Qeustion for Arizona parents

[JGatti]

Originally Posted by azkylady2

People don't hang outside, a few excercisers here and there on the streets, adults come home go in the house and shut the garage, the quiet streets and neighborhoods really surprised me to when I moved here, I never see kids playing in my subdivision. My kid stays in because I don't feel comfortable with him playing out alone, as a child we ran in groups and theres more safety in numbers. I now have mine in a after school program for a couple hours after school just to have social time he other wise wouldn't get.

I can only hope if we move out there we make into an area where there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood.

[azkylady2]

Originally Posted by JGatti

I can only hope if we move out there we make into an area where there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood.

that type houseing offers more neighborhood feel and amenities that bring residents togather, such as, pools, golf, walking trails, typical subdivions here though, I doubt you will see many kids out and about.

[crazyme4878]

If you decide to move, I would find a time to visit the area you are interested in (visit in the late spring or early fall for best results) and drive around the neighborhoods--especially when school is not in session (whether that is late afternoon, weekends or school holidays) and see if there are kids out or not. Look for pools, trampalines, and play structures in the backyard. Walking the neighborhoods would be even better, as you can hear if kids are out as well. Drive by the playgrounds and ball fields to see if they are being used a lot.

Also take inventory of the citys' public spaces. Are there a lot of playgrounds? Are they kept up? What about ballfields, skate parks, pools? Trails? Bike paths? This can tell you a lot about the make-up of a town. If there isn't demand for something, it won't exist or be kept up. Also check out the schools and see how many sports they offer in comparison with the student population. (Although this isn't always a good indicator, as programs may have fallen due to budget cuts) Call the school up and ask how sport-active the students are and/or what are some of the main interests of the students are.

[JGatti]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

If you decide to move, I would find a time to visit the area you are interested in (visit in the late spring or early fall for best results) and drive around the neighborhoods--especially when school is not in session (whether that is late afternoon, weekends or school holidays) and see if there are kids out or not. Look for pools, trampalines, and play structures in the backyard. Walking the neighborhoods would be even better, as you can hear if kids are out as well. Drive by the playgrounds and ball fields to see if they are being used a lot.

Also take inventory of the citys' public spaces. Are there a lot of playgrounds? Are they kept up? What about ballfields, skate parks, pools? Trails? Bike paths? This can tell you a lot about the make-up of a town. If there isn't demand for something, it won't exist or be kept up. Also check out the schools and see how many sports they offer in comparison with the student population. (Although this isn't always a good indicator, as programs may have fallen due to budget cuts) Call the school up and ask how sport-active the students are and/or what are some of the main interests of the students are.

Thank you crazyme. That is some sound advice. Our plan was to rent in Scottsdale until my youngest goes into middle school. ( thats if we move this year) and visit area's over the years and see where we want to be.