Hello all!

I am a New Yorker, my husband and I have been talking about the future. Arizona is a state we have thought about living in. What is it like to live there, work there for YOU, and for an ex-convict?
what types of jobs could they get?
what types of jobs can we get?
what are rents like, and what about buying a home with some credit issues?
what is the best city to live in compared to New York, or maybe a bit away from the city?
Just curious!
thanks ALL! :)

Hi Mrs.G,
Arizona is the worst place for x-convicts! They dont believe in second chances, Jobs do back ground checks but only for arizona so if you have never been arrested in arizona nothing will show up! Jobs are hard to find right now.

The cops see one prison tattoo on you and your the person they have been looking for they treat you like dirt! Some say (Go to arizona for a vacation and leave on probation) so true!
Patty

oh, that makes me sad...jobs are bad in New York now too, I cannot find one!
we would really love to live in a hot but dry climate...what other states are similar?

California ? Maybe I am hoping some of the other members can help you out with there experience.

Yes, I agree! You want to stay away from Arizona!!!

California is a nice pretty place to consider. I am of the impression that they are liberal there. Work seems abundant.

But think of Vegas, Baby!!!! Vegas is full of job opportunities, especially if you look good wearing nothing but a huge feathered, sequined hat and high heels. Just joking. Seriously, I love Las Vegas!!!! If I wasn't established here in Arizona, I would pack my bags and move to Vegas. I heard that people in Vegas don't even have to pay taxes because the casinos pay so many taxes. I would think that Nevada law makers are liberal thinkers there with the casinos and prostitution being legal and all. Check it out!

Good luck!


Peace,
doe

Hey I want to move to vegas! But I have a little problem! I can hear the slot machine's calling my name day and night. I cant even go grocery shopping in Nevada with out those little suckers bugging me!

Patty

How about Oregon?
and is all of Nevada the same...
I have heard from many that Vegas is nice too. not just a party city either.

Oregon is a beautiful state. It must be pretty liberal, too. I believe they are the only state that allows physician assisted suicide. Not that I am for that, it's just that would make it a liberal state. It gets cold there though. But you are probably used to that MrsG since you live in New York. I don't know about the job market there. What kind of work are you and your husband looking for, anyway?

Hey az_tears, I know what you mean about the slots calling your name. I live less than five minutes from a Casino here in Arizona and whoa!!!! my ears are buzzing all the time!

Good luck, MrsG, in your quest for a new hometown. Consider Vegas, Baby and keep us updated!

Peace,
doe

That is so funny Doe! I will tell you a little story about AZ casino's and me(trouble)LOL
My husband was working in Snow Flake on a contract there company bid up there, I would drive up on the weekends to visit him. Well one time he was out of checks so he gave me $800 cash to pay bills when I got home (big mistake).
Because I pass two Casinos coming home thought I could double it or at least make some spending money! Nope took all of my cash in two hours! I cried all the way home!
Lets just say my husband learned a valuable lesson no more cash for me (lol).

I am considering Las Vegas too! I guess he would be looking for work in making things, like a carpenter, manual labor anything! but also, it will not be until 2006 when he comes home and then he has to ask for a transfer out of State, being he will be on parole.

Your smart for starting now to get ready for his home coming! great thinking :thumbsup: always so much red tape in all of that transfer stuff. Good luck I know you will find a great place. Also check out the library I am sure they have great books that could help you out.
patty

Arizona? Run, run as fast you can away from this place! It is a "hanging state"! I would not recommend moving here at all as an ex-felon - listen to AZ Tears, she knows what she is talking about!

I agree with the above, but want to add that my husband was a felon prior to this and he got a GOOD job doing carpentry here & even joined the Union. He did have to take in paperwork saying that he was a felon, but he didn't have much trouble finding work. It only took him about two days to get hired when he got out.
Apartments & houses are another matter, however. Many apartments & houses won't rent to felons & have a policy about them not even being on the lease of a resident.
The apartment I am in now is like that, so when my husband gets out he is not even legally allowed to live here.

wow.....do most states do criminal backround checks?
New York doesnt.

how hard IS IT to get a transfer out of State?

Ebortunga - I'm glad your husband was able to find work - that gives me hope for when he gets out! That is one of my many fears, no one wanting to hire him.

I agree with everyone. Not only are you tagged forever once been picked up it's difficult to leave. I come from a cool climate, Oregon and I lived in Phoenix for 3 years. What a cesspool! The 1st summer is OK but by the 2nd you're really feeling it and by the 3rd if you haven't grown up there you start going crazy. The cops in Phoenix at least have among the least amount of education in the country. All you need is a GED. Oregon's economy is horrible right now. I moved from Phoenix to Salt Lake and really liked it. It's has a nice dry climate without the horrible heat. It does snow occasionaly in the winter but it never lasts for long. Good luck with your hunt!

Arizona is a 3 felony state, according to an attorney that my son had. Meaning once he got out...if he got in trouble again for any reason he would go directly back to prison. So where's the belief in giving a person a second chance when they have rehabilitated themselves? She told me that he should plan on moving once he is released.:p

It is very hard to find work period here in Az but if you are an ex felon it's almost impossible, when my son got out it took him 6 months to find a job then it was a low paying job his PO told him about they hire "ex cons" as a matter of fact i'd say 85% that work there are on probation or parole, the pay is low but better than min wage at least. When I told my man about it and told him i'm sure he could get a job there but the pay sucks, he said it's about a 7.50 an hour raise for him so sounds great to him, such possitive attitude : )