with the collapse of the real estate market in Phoenix, you can get some cheap rentals

I liked OC alot when I lived there, somewhere close to Newport.... loved it actually. :2 cents:

CA is the best if you can afford it. There's a reason it's so expensive.

I moved from southern California to az about 2 years ago now, I like it here for the most part, only thing I don’t like is the heat.

Where I lived there was a lot of gangs, bad areas etc, where I live now in AZ,i have never seen graffiti or gang bangers walking the streets

But maybe i was just in a bad part of CA. It was ventura county,specifically oxnard. Moved to a town on the outskirts of phoenix on the west side called Surprise.

This is salt creek beach... only a few minutes drive from Aliso Viejo
http://california-beach-rental.com/1...reek-beach.jpg

I can't see the beach out my window but you can feel the breeze it's not too far and a lot of things to do. Also a great spot because I am right between LA and SD. Very affordable also... you should look around here.

Do not know enough about AZ to comment.
I do know that I could not think of many reasons let alone have any desire to live in Southern California. Also notice that it seems most people just think of Southern California as all of California. Even Rochard mentioned Northern California and I personally feel he barely even qualifies as Northern California since he is located in mostly in Central California. I do like both central and northern California though.

What about Vegas? Climate is similar to AZ, cost of living is cheaper than Cali, and LA and Phoenix are both a 4 hour drive. Plenty to do here!

Lived in Tucson for many years, and if I didn't live in Vegas now, thats where I'd be.

How would the cost of living be cheaper than California, or again are you just calling SoCal as California?

get in touch with normal people, come to eu! :thumbsup

I live in Sacramento, California. I just visited The Phoenix Forums, and then spent a few days visiting with my Grandmother afterward. She lives in Tucson. I can tell you, Phoenix is really nice, Tucson is small and has a very industrial feel, but it is close to Phoenix for culture, and cheap, and I personally wouldn't trade either for California. Phoenix does have a really fun vibe, though, or at least the area around the Phoenix Forums does.

These are just my opinions after visiting.

We will be moving to Temecula in California or right around that area soon. Anyone familiar with it??

Temecula is kinda in the middle of nowhere, but growing. I have some friends that live there that I don't visit because I don't want to make the drive.

As for this thread, I live in OC bout a mile away from South Coast Plaza. It's just a 5 minute drive to Newport Beach and I love it. The weather is nice and it's not too gang oriented or to straitlaced either. LA is fun but it's too busy and everyone is self centered. San Diego is cool, the freeway system there is way better than LA and everything is in close proximity.

I guess the real question is what type of MBA your going for and which school has the best program for it.

DG

wow so far seems like AZ is winning out on both CA & FL

Yeah i noticed housing is cheap in arizona.. im looking for a place with lots of fun stuff to do... and clubs, etc, so i think phoenix might be better than tucson in that regard...


BTW what is the rainy season in tampa fl? how many months a yr and how bad is the rain?

http://www.tampachamber.com/ed_quality.asp

Knock yourself out, most cities have such information posted.

That sounds perfect lol :thumbsup

Do they have many gangs there?? :Oh crap

I know that they have excellent rated schools and it is pretty central to San Diego, La and to the Ocean in Oceanside so I really like that alot.

Would you know if Oceanside has a nice beach?? :upsidedow

Thanks for your help :-)

The heat is why Arizona sucks.

My suggestion, spend a week at each. If you have the money then Cali wins hands down.

The best place I ever lived was Texas! No shit...

Move to southern TX... you'll make friends for life, it's warm, lots to do, people are friendly, and there are blacks there as well. It doesn't really matter your race though put on a smile and it would be the best place you could ever choose!

I moved to Tampa from So Cal, and I love it. It rains in pockets during the summer, and we have cool lightning storms, the cost of living is much cheaper, people are pretty laid back, there is a lot of diversity so I haven't seen or been subjected to any racism, and we have amazing beaches.

We're also just a few hours away from DisneyWorld, and 4 hours from Ft. Lauderdale. It's definitely worth visiting and checking out.

Also, there is no state tax in FL, so you only have to file taxes to the IRS.

Its in the boonies in the middle of nowhere butt fucking egypt, in the inland empire... its very cheap to live in that area...

What can you say about Tennessee? Is there something good to do there :) ?

Florida is my choice

My vote is for Florida but maybe that's cause I live here. LOL

what part of FL kiwigirl? also how bad is the rain there.. i dont want much rain..

AZ is just racist against Mexicans... awesome here :)

where is buckeye arizona?lol

if you end up in az hit me up. i'm in scottsdale. not as multicultural as say san diego but you might like ASU. tuscon is boring as fuck

how is scottsdale compared to phoenix

Hell to the No

Anyone familiar with Oceanside or Vista??

Vegas is nice and like you mentioned, it is somewhat centrally located to Az and Cali. I would not recommend moving to Phoenix, I personally think it sucks. I have lived in the valley most of my life and one day we will leave for cooler country :thumbsup

Az is nice, don't get me wrong, but the big city has turned to crap as well as some of the surrounding areas. Scottsdale is nice if you like the snobby rich type....not all are snobby, but a good majority are. Be sure to bring lots of money to live in scottsdale....depending on your life style.

Racism? I guess you will have that where ever you plan to move.

isnt phoenix more fun than scottsdale

why not :) Country capitol :D

Yes, it is more fun or should I say there is more to do in scottsdale

im confused.. so which one is more fun.. phoenix or scottsdale..

cause you said phoenix is more fun but theres more to do in scottsdale? im confused..

bumparoo

from what I saw while doing a little online house hunting in Phoenix and Tucson this whole real estate collapse is exaggerated. I was looking in the 400-500K range - I expected to see some beautiful homes that would have been 750K a couple years ago. What I saw for listed for 400-500K was nothing special at all - i was disappointed.

Ok, I screwed up...my bad.
I can see how you would be confused by my statement. I meant to say, Scottsdale has more to do and is more fun than Phoenix. Actually, if I was to go out, I would go to Tempe or Scottsdale. The establishments are better and newer...in my opinion....plus there is a big variety.

If you come out here to see how you like it, don't come when the weather is nice, you need to come when the temps are 120 to see if you are willing to deal with that. The winters are beautiful, but the summers suck.
It seems each year it is getting hotter and hotter due to growth.

shouldn't you choose where are you going to study first and then choose locations from that area.................. ??

nah im just doing mba cause im bored.. never gonna use it.. so couldnt care less where i do it.. i just want to live in a fun, warm city