A sunny 'hello" from Arizona!

Hello Raphaela,

Welcome to Expat.com 😀

How is the settling-in process going so far? Have you been there long?

How are you finding Mesa compared to Vienna?

Feel free to share more about your experience and what kind of connections or opportunities you are hoping to find. I am sure members in the area will be happy to connect.

Looking forward to hearing more about your journey!

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

Welcome  Raphaela and welcome to the forum. Big move from Vienna to Mesa that’s awesome. Sounds like you’ve got a really interesting background too.  Building community from scratch isn’t easy but you’re in  fast growing area with lots of opportunity. Hope you find some good connections both here and locally

@Cheryl Thank you, Cheryl! The settling‑in process has been a mix of exciting and meaningful — I moved to Mesa in 2024, so I’m still finding my rhythm and building my life here. It’s definitely different from Vienna, but I’m enjoying the space, the light, and the friendliness of people.

I’m hoping to connect with others in the area and also explore work opportunities that fit my background in philosophy, ethics, and coaching. It’s been a big transition, but a good one.

Thank you @walterhackett27 It really has been a big move, and I appreciate the warm welcome. Mesa is very different from Vienna, but there’s something exciting about starting fresh in a place that’s growing so quickly. I’m settling in step by step — building work, community, and a sense of home.

Have you been to the East Valley as well? It sounds like you know the area well.