What is the cost of living in Phoenix/Scottsdale?
I’m considering a move to arizona in the near future…I live in chicago now, and with today’s 3 BELOW weather arizona’s looking REAL GOOD! But on average, how much is rent, utilities, gas, public transportation, etc? Also, is there an abundance of walgreens? (if you’ve lived or been to Chicago, you know they’re everywhere!) I work for walgreens and would like to continue to do so until I finish school. I’d really like to find out if it’s worth the move.
i currently live in the chandler area and i really like it.
my boyfriend moved here from chicago about 4 years ago and he likes it too. says the weather is perfect.
scottsdale is considered upscale and is largely populated by elderly who are retired. rent is pretty spendy and the apts/houses tend to be older for a reasonable price range.
phoenix is hit or miss-the downtown area and anything closely surrounding it is BAD. i work in a large hospital right in the heart of downtown in a trauma icu and you don’t want to know the stuff i see due to the violence that occurs.
Tempe is a college town-home to ASU. i lived there for a while but didn’t like it. i’m 28 and a mom of 3 so the loud parties and trashed houses surrounding mine weren’t appealing to me. but the town itself is ok-lots of places to hang out and rent isn’t bad. my 3 bedroom house ran 850/month and utilities were on average about 150.00
Mesa is old and run-down in most places. the crime rate is fairly high as well unless you go out far east mesa where the new homes are being built
chandler/gilbert is the area i live in and i really like it. my neighborhood is older but totally safe-i would have no problem leaving my door unlocked at night (but i dont). there are lots of places close by to hang out at and do things. rent in this area will run you anywhere from 750-1200 depending on what type of apt or house you are looking for.
there are walgreens EVERYWHERE so finding a job shouldn’t be hard at all-plus the corporate office for their pharmacies is located in tempe.
utilities run about 60 a month in the winter for an apt but i know in my 1700 square foot house i can get the bill to run the same in the winter. summers can range from 150-250 depending on how often you run your air conditioner. temps can easily get up to 120 during that time.
overall i think the move is a good one if you like warm weather. there are plenty of college options here as well. my boyfriend loves it here-it’s hardly ever cold and he doesn’t miss the snow and ice at all!!
Metro Light-Rail in Tempe, Arizona
