IS Arizona really bad as everyone says???? (Phoenix, Mesa: travel, job)

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by Azrider

I do find it interesting, anything is a step up from Ohio, all things considered. The "lack of an urban downtown" does not bother me as it does many on this forum. Phoenix is what it is, and it takes a certain taste to live here, as it does anywhere. If it doesnt have what you need to enjoy it, then there is no sense staying here. I moved here for the outdoors experience, the weather, the desert, and a job opportunity. Being within hours of Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Diego, etc, also was a desirable factor for me. Also, being able to take 10 day trips into the awesome wilderness here was a plus (my absolute favourite). I have visited many other cities too, and there are several others I would like living in. I just liked Phoenix the best 5 years ago, and still do today.

Yeah, and anything would be a step up from chopped liver, as well.

So...what we should really say, more realistically, is that you live in a place that sucks, surrounded by interesting places, not too far away. That would be more fair.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Yeah, these people with the two months of heat really crack me up. Look, I hate cold and wear sweaters at work due to the AC, and even I know there are more than two months of heat. There has to be a reason they turn that thermoset down. Architecture? Oh Good Lord. Friendly? I have yet to make one friend (real, true friend) here and I've been here three years.

Agree! Except I've been here for 18 years. It still beats NY any day though

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Agree! Except I've been here for 18 years. It still beats NY any day though

Well, then NY must be really bad. I had a friend who kept telling me I should move to NY, and I never did. To be fair, I really like the NYers I've met.
They don't waste your time, they get to the point, and you always know where you stand.

[azloafer]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I'll go along with the 8 months of heat - it's hot by most people's standards from roughly Easter to Halloween. As far as crime, that is a bunch of hooey. Anyone who thinks PHX area is among the most dangerous cities in America hasn't been around much. I'm not talking about someone stealing your bike from your garage or stuff from your car. I mean the risk of being a victim of a violent crime. In 2004, Chandler was 287th in cities over 100K with a violent crime rate 3/4 national average. Gilbert AZ, frequently touted on this site,had a rate 1/4 the national average making it one of the safest places you can live regardless of size.

Just because I really wondered about the crime in Phoenix compared to other big cities I went to the national crime information comparison site and compared Phoenix, Arizona to New York City, NY. Phoenix has more crime in the following four categories and each one beat the national average also:
Murder, Rape, Burglary and Larceny of all kinds! If you are in doubt, check it out!

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Well, then NY must be really bad. I had a friend who kept telling me I should move to NY, and I never did. To be fair, I really like the NYers I've met.
They don't waste your time, they get to the point, and you always know where you stand.

Their are two kinds of people, the people that like NY and the people that don't. I was born in NY and moved here when I was 26 and I never felt like I was at home in my home state. I even lived in Jersey for 2 years. I took to this state immediately.

NY is not for everyone and neither is Phoenix. It depends on what you like, different strokes for different folks

With that said I'm heading to NC now 18 years is long enough.

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by azloafer

Just because I really wondered about the crime in Phoenix compared to other big cities I went to the national crime information comparison site and compared Phoenix, Arizona to New York City, NY. Phoenix has more crime in the following five categories and each one beat the national average also:
Murder, Rape, Burglary and Larceny of all kinds! If you are in doubt, check it out!

Well, there must be a reason I do not watch the news here. What can I do? All I do is stay home (with my alarm system and dog and doors locked tight) and only go to work. I really don't need to know what is going on, as it would only freak me out. I've thought of joining the gun club, but I have never owned a gun in my life and not sure I care to. I am a liberal and anti-gun.

BTW, would you happen to have a link for this data? It would silence all the doubters. I don't doubt it, I just don't need to know. I cannot do anything about it.

[azloafer]

Originally Posted by movin'on

Well, there must be a reason I do not watch the news here. What can I do? All I do is stay home (with my alarm system and dog and doors locked tight) and only go to work. I really don't need to know what is going on, as it would only freak me out. I've thought of joining the gun club, but I have never owned a gun in my life and not sure I care to. I am a liberal and anti-gun.

BTW, would you happen to have a link for this data? It would silence all the doubters. I don't doubt it, I just don't need to know. I cannot do anything about it.

Here is the link: Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

[movin'on]

Originally Posted by azloafer

Here is the link: Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Wow, the real shock to me is that Mpls, where I come from, is just as bad and worse than Phoenix in the most important crime areas.

Wow, I am just astonished. This should silence all the naysayers. Thanks for the link.

[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.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by azloafer

Just because I really wondered about the crime in Phoenix compared to other big cities I went to the national crime information comparison site and compared Phoenix, Arizona to New York City, NY. Phoenix has more crime in the following four categories and each one beat the national average also:
Murder, Rape, Burglary and Larceny of all kinds! If you are in doubt, check it out!

Were we comparing Phoenix to NYC? I stand by my points:

1. Bedroom communities in Phoenix area have VIOLENT crimes rates a fraction of the national average.


2. One's odds of being a victim of a violent crime are very low in Phoenix suburbs.

Compare Chandler, Gilbert or Scottsdale to NYC. All of them (with the exception of Mesa, perhaps) have low violent crime rates. Few people coming to "Phoenix" these days are actually coming to Phoenix. They will be living in sanitized suburban professional communities far from the gangs and the illegals and their smugglers. But do keep your garage door closed.