Texas or Arizona?

[Dan208 23]

I thought I'd post this here, since I've noticed that there's quite a few people from both places.

My wife and I have been thinking a lot about our future. We currently live in a small town in Kansas. The largest cities are more than 30 minutes away (both of us drive about 45 minutes to work). My wife will be done with school in the next year and a half and is getting into the medical field (the administrative side). I'm currently in school and am strongly considering going into the medical field (most likely radiology or physical therapy). The job outlook around here is decent, but the biggest town we'd work in is less than 130,000 (Topeka, KS). That's where my wife currently works. There's really not a lot to get involved in, and we want our daughter (and any future children) to have a lot more exposure to different things than we were as children. Both of us were born and raised here.

Anyway, we're looking at Texas and Arizona for a few reasons. They are warmer than here (not really a good reason, but ). But, the main reason is that I work for Wal-Mart Distribution, and both places have distribution centers that I could transfer to.

We've been doing a lot of research lately, and Texas is looking like the most likely choice. It's closer to family and housing/cost of living seems cheaper. The amount of forclosures in Arizona makes me a little nervous, and it's much further from "home".

I'm looking for pros and cons to both places. Specifically, we're looking at the Sanger, TX area and the Buckey, AZ area. This would most likely happen in less than 5 years. We're quickly outgrowing our current house, so moving is inevitable within the next few years anyway. What's everyones thoughts?

[stevemead08 752]

Ive been in TX for 2 1/2 years now and love it. Housing is affordable and jobs are plentiful.

[Dan208 23]

Ive been in TX for 2 1/2 years now and love it. Housing is affordable and jobs are plentiful.

Thanks. Just from what we've found, Texas is seeming like the most logical choice.

[stevemead08 752]

im from portland OR and moved to ATL in 06 for two years and the economy sucks so bad there. so moving to Houston was the best thing we could have done. Portland econ sucked ass too!

[Dan208 23]

im from portland OR and moved to ATL in 06 for two years and the economy sucks so bad there. so moving to Houston was the best thing we could have done. Portland econ sucked ass too!

The economy here is OK, but I'm not sure what the future holds (I guess that could be said for anywhere, though).

[///M5 2,833]

Texas is a bitch IMO. A few highlights, but the lowlights far exceed them. Definitely some nice areas, but finding them is not so easy.

Not sure I'd pick either location...in particular for the reasons you yourself cited. Time to branch out and do some soul searching and prioritize your needs.

[Dan208 23]

Texas is a bitch IMO. A few highlights, but the lowlights far exceed them. Definitely some nice areas, but finding them is not so easy.

Not sure I'd pick either location...in particular for the reasons you yourself cited. Time to branch out and do some soul searching and prioritize your needs.

There are a few other areas we've looked at.

[smashedz28 110]

Stay away from Stockton, Ca we have made that top 5 list a few times, meth capital a few times lol. Sucks here. good luck with your search

[Dan208 23]

Stay away from Stockton, Ca we have made that top 5 list a few times, meth capital a few times lol. Sucks here. good luck with your search

LOL. Thanks. I don't think we are California people anyway.

[Godsmack 361]

I'll say this, Arizona isnt a bad place. The forclosures suck, but to be honest, its usually due to people buying a home well outside of their price range, and then either a lost job, or they fell behind.

Stay out of southern AZ and you'd be fine. Its pretty cheap to live, great scenery in some places and just a nice place. When I decide enough is enough and get out I'd like to live in Pheonix.

J

[TRP 42]

Well I am very partial to Arizona, as i have lived here most of my life. Was born and raised till i left for the Military. Spent about 1 year in Texas for training and such, was in Wichita Falls. Was a decent area but i didnt like the winter, so i really dont have much to say about Texas bad or good really. Phoenix and the surrounding areas hold nearly 4.2million people. It is certainly a change for people if they have never been to or lived in a large city. I can drive for about 2 hours from my house on the far southeast side of town to the far northwest side and never leave the city, so it has alot of stuff around, but also with that it has crime, pollution, major traffic, and everything else associated with large cities. Arizona has one of the most diverse climates in the world, you can be in 75 weather in Phoenix, drive 3 hours north and be skiing. Or be on one of the tallest mountains then near the lowest elevations. Alot of lakes and forest in the state if you enjoy those. Some great camping areas also. I personally would not suggest Buckeye, but it depends on your budget and where you would like to live really. I am not sure how long of a commute you would like to have. As for the foreclousres that just means you will be able to pick up a steal of a home when you get here, and if you have enough money left over, pick up a second one and rent it out for cash flow!! Hit me up if you look to move here i am a Real Estate investor in the area and would like to help you find a great deal. The major downside for me, is that in the dead of summer it will be 110-120 and that is just horrible and miserable!! But it only last for a few months and then it is mid 80's again!! Best of luck to either way, and i am serious if you look in AZ hit me up!! Plus the audio game in AZ if FAR better then TX!!!

Lets see what kind of bashing and hating that just drew up!!

[Dan208 23]

Thanks, Godsmack and TRP. I was pretty sure that the forclosures were a result of people living outside of their means, but I didn't know what the economy was like there (I was reading that it's really bad right now). We have found A LOT of really nice houses that we could afford even on what we make right now.

I think that Arizona would be much more of a culture shock to us than Texas. It seems like there's a lot more smaller towns in Texas, but you still aren't far from the big cities. I could handle the heat in Arizona. I'd much rather sweat than freeze.

[Godsmack 361]

If it wasn't for the small town that my home base is in, I would try to stay in AZ for as long as possible.

Nothing like 9+ months of T-tops or motorcycle weather.

J

[Dan208 23]

If it wasn't for the small town that my home base is in, I would try to stay in AZ for as long as possible.

Nothing like 9+ months of T-tops or motorcycle weather.

J

That's my kind of weather.

[Godsmack 361]

As long as spanish everyfucking where is ok with you, AZ is the place to be!!!!!

J

[Dan208 23]

As long as spanish everypucking where is ok with you, AZ is the place to be!!!!!

J

Doesn't bother me at all. I actually really want to learn Spanish eventually.

[Godsmack 361]

You can learn it in AZ easily if you have some time.

J