Moving to Phoenix or Tempe

Here is my situation:

I am twenty-six years old and trying to get my career started. I recently interview for a position in LA, I did not get the job:(. However, the regional manager believes that I am a good fit for the company. He asked if I am willing to move to AZ and I am seriously considering it...

I value both the quality of the outdoor environment as well as the city life. I would like to know your thoughts on the matter. What is it like out there and how is the cost of living?How is the climbing, and over all culture? If the pay and potential growth is there, is it worth moving? Anyone been in a similar situation?

Thanks!

Phoenix or Tempe? It's all the Valley of the Inferno.One side of the street it's Phoenix, the other side it's Tempe.

I lived in Phoenix for over 20 years. There is really no outdoor scene there. Anything really cool is too far away. Personally I'd never move back.

The climbing is good, its always sunny, and if its too hot just drive 1.5 hrs to higher elevation.

Well, Phoenix/Tempe will provide the city life for you. Outdoor environment will have to be a little drive in any direction, unless you like hiking mountains in cities. You can get to nice outdoor options in anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hour drive, depending on what you want to do. I went to High School in SoCal (inland for school but lived at the beach for summers), and I much prefer living in Arizona to California. The cost of living is so much less here. The climbing closest to Phoenix is not the greatest, but neither is the climbing closest to LA. The climbing throughout Arizona on the other hand, is really good. Culture can be found if you look for it and are open minded, but it's not all around you. Lots of diverse dinning options around the city though.

The biggest deal breaker for most new people in Phoenix is the summer heat. It's a dry heat which is WAY better than a humid heat. If you can handle the summers, you will love it here in the winters.

I would never live in LA, didn't love my first year or two in Phoenix but have now been here for ten years and enjoy it more every year I'm here. However, I could never live here long term if it were not for the amazing climbing and outdoor options within a couple hour drive in any direction.

Good luck with your decision! If you do move here, Tempe is the side of town most climbers prefer.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I do not plan to take up a permanent resistance in the Phoenix area. I just want to get some experience and pad the resume. Hopefully, two years max.

Most climbing of the climbing in the LA area is an hour to and hour and a half away. So, I am not put out by driving. How long of a drive is Flag? I heard the place is pretty stellar...

And the heat is that bad huh?

I have lived in a lot of places, LA, Denver, Boulder, Central Cal, and Phoenix to name a few. I am now in Scottsdale permanently, and while it is not the best place for both the quantity and quality of climbing it's not as bad as the Central Coast of Cali. I think the outdoor life here is just as good as any of those listed above, as it is really about who you associate with and the approach you take to life. There is a lot of climbing in AZ and you can get to most of it within 2 hours from Phoenix. You have access to everything from limestone, granite, sandstone, to volcanic. Red Rocks is just as close to Phx as it is LA. Moab is 5-6 hours depending on how fast you drive.

The only problem to AZ in my opinion is there really is no world class climbing destination area. Consequently, there is no area with a high concentration of quality climbs across the grades or a high concentration of harder climbs. There is no climbing close to Phoenix, but there is great mountain biking right in the middle of the city. So for us working folks it helps to have other activities to do during the week when you are working and can't get away. I think the biking in AZ is better than Cali, Colorado, and Utah and I can ride within 10 minutes drive from my house.

The other great thing about AZ is the weather. I can climb here more than any other place, even when the valley is 120. Just drive north to Flagstaff or south to Tucson and you can escape the heat.

If you are only planning to be here for 2 years, why not? Come for 2 years and pick off the good lines, pad the resume, and then move on. I don't see how that's a bad decision.