Hi guys. Sorry I haven’t been on much since the retreat. Life has been busy. We have decided that we want to move to Arizona in the next 1-4 years. What areas do you guys live in and where would you suggest looking?  We are coming down for a week from June 6-June 11th. We will be staying in an Air BNB in Estrella Mountain Ranch.  It is a graduation trip for my daughter who graduated last year and my stepson who graduates this month, but we may have a little time for checking out some areas (or catching lunch with some of you). We are thinking of trying to buy a home before we move down there, as a vacation home /vacation rental, but need some advice on areas for that as well. 
 

I hope all of you are doing well. 

Wow!  Moving to AZ!  Would you still be working for AAA?  Depending on where you chose,  you'd certainly have some quilting buddies nearby!

Yes. I will transfer when the time comes. I won’t get to keep my renewal income though so we have to be prepared for an income hit before we make the move. 

Wow that will be a change for you. There are so many great places. Years ago we entertained the idea of moving there but ended up in New Mexico.

Yeah it will be a big change. My coworkers keep trying to change my mind, but we want to make the move by 2025 at the latest. When I turn 50.

Kathi,

those of us here in the valley live around the area.  I say first off know where you have to go for work.  The drives here are going toget really bad in the next five years- my prediction!  Homes are selling  within hours!  Always above listing price!  Building is crazy and lumber and things often have a wait time.

Laura, Donna, and I are in the NW....although cities goes miles west of where we are.  Carrie is fairly central just south of the airport.  Cathy and Kim are south and east.  Laura is about 20 min from me.  Cathys is at least an hour 15 minutes.

so, lots depends on where you need to be, what type housing you want - newer build, versus established.  Some land, yard, or not, etc.

There are quite a few work locations I could pick from. We just want to live in a nice area and we want a rambler with a pool. Probably a newer home so we can get a big wall for our projector and room for my sewing. Hopefully prices will steady out soon.  Here it is the same thing, bidding wars galore. I am glad we built last year.

LOL!!! I had to look up "Rambler". Here, we call them ranch style :D 

I guess you were serious when you mentioned moving here.  We loved Ahwatukee which is part of Phoenix.   It's where we had dinner when you were here.  You didn't get to see any of the area.  We also like Gilbert.  It is growing fast.  What are you looking for?  City, town or more country?  Bob and I would love to show you around if you and Robert have time when you are here.

We would love for you guys to show us around. This trip we will have 2 of our kids and my brother in law and his wife though. Can we plan something for in a couple of months when Robert and I could come alone?  I so appreciate your willingness to help.  As far as what we are looking for, we just want a pool and we want to be in a decent commuting distance from a AAA office. I don’t want to work in the Gilbert office though. I do commute 40 min each way right now and it is no problem at all.