Denver Or Phoenix (Miami: rent, art, snow)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by cxray

P.S. Vegaspilgrim is correct. Your risk of skin cancer is higher in Denver than Phoenix due to the higher elevation

"One third of all new cancers are skin cancers. In the United States , a new case of skin cancer is discovered every minute. More than 900,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. In Arizona , skin cancer rates are even higher. Arizonans are three to seven times more more likely to develop non-melanoma skin cancer, and we develop melanomas twice as often as residents of other states. The good news is skin cancer prevention and early detection are easy. If caught early, precancers and most skin cancers are curable."

http://www.azcc.arizona.edu/cpc/skin.asp

[hgbhct]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

"One third of all new cancers are skin cancers. In the United States , a new case of skin cancer is discovered every minute. More than 900,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. In Arizona , skin cancer rates are even higher. Arizonans are three to seven times more more likely to develop non-melanoma skin cancer, and we develop melanomas twice as often as residents of other states. The good news is skin cancer prevention and early detection are easy. If caught early, precancers and most skin cancers are curable."

http://www.azcc.arizona.edu/cpc/skin.asp

There is a difference between the rates and risks of skin cancer. The discussion involved risk not rate. The rate of skin cancer is higher in Arizona because the weather is warmer so people are outdoors longer and wear less clothing which increases exposure. That doesn't mean the risk is higher in Arizona. If one were to stand outdoors on a clear day in AZ versus standing outdoors on a clear day in Colorado, the person in Colorado would be at higher risk because the elevation is higher

[vegaspilgrim]

Denver is isolated? Since when? A 1.5 hour drive can put you in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, above 14,000 ft in elevation. A six hour drive can put you at Moab, UT-- some of the most gorgeous red rock country in the world, Santa Fe, NM-- touristy, but fun, and great food, Durango, CO-- beautiful southwest mountain/high desert town, or the Black Hills of South Dakota. A ten hour drive can put you in Yellowstone NP, Zion NP in sw Utah, eleven hours to Vegas or Flagstaff/Sedona. My family used to go on numerous road trips growing up where we'd drive through the Rocky Mountains to Moab, stay there for a day, then go down to Sedona, see family in the Phoenix area, then up to Vegas (I have family there too), then back though Utah, stopping at national parks, back to Denver. If you love taking road trips and seeing beautiful landscapes, Denver is a great location.

Access to wide open landscapes and exotic natural spaces, proximity to true "isolation" is the reason why people want to live in the West in the first place. If all you cared about was cities-- why waste your time and money in this giant region, a region that Joel Garreau infamously labelled "The Empty Quarter"? You might as well live in the Northeast or the Midwest or Texas or something. Who cares how many other big cities are close to Denver-- Denver has everything you need for everyday life. If you want other big cities, you can always hop on a plane, only 1.75 hours from LA, 2 hours from San Francisco, 2 hours from Chicago, 4 hours from New York. Phoenix is pretty darn isolated too. Point is, the same reasons that make Denver an attractive location are much the same reasons that make Phoenix attractive. I like Phoenix for much the same reasons I like Denver. The two cities are NOT polar opposites from each other; it's more like a difference of extremes. The main difference is in elevation; the weather in Denver is very similar to northern Arizona (something inbetween a Prescott and a Flagstaff).

In terms of cultural diversity, what cxray is saying has a large amount of truth in it, but not 100% true. It largely depends which part of town you live in. The suburb of Denver where I grew up, Aurora, is extremely diverse. My high school had a HUGE number of international students: Koreans, Russians, Indians/Pakistanis, and Turks to name just a few-- in addition to many blacks and Hispanics. I used to hear at least 3 different languages every time I walked through the hallway. I agree though, that other parts of the metro area are extremely white-- especially Boulder (despite it's supposedly "liberal" reputation). However, you can say the same thing about Phoenix-- Gilbert, east Mesa, north Scottsdale are all lily-white too.

I agree with cxray 100% (surprise!) about the religious and political differences between the two states/cities. I would add though that the Evangelical movement in Colorado seems to be concentrated in Colorado Springs and in Douglas County (southernmost suburbs of Denver)-- not the entire state. Also, I think since the Ted Haggart scandal, a lot of people have left the movement. My heart does go out to the victims who were killed last week in the two CO churches. One other thing: I believe that CO is moving towards the left politically. The governor (Bill Ritter) is a Democrat, a few years ago Ken Salazar was elected to Senate, and now the state House is democrat majority too. Also, I don't think AZ is as "libertarian" as some people claim-- just look at the proliferation of these speed cameras everywhere.

I also agree with cxray that people coming on this forum just to trash talk AZ who have never even lived in AZ should shut up. I think it is okay to criticize Phoenix and AZ (and other cities on there forum) if you have actually lived there for a period of time and you actually have facts to back it up-- as long as you realize that "what comes around, goes around."

[hgbhct]

Denver may have a lot of outdoor recreational activities but the city itself lacks many fine restaurants, shopping, and nightlife that even Phoenix has. The nicest city in the Denver area is Boulder and even it pales in comparison to Scottsdale. And even Phoenix is deficient in these areas to some degree which is why it's nice that it is located near many large cities. Santa Fe and Durango is not exactly Las Vegas and San Diego. The only real advantage that Denver offers over Phoenix is its vast array of snow ski resorts. Aside from that, I see no reason to live there. If I really crave outdoor activity, I would rather live in Seattle or San Francisco. You can still ski around there while having access to a cosmopolitan city. Even with the rain, I would much rather live in Seattle than Denver. It's not left-leaning by any means. In addition to the religious fundamentalists, there are several Patriot organizations that believe in the right to carry arms (and fire them)

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by hgbhct

Denver may have a lot of outdoor recreational activities but the city itself lacks many fine restaurants, shopping, and nightlife that even Phoenix has. The nicest city in the Denver area is Boulder and even it pales in comparison to Scottsdale. And even Phoenix is deficient in these areas to some degree which is why it's nice that it is located near many large cities. Santa Fe and Durango is not exactly Las Vegas and San Diego. The only real advantage that Denver offers over Phoenix is its vast array of snow ski resorts. Aside from that, I see no reason to live there. If I really crave outdoor activity, I would rather live in Seattle or San Francisco. You can still ski around there while having access to a cosmopolitan city. Even with the rain, I would much rather live in Seattle than Denver. It's not left-leaning by any means. In addition to the religious fundamentalists, there are several Patriot organizations that believe in the right to carry arms (and fire them)

it does not rain as much as you might think in Oregon and Washington. It rains more in Houston, NYC and about 10 more cities. Its the overcast that gets people down.

Colorado, if your not facing the mountains, or in the mountains is very disapointing to me. At least the Phoenix area has small mountains, for us city folks that like the view in every direction. Its in a vally. Im just a little disapointed with my decisions. Now Im looking at Phoenix and would like to hear from folks that moved from Colorado to Arizona, or folks that moved from PAC NW Arizona

Thanks

[hgbhct]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

it does not rain as much as you might think in Oregon and Washington. It rains more in Houston, NYC and about 10 more cities. Its the overcast that gets people down.

Colorado, if your not facing the mountains, or in the mountains is very disapointing to me. At least the Phoenix area has small mountains, for us city folks that like the view in every direction. Its in a vally. Im just a little disapointed with my decisions. Now Im looking at Phoenix and would like to hear from folks that moved from Colorado to Arizona, or folks that moved from PAC NW Arizona

Thanks

Where do you live right now? The overcast nature would bother me as well. I enjoy the constant sunlight. It might be boring but it's also psychologically uplifting. I love seeing blue skies nearly everyday. I love the beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Arizona. I don't think anyone can truly convince you to live here. In my experience, the people who like Arizona, like it instantly. It's love at first sight. You either like it or you don't. Arizona provides a very polar reaction. I don't know where you live but if you haven't been here, I would visit it and then decide.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by hgbhct

Where do you live right now? The overcast nature would bother me as well. I enjoy the constant sunlight. It might be boring but it's also psychologically uplifting. I love seeing blue skies nearly everyday. I love the beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Arizona. I don't think anyone can truly convince you to live here. In my experience, the people who like Arizona, like it instantly. It's love at first sight. You either like it or you don't. Arizona provides a very polar reaction. I don't know where you live but if you haven't been here, I would visit it and then decide.

I live in Northern Colorado, and I will say that I can not complain about the lack of sunshine here. I know its pretty hot in Summertime in the Phoenix area, but you know its pretty hot here as well...I think I would enjoy the 7 months of great weather (meaning weather in the 60-80 degrees). Its a bit cold here...right now its 4 degrees on my porch. I was thinking that If I missed the trees (which I don't really get too much of that here on the Front range), a quick trip to flag staff for a couple of days could cure that. I dont want the overcast of the Pacific NW, and I think I could do with out the extreme chill of Colorado. I tried Texas once and the humidity there was unbareable. Another issure I have here in Colorado is ichy skin. The air is so dry that my skin is ICHY in the morning. Had to buy a back scracher. I have visited Phoenix, and I know what you mean about "love at first site" I always feel euphoric (hope I spelled that right), when we visit the area. Can really explaine why, but my wife and I just feel happier even when we are catching a connecting flight thu Phoenix. We always look out the windows and talk about moving there.

[Prescott Valley mom]

I personally think the sunrises and sunsets in AZ lack an essential item to make them pretty, that would be clouds!!! The lack of humidity most of the year leads to lack of clouds. Being orginally from Kansas even as a child I enjoyed the sunsets reflecting off the usually partly cloudy skies.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Prescott Valley mom

I personally think the sunrises and sunsets in AZ lack an essential item to make them pretty, that would be clouds!!! The lack of humidity most of the year leads to lack of clouds. Being orginally from Kansas even as a child I enjoyed the sunsets reflecting off the usually partly cloudy skies.

Very true, a sunset w/o clouds kinda sucks. The best sunsets occur in the far west midwest (western KS, OK), central midwest (IL, MO) and the south (KY and FL). You have the most amazing sunsets in Florida, theyre out of this world.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

I live in Northern Colorado, and I will say that I can not complain about the lack of sunshine here. I know its pretty hot in Summertime in the Phoenix area, but you know its pretty hot here as well...I think I would enjoy the 7 months of great weather (meaning weather in the 60-80 degrees). Its a bit cold here...right now its 4 degrees on my porch. I was thinking that If I missed the trees (which I don't really get too much of that here on the Front range), a quick trip to flag staff for a couple of days could cure that. I dont want the overcast of the Pacific NW, and I think I could do with out the extreme chill of Colorado. I tried Texas once and the humidity there was unbareable. Another issure I have here in Colorado is ichy skin. The air is so dry that my skin is ICHY in the morning. Had to buy a back scracher. I have visited Phoenix, and I know what you mean about "love at first site" I always feel euphoric (hope I spelled that right), when we visit the area. Can really explaine why, but my wife and I just feel happier even when we are catching a connecting flight thu Phoenix. We always look out the windows and talk about moving there.

It's dryer here in Phoenix