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

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by steve22

I've liked everywhere I've been, as I said, OTHER than Phoenix. And obviously, I'm not alone in voicing my discontent in this place. Read some other threads, you'll find plenty of people who point out the same problems I have. In fact, read any major publication that ranks large cities in terms of quality of life, like Sperling's, Men's Journal, MSNBC, citysearch, etc., you won't find Phoenix anywhere near the tops of their lists for nice large cities to live in. Bestcities.com, Sperling's site, actually has Phoenix ranked at 273'd in the country- just 2 spots better than Gary, IN. A poll by the AZ Republic last year showed that a whopping 40% of Phoenix residents would move away if they could. Another AZ Republic article last year rated Phoenix the 3rd-worst city to raise kids in- no doubt the terrible schools, crime, and dangerous weather had something to do with it.

So, if enough people share my opinion, which it appears they do, am I just a bitter aberration surrounded by people who think this place is just terrific? Sure doesn't seem that way to me.

Mope around?? Hardly. Believe me, I cope. When I get the chance, I LEAVE and go to nicer places, much like I did when I went to San Diego, as I said. I came here originally for for a job opportunity, and I'll be leaving for another one, back to somewhere I really enjoyed. Not soon enough, I might add.

People move here all the time and the population keeps growing for just such reasons- not necessarily because they want to, but because it's where the jobs are moving b/c land's cheap and taxes are favorable. That won't be true forever. This environment was never meant to support so many humans, and the quality of life has declined significantly in the past decade as anyone who's lived here that long will tell you. the miserably hot nights, the air pollution, the traffic, have all gotten much worse and will continue to do so as long as the sprawl continues unchecked. There's a looming water and energy crisis, and I'd say in about another 5-10 years this city will become a dust bowl.

So to answer your question, I will be in one of those places again I loved again soon. And you can all keep your mindless, downtown-less sprawling pseudo-city, its miserable temps, gangs, meth, rednecks, polluted air, illegal alien smugglers, bad schools, etc. etc. Have a great time in your sheltered existence, never knowing anything better to compare this place to. Ignorance is bliss, I suppose.

I'm from New York I've been here for 18 years I loved it! I can tell you things have drastically changed in that time. It is not the same place. I'm leaving to NC.

[no user name]

I tried your experiment. I turned on my oven and set it to 118 degrees though mine doesn't have that fancy "dry heat" setting you mentioned. I tried baking cookies and a pizza and it didn't work....it's not really that hot.
In seriousness, I will say this, I had an opportunity to test the dry heat "myth." A few years ago I was in Las Vegas and Palm Springs California and it was 115-120. While I did feel the heat, I could sit in a shade and feel great and not sweat like a slob. Even walking down the street it wasn't horrible, even with pants. Two weeks later I was in Houston at 80 degrees and it was miserable, I felt like an animal.
I live in Chicago, been here my entire life, and we just had several days of 90 degrees at 90 and 100% humidity...like hell in a sauna. Your sweat just sticks to your body rather than evaporating to cool you as it is intended, the bugs come out in full force, mosquitos make your skin look as if you were a teenager again, hair frizzes, humidity soaks the interior of your home for days until the A/C gets it out, difficulty breathing, etc, etc, etc.
My late grandmother lived in Hemet California in the desert, for many years, and I spent a fair amount of time there as well. High temps, dry heat, same conclusion.
Let me tell you, the advantages and added comforts of dry heat is no myth, and humid climates should be reserved for Satan and his angels....I've experienced both first hand, I know.

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Originally Posted by lmarcos1

Steve22

Let these people turn their oven on to 118 degrees (of dry heat) and then say it's really not that hot.

[Nea1]

I just saw one that said he lived in AZ for 8 years!!!

[steve22]

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

So you're telling me that 6 people who dislike Phoenix on an internet forum is considered "plently of people"? I disagree and how many did the Republic poll, 1000? 1000 people in a county of 7,000,000 is a ratio of 1:7000 AND only 40% didn't like it! Many more people like it here then don't, I've found 2 of Phoenix's suburbs on top 10 lists this month (Mesa and Scottsdale).

[moderator CUT]

The CNN Money ranking was discussed in another thread, and generally the consensus was that it seemed to be based predominantly on the criteria of communities with the highest median income combined with the cheapest cost of living and abundance of jobs- basically, the economic advantages of a community; not necessarily the overall quality of life. That's why you see bland, generic suburban communities that aren't really cities at all- like Naperville IL, Overland Park KS, West Bloomfield MI, Henderson NV, and Sugarland, TX on this list. At the same time, some very nice places that are traditionally top-ranked smaller cities but have high living costs like Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Flagstaff, Boulder, Santa Fe, Burlington VT, and so forth are nowhere to be found. In fact, notice that there aren't any communities in California at all on that list- well, it's expensive to live there and that's why. If having lots of disposable income combined with a cheap cost of living are your main criteria for calling a community a great place to live, well, I suppose your criteria are a bit different than mine.

[moderator CUT]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

I'm from New York I've been here for 18 years I loved it! I can tell you things have drastically changed in that time. It is not the same place. I'm leaving to NC.

It’s interesting that you mention how nice it used to be here, b/c I’ve heard that from so many people. I used to work with a Phoenix native, who just moved away because she couldn’t stand what this city has become. She used to speak sentimentally about how much she’d loved it as a kid 30 years ago, when the nights were much cooler, there wasn’t the traffic, pollution, or crime, and it just felt like more of a community. Even in the 3 short years that I’ve been here, I’ve noticed that the quality of life has worsened significantly. I didn’t care for it that much when I first arrived, but I didn’t detest it like I do now.

[Azrider]

[moderator CUT]
BTW I lived 40 mins from Detroit when I was in Ohio. Detroit doesnt even compare to Phoenix. I just remember seeing all the ghettos and green stinky smoke coming out of all the industrial buildings as you entered the city. Years ago, I used to drive deep into Detroit everyday on a truck route. Ive seen the worst all the way to the best neighboorhoods there. That is one of those places i would never drive thru again or even think about ever living in. The downtown was ok, especially the casinos and Cobo center.

Edit: I forgot to add this. Steve, there has got to be something you like about Phoenix. There has to be at least one good thing. I hated Ohio, but in general. However, there are still things about it that I like.

It also seems like everyone here wants to move to North Carolina, not just in the Arizona forum. Just an observation. Its on my vacation list.

[sassieb75]

Originally Posted by freeverrsee

I have heard a lot of things about AZ but what about the people there?? Are they friendly?? Are they hospitable?? Please answer!!


Freeverrsee

This time of year I always say how much I hate living here. The winters are awesome though. I moved here from cali. It was a big adjustment. It has been hard making friends and I am pretty outgoing. I have been pleased with my kids school(deer valley unified)and they love it here. Im not into the nightlife but Tempe and scottsdale are great for that. There are plenty of places to visit like the Grand Canyon(still havent been) and the snow is 2 hours away. Honestly, I just dont find the community feel that I grew up with. People are friendly if you are friendly to them. Most of the time you walk past and you dont make any eye contact. Just depends. I have never heard of anyone not liking "New Yorkers". There isnt much culture out here I will say that! Unless you are Mexican. Did that sound bad? I hope not.

[freeopinions]

As I mentioned in another thread, we just bought a place in Show Low. We'll be moving in three months or so.

We flew to Phoenix Tues, rented a car and drove up to Show Low, where we walked around our lot for about an hour with the contractor who's doing the site prep for us. I had shorts on, he was in levis, my wife had pants and a sleeveless blouse. It was 2:00 pm and about 90 degrees. All I had to do was step behind a big cedar to feel perfectly comfortable if the sun got too hot. If I was home in Minnesota and it was 90 degrees, the humiditiy would be 80%, and dewpoints would be in the mid to upper 70s, and you would be miserable.

Last nite, back in Phoenix, it was 103 when we left and it felt like 85 in Minneapolis. When we got home at 3:00 AM, it was 79 degrees and so humid that it was hard to breathe.

You can't tell me dry heat is a myth. On the other hand, you can't tell me that 118 is a piece of cake, either. That's why we're moving into the mountains.

[tiffy3792]

Originally Posted by freeverrsee

Should I move to Az ? Or should I stay in Va I am looking for 70's or 80's some people I talk to say that its a paradise. And Iam looking to see f thats true!!

Thanxs,
freeverrsee

If you are over 55....check out Sun City, Sun City West or Sun City Grand. People here from everywhere including east coast, midwest, northwest, Canada and even California! Sun City area is for seniors. There are no schools so taxes are lower. Sadly crime does exist but it is at a minimum. There are several community centers offering various activities and entertainment.

We moved to Arizona in 2004 from Indiana and haven't regretted it for one second. Our first place was an apartment in Scottsdale. A wonderful area but cost of living didn't justify our staying there even though our children are extremely happy with Scottsdale. We bought a house in a senior community in Peoria which is 'next door' to Sun City. We love our location too but are active in many Sun City activities.

I suggest you try renting short term before committing to the move. There are lot of condos and apartments where you can 'test the waters'.

[nova]

If a 130 degree desert is paradise (BHC), then you will be set. As for moving to az. from va your crazy. I lived in germany ,va, ill., and az.

Virginia is by far the best

Scottsdale is nice, but the cost of living now is way out of wack with the wages. It will be hard to move in and stay.

[azloafer]

[quote=freeverrsee]I have heard a lot of things about AZ but what about the people there?? Are they friendly?? Are they hospitable?? Please answer!!

The large cities are like any large city. For the most part, people are nice. The people in the lower part of the state are just very hot because of the temperature and they are irritable. They are nicer in an air conditioned building. That's somewhat, "tongue in cheek." All in all, I find the people as friendly as anywhere else.