Moving to Coolidge or Casa Grande Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson: house, high school)

[past az rez]

Yikes! Thanks for the info. Sorry to hear about the violence. Guess even the small towns/schools have not escaped the trend towards this kind of violence.

[EStclare]

I have to say that reading the blogs is really discouraging. So much negativety. I moved to Coolidge 1 1/2 years ago because it was a small town. In that amount of time there have been numerous small business to open up in the community. Quality people who reside and work here.

I live in the small new home community of Elizabeth Ranch. I love it. There are only 63 homes, most of us know one another, we talk and walk in the evenings etc. and help one another with yardwork, etc.

Instead of being so negative how about getting involved in the community to make it a better place for everyone.

Coolidge is not some red-neck backwoods community. It is a community where people have chosen to live a quieter lifestyle and get away from the rat race that exists 20 miles up the road.

[past az rez]

Ah, finally, an encouraging word. It is as I suspect: you can make the best of it wherever you are and getting involved in the community is the first step. A suggestion for those who are discouraged, from someone who knows firsthand: volunteer in these (less than desirable) schools. The presence of interested, caring, confident adults makes a huge difference. The kids need to know that people care. (End of sermon.)

Thanks for the reply! Still looking for someone who knows if the church of Christ is still meeting in Coolidge.

[royann]

Just for additional information concerning the two teens that killed their friend, yes these three did attended Coolidge High School, but not of them lived in Coolidge. They lived on the Pinal County side of Queen Creek, Arizona. So you can't blame Coolidge for what they did. Yes the school systems are not the greatest, I've had five children go through the school system and they survived and did learn, I now have five grandchildren going through the school system. But if you don't have to move to Coolidge, don't.

[islandbreeze3]

Does anyone have any suggestions for AZ towns comparable in size to Coolidge that have lower crime, better schools? I grew up in Coolidge in the 70s and was thinking of moving back but reading all of the negative posts gives me pause! I am coming home to AZ just not sure where-need a good safe place, have a daughter going into high school and I will be looking for a teaching job at a high school...???

[amatrine]

Casa Grande has a new high school being built now, not sure when it will be done though.

I am in AZ City, the high school will still be Casa Grande for my daughter.

Ama

[Chickenbutt1957]

I live halfway inbetween Casa Grande and Coolidge. Have for 21 years. Raised 2 kids here and sent them both to Casa Grande Schools. One is now getting his Masters and one is getting his Bachelors. You get out of school what you and your student put into it. My boys never had a fight. Never had a problem with the "hoodlums". I knew all their friends and their parents and they had a great experience at CG schools. Casa Grande is a nice town...having a few growing pains at the moment, recently got a mall. We are lovin that! I would not hesitate to move here with my family if you are vigilant and aware of what your kids are doing. We have some very dedicated teachers here, as well as some bad ones, as can be found in every district. Hope this helps you.

[TSCantrell]

BTW, I have a house for sale. PM me if you want more info.

[Katheryn]

Originally Posted by past az rez

Any lifelong residents of Coolidge like to add any (positive) comments? My parents are considering moving back after a long absence.

They were in h.s. in the late 40's and have great memories of living in Coolidge. I realize wherever you grow up, wherever your family is, that's home, whether or not the reality is good. So my question is this: is Coolidge a bad place for someone to retire to?? I don't think the heat would be a deterent but am concerned about the numerous mention of high crime.

Also, does anyone know if the church of Christ is still there?

Thanks,

Past Az Rez

Yes, the church of Christ is alive and well at 805 E. Racine Place in Casa Grande.

[115db]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

U of A, great school! My alma mater. I didn't know they sprawled to Coolidge yet. That's sad, if true. Casa Grande and Coolidge used to be dusty farming communities with the John Deere store, a greasy spoon restaurant, a church or two and little else. I'm probably being a little harsh, but you get the idea. Case Grande is fast becoming a bedroom community of Phoenix. As such it has the same tiny-lot, look-alike stucco homes in subdivisions with cool names like "Dripping Springs", ""Pebble Creek", "Deer Crossing" - some of the the names in the Phx area. There are no springs, no pebbles and no deer - in Casa Grande or anywhere else. Don't misunderstand, CG is as good a place as any, I guess. Almost everything is so new the paint is barely dry including schools, and the life-style, at least on the weekends, will make your friends in the old place jealous. You can probably afford a pool - they are cheap here, you can BBQ year round, and you can hop in the car and get away to the pines up north when you can't take the heat anymore. If you commute to work - and you must unless you pick cotton for a living - you will chug right along for about 20 minutes and then get at the back of a line of traffic that runs another 20 miles or worse depending on where you are going to work. There is enough shopping within 20-30 miles to satisfy just about anyone. It's all good and I bet you will like it there, but don't come to AZ expecting some small town life on the edge of the metropolis. You pretty much get either sprawl or squalor around here.

Oh, it's hot. Coolidge is especially renowned for its temps. It probably cools off a little more at night than the more built-up places. Plan on 115 from about June 15 to Sep 1. Above 100 anytime from Easter to Halloween. It does rain more down that way in summer which is nice, but they have legendary dust storms too. Welcome!

Im glad someone else agrees with my thoughts. When we first moved to CG from Phoenix, it was a small town and many times we could leave our doors unlocked. Nearly everyone used to know everyone. It was definately nice, at one point, and yes, weather is an issue. Heat. Dry heat. I surely dont miss those days! Sadly though, when people started moving out there and turning it into a city, they brought their lifestyles with them and a lot of folks there now arent as friendly, a lot of arrogance indrivers, traffic jams on Florence, and just like most parts of Az, every stucco house looks alike. Heck, nearly every neighbourhood looks alike now. Overpriced homes, though CG is a bit cheaper than many other areas, its still getting there. Otherwise, it was once a nice little town.