IS Arizona really bad as everyone says???? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: environment, hoa)

[hamerabi]

So I've been looking this forum over for that last few days and I have realized that there is basically no good information about Phoenix here. It's mostly a bunch of ranting from some people that have had specific problems with the place. I live in the NW and visited a friend in Scottsdale last week. I have been getting really tired of constant gray skies and rain for that past couple of years and decided to look at some houses and condo's while I was there. I found that I would really like to move to the Scottsdale area and plan to try it out at the beginning of next year. I've known many people to have left the NW for Arizona and they say they will never come back to the rain. So, I want to know, who are you that keep bashing the place. Are you reputable or are you guys just a bunch of grease monkeys that work on cars all day out in the heat. Are any of you professionals that live in nice houses and can easily afford a nice car and the AC bill? Do you have the financial ability to enjoy all the things that the area has to offer, or is your neighbor one of these illegal aliens that you are all complaining about with five broken down cars in their front yard? Duh, I would hate the place too if that's the case. However, if you live in a waterfront condo in Scottsdale, or a 8000 sq. ft. house in Paradise Valley, maybe I can start to consider your thoughts here. Let us know...please.

[irwin]

Originally Posted by hamerabi

So I've been looking this forum over for that last few days and I have realized that there is basically no good information about Phoenix here. It's mostly a bunch of ranting from some people that have had specific problems with the place. I live in the NW and visited a friend in Scottsdale last week. I have been getting really tired of constant gray skies and rain for that past couple of years and decided to look at some houses and condo's while I was there. I found that I would really like to move to the Scottsdale area and plan to try it out at the beginning of next year. I've known many people to have left the NW for Arizona and they say they will never come back to the rain. So, I want to know, who are you that keep bashing the place. Are you reputable or are you guys just a bunch of grease monkeys that work on cars all day out in the heat. Are any of you professionals that live in nice houses and can easily afford a nice car and the AC bill? Do you have the financial ability to enjoy all the things that the area has to offer, or is your neighbor one of these illegal aliens that you are all complaining about with five broken down cars in their front yard? Duh, I would hate the place too if that's the case. However, if you live in a waterfront condo in Scottsdale, or a 8000 sq. ft. house in Paradise Valley, maybe I can start to consider your thoughts here. Let us know...please.

Well, I think people come on here for different reasons. I found this site when I was looking for information on places to relocate after moving out here almost 2 years ago. I like to post on the Phoenix website to give people some information that they may not necessarily get from the realtor, chamber, or developers who sell this place to the nation. I also want to warm people that people need to think long and hard before moving somewhere simply because of "the weather." I made that mistake when coming out here.

Phoenix is not a terrible place. There are some unique things about the place and some advantages. But there are also some negatives and to some those negatives are rather large. It all depends on your priorities and lifestyle.

And no, I don't live in a pigsty with an old beat-up car. I live in what some would term here as one of the "hippest" places in the metro area. I don't drive a Ferrari, but I have a decent car, but personally I would prefer not to have to use it as much as I am forced to in this place (again, those lifestyle choices). And I have two graduate degrees, thank you very much.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by hamerabi

So I've been looking this forum over for that last few days and I have realized that there is basically no good information about Phoenix here. It's mostly a bunch of ranting from some people that have had specific problems with the place. I live in the NW and visited a friend in Scottsdale last week. I have been getting really tired of constant gray skies and rain for that past couple of years and decided to look at some houses and condo's while I was there. I found that I would really like to move to the Scottsdale area and plan to try it out at the beginning of next year. I've known many people to have left the NW for Arizona and they say they will never come back to the rain. So, I want to know, who are you that keep bashing the place. Are you reputable or are you guys just a bunch of grease monkeys that work on cars all day out in the heat. Are any of you professionals that live in nice houses and can easily afford a nice car and the AC bill? Do you have the financial ability to enjoy all the things that the area has to offer, or is your neighbor one of these illegal aliens that you are all complaining about with five broken down cars in their front yard? Duh, I would hate the place too if that's the case. However, if you live in a waterfront condo in Scottsdale, or a 8000 sq. ft. house in Paradise Valley, maybe I can start to consider your thoughts here. Let us know...please.

I think you pretty much nailed it. Here, like anywhere, quality of life is related to income. Affluent people live quite pleasantly here. They have comfortable homes, are generally safe from crime, their kids attend good schools, shopping and other amenities are new and nearby, and even the air quality is better where they live. Even the well off do, however, have to mix and mingle with the less fortunate in the stores and on the freeways. This is more common shopping in western suburbs than in say Scottsdale or Gilbert where one can be pretty well insulated. You don't need a waterfront condo or a mansion in PV. If you have a decent salary (or two moderately decent ones) you pretty much live the "good life" here.

And guess what? It's hot here and the sun shines just about every minute that it can. That seems to bother some people. I'm with you, two days of gloom in a row drives me nuts. Shine on!

[scottie]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

HUH???

Ohio is NOT bigger than AZ and MN combined. LOLOLOL Funny stuff....

With that being said, Ill admit that Ohio is pretty nice in spots, as long as you steer clear of Cleveland (downtown was ok) and Dayton. Southern Ohio was beautiful.

I dont know why you think its so funny, but here are the numbers-

Arizona (5,743,834) + Minnesota (5,100,958) = 10,844,792
Ohio = 11,459,011

Is this enough evidence? I realize Arizona has grown in the past two years but it is still in the numbers.

Ohio has tons of stuff that Minnesota and Arizona dont. Just like Arizona has stuff that Ohio doesnt. And Dayton and Cleveland arent the only cities in Ohio. Cleveland is as diverse of a city as a New York or Chicago, which makes it an incredibly different city in a good way in my opinion. Columbus is home to OSU and the best and craziest sports fans in sports today. Cincinnati is alright, it has its sports and interesting places. Ohio has produced more presidents and astronauts than any other state. And also Ohio has been either number one or number two in the total number of collegiate and professional athletes in the US. Just saying that there is not "nothing" in Ohio

[sablebaby]

Wow, I just looked that up and you are right, Scottie! I totally thought you were off your rocker. That is very interesting info.

[scottie]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Wow, I just looked that up and you are right, Scottie! I totally thought you were off your rocker. That is very interesting info.

Haha, nope Im not off my rocker. Im a truthful guy....

[Kirby68]

I was born and raised in Scottsdale (total of 25 years). I then moved to Maryland and have live here since '93 and absolutely can't wait to get back to Az. Plan to in 2 years. There is just so much more on the West Coast. More diversity, healthier lifestyles, open mindedness, friendly people, and the different climates (hours away from each other) provide so many outdoor related opportunities. I don't plan on moving back to Scottsdale/Phx area because it is just entirely too big now. Plus, I have kids and want to raise them in a smaller community (looking at Prescott Valley). Make the move. If you have lived on the East Coast your whole life, you MUST experience west coast states before you die! So, so different.

Good Luck!

[scottie]

Originally Posted by Kirby68

I was born and raised in Scottsdale (total of 25 years). I then moved to Maryland and have live here since '93 and absolutely can't wait to get back to Az. Plan to in 2 years. There is just so much more on the West Coast. More diversity, healthier lifestyles, open mindedness, friendly people, and the different climates (hours away from each other) provide so many outdoor related opportunities. I don't plan on moving back to Scottsdale/Phx area because it is just entirely too big now. Plus, I have kids and want to raise them in a smaller community (looking at Prescott Valley). Make the move. If you have lived on the East Coast your whole life, you MUST experience west coast states before you die! So, so different.

Good Luck!

Arizona is more diverse than Maryland and the DC area? (Scratches head)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by scottie

I dont know why you think its so funny, but here are the numbers-

Arizona (5,743,834) + Minnesota (5,100,958) = 10,844,792
Ohio = 11,459,011

Is this enough evidence? I realize Arizona has grown in the past two years but it is still in the numbers.

Ohio has tons of stuff that Minnesota and Arizona dont. Just like Arizona has stuff that Ohio doesnt. And Dayton and Cleveland arent the only cities in Ohio. Cleveland is as diverse of a city as a New York or Chicago, which makes it an incredibly different city in a good way in my opinion. Columbus is home to OSU and the best and craziest sports fans in sports today. Cincinnati is alright, it has its sports and interesting places. Ohio has produced more presidents and astronauts than any other state. And also Ohio has been either number one or number two in the total number of collegiate and professional athletes in the US. Just saying that there is not "nothing" in Ohio

Sorry, thought you meant land-mass wise, not population wise.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

Wow, I just looked that up and you are right, Scottie! I totally thought you were off your rocker. That is very interesting info.

Yes, AZ has grown, but is still small population wise. People down there think you have so much traffic, etc. Heck, there are 9 million people in the Chicagoland area. Thats almost TWICE the population of AZ, all within about 100 miles. Traffic in AZ is a breeze.