May be moving to phoenix. Got some ?'s

[Tim_T]

The wife got a air traffic control job offer in mesa and we got some ?'s about the area. Actually I would like to know about how much do you guys pay for electricity out there monthly? Its expensive as hell in Tx. I have done some research on housing cost and AZ aint to bad. Im trying to convince her to take the job because I like the dry heat. Also whats the job market out there like for fiberglass composite repair or welding? Im got certified in both through the navy and im gonna seperating from the navy in february. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks. Oh yeah, I also want her to take the job so i can take the sanger out on christmas and new years. Thanks again.
Tim

[Sleek-Jet]

Depending on where you live, you'll either be on Salt River Project's system or Arizona Public Service's system.
www.srpnet.com
or
www.aps.com
Both of the terrifs for these companies should be on the websites. Figure on dropping a few hundred a month (depending on the size of your house, seir rating of the AC unit, ect...) on electricity in the summer months.

[Squirtcha?]

Wintertime I pay $100 a month for electric and I'm overpaying. I've actually got a credit of a couple hundred bucks now. Summertime's a killer. Running the air almost continuously 24-7 costs approximately $240 per month for the months of July, August, September.
My house is 3 bed, 2 bath, 1830 sq. ft. with a pool (some of that $240 per month goes to running the pump and keeping the pool up to snuff).
SRP (salt river project) has a number of programs to help you pay the bills. I'm sure APS does as well.

[DelawareDave]

Don't know about fiberglass jobs, but I am in the steel fab business. I was in Phx til 96 (8yrs) and thought steel fab jobs paid rather low. I did work for a number of shops there, including Schuff. A lot of them offered no bennies when I was there. But comparing AZ to Texas for similar work, it might be comparable, depending on who you work for.

[Cole1313]

I recently moved out here as well. Electricity for us is $70 in the winter $300 in the summer. We are going to a flat pay next year.
Chandler and Mesa are pretty nice areas. I do not know anything about your industry, however I do know that business owners are making money hand over fist right now, because of the increase in population over the past two years.

[Cole Sanger]

I have a 1406sq ft house in Gilbert and I pay about 130 in the hot summer months and about 60-70 in the winter. Not sure about the two jobs you asked about. I am an electronics technician and it is up an down in the semiconductor market. Look at Intel, they are hiring a ton of people right now. Good luck.

[Tim_T]

Thanks for the help everybody. I am soooo glad to see its not nearly as expensive for electricity there as it is in texas. As for me my certifications are secondary to my job as a aircraft mechanic. They are actually source ratings for my job. Any, i really appreciate the help.
Tim

[cruser]

Cole Sanger
I am an Electronics Tech also and just accepted a transfer to Intel's Ocotillo(sp?) site. The new job includes a promotion to Engineer and a temporary assignment in Oregon until next fall.
Any pointers you or anyone else can give me about housing, schools etc. on that side of town, around the Intel plant will be greatly appreciated.
Last year about this time while applying for a different position I was asking for similar advice but that job didn't work out. This time around, they made me an offer and I accepted it so it should be a done deal.

[Cole1313]

Cole Sanger
I am an Electronics Tech also and just accepted a transfer to Intel's Ocotillo(sp?) site. The new job includes a promotion to Engineer and a temporary assignment in Oregon until next fall.
Any pointers you or anyone else can give me about housing, schools etc. on that side of town, around the Intel plant will be greatly appreciated.
Last year about this time while applying for a different position I was asking for similar advice but that job didn't work out. This time around, they made me an offer and I accepted it so it should be a done deal.
I live 2 blocks away from the Intel plant. The entire area down there is nice and the school system is decent. The homes range from 300+ .

[mj680]

They have State Income Tax in AZ,but none in TX. :cool:

[Cole Sanger]

You are going to be glad you took that transfer. They are hauling on building 32, and of course there are rumors about 22 converting soon after and even a fab after that. I started at 12 in 2000 with AMAT. Then went to 22 when it came up. Then got laid off from them in mid 2003. Went to work with a fly by night place for about a year or so and did the demo on the AMAT Implanters at 12. I am with Novellus now in CVD at 12. Soon I will be moving over to 32 when it gets done. As far as houses go, they are getting more expensive everyday. My only advise to you would be buy now if you can before you go up to Oregon on your seed assignment. If you don't, they will be about $10,000+ more by the time you get back. I was lucky, and bought back in 2000. My house has is only 1406sq ft with a 3 car garage and decent size back yard in Gilbert. I bought it for $133,000 in 2000 and it just appraised for $280,000 last month. Depends on what you want. I went looking early last year, and that scared me into staying put. Even if I sell my house for 280, I couldn't buy it back for that, much less buy something that I want. I just had a buddy buy a half acre in Higley with an older house in the 2200sq ft range and it was near $500,000. I would say to look in Gilbert, Queen Creek, Higley, and Chandler if you have to. Chandler is either really nice, or really not so nice. If you don't mind being a little farther from the close lakes I would suggest Casa Grande. Maricopa City is sold out from what I hear. If you want to be close to the lakes, I would suggest up in north east Mesa. Let me know if you need anymore help. Maybe I will see you in the fab someday soon.

[cruser]

I have been with Intel at the Oregon sites as a tech doing technology development work for 25 years. I decided it was about time to see what production was like. The transfer is from Oregon to AZ and then temporarily back to Oregon so I will be a bit mobile for a while. The promotion doesn't hurt either. I shouldn't be in the fab down there very much. I'm an automation guy and do all my work remotely from my desk or home.
I will be making various trips for house hunting, training and so forth. When I do come down I'll let you know. Maybe you can show me the areas to avoid and perhaps a favorite lake or two. I'll buy the refreshments. This goes for anyone else who helps me make the right choice.

[Cole Sanger]

You got it. Oh, and don't let Oregon manufacturing scare you. They are a bit nuts up there. A whole lot more laid back down here. If you have been around for 25 years, you probably already know that though.

[cruser]

That is one of the biggest reasons for the move, I know we/they are nuts!