Am I in for a culture shock? (coming from LA) (Phoenix: allergy, live)
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To be honest, another thing I'm looking for is a more peaceful living compared to LA--where you mostly have to always look over your shoulder. Lots of very stressed out people in LA, pressured environment.
Phoenix does not resemble LA proper. We don't have the density, we have VERY few multi family housing units, our street system is a lot simpler than that of LA too.
Phoenix looks like a mix of Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Phoenix's poorer neighborhoods look like inner city San Bernardino, Perris, and Corona. Phoenix's wealthier communities look more like the well kept neighborhoods in the city of Riverside. Scottsdale and Chandler look a lot like south Orange County.
Xani, I'm into nightlife too, it was a major concern for me moving to Phoenix, but I have not been disappointed. There is everything from trendy bars at the W Hotel in Scottsdale (beautiful people) to Mill street near the university. Even the casino's have good nightlife with concerts and Vegas-style clubs. I know what you mean about looking for a house. I drove all day for months in Pasadena, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Claremont looking for a house, even just 2 bedrooms and it was crazy!! The price you pay for a small house in LA is the same as a big, new, clean beautiful house here with a pool. My friend is a real estate agent in Phoenix (he's from LA too) and he told me to come out to visit. The first time we drove around I found three houses in my price, even the rentals are affordable and nice.
I know... in LA, I did tons of driving on smoggy freeways (which resulted in major asthma attack) to see some crappy small condos in Inland Empire--and I was outbid on every single one of them. It's like a shark fest here: crooked RE agents and investors feeding off the foreclosure fest. Smallest, crappiest unit that need work, in the very remote end of San Bernardino sells for 50K. You buy and neighbors next to you are under foreclosure and they don't care anymore, and worse....
I just need a decent clean condo without neighbors running a meth lab next to me. If Phoenix is similar to Inland Empire and Orange county, I can deal with that, as I never was able to afford West LA anyway... I guess I should have phrased my question "Phoenix vs. Inland Empire, OC and LA", not just LA.
That's what i was going to ask Xani--what part of LA. There are pretty major differences between Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, and the horses and jockeys are the exact same. There are about 15 million people within 50 miles of LAX--from every country in the World, I am sure. You will recognize the palm trees and the stucco. My neighborhood was built in the 40s and reminds me of parts of Oakland---except we can safely walk the streets at night here. Give us your budget, we can make some good recommendations for you. Price is about the only thing that would be similar to San Bernardino. We have lots of beaches, but very little water. Our main beach (w/ water) is probably Rocky Point. Personally, I spend about 8 hours per year in LA, almost all of it in the UAL wing at LAX waiting for habitually late flights, and getting aggravated with the water fountain that has been broken for 14 years.
Phoenix does not resemble LA proper. We don't have the density, we have VERY few multi family housing units, our street system is a lot simpler than that of LA too.
Phoenix looks like a mix of Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Phoenix's poorer neighborhoods look like inner city San Bernardino, Perris, and Corona. Phoenix's wealthier communities look more like the well kept neighborhoods in the city of Riverside. Scottsdale and Chandler look a lot like south Orange County.
Well put Miamiman! I just moved here from So CA and your descriptions are right on
Xani, you must visit Phoenix and see for yourself. Yes, you will be shocked and pleasantly surprised! Shocked by all the beautiful open spaces, nice roadways with no traffic jams, plenty to do socially, museums, National Parks, friendly people, government agencies that answer the phone on the first ring, shopping choices, and more!!! It sounds like you are suffering from California burn out like I was! And if your asthma is affected by mold or cold air you may find the dry heat is beneficial. Good luck to you!
My daughter has allergies and asthma and does just fine here in Phoenix. As for a culture shock, I suppose that depends on what you define as "culture". There's still a lot of ethnic diversity. The town is much smaller than LA. There is no where near as much to do but the crime isn't as bad.
It's different from LA, but for me personally the ONLY reason I live in Phoenix instead of LA is simply because I can't afford LA.
I don't know how people afford LA, honestly, unless on 6-figure or dual income.. I think most people here either bought or inherited their houses long time ago, or have no chance of ever paying off own house in a decent area and live as eternal renters paying off someone else's loans... until they get older and leave for more sensible place.
My landlady's son had moved to Phoenix because of work and liked it so much in Phoenix that he moved his family there and permanently relocated... that while he owns 2 houses in LA, including one in Malibu and could live in LA if he wanted to. He doesn't want to hear about LA anymore. Also, know of someone who moved to Phoenix from Sacramento and she said it was like "moving back to civilization" for her.
I think housing prices in Phoenix are lower, on average, than in San Bernardino...
My limit for a place is about 50K right now. Btw, if I bought any real estate in San Bernardino--I'd be afraid to sleep there because of break-ins and the property would likely be located on top of a superfund site...
Right now I can't even enjoy nicer places in LA really, because all I can think at this point is "I can't ever afford to buy any place here"--quite different from years ago, when I just moved to LA and everything was so wonderful and beautiful.. not it's just overpriced.
Do yourself a favor for the time being and just rent when you come to Phoenix. The areas can be vastly different from each other, and some areas are the same. I would honestly rent for a year first and then decide on where to buy. For example Scottsdale is a completely different world almost from Central/West Phoenix. Just like Tempe is a completely different world from Apache Junction. While at the same time there's not a lot of difference between Gilbert and Chandler.
The last thing you want to do is buy a house and then discover a new area that you would have liked better, after the fact.
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Originally Posted by Craigzilla
Do yourself a favor for the time being and just rent when you come to Phoenix. The areas can be vastly different from each other, and some areas are the same. I would honestly rent for a year first and then decide on where to buy. For example Scottsdale is a completely different world almost from Central/West Phoenix. Just like Tempe is a completely different world from Apache Junction. While at the same time there's not a lot of difference between Gilbert and Chandler.
The last thing you want to do is buy a house and then discover a new area that you would have liked better, after the fact.
Well worth repeating to yourself, over and over, until you Understand that you should rent first.
And $50k isn't going to buy much in Phoenix, either. Yes, it's cheaper than LA, but you still get what you pay for.
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