IS Arizona really bad as everyone says???? (Phoenix, Tucson: relocate, tornadoes)

[Cin]

I hear ya. Having a more positive attitude does help...generally yourself though more than others. There are nice people here no doubt...it is just a little harder to find them and at times the hard work just doesn't feel worth it. I have lived in wisconsin,illinois,ohio,texas,california and here and pretty much the closest thing this place reminds me of is california. It is very hard on your spirit at times to keep trying to be friendly in an unfriendly(generally)place. I continually promise to not be a part of the problem...we need positive upbeat and friendly people here more than ever...so until I escape..hopefully sooner rather than later I will keep trying. Just know it is the area in general...perfect example..we had a street/neighborhood party this past weekend on a huge long street w/the good ol firetruck for the kids and all..and I was embarrassed....where was everyone? Worst turn out ever! People are afraid to be social and get involved...I don't get it and haven't for the past 17 yrs I have been here. God bless and hang in there! Oh yeah, for those of you that have landed in a great and friendly neighborhood here...count your blessings and don't move for gosh sakes...it is a gift!!!!

[a1m1700]

I hit a couple of friendly neighborhoods in 18 years. One was when I first moved here in 1988 in Tempe and the other was a neighborhood in Glendale. I have been in my current neighborhood for several years and I don't know 1 neighbor. When my new neighbors first moved in it was around Thanksgiving about 3 years ago, I brought them a pie. I invited them to our 4th of July party. We wave we smile we say hi. No one is friendly in this neighbood. It's not just me I don't see any neighbors out ever talking to eachother.

My friend still lives in Glendale and her neighbors sit out every weekend and they are always having parties. That's how it was when we lived there. The first week we moved in we were invited to a progressive neighborhood party. That's a party where the first stop is someones's house for drinks and snacks another neighbor had the dinner then we went to another neighbors for deserts. I was great! Those people were in that neighborhood for years. This state is a transient now. If and when you get close to someone they don't stay here. I live in front of a culdasac and their are 6 houses on it and all 6 have moved in the last year and a half.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Hmmm, well, if a person is going to come and live here best to live in Scottsdale, where the murder rate is only 1.8 per 100K versus 14.1 in Phoenix. National average is 5.5.

Opps Gilbert is the safest city in the Phx metro area. 22 Scottsdale ranks 88.
Phoenix 313

[dano]

I agree. Expecting to find good friendships among immediate neighbors in transient cities like Phoenix and Vegas is expecting a little too much. While there's no reason neighbers can't be cordial to one another by smiling, waiving, saying high, etc, I don't see the point in attempting to force a relationship based on the mere fact that people's houses are in the same vacinity.

[azsmidee]

AZ IS NOT BAD.. BUT THE PAST YEARS HAVE HAD ALL OF THE RUDE , MEAN , CRIMINAL MINDED TYPES HAVE RELOCATED HERE AND BROUGHT THEIR BAD WITH THEM......... BE IT CALIFORNIANS HIDING FROM THE 3 STRIKE LAW , MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS OR OTHERS .... ARIZONA SEEMS TO BE THE PLACE FOR ALL TO COME TO......... AFTER LIVING HERE SINCE THE EARLY 70'S I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CHANGE.........THE AZ I FELL IN LOVE WITH DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE.........TO BAD......IT WAS ONCE THE GREATEST PLACE .........

[no user name]

Arizona seems to be a great place for the FBI to relocate people...Sammy "The Bull" Gravano and others' who then start new enterprises under their new Irish names or who corrupt the impressionable.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by dano

I agree. Expecting to find good friendships among immediate neighbors in transient cities like Phoenix and Vegas is expecting a little too much. While there's no reason neighbers can't be cordial to one another by smiling, waiving, saying high, etc, I don't see the point in attempting to force a relationship based on the mere fact that people's houses are in the same vacinity.

I agree with you, but don't think difficulty having neighbors as friends is limited to just "transient" cities. My family all live in small towns in the midwest and, though they speak with the neighbors, their real friends are people they met at work, in social activities and in church. You make friends here the same way. Our neighbors in Phoenix are our good friends but we talked and such because we had kids the same age who basically introduced us.

[tucsondesertdweller]

People are extremly friendly, but sincere, not sure. lol
I will say that in my neighborhood or subdivision, most are friendly.
To sum up Arizona, it is the best and worst. No place is perfect

[Imissthefall]

I'll be honest, I dislike AZ very much.. I've tried everything to like it believe. The weather is to much for me, I was born/raised in Minnesota so the extreme heat is really hard on me. I know there AC everywhere etc but the hot hot 112 weather does take a toll on me. Now that my kids are a little bit older I feel sad that they can't play outside in the summer, except in our pool, but they can't ride bikes, run around etc. It's just tooo darn hot. There are pretty places in AZ up north by Flagstaff, we went to the pedrified forrest and that was pretty neat..but overall I just do not like the desert. But this is just my opinion, some people really do like it though,,but for a lot of people like me who grew up with 4 seasons, just never get used to the heat.

[Inna]

Is anybody from IA/ IL who moved to Az? What house can I buy for 150k (phx sub's)?
Origionally I am from Russia (not THAT COOOLD Rissia, much south - near Black Sea - summer 85-90, 2 weeks humidity in august, winters - 25 max, little of snow). I've been living in IA (Davenport) for last 9 years - summers are terrible - 90 d, but humidity kills me, winters are cold.
I might be moving because of job in Phx, but I am really troubled what I can afford w/ 45k income and 5-year old son, plus wheather, crime. Is this really so bad? Please, say no - I really want this job