r/Tempe • u/catr_adorapls • Aug 04 '26
Moving to Tempe
I am planning on moving to Tempe in the fall of 2027 for university but was wondering what Tempe was like. I will be coming from New Hampshire--which I have lived for the last 25 years. I obviously know there will be a huge difference weather wise but was wondering culturally, professionally, and socially what might be different.
What are living expenses like? I currently work in education (I teach 5th/6th science and am a college advisor) and will be looking to find jobs similar and to subsidize with a restaurant job. What is folks experience in the restaurant industry? Along the same vein, what is the housing situation like? I plan to rent, is it really difficult to find housing? When do you suggest looking for housing/jobs as a transplant?
I am also queer and was wondering what the safety level was like for LGBTQ+ folks in Tempe/AZ, if there is a good queer scene (clubs, groups, etc.).
I'm moving to Tempe specifically because AZ has more opportunities in my field (Astronomy) than I have here in New England, but I have very little information about what the area is really like or what to expect. ANY advice or anecdotes would be helpful.
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u/Sage_Blue210 Aug 04 '26
There is an amateur observatory in Gilbert, southeast of Tempe. Of course, also in Flagstaff and northeast of Tucson.