NY to AZ Hopeful - looking for the most appropriate town for special needs etc (Phoenix: for sale)

[Gazingraven]

Hello!
I am going to be moving from New York to Arizona. My significant other and I have decided to part ways, as the property we are currently renting is going up for sale. He will be moving to the Virgin Islands. I have a daughter who is 22 who has epilepsy and while she is in general independent enough, will need to be living with me for sure. I didn’t feel the Virgin Islands could support what she may need medically and I personally I’m not a huge huge fan of the heat. My older daughter lives in Arizona with my two grandsons and we have been wanting to close the distance gap for sometime. She lives in Mesa and I have visited a number of times and found it to be enjoyable enough, especially going nearby to Riperian Preserve or to see the burrowing owls in Gilbert. I love nature photography and I also volunteer in a bird rehab where I live now and have been doing so for the last five years. I hear there is Liberty wildlife close enough to Mesa where I would still be able to carry on these particular duties most likely. As I said, I’m a little bit of a hot house flower when it comes to the heat and will run scampering inside until the sun calms down a bit but that being said, have been game for going out during the day in Mesa to do some things and just standing under a tree for a few moments with a bottle of water when it got too hot. my older daughter feels that even if I move to Prescott where it’s cooler, it’s still better than living across United States and she wants me to be happy climate wise. I’m really having a tough time deciding which city would be better for us or if there’s another city just waiting to be looked at. In general what I need is A good agency for my daughter who has epilepsy that also offers job training programs, Great medical care, I personally love the arts and I do love autumn but if I have to deal without it I guess I have to deal without it. I love coffee shops and bookstores and we are 100% vegetarian. I’m also not a republican if that matters at all. My current city’s cost-of-living is higher than Prescott’s and I currently work for a company that tells us we can work from anywhere. In the back of my mind always is Job opportunities for myself and for my mildly intellectually impaired daughter as well. I’ve lived in New England and New York all of my life and for the most part would love to live in a community that is friendly and has fun events, is somewhat vegetarian friendly. I am slightly too young for a retirement community, although I’m not sure if that’s what I would want anyway since I don’t know too much about it. Any opinions or information on an area that sounds like I can check off any of these boxes would be appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

[Sno0909]

You're not going to get any half-decent special needs care outside of Phoenix. I can't speak for Tucson, though.

Just being honest, but after reading your post, I would strongly reconsider moving here. If you are really that intolerant of heat, you will die here. Even in high elevation places of our state, the sun is very strong and is no joke.

[Gazingraven]

Thank you for your reply! I’m going to dig in further with the research on programs for my daughter - and see what comes up for the Mesa/Phx area. Thanks for taking the time!

[grmi66]

I have knowledge of both the caregiving industry and the vocational rehab industry in the state of Arizona. Living in the Phoenix area will have the most services available to you. That being said, both industries are still recovering from Covid. Currently work in vocational rehab for one of the largest employers of developmentally disabled adults in the state and we have a waiting list a mile long of people waiting to come back to work. On the in-home caregiving side (most individuals with DD in AZ qualify for 10 or so hours a week of habilitation or respite) Covid and the increase in minimum wage decimated the pool of providers. May take a few years to bounce back. You might qualify for care, but be unable to find anyone to provide it. Especially dependent on where you live, if in one of the suburbs of Phoenix you'll never find a provider willing to drive out that far.

[teddyearp]

Just realize that Arizona is a terribleâ„¢ place.
https://www.city-data.com/forum/ariz...not-think.html
And paragraphs.

[Gazingraven]

Thank you @grmi66 - looking mostly for job training services for my daughter - do you think that may be more feasible? I must admit that in the entire equation, I had overlooked the effects of Covid as far as services being affected. Very much appreciated your response!

[grmi66]

@gazingraven - Look up the Beacon Group and also First Place, both have some sort of job training or vocational rehab services. Despite Arizona's reputation for education and funding of services in general, for disability services there are quite a few resources. Just takes a lot of leg work and tireless advocating. At my old job I spent a lot of time on the phone with parents of adults with disabilities who compared what they get in Arizona vs what is available in Chicago or any of the east coast states and it's better out here.

[Gazingraven]

That’s really helpful ! I’ve also heard YEI ‘s name dropped. I’m going to look into your suggestions. When researching top states that are most friendly for disabilities Arizona comes up pretty much on top. So I am put somewhat more at ease to see your response. Haha - you got that right, constant research and advocating! I need a literal switch on my brain to shut it off at night from all of the research right now so being pointed in the direction is very much appreciated, thank you for your responses.

[grmi66]

The biggest issue I saw with services is someone would move to north Scottsdale or Gold Canyon, receive their 10 hour a week allotment from the Arizona DDD and then get extremely frustrated that nobody will drive out that far to provide care. Unofficially I'd tell parents to sweeten the pot and give their caregivers a gas card or some cash every week to help pay for their time and gas. Or find a family friend, neighbor or someone in the community that is open to providing care and convince them to get certified. Some of the best providers I hired were teachers or part time aides at schools, bus drivers, lunchroom attendants, etc.... that wanted to work 5-8 hours a week extra in the afternoon or evening for a little bit of extra income.