Moving to Phoenix from DC and worried. Help me please! (Mesa: school, living)

[cap1717]

Hi Nikki, I will attempt to bring a bit of "moderation" to the above comments. First of all, above comments are all true, sort of, but also only true for specific idividuals in specific locations / situations. Phoenx does have a rapidly developing urban core, and if one can afford to live in one of the downtown historic neighborhoods, one can enjoy both the charm and camradarie of an old fashoned "neighborhood", with the convenience of modernity. Those who characterize Phx as nothing but suburban sprawl are also correct, for the most part. I think that living near the University would be a good move for someone in your situation. Tempe does have a lively downtown core and is a pretty typical "college town", from my experience. You may want to actively avoid getting stuck in a more sububan neighborhood where the opportunites for interaction and friendship are less than stellar. It took me a LONG TIME to develop a community of friends here, but Phoenix finally feels like "home". Best to you.

[reckoner]

you will be disappointed.

[movin'on]

I'm confused. This thread is from 2006.

[nyrocker631]

No culture. No downtown. People know more about People Magazine than the New York Times. The food is awful and the people are shady. I lived there 7 years and am glad to be away from it. Move to California if you are heading in that direction.

[Ritchie_az]

I love Phoenix and Arizona. Then again, I'm not from New York (whatever that means).

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by reckoner

you will be disappointed.

Originally Posted by nyrocker631

No culture. No downtown. People know more about People Magazine than the New York Times. The food is awful and the people are shady. I lived there 7 years and am glad to be away from it. Move to California if you are heading in that direction.

Originally Posted by Ritchie_az

I love Phoenix and Arizona. Then again, I'm not from New York (whatever that means).

Wash DC native here: born and raised.

Frankly; with the exception of the Smithsonian, etc. DC is an overpriced pit IMHO---------especially factoring in the skanky weather.

[EastBay-NowDCarea]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Wash DC native here: born and raised.

Frankly; with the exception of the Smithsonian, etc. DC is an overpriced pit IMHO---------especially factoring in the skanky weather.

If you visit DC proper now you will not recognize it at all. The DC from ten years ago is not at all what it is today. If you have not visited DC in the last ten years you will be blown away by how much it has changed for the better - guaranteed. It is now a world class city and it's getting even better than it already is at a very fast pace.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by EastBay-NowDCarea

If you visit DC proper now you will not recognize it at all. The DC from ten years ago is not at all what it is today. If you have not visited DC in the last ten years you will be blown away by how much it has changed for the better - guaranteed. It is now a world class city and it's getting even better than it already is at a very fast pace.

And the bad weather along with its overpriced housing would still repel me from the Wash DC area---------amenities or not.

Home is where the heart is-----------and, mine ain't anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains with the possible exception of Charleston, W Va.

[EastBay-NowDCarea]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

And the bad weather along with its overpriced housing would still repel me from the Wash DC area---------amenities or not.

Home is where the heart is-----------and, mine ain't anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains with the possible exception of Charleston, W Va.

I won't disagree with you about the high cost of housing, but there are a lot of career opportunities that may offset the cost of living. But for the most part you are definitely correct about the expensive housing.

The weather is relative to one's own experience, but it's definitely not a place if one is looking for 70 degree temps all year round.

BTW, I notieced your location says Mesa AZ. I've been there. I visted a buddy in Las Sendas - a community in Mesa. Very nice area. Especially in the spring and fall.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by EastBay-NowDCarea

I won't disagree with you about the high cost of housing, but there are a lot of career opportunities that may offset the cost of living. But for the most part you are definitely correct about the expensive housing.

The weather is relative to one's own experience, but it's definitely not a place if one is looking for 70 degree temps all year round.

BTW, I notieced your location says Mesa AZ. I've been there. I visted a buddy in Las Sendas - a community in Mesa. Very nice area. Especially in the spring and fall.

In all fairness; since I am an auto alignment technician-----------the DC area has zero attraction for me in that area alone. You guys there have that @#$*%^& road salt which flat destroys vehicles in short order.

And; yes, the main reason that I left there in 1978 was due to its weather---------I hate '4 season' climates. Me and snow that hangs around for days on end don't play well together.

I live in a section of Mesa that was platted prior to WW II with its grid street pattern