Move to Arizona

[Blkside]

Well I have had it with Commiefornia and am looking at Arizona as my alternative to returning to the United States. Where are some good places to live with good departments.

I dont care about the weather or anything other than I will be semi free and there are some good agencies. Hunting opportunities help also.. whether people or animal is neither here nor there...

Thanks for the info

[hemicop]

It really depends what you like. While many Depts. are experiencing a hiring freeze right now, some others are hiring. do you prefer larger cities? rural? Sheriff's Dept? What type of law enforcement are you considering? As you look, you'll find certain agencies personnel seem to have their own personality, so you may not fit into, say, a big city dept. if you like the outdoors & prefer to by yourself.
But to answer you briefly, metro Phoenix is always busy & growing (think little L.A., but redneck. Tucson is a college town, Yuma military & retirees, Flagstaff--college, cold weather & pretty conservative.
You need to be more specific in your goals.

[Blkside]

Well I have a year to determine where I want to go but here is my personality. Its confusing so you tell me.

Im a very active person and like to stay active so a 2 call a night dept wouldnt be for me.

I am from the City but I love the outdoors which is another reason for the move.

I dont mind the big city hustle or ticketing a bumpkin on his lawn mower.

My goals are vast right now but I like AZ cause its got the big city and the rural areas.. Thats what I need with decent weather.

[Blkside]

Bump.......

[jslezak33]

Well Blkside, I've only lived in AZ for a year now, but I moved here for the same reason you are... So far I've found that for the most part the entire phoenix valley is accessible no matter where you live. What I mean is that unlike LA, If you live in Surprise, and want to drive to Tempe, Its only 30 mins to an hour depending on traffic. For that reason i chose to live north of the metro area close to lake pleasant. I can fish, hunt, ride quads, and do everything outdoors that i love, and if i need to hop on the 101 and goto phoeinix its only a 20 minute drive. West valley cities seem to have less traffic and a more relaxed atmosphere than east valley. As far as PD's go every ride along ive been on has been exciting, even in the smaller cities. Glendale and Phoenix are action packed, everything else is smaller but still exciting, Tempe is great too because of the college atmosphere. This is just my opinion, Good luck to you!

[az4code23]

Move down here to southern AZ.

[C0d3 thr33]

I dont care about the weather

Ohhhh, you will!

To reiterate hemicop's post, you first need to figure out the general area you wish to research. I believe most of us, other than az4code23, live in the metro PHX area, but I'm sure we can help you out with information no matter where you look.

If I had absolutely no attachments anywhere, I would move back to northern California and live in the boonies by Mt. Shasta.

[Blkside]

Trust me after 4 years in Iraq/Afghanistan I dont care about weather, now my wife.. thats another story. I actually welcome the heat because my 1 year old was born 15 weeks early and weighed 1lb 12oz. He is 17 lbs now but is very succeptible to weather changes and the heat is good for him.

I want to do something similar to jslezac33 where I can have the opportunity to be an outdoorsman without a 4 hour drive. I also want to be able to take my kids to the mall without having an entire movie play on the dvd player in the truck.

I also want to know about good HS and hospitals. I have a 1yr,4.5yr and 14 year old boys so I would like to be somewhere closer to the kids schools.. He will be old enough to drive soon so he can drive himself to school.

Im very excited if you couldnt tell. I miss living in Tennessee shooting off my back porch but it was too slow so I think AZ has everything I am looking for.
Any suggestions on some good apartment complexes I can look at until I find a house to buy.

Thanks guys/gals I really appreciate it.

[Blkside]

Do you guys have any info on this place.. Was looking at it because it is between Lake Pleasant for my outdoor needs but also close enough to the cities. I wasnt aware the big cities were so close.

All help would be greatly appreciated.

Isle at Arrowhead Ranch
20250 N. 67th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308

[SDFGlazer]

Carefree Highway

Do you guys have any info on this place.. Was looking at it because it is between Lake Pleasant for my outdoor needs but also close enough to the cities. I wasnt aware the big cities were so close.

All help would be greatly appreciated.

Isle at Arrowhead Ranch
20250 N. 67th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308

This complex didn't get very good ratings.

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/AZ-Glendale-Isle-at-Arrowhead-Ranch.html

I live in NW Phoenix. If you are looking for an apartment, condo or a house at 1/2 price in a really nice area check out Deer Valley north to Anthem Way.

Areas you may want to check out Anthem, Tramonto, New River, Desert Hills, these areas are just the tip of the iceberg.

There are too many brand new apartment complexes right off the 17 between happy valley and carefree highway to list.

New River and Desert Hills are kind of cowboy...lots of horses and homes are all on a minimum of an acre. You can get a stick built or manufactured home on an acre for a good price, especially if you are patient and willing to buy a bank owned or foreclosure.

Five miles north and south of Carefree highway you have great shopping, 2 Walmarts, Barnes and Noble, movie theatre, restaurants etc. Plus you have Ben Avery Shooting range which is a top notch, skeet, trap, pistol rifle, bow etc. and lake pleasant which you already know about.

[Blkside]

Thanks Kennedy.. I think that area I posted is where I plan to stay. Now I need to find a job in the area when I get back cause insurance is a must with the little one having special needs from being so small.

On a good note my wifes cousin has a real estate company in the area so the house search when ready will be fairly painless. At least I hope so.

I am wanting to get a full time LEO but to get in the door a reserve or volunteer position while I am applying will keep me satisfied. Ok it will keep me from losing my mind.. Good departments .. I need all the help I can get because once I am in the desert I will have very limited contact.

Thanks again. You guys are being a very big help.

[Blkside]

Wow thanks alot SDFGlazer... my wife isnt a "ok apartment" dweller. That place would cause me more headache. I am looking at your suggestions but I want to stay close to that 17 101 intersection cause of the needs of my kids. I dont mind driving to activities like shooting or boating but I want to be close to everyday activities like school and work.

[Blkside]

Well I am just hoping the economy picks up in LE so they are hiring when I return. I also found that Cessna is in Mesa which is my current line of work so I can get work there if need be while trying out. I really need to get into my dream now before the economy craps on everything to include aviation which will effect this move faster cause I have to have insurance for the little guy.

[Blkside]

West Nadine Way in Peoria? Decent area.. that is actually an area where I am looking at purchases. Very nice homes so you all are absolutely right.

On another note are there any units that allow you to use your own vehicles cause I would love to use my car as a cop car. lol. No one gets away...lol

[jcioccke]

Trust me after 4 years in Iraq/Afghanistan I dont care about weather, now my wife.. thats another story. I actually welcome the heat because my 1 year old was born 15 weeks early and weighed 1lb 12oz. He is 17 lbs now but is very succeptible to weather changes and the heat is good for him

Not to change subject, but thats Awesome. Good Luck man in your search.
I wanted to move out there a few years ago. Wife wasn't having it.