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I am getting ready to leave NYC for law school--either in Phoenix or Dallas. (I would really like to avoid any conversation about the terrible choice that is law school.) I'm having trouble making a final decision. Both schools are offering me a full scholarship so the playing field is leveled in that regard. I realize that either city is going to be a big change from NYC but I'm originally from the midwest and have spent nearly 11 years in New York so I'm craving the change of lifestyle. I think NYC is a better place to miss and visit than to live in.
I know that Dallas (TX generally) is doing better economically and that Phoenix is better for outdoor activities, weekend vacations, etc. I'm over the nightlife--I really only require good restaurants and maybe a nice bar or two.
Although it's a vague request, I would appreciate any opinions on these cities because I would like to go to school in a city that I can make home and I'm trying to consider all factors.
Restaurants and nice bars are plentiful in either place. It'll be really hot for 4 and 1/2 months in Phoenix and Dallas for maybe 2? Heat is big deal in Phoenix, you ought to really think about whether you're ready for that for so long. Plus the sunshine and lack of greenery. The desert is overwhelmingly brown, which can very beautiful, but can make some transplants especially homesick. Dallas might be kinder in that regard. Phoenix is a big city and not some backwater as some would say. The Dallas area is definitely bigger. One thing in Phoenix's favor is it's surroundings. It's in the north part of the Sonoran Desert, one the most beautiful deserts in the world, in a state full of mountainous wilderness full of forests, grassy highlands, canyons, amazing rock formations (a lot), Native, Mexican/Latino, Old West culture/history, and it's a place that's relatively new, where the city's direction and history are still being written.
All of that might be a good change of scenery from NYC. In Dallas there's prairie and white collar cowboys, which is it's own thing.
Good luck in your decision.
I would prefer Phoenix myself. Close to SoCal, more to do outside, generally more active, spring training camps would be fun if you like baseball. Texas culture kind of annoys me and while Phoenix is just as sprawly and has a similar culture, it's just different there. Tempe is decent too. I would live in Dallas or Phoenix though. I don't think either would be terrible places to live at all.
I don't know much about Dallas, but a lot about Phoenix. It's very hot, of course, but it's month on end, about 4 1/2 of extreme heat. The nights cool to 88-90 so it essentially doesn't cool down for those months. People are different in the West from the East, more laid back, tolerant, open minded, but with that you also get some flakey people. Phoenix became LA'ish in the 02-04 time when a lot of Californians moved in. Traffic is intense, relatively speaking. Big city rudeness. Lots of older snowbirds, retirees. It's not that sophisticated for a big city, yet a good amount of educated people there.
You can find anything, any service or "thing" you want. Exceptional choices. And, it's open minded there, not dictatorial. You have mostly transients so people are more open. Nov-April, weather is nice, winter times really cool to 60's daytime and 40's or lower at night.
I don't know much about Dallas, but a lot about Phoenix. It's very hot, of course, but it's month on end, about 4 1/2 of extreme heat. The nights cool to 88-90 so it essentially doesn't cool down for those months. People are different in the West from the East, more laid back, tolerant, open minded, but with that you also get some flakey people. Phoenix became LA'ish in the 02-04 time when a lot of Californians moved in. Traffic is intense, relatively speaking. Big city rudeness. Lots of older snowbirds, retirees. It's not that sophisticated for a big city, yet a good amount of educated people there.
You can find anything, any service or "thing" you want. Exceptional choices. And, it's open minded there, not dictatorial. You have mostly transients so people are more open. Nov-April, weather is nice, winter times really cool to 60's daytime and 40's or lower at night.
Californians have been moving to PHX in droves for 30 years now.
Californians have been moving to PHX in droves for 30 years now.
I didn't know Californians have been moving to PHX for so long. I was under the impression that it was a thing that started in the 90's, when Phx really grew. But hey, that's a good thing IMO, I usually get along well with Californians.
I didn't know Californians have been moving to PHX for so long. I was under the impression that it was a thing that started in the 90's, when Phx really grew. But hey, that's a good thing IMO, I usually get along well with Californians.
It's been going on so long, one could argue AZ and CA are culturally one in many ways.
It's been going on so long, one could argue AZ and CA are culturally one in many ways.
They do have some similarities, but this is a stretch. Arizona is a lot more conservative on the whole and nowhere near as multicultural. Both of those make a huge difference in culture.
I don't know that Californian expats living in a place makes it culturally similar. There are tons in Texas (I'm one of them), but Texas isn't culturally like California. There are only minor similarities in the big cities.
Californians have been moving to PHX in droves for 30 years now.
But, accelerated growth in the 02-04 and beyond time frame. I know because I lived there. Phoenix metro was only 1.9 million in 97-98. By 02-03, it was increasing its' population dramatically and many from Cali.
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