I used to live in Phoenix. Cost of living is decent. You can get a nice place for $2k a month. Just make sure you get one with a pool! It gets feakin' HOT there. You will leave pieces of burnt flesh on your metal seat belt buckle if you leave your car in the sun during the summer. If you can tough out some 120 degree days during the summer months, the winters there are nice.
Phoenix is also a 5 hour drive from Vegas, San Diego and even closer to Mexico.
Not really any racism that I ever saw unless you are a spicy illegal
