Not to step on toes or anything (I have never been known to do that) , you might want to check out the crime rate in Phoenix before you move here. It has a lot of crime especially murders and property crime. It has very high insurance rates due to car theft and illegal aliens bombing around in uninsured cars whacking into people. There are more than 200 murders a year in Phoenix by the way, which is probably a lot more than Gig Harbor...
The violent crime rate is much lower in Scottsdale although it is wise to have an alarm on your house, particularily if you are planning on being absent for extended periods. Chandler is better as is Tempe and I suspect that Mesa is too although I am not sure. One of the other guys will know more. It is a little tricky driving at night in the winter as there are a lot of people on vacations and they tend to be drinking and driving. Arizona has one of the highest rates of DUI in the nation - mostly in Phoenix/Scottsdale. Arizona is also last in school funding so don't expect much...
It is great for weather and the people I know here are really good guys but if I did not have to work I would probably go to Prescott or Wickenburg. same 300+ sunny days without the traffic and polluted air...
