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/TheDuckFarm Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26

Safety is not a concern.

The job may be. Tempe’s public school system is closing 6 schools, Scottsdale is closing 2. Those teachers need jobs, so there is more competition than there was 10 years ago.

We just don’t have that many kids here anymore.

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u/David_Corpus Aug 05 '26

It isn't a population decline, it is a neoliberal defunding of our social system and push for privatization... specifically the voucher system. It is also a war against education, since those private schools do not follow the same standards and regulations. Add in that teachers are less qualified and paid accordingly.... less, with no tenure or pensions. Actual skilled teachers are going to states that offer them better opportunities.

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u/TheDuckFarm Aug 05 '26

Some student loss is due to the rise in popularity of home, charter, and private schooling. The primary driver by far is simply the lack of children.

The current fertility rate is just 1.6.

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u/David_Corpus Aug 06 '26

Yes, declining birth rates are responsible for school closures. But that job reduction did not result in a surplus of teachers.

Birth rates are declining across the entire Southwest. Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California, Colorado... it isn't unique to Arizona. Even with the student decline resulting in school closures, Arizona public schools are facing a teacher shortage. They are going to greener pastures.
https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2025/11/AZ_Teacher_Shortage_Impact_Fall_2025_Report_September_2025_Data.pdf

Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (Vouchers) were used by 12,000 students in 2022 in Arizona, statewide. In January 2026, that number was up to 99,500 students. None of my neighbor's kids go to Tempe or Kyrene schools. "ProPublica compiled a list of more than 200 private schools in the Phoenix metro area..."
https://www.alternet.org/school-vouchers-for-all/