Starting Over in Arizona?

Jan 5, 2010

For several years, friends and I have been talking about moving to a new place. There is talk of retirement, warmer weather, smaller homes with less maintenance, easier living. Sounds like heaven, right? It does, until we get practical and begin to really think it through.

Packing up and moving is easy. Figuring out where to move is hard, and part of that is wondering how to meet new people in a strange town. I have met most of my friends in Taos through my children. They are parents of other children, caregivers, coaches and teachers. When you have an empty nest and move, how do you start over?

Couple that dilemma with being self-employed, and you will have one new resident feeling very alone.

I have been checking out the Verde Valley in Arizona for a couple of years, and after 22 years in Taos, I am serious about moving there.

***Stop! (Insert sound of screeching halt!)***

May 1, 2010

This past week, the new anti-immigration bill, SB1070, was passed and signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Law enforcement is allowed to ask for documentation of citizenship of anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant. If you have dark skin, you may be detained. This has created outrage around the country, and there is a call for a boycott of the state.

> Parents are pulling their children out of universities.
> Travel plans are being changed.
> Sports schedules are being disrupted.
> Conferences and conventions are being canceled.
> Businesses are looking elsewhere.

Hmmmmm…… Where does that leave me? I think this law is horrific with its racism and discrimination. Our politicians live in fear of anybody that is not white and wealthy. I grew up in a family like that, and I think it’s disgusting. Can I live in a state that tolerates that same thinking?

I have gone so far with this potential move to:

> start cleaning my yard and house to sell it.
> research ways to meet people (local chapters of the US Green Building Council and American Solar Energy Society)
> look into homes and apartments to rent
> look for jobs
> find out where the organic food is
> take the Verde Valley phone book from the hotel to continue my research
> look into the requirements to get my real estate license

When I was there in March, I sat barefoot by the Verde River for several hours, soaking up the sun and scenery. I wrote about how I felt very comfortable there, since much of it is like Taos. I was reminded of sitting by the Rio Grande last November and churning out this essay. I came home and started ‘the move.’

This week, I wondered if I can live with this new law. Do I want to boycott Arizona? Would I be cutting off my nose to spite my face to not move? What would I be doing to my daughter, who really wants to move there? Can I spend another long, cold winter here (it was 16 degrees this morning!)?

While I was debating this, I read an article at Mother Jones last night about the Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio. This abusive, lying, racist, holier-than-thou-and-above-the-law sack of s**t is planning on running for Governor! And he is the favorite! Didn’t we just suffer through eight years of a presidency like that?! I swore if McCain and Palin got into office, I would leave the country.

Now, maybe I could live with this immigration law, but I could NOT live in a state where this ‘man’ rules. No no no no no. Granted, he’s not the only contender, but it is definitely something to consider and pay attention to!

I will continue to watch things unfold in Arizona and see what happens. I thank the universe for people like Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and the lawsuits filed by Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff. A bright light does shine!

I’ll keep prepping my house for sale, see what comes of it, and follow my intuition, which is all I can do.