The Decision

The call center where I work as an Industrial Engineer is closing, so Justin and I were faced with a choice between relocating to Phoenix or Fort Lauderdale...or taking a severance package. We immediately knew we had no interest in living in Florida, so the choice was really between Phoenix or Greensboro. When I was laid off from my last job, a little over 2 years ago, I ended up unemployed for a year. That kind of experience does not engender much confidence in the local economy and job market. There appear to be numerous GIS opportunities for Justin in Phoenix, so for financial reasons it makes sense for us to relocate.

The big question was: Would we like Phoenix?

To help us answer that question, the company flew us out to Phoenix for a familiarization trip for 3 days so we could get a feel for the city. Justin thought he would hate it but was pleasantly surprised to find he liked it. I thought I would like it and discovered that I loved it. We rode around on a bus for hours with other potential relocaters, with realtors telling us about the different neighborhoods around the valley. Two neighborhoods in particular appealed to us: Anthem and Desert Ridge.

A few observations about Phoenix:
 It's very easy to find your way around the city, because roads are laid out in a grid. There are 2 main highways you need to know. Nearly everyone has tinted windows in their cars. Most houses have a garage. Apartment complexes usually have covered parking. Athletic fields are well-lit because many games are played at night, when it's cooler. People there have many ways of adapting to the extreme heat they experience in the summer. Apparently road construction is completed very quickly there because they don't have many setbacks due to rain. The highways are very nice because they are constructed with recycled rubber from tires. A realtor told us Phoenix is in the greenest desert in the world. If the Sonoran desert got just a little more precipitation, it would not be considered a desert anymore.


Justin in front of Pinnacle Peak Patio

 We were lucky enough to experience a 100 degree day while we were there. A 100 degree day there is much more tolerable than a 100 degree day here, due to the fact that it's a Dry Heat. You hear that phrase frequently in association with Arizona. The lack of humidity really does make a difference in how comfortable it is. Fruit trees are common in Phoenix, and many of them have their bark painted white to protect them from the sun. The same day it was 100 degrees in the afternoon, it was a very pleasant temperature in the morning and evening. Some places you go in Phoenix have "misters" spraying mist to help you cool off. Overall, I think the weather in Phoenix is wonderful. I really enjoy sunshine and warmth.

Palm trees and saguaro cacti are also common in Phoenix. The cacti are much larger than I expected them to be! In movies and photos they just don't appear to be that large, but in person they are often taller than streetlights. There was a lot more vegetation in Phoenix than Justin expected. We have so much to learn about all the desert flora.



Look at the size of that cactus!

Most of Phoenix has height restrictions on buildings, so no matter where you are in the valley, you can see mountains around you. I love it! Some areas even have light restrictions at night so that you can see the stars. Many communities have bicycle lanes throughout, and you often see houses outfitted with solar panels. There is a light rail running through downtown Phoenix. Justin and I are both pleased by how "green" Phoenix is.

After the familiarization trip, we had 10 days to decide if we would relocate. I knew I wanted to move, but Justin had to take time to ponder if he could be happy in Phoenix. To tell me he wanted to relocate, Justin gave me a picture of the desert with "Let's trek forward." typed above it. Hence the title of the blog.

Obviously this was not an easy decision to make. Leaving friends and family behind is not something we want to do! (We want to take them all with us.) But ultimately, it seems the best option for us and one that will enrich our lives with new experiences. This is where I will be documenting those experiences.