Why are SO many Illinois folk attracted to Arizona? (Chicago: statistics, moving)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by linicx

The area is known as the DESERT SOUTHwest for a reason. It is where you find the dust devils, sand, tumbleweeds, scorpions in your boots, swamp coolers, and urban cowboys. From my perch any state south of IL is some flavor of the American Southland.

Well, theres no southern culture here, no southern accent, etc. Its strictly southwestern, and Im thankful for that. lol I lived in TN for awhile, couldnt handle it. AZ, however, I can handle.

[rzzzz]

I think another reason midwestern people like the southwest because there isn't really a heavy culture like there is in the Southeast or Texas. Of course there is a big Mexican-American culture but the rest of it is pretty neutral, making it easier for transplants to fit in. You don't have to become "Texan" or "Southern."

[JTW2013]

Just saw this. This is so funny because recently my DH and I began to discern whether we might consider a transfer to the Phoenix area. Now I'm finding myself dreaming about the warm weather and looking at google maps pictures online of various areas. I can't get the idea out of my mind.

I told my DH that maybe this is a before winter Chicago thing. Many of us begin to to get dreams of AZ right before the winter hits.

[knitgirl]

I would be having daydreams about Chicago summer when Phoenix summer hits in March! I visited briefly one March. I would HATE living there. I would much rather put up with cold and snow than that incessant summer heat and the ugly brown landscapes everywhere.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

I've noticed there are quite a few towns in the Phoenix area that sound to me like they are named for Midwestern cities Peoria, Youngstown, Buckeye, Goodyear. Also in the Phoenix area there is a Midwestern University. Motorola at one time had a huge presence in the Phoenix area and Motorola is out of the Chicago area.

I only been thru Phoenix late at night and most of what I know about the cities in the Phoenix area I learned from the road atlas, so based on all of that in my first paragraph, that tells me there is a huge influx of Midwesterners and the culture in the Phoenix area, which also helps explains the conservative politics in that area.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Ivory Lee Spurlock

I've noticed there are quite a few towns in the Phoenix area that sound to me like they are named for Midwestern cities Peoria, Youngstown, Buckeye, Goodyear. Also in the Phoenix area there is a Midwestern University. Motorola at one time had a huge presence in the Phoenix area and Motorola is out of the Chicago area.

I only been thru Phoenix late at night and most of what I know about the cities in the Phoenix area I learned from the road atlas, so based on all of that in my first paragraph, that tells me there is a huge influx of Midwesterners and the culture in the Phoenix area, which also helps explains the conservative politics in that area.

That is incorrect. Motorola Solutions still is headquartered in Schaumburg. This is the division that produces communication devices for first responders. I beleive your thinking exclusively of the mobile phone division which was sold and is no longer part of Motorola.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

That is incorrect. Motorola Solutions still is headquartered in Schaumburg. This is the division that produces communication devices for first responders. I beleive your thinking exclusively of the mobile phone division which was sold and is no longer part of Motorola.

The cell phone unit was bought by a Chinese company, but is still based in the City of Chicago.

But to answer the OP, I have no idea. I think the place is gross.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

I would be having daydreams about Chicago summer when Phoenix summer hits in March! I visited briefly one March. I would HATE living there. I would much rather put up with cold and snow than that incessant summer heat and the ugly brown landscapes everywhere.

Summer doesnt hit in March. March is in the 70s and 80s, with an occasional 90 degree thrown in the mix. March here reminds me of late May and early June in IL, but without the crappy rain and mud and humidity.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Ivory Lee Spurlock

I've noticed there are quite a few towns in the Phoenix area that sound to me like they are named for Midwestern cities Peoria, Youngstown, Buckeye, Goodyear.

Peoria is named directly after Peoria, IL, that much is true. The rest are just coincidence Id imagine. I believe there is also a Phoenix, IL while we're on the subject.

[Mycity4lyfe]

Moved to austin tx from Chicago but Arizona a lot of people like because it's warmer, taxes are super cheap, housing is cheap, you get the natural landscape of mountains-being close to Vegas and Cali without the cost and uhhhhhh portillos has locations in Arizona!!!