IS Arizona really bad as everyone says???? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: real estate, housing)

[diecastcarguy]

Its funny........ I lived in chicagos burbs some 49 years, hated the winters and the tornado filled summers. So instead of COMPLAINING.... I moved..... I moved to Eugene (Stuck int he 60's filled with tree huggers and rain) OR. Moved to try a relationship with someone I knew here. It didnt work so I rented a house for 6-12 months and was thinking of heading to east of LA.... but after checking all things CA I decided the cost of living sucks and for $1000-1500 a month you get a 2 BD no garage home in a crappy area. So my second choice was the Phoenix area. I work for myself, work out of the house and dont have to leave unless I want to for days on end if need be. I hate snow, I hate tornados. Hence my thoughts on AZ. I have spent time in Riverton WY, 103-107...(dry heat) and ....... I LIKE IT. Heck I washed my car in 105 degree heat.... I was fine... in IL the 90+ 100% humidity SUCKS. The crime in the burbs of Chitown SUCKS....... like everywhere in the country there are good and bad parts. I live in OR now and 3 blocks from me the FBI came in and arrest a murderer on the hide from CA.

Lets sum this up........ if YOU who have lived here so long and HATE it so much LEAVE. I mean come on.......why complain.... just move somewhere else. Try OR, its beautiful here, when the suns out..... when it isnt bring your meds cause the mold spore and pollen count is over the top and you will feel sick.

If you hate it so much then move to somewhere the cost of living is less, oh yeah try OR..... lets see, 175K buys you a 60 year old dump with 2 Bdrs and no garage, such a deal.

Point of this is you find what makes you happy or you make a change. If AZ isnt for you then move. Thankfully I work for myself and it doesnt matter where I live I still generate my income. Im fortunate in I guess as some arent.

I will be moving to AZ early next year. I will work inside and have my A/C on in the hot months.....I will enjoy the NO SNOW winters and probably sell the new car I bought months ago (my old one leaked, convertibles in rainy areas dont work) and buy a new convertible so I can ENJOY some of the 300+ days of sun.

Oh yeah..... im also a nice guy who doesnt hate anyone......just think those who complain should seek a change. Remember if the area your in is bad then make a difference or move.

[Steve-o]

"Tornado filled summers", eh? Hmmm, been here 29 years and have yet to see one. We get 1-5 warnings a year, thats about it. You wanna talk tornadoes? Go to KS or OK or TX, THATs tornado alley. Illinois hardly has any compared to those states. Winters in Chicago are relatively mild actually. Miami? Hardly. But compared to MN, WI, MI, Chicago winters are not that bad. And dont think Phoenix is all that warm in the winter either. Ive seen MANY frost warnings in Phoenix, not to mention outlying SNOW. Of course its pale in comparison to Chi-town, but its NOT Miami. Youre NOT gonna be in shorts all winter long, nights are downright bone-chilling at times.

[diecastcarguy]

OK maybe I should have been more clear. I lived in the southwest outskirts of Chicago. Lived in Plainfield in 93 when that tornado hit and lived in Monee 2 years ago when the tornado ripped through St Anne oh 10-15 miles from me. No the winters are mild if you like zero outside with 20 mile an hours winds. Sorry but say what you want opinions are like butts we all have them and , well thats mine. To each there own I say and im not sure what the reference to Miami was but I would never live in FL either. The great thing is we live in a country with 50 states and a million different cites so if ya dont like where ya are just move I say.

[Steve-o]

True, true. But, honestly, we maybe get week or two with weather like that. Most of the time its in the 30s and 40s, with an occasional 50 here and there. Heck, last February we had a 60 degree day, and that day I had to call and razy my in-laws (who live in N. Scottsdale) that we were actually warmer. For one day at least.

Anyways, besides the Plainfield tornado, I cant recall a single tornado thats been fatal in my entire life. We dont get them that often at all, this year we only had 2 warnings. Not bad at all. Plus, Phoenix has had some as well, although rare. But, like you said, theres no perfect place to live. Except maybe San Diego.

[chickadee_red]

Freeverrsee - During our two visits to AZ (from Calif) we found AZ people to be very friendly. Especially the smaller towns... so Phoenix, not as much. Tucson, Sierra Vista, Flagstaff, Tombstone etc. people were very friendly. It was amazing how many people were originally from other states.. especially from CA.

chickadee_red

[chickadee_red]

diecastcarguy, ahhhh - but most people avoid change... even if they think there's a chance things would be better. Ever read "Who moved my cheese?" I'm in my 50's and have stayed in situations far past the time that I should have. HOWEVER, I am working up to relocate from California bay area, to Arizona with my husband, within the next "few years". I'm a native Californian, but have seen this state get crazier and crazier every year! It no longer resembles what it used to be.

[daaver]

We had a tornado come through NW PHX a few years back ... Ripped some tiles off our brand new roof, must have been the summer of 2002ish. The builder tried to deny repair since they don't cover "excessive winds." THey ended up replacing them. Damage wasn't too bad, I remember seeing a bunch of damaged roofs, some block walls knocked down, I think they lost a minor section of roof at Arrowhead Mall. Exciting day, that was!

[diecastcarguy]

Steve-O, whats so funny is you saying San Diego....... since I have a friend in the business who lives there and all he tells me he is moving to Ohio cause hes sick of the traffic, overall conjestion, price of housing, gas, food. Its funny as I was thinking of moving down that way and all he did was yell NO NO NO NO. Like AZ he says, the weather is great but there are so many other things you have to put up with, at least for him and his 30+ years there, hes done.

[Bossanovawitcha]

Steve - a good friend of mine from Naperville mentioned a nasty tornado that tore through there probably a decade ago.

There is no perfect place.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Bossanovawitcha

Steve - a good friend of mine from Naperville mentioned a nasty tornado that tore through there probably a decade ago.

There is no perfect place.

Thats a new one to me! I lived in Naperville and never ONCE even had more than a warning. The Plainfield (the town just south of Naperville) area got hit by an F3 about that time if I remember correctly. Chicagoland doesnt produce many tornadoes at all, compared to central IL, which is still nothing compared to KS, OK, MO, etc...

Whats all this talk about tornadoes anyways? Id rather deal with them than earthquakes, mudslides, fires and flash floods.... Tornadoes are short lived, and although violent at times, theyre very unique and rather beautiful. Sounds twisted, I know. But watching them move is a thing of beauty. IMO its the only force of nature that Im intrigued by, as are thousands of other tornado chasers/spotters. Every year we might get one or two rotations, thats about it. Ive seen far worse storms in Phoenix. Plus we dont have to worry about all the dust and nastiness that your storms kick up.

Theres no perfect place to live.