lower cost that will help in future years.\n\nIts a state where once can enjoy the outdoor life such as fishing, boating, birding to name a few.\n\nBest to you in your future.\n\nI hope I was able to give you a few ideas.
580350
The place you describe sounds a lot like the Wet Mountains Valley of Colorado in Custer County. The temps will get into the 80s in the summertime, but quite often there will be an afternoon shower to cool things down.  The twin cities of Westcliffe and Silvercliffe offer good schools, and there is a wide assortment of churches.  There are plenty of community activities, the county fair, Jazz in the Sangrees and a square dance festival to name a few. Then there is the local bowling alley and golf course. Outdoor activies include camping, fishing, birding, hiking and hunting. The winter temps will occasionally dip into the low 20s, but there is usually a warm up after a winter storm. The county sheriff keeps law and order, and the crime rate is low.  The scenery is georgous.  The green of spring, the gold of the aspin trees in the fall,the sight of pristene snow in the winter season, and of course the mountains.   The Wet Mountains are just a short drive from the big cities and major shopping centers.  Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver are just a short drive away. Canon City ( pronounced CANYON CITY) is also nearby.Canon City is the location for the state prison.  You can take a tour. They invite people to stop in and do some time with them. If you are a history buff, you'll be in tall clover.In Westcliffe itself there are historic sites, including the Lutheran Church, One of the oldest Lutheran congretions in the state.it's less than a half days drive to any number of historic places. Cripple Creek with it's Brass Ass saloon, Hard Scrabble, the Royal Gorge with the world's highest suspension bridge, Bent's Old Fort, Sand Creek, the Air Force Academy to name just a few. If you want a small community there is Hillside, population 3, with it's own postoffice. Any of the local realtors will be glad to tell you what properties are available. The people are among the friendliest you will find.  The town of Westcliffe is proud of it's Westcliffe Wave, that's waving "HI" to friends and neighbors when they see them, even if they can't stop and visit a minute. I hope that gives you an idea of the place.  Check them out on the internet.  I found it a great place. If I was going to retire I would certainly give that place a good look.\nSandy Claws
115238
I started with a temp agency. The job market is calling for people with experience. As soon I worked for a temp for a few months I had a few job offers on my plate.
118196
Some people claim that changing climates make them flare up more, and the cold weather doesn't usually help.  Someplace where it is pretty mild year round is good.  Arizona tends to be the place people go for consistent weathe, but I think it gets a little too hot.  I love in Southern California (OC to be specific) and it never gets colder than 50 and most summer days are about 90 (if you are closer to the beach it is cooler, if you are inland more you can hit those 100 plus temps quite a bit).  But you also need to go where you have access to doctors.  You don't want to move to too small of a community, because if a doctor isn't helping you want to be able to visit others to get second opinions.  Also you want things to be convenient, so if you are having a bad day you don't have to travel far.  Also you probably don't want to live somewhere where you have to depend to much on public transportation because you don't want to have to walk a lot on a bad day.  However, there are people with arthritis who live everywhere and they manage!! I suggest you go where your heart takes you, but just check out the availability of doctors and all the modern conveniences first.
422620
I am an army wife of 6 years and have moved with my husband on 2 different AIT's.  Once to Okalahoma, he deployed twice and now he re-classed to MI and we are in Arizona.  ANY AIT that is over 6 months is considered a PCS move and you and your family will be allowed to move there.  The army will move your household belongings.  You can also qualify for on-post housing.  Now if any is available is another question.  We just left Georgia after spending alomst 5 years there.  Please E-mail me and I will send you all the info you need including phone numbers and help you step-bystep.  It is a very hard confusing process, since your hubby is new to, he will not know all the in's and out's.  Hope to talk to you soon.  Barbara
85577
I live in Las cruces which is in the Southern part of New mexico. Here the weather comes in two levels: either really cold in the winter time or really hot in the summer. And Summers over here last the majority of the year. Temperatures usually average in the 90's plus it's very dry. In Las Cruces there is a high hispanic population, so there is a high influence of mexican food. This is definitely the best place to come for a mexican cuisine, best menudo and enchiladas anywhere in the US. And no, it's not a land of all dust and saloons and cowboys or whatever. We actually have normal towns and this is one of the most popular retiurement spots in the US. The traffic is not brutal like in many big cities and the homes are beautiful. The cost of living is low. Many homes are beulit in the adobe style with flat roofs. Yes, New Mexico is mostly desert but it is very beautiful, especially the mountains.
395572
If you like the heat you can go and find a nice house in Phoenix, AZ or Las Vegas, NV. \n\nPortland, OR has good pricing too. Seattle, WA is very reasonable too.
241633
Indiannapolis is a good place to call home if you are a truck driver. Swift, Willis Shaw Frozen Express, Covenant Transport, Stevens Transport and CRST are just a few companies that will pay for your training, promising that you will work for them for a year. I hope you dont have a wife and kids because driving OTR (over the road), the highest paid truck driver, is treated better by the company, has better equipment (the truck will be newer and not prone to break down), you can personalize the truck with TV Internet and the like,and gets steady work. \nYou see the problem with getting home is that the dispatcher has to think about how to get you home. You may be stuck in Atlanta GA and there could be 10 loads available to you going to California but if you need to get home your dispatcher wont give you that $800 trip. you will wait a day probably for a load going to Carlyle PA and then wait another day for a partial load going to Chicago IL. where someone will have to pick it up in Indiannapolis. The best way to make $80k per year is to stay out for atleast 2 months or more and average 1k or more per week. The week that you go home you will probably make 200 bucks. Regional Truck Drivers or Dedicated routes are a set route that the driver does everyday NON OTR. A Job with guaranteed home time, usually pays less and the equipment is older, and slip-seating (its not your truck to move into. once you leave the seat another driver gets in and uses it.) \n\nPersonally I paid $2,700 for CDL training in Denver CO. and choose to go with Willis Shaw Express in Elm Springs, Arkansas. They are a great company to start with (considering all the horror stories I have heard) They Gave me a Great Mack truck to drive and kept my wheels moving (the only way to make money) 27cents per mile to start. And the Small town dispatch was allways friendly and understanding. What I really liked about them was the trippack advance where they would let you have up to 300 in cash in advance for every load you haul. kinda like getting your money up front. After a year and a half I left to drive for JB HUNT for 37cents per mile and all though my paycheck was about the same I drove less and waited more. No more Trips out to California and back. The loads were 200 mile hops between New York and Detroit. The east coast traffic is terrible and there is never anywhere to park.\nGo with a company that Gives you lots of miles west of the mississippi reguardless of the payrate. Covenant Transport Brags that its drivers get the most miles weekly.
123828
We have relocated many times: \n\nFirst of all..do you work for a company that can transfer  you to that area? What is the draw there? Family? Friends?\n\nI would take a vacation to the area to make sure you like it first. Research the weather and community to make sure they are amenities you would want. \n\nLook for housing to see how expensive it is...go grocery shopping...all the things you would do if you lived there. \n\nThen look for jobs and see if you are employable in that area. See what the median income range is and make sure that you would be able to afford the cost of living for that area! \n\nMake sure that any family you would be moving with you is on board with the idea! Do you need to look at school districts for your kids? Is your wife ok with the move? Will your partner need to leave their job to acoomodate this move? Will your mom stop talking to you? \n\nAFter you do your research...then..try to get a job first. \n\nAFter you have a job..you can always live in a motel for a month or so while you look for an apartment or house or you can look online especially if you did your research while you were there. \n\nmove your stuff, sell your home where ever you are now with a trusted agent...and enjoy your new life!!\n\nNow, if your company offers a transfer..that is different! The company may have a relocation service available to them and you will already have a job..but make sure that you can afford the cost of living on your salary!
281104
I am from Alaska and I can tell you that if you have a degree that job market is wide open.  The unemployment rate for that state are very small compared to others, and the only reason they have unemployment is from the samll towns that people get stuck in.  Anchorage is good.   If you have a hankering for going there, do.  If you don't you will regret it the rest of your life, and believe me, I have now been gone for ten years and miss it every single day.  You will never be at a place that is more home to you.  People go to visit and never come back...   it is that cool.  \n\nDon't worry about a job.  There is one there for you.  Just make sure you have enough to cover your rent and utilities for a few months before you go.  Rent in Anchorage for a 1BR will be about $600.00 - $750.00.  It could be less.  Check out the ADN site as it iwll have rentals on there.  Then you will need to have you heat hooked up, also...  Otherwise, go for it, pal! \n\nHere are some websites, in case you have not checked them out.  But the best way is to go knocking on their door really, but check it out anyway...\n\nhttp://www.abj.org   (Job Service)\n\nhttp://adn.com  (Anchorage Daily News)\n\nHope I helped and good luck!  Tell everyone there that Ronda Elliott said Hello!  If you have any questions, emial me.  I grew up there, second generation, and know alot about the state, the people and also some insights about jobs.
136544
Here's the deal. I have cousins who work in Mexico and they have secure jobs like you. They are not eager to switch anytime soon due to the instability of the job market. You are making a good living now.\n\nAlso I would like to point out that the buyer-seller market is a very fickle thing with you potentially being able to make more in the end. But their are risks involved. Salaries over here in the US are not going up at the moment and the cost of living is increasing. \n\nTaking the job means that they pay you what you are already making. In future years it is up to them to decide whether or not they want to give you a raise? You might or might not make more.\n\nMy advice from a business standpoint is too not take the offer up.
48281
Many places, but, from observation, a greater pecentage of African Americans live in Phoenix area.\nFor house hunting, try Realtor.com and for schools results try greatschools.net.\nIf you are looking for a "community" feeling I am not sure where to tell you to look, just that Phoenix has the largest cultural mix, followed by Tucson. Both places are very hot (I grew up in Phoenix) and school quality and quality of life can vary widely.\nGet a good realtor who really know the area to help you make a choice.\n\nForgot about jobs. It really depends on what type of work you do. There are plenty of entry level jobs in many areas, but the better paying jobs vary.\n\nGood luck
578746
CA is soooo expensive. It's true. The housing prices are hyperinflated....as for job opportunities....it's hard to tell without knowing what your background is. CA is also overpopulated.\nI'm a former CA girl.
191193
You must live in the same place I do because my kids and grand kids all complain about the job market and low wages. I know that the wages are higher "up north" but I lived there and it's more expensive so its a wash. I feel sorry for you guys cause when I was young when you took a job you had a chance to work your way up, that doesn't seem to be true now. I hope you are successful in finding a decent job.
74886
You need to do some research to determine what the mean salary is for jobs like this.  You man not find something exact, but you should be able to get pretty close.  You may want to check with the Employment Office or other labor resources.  It really really depend upon the area in California.  In LA you would probably have to pay more than you would in Northern California.