Hi to all, when I first came to Arizona, it was, for me, as mentioned above, almost a "Grapes of Wrath" experience. I was 46 years old, and had practically nothing loaded up in a 25 foot Rider truck, along with my family, and two boxer dogs pulling into Mesa, a part of the larger Phoenix metro area. My first job was a general manager of a Mobil gas & auto service station. Just a year earlier, I was managing a boat service shop and I made the comment, "I'll never move to a big city, and I'll never work on cars!"
And then, there I was, in an auto service shop smack dab in the middle of a major metro area! Taught me to be a lot more careful when using the word never?...
That was twenty plus years ago, and fortunately we survived most all of the trials and tribulations that come with moving to a far off place. In retrospect, it finally became clear to me, no-one, or hardly anyone, is from Arizona, instead, everyone has come to Arizona. Either from failed business, failed relationships, or just a better or different look at the world. It's tough down here, and the people are tough as well, but the environment and opportunity balances it out some what... I think my fellow Arizona forum members would agree, it would be nice to have an alternate place to live in another state, but I can never imagine not having a place in Arizona.... Best to all, where ever you call home! til.....lat'r....GT...
