Mesa: Area Becoming Another L.a........ (Phoenix, Gilbert: low crime, house, high school)

[AZbabysunshinekids3]

I moved here over 11 years ago from Connecticut.
We moved to Apache Junction which is just east of Mesa. We really fell in love with the area and the beautiful desert mountains,wildlife,people were so friendly and courteous......Well, all that has changed !!!
It seems that although we have always gotten an abundance of the "snowbirds" population, now, it seems that many people all over the country are relocating here, which is driving the market to produce these cookie cutter homes, A Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot,Lowes,Starbucks, literally within a mile or two of one another! No exaggeration!!!
Clearing the desert, all for the sake of making $$$.
There is no respect for the wildlife,or any of the desert creatures that live here. What about the water????? Well, time will tell.There has already been a lot of media concern over this topic, since we share water rights with at least 2 other states.Want to dig a well?? MAJOR problem. When we wanted to dig a well for a piece of property we were going to build on in 1999, they said we would have to go deeper then 800'!!
I will tell you this.....this is a DESERT!!!!! It is not meant to be another Los Angeles.Though they sure are trying !!
We are actually going to be getting our house ready to sell, so if you are interested, let me know!!! It is time to move on, back to the east, though down south !
Feel free to send me a note, if you have any thoughts or questions

[SpeedyAZ]

Phoenix is expanding at an amazing rate, the area I live in wasn't even developed 20 years ago. I'm personally all for expansion and the cookie-cutter homes (which I live in).

[soon2Bazrefugee]

AZbabysunshinekids3 is not joking, I totally agree.
I moved here in June 1989, & it has changed a lot, & I do not belive it's for the better. Where there was once cotton fields & orange groves there are now "power centers" & "strip malls". I used to be able to go to the lake & have no problem launching my boat....& it was FREE. Now they charge you, & there are so many people, don't EVER think of going on the weekend, not even fun...Oh I sold the boat! The same is true for any other outdoor sport, I used to enjoy.
I thought my son went to a fairly decent jr. high school, but he tells a much different story...enrollment has dramtically increased, along with it alot of crime.
He comes home every day & tells me how upset he is about the school. Crime? compare this website's latest statistics on Mesa with that of N.Y.C. or L.A.
The advantages....the weather is nice. There's alot to do in the area.

[Carolina_native]

I know Im on the other side of the country, but I know your pain. NC is the same way. Nonstop caravans of people from the North are relocating here and turned quiet farming communities and small towns into high-taxed, overpopulated suburbs in just a few years time. There is a rather large lake here, Lake Norman, and spans several counties. Dont think of going out on the lake on weekends here because swimming in the lake, well you might as well be sitting in the middle of the interstate with all the boating traffic.

I guess what happens is people hear of a good place to live. They tell all their family and friends it seems and everyone rushes to one area.

Kind of like sheep grazing, once one good patch of land is eaten up, they move on to the next good thing til theres none left.

[a1m1700]

AZbaby is right on. NO exaggeration there. I've been here since 1988. I loved it sooo much. It's getting way too crowed and played out. I'm in Gilbert. I think that is probably the best of all the evils.

Carolina native.. I have been contemplating a move to NC since I came back from vacation last summer. Thinking about Cary or Wilmington. I have recently discovered tornados in NC. That will just about close the door on my plans. Do you find tornados to be a problem in NC? I don't like storms not even our monsoons.

[Parks Arizona Guy]

yes Arizona is better not too much storms the region maybe some rain thats it love rain but no sever weather aye lol

[storkslegs]

Please, excuse me if my english isn't good.
Well, I'm not living in the middle of the desert. I'm far from you. But three weeks ago I was doing my 1st trip in USA. I was stationned at Vegas but I didn't like Vegas (it was only for my job). But I really enjoyed to visit all the places as Monument Valley, Grand CAnyon, Death Valley and I felt in love about Beatty a very litle town at the begining of Death Valley.
Maybe you have the best color what mother nature can give in the world and my question is do you know this fact ?
My other question, is about a Rock formation beside the 98 road from KAIBITO to PAGE I was able to take a picture of it, but wasn't able to give a name to this, cause the driver wanted to start again and join PAGE where we should have our lunch and bed to sleep .
If you have an idea, or maybe have a friend from there, I would be happy to have an answer . Thank you.
God bless you

[parkwayschool1]

I am a teacher wanting to relocate to Queens Creek, Gilbert. I am coming soon to apply for a teacher job. I know you say you are leaving and I want to move there, Uh oh. I have small children

[restlessinmn]

Originally Posted by AZbabysunshinekids3

I moved here over 11 years ago from Connecticut.
We moved to Apache Junction

I absolutely love CT. Why on earth would you move from there to AJ??? There are so many quaint villages throughout CT that fight the cookie-cutter strip mall infestation not to mention that suburban CT consistently has top ranking schools and low crime rates.

[CodyW]

NONE of Phoenix will ever be like Los Angeles. LA defines itself. Phoenix doesn't. Until that changes, we'll see.. Brown. No character, something LA has that we don't. That, and the motivation to accomplish things.

--Cody W