Accepting a transfer offer to Phoenix AZ

To cut a long story short - I have been considering leaving my current job. I mentioned this, last week, to some of my US colleagues. They called me back yesterday, and suggested that I might like to consider a move to Phoenix to work with them.

I really dont know very much about Phoenix. I know that I could ask my US colleagues for information, but dont think I would get a really objective view from them. The job that is being offered would be fantastic opportunity for me to further my career.

I was wondering if there were any Ami's on here that are from or know much about Phoenix, or there is anyone else that could give me an objective view on what it's like... I know it will be HOT, and that's about it ;-)

The questions I have at the moment are:
Where's good to live?- (The company offices are in Chandler)
What are the costs of living like? - (I am single, no children, enjoy an active sports life, like socialising)
Is there a good nightlife? - (bars, clubs, culture etc)
Would I need a car?
How far to nearest Ski resorts?
What are the people like?

If there's anything else that you think would be useful, or any links/resources that I should be looking at...then please post here

my brother moved to Phoenix over 10 years ago and he loves it. Everytime I went to visit him, I saw more and more how I could never, ever live there. That is the kind of reaction that Pheonix brings out in people: love it or hate it.

Phoenix is a unique place. It is a stange gathering of desert cowboys, midwestern snow birds, californians, mexicans, sun chasers, and just a handfull of true locals. It has been one of the big boom towns in the US over the last 15 yrs or so, which has given it its own flavor. So, you just might love the place...

as to your specific questions...

need a car? of course, dude. like you need to breath. It is a "car centric" city. but I think I did see a bus... once... in the distance...

one of the reasons the Pheonix has boomed so much is that the housing is affordable. but then again, when the environment doesn't require very well built houses, and the houses can be slapped together over to course of a weekend, of course they are affordable. Joking aside, sounds like you are a prime candidate for a condo. you may end-up paying more for parking your car / your water bill than for rent / a mortgage.

one of the biggest night life areas is near the university. and it is everything you would expect of 18-24 year-olds who finally got away from their parents... except that everyone has to drive home... outside of that, can't help (I only visited, and did mostly family things).

there are a lot of sports things going on in town. you like golf? rock climbing? then you are all set. skiing? water skiing, no problem. oh, snow skiing? see you at the airport. cheap flights though.

but it does not surprise me at all that your colleagues offered to transfer you so quickly. the vast majority of people there LOVE it. if anything, have them fly you out for some reason or other and have a look.

my bestfriend back home, her brother lived in Phoenix for about 15 years, he played hockey there, and in the off season worked at the golf course as a pro. Him and his wife loved it, but missed having grass like you get where we grew up, its much dryer so the grass on their feet wasn't as soft. They only left because wife got an awesome job in Portland Oregon.
Lots of sunshine. I say go for it.

driving to them is out of the question, but like Chicago said, flights to Lake Tahoe (I have to admit, not sure if Nevada or California since right on border) or Taos, New Mexico (neighboring states) are probably affordable, locking people in for skiing.

TT memer Kiki left here in December and moved out to Phoenix. She quit her IT job at MS and is now selling real estate on the side while trying to follow her dream of working with handicapped children and horses. She loves it. To escape the heat, everyone drives north to Flagstaff in the summer. It is beautiful out there. I loved it when I had to work there for a month - even in August. And, if you like golf...you're all set.

If you send me your email address, I've have her get in touch with you. But, like others say, get the company to send you out there for business and check it out.

There's skiing to be done in Flagstaff, which is a nice weekend drive getaway. See day trip skiing in Arizona. Actually the environment in Flagstaff is very nice, great wilderness areas. Don't care for Phoenix at all.

Many thanks for the replies.
All very sensible information and advice. I think you are right, I should try to get a business trip out there before I commit... Although, I did come to Munich "blind" for 3 months and that was almost 9 years ago...

@Kitkat64 - Many thanks for the offer of getting Kiki to contact me - I will PM you my email address.

@ Chicago - Sounds like a real eclectic mix people in Phoenix - could be quite interesting

And if it makes you feel better (if you're a beer lover) Kiki is also part owner of a micro brewery north of Phoenix.

People love it or hate and I'm one who hates it. My brother and uncle live there and I've visited a few times. The plus side is it's relatively inexpensive. The negatives: lots of old people, extremely hot and HUMID, You MUST drive everywhere, it's a very conservative state with lots of rednecks. It grew so fast that the roads are a mess and it takes a long time to get from one end of the city to the other. Expect to spend the majority of your summer indoors.

HUMID???

how do you get that? it's the dessert! there's Tempe town lake (flooded dam) but that's it! there are a few creeks, but their a drive away from the city and any of them that have a substantial amount of water are even further.

it's definately not humid! 110F there feels heaps better than say 85-90F in Milwaukee, WI because Phoenix is dry it's not as bad and the heat is more bearable!

Update from my friend Kiki yesterday. Temps around 100F supposed to be around 110 on the weekend.

It's hot, but it is definitely NOT humid.

I've been to Phoenix a couple times and wanted to move there REAL bad. Any time I mentioned it to friends they always commented about the heat, but having been there in the summer I would take a Phoenix summer over a humid Chicago summer any day. So if you don't go and they still want someone, send them my email... I'll go!

My relatives used to live in Chandler... I really liked it there. Infact, Arizona is probably my favorite US state. Sure its hot, but its not humid..and that makes a big difference. Its really beautiful there and the people are really friendly.

you've been corrected already numerous times, but Arizona definitely has DRY HEAT. now, go to Texas... that is something else entirely. and i would also have to disagree about the last statement. believe it or not, your body adjusts to the climate it is in. you will get used to the heat (obviously old and young should watch out). i used to play tennis and go jogging or ride my bike in the middle of the day. stupid, yes, but i survived. and that was in Austin, Texas with humidity. you'd be surprised at how quickly you'd forget that 70° was sweltering in Munich! after AZ summers, 70° is turn-on-the heater time