I would say no to Az. I lived there for over 20 yrs. until the early 90's, but in the last 10 yrs. property values have gone thru the roof, with lot's of people moving from Ca. to Az.
I don't know about BJ's area but here in La. and in Ms. a ASE certified can make $20.00/$30.00 and hr. and work all the overtime they want to. Example an out of school beginner at the GM dealership in Vicksburg starts at $20.00 plus incentives, with up to 50hrs a week. The other thing is if you have desiel experience, you will never have to want for a job in the south because of all the farming. I don't know how that is in BJ's area, because it's been 40yrs since i lived over there. But the south needs good techs, because the computer cars put the shade tree mechanics out of business.
I don't know what the property taxes are in BJ's area, although i have relatives living in Anderson, but haven't talked to them for yrs. In Ms. i have a rental property valued at $150,00.00 and i pay around $600.00 anuelly, in La. where i stay most of the time my taxes are free up to $75,000.00 due to homestead, leaving me less than $200.00 per yr. My Daughter lives in a Chicago surburb, in a Condo 1050 sq ft and pays $2700.00 per yr. taxes plus personal property tax.
The food cost the same here as in Michigan,but no $500.00 heating bills, but everything else is cheaper by a bunch. You can buy a pretty nice 1500sq ft house with a little land for $100,000.00. In 2004, i bought a 1452 sq ft house 1 acre land with a 34X66 metal shop (bank repo) for $50,000.00, spent $3,000.00 fixing up the house, new carpet,etc. and it was appraised at over $100,000.00 in Nov. 2006.
I guess what i'm trying to say is you can make money in the south with your knowledge and live very well, no matter which area you choose.
JMO
Zip.