Pros and cons to live in Phoenix (Tempe, Flagstaff: apartment, lease)

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

... however, I do think that people who seek out the nation's sixth largest city for things like sunshine, retirement, relaxation, and quiet atmosphere really need to look elsewhere. Phoenix may be laid back compared to New York, Chicago, or even L.A., but it is still a big metro area with all the elements like congested traffic, crime, pollution, and the like. It's not the small town vibe like it was 40+ years ago.

If someone really IS looking for "retirement, relaxation, and quiet atmosphere," along with Arizona weather, they ought to move to Tucson, rather than Phoenix. I live in Tucson now and it's way too quiet for me. But for those who desire "laid back," Tucson personifies that ... and with temperatures that are on average 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix.

Tucson has many of the PROS people listed for Phoenix — beautiful vistas; consistent weather; availability of year-around golf, hiking, biking, and close to skiing; reasonably priced real estate; friendly people — and it lacks many of the CONS — urban sprawl, difficult traffic, pollution, higher crime. HOWEVER, don't move to Tucson if you are looking for well-paid career employment (unless you're in healthcare); public transportation; cultural amenities such as museums, concerts, and theater; pro sports; or schools that are much better than those in Phoenix.

Phoenix is America's fifth largest metropolitan area with the pros and cons that come with that. Tucson is a small city with a corresponding vibe. Perfect for some, others will go for the size and diversity of Phoenix.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

If someone really IS looking for "retirement, relaxation, and quiet atmosphere," along with Arizona weather, they ought to move to Tucson, rather than Phoenix. I live in Tucson now and it's way too quiet for me. But for those who desire "laid back," Tucson personifies that ... and with temperatures that are on average 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix.

Tucson has many of the PROS people listed for Phoenix — beautiful vistas; consistent weather; availability of year-around golf, hiking, biking, and close to skiing; reasonably priced real estate; friendly people — and it lacks many of the CONS — urban sprawl, difficult traffic, pollution, higher crime. HOWEVER, don't move to Tucson if you are looking for well-paid career employment (unless you're in healthcare); public transportation; cultural amenities such as museums, concerts, and theater; pro sports; or schools that are much better than those in Phoenix.

I lived in Tucson for a while (GO CATS!) and would not consider it a small town/laid back/etc place like some do. I guess it depends on where you are moving from. It's smaller than Phoenix, of course, but Tucson area has a million people and that is way too big for anyone seeking small town or even small city IMO. The crime rate in Tucson metro is higher than in Phoenix metro and the traffic, depending on where you live, is HORRIBLE because there are no crosstown freeways. It's a breeze getting around in Phoenix outside rush hour. Water is expensive in the extreme and so the landscaping or lack there of makes the place look rather dingy in comparison to Phoenix. Not a bad place to live by any means and maybe it is more appropriate for retirees than Phoenix. Just don't go there expecting a quaint little city.

[magnum0417]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

You make Phoenix sound like almost like Mayberry. No pressure, no stress? Who's kidding who? Do you work or drive on a daily basis?



Attitudes like yours is EXACTLY the reason why we need to care more. The sixth largest city in the nation can no longer afford to base its economy on silly things like sunshine, relaxation, etc. Maybe that worked all right when we were a smaller place ... but guess what? This isn't a small place anymore. Not Mayberry by any means, as in your imaginary world.

The vast majority of residents work and commute for a living. Not everybody is retired. Not everybody is a laid back recluse with no purpose in life. Thankfully, not everybody has an overly relaxed attitude like yours, but there is still too much of this perception of us being a small resort city like it was 40 or 50 years ago. Times change, and we have to change with them. I don't know about you, but a robust, diversified economy with competitive wages and a high standard of living is what I think we should strive for. If you want sunshine, warm weather, and laid back living as top tier items, other places might be better suited ... like Yuma, Parker, Lake Havasu, Palm Springs, or Death Valley.

I definitely having grown up near NYC know what high stress living is about with every man for himself. Generally, I find the people laid back socially here. Much more so than back east. The pace in general is slower here and people I work with don't freak out as much if there is any snafu that comes up. I'm a Type A kind of personality who expects myself to perform to a decent standard so it's cool that there is more slack given when something unexpected comes up.

However, my only significant complaint living here is the driving on the Freeways. Atleast in NYC, people use signals when switching lanes. It's an adventure driving home to Tempe everyday having to constantly be on the defensive for people cutting me off without signaling. People tend to be courteous here in person. However, they morph into very self centered individuals on the freeways. Signals are optional it seems.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by magnum0417

I definitely having grown up near NYC know what high stress living is about with every man for himself. Generally, I find the people laid back socially here. Much more so than back east. The pace in general is slower here and people I work with don't freak out as much if there is any snafu that comes up. I'm a Type A kind of personality who expects myself to perform to a decent standard so it's cool that there is more slack given when something unexpected comes up.

However, my only significant complaint living here is the driving on the Freeways. Atleast in NYC, people use signals when switching lanes. It's an adventure driving home to Tempe everyday having to constantly be on the defensive for people cutting me off without signaling. People tend to be courteous here in person. However, they morph into very self centered individuals on the freeways. Signals are optional it seems.

Hahaha! Magnum, I have to agree with you here. I always say we have some of the nicest people, but don't leave an event at the same time and get on the road! Something happens to people here on the highways.

[magnum0417]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

[/b]

Hahaha! Magnum, I have to agree with you here. I always say we have some of the nicest people, but don't leave an event at the same time and get on the road! Something happens to people here on the highways.

I have a temper on the highway too. Because of NY's very restrictive laws on handguns, I honked my horn daily. Seriously. I never feared getting into a shootout.

Out here since I assume many drivers have handguns while driving, I don't underestimate and start honking some idiot who cut me off. Bite my tongue and keep driving. It's hard but that's my way of avoiding a shootout on the 101 or 202.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by magnum0417

I have a temper on the highway too. Because of NY's very restrictive laws on handguns, I honked my horn daily. Seriously. I never feared getting into a shootout.

Out here since I assume many drivers have handguns while driving, I don't underestimate and start honking some idiot who cut me off. Bite my tongue and keep driving. It's hard but that's my way of avoiding a shootout on the 101 or 202.

That's probably a smart thing to do out here. It's not worth the potential confrontation.

[magnum0417]

As far as the Pros go. The medical options for primary and specialists is quite impressive to go along with the Mayo Clinic which I have contacted for my wife. My wife has some deteriorating medical issues and it's been way tougher on her than me in the few months I have lived here. Came out here on a job transfer to escape the cold and taxes back in NY. I love it here and feel coming here permanently was the best decision I made in a long time despite coming out here sporadically since the early 90's for my job. I've seen how things have changed since 1991 when I first came here. Paradise Valley Mall was about as north as you got before seeing all open ranches and miles of desert. Know that personally since I saw Point Break in that mall.LOL. Speaking of Swayze, I guess there is a "Roadhouse" out in Mesa that is a replication of the one in that movie. Something I hope to check out soon.

A negative is a lack of transit system outside of the one that goes from Tempe to Downtown Phoenix. I feel a development of that to the outer suburbs will reduce the adventures everyday on the freeways. However, naysayers will say extended it would increase crime to more "suburban areas." Given that we all benefit from lower taxes (income and property), the price paid is less spent on infrastructure. I opt for 3.6% state taxes withdrawn per paycheck, however many do just 2.7%. Back in NY, it was 3 times that,almost CA level. NY is messed up much like CA financially so raising taxes certainly doesn't guarantee improved infrastructure.

[DR2012]

Oh man, for those of you that think the drivers are bad, don't ever go to Shreveport LOL. I find the drivers here so much better, and so awesome and smart, in comparison. It's such a relief driving here daily to and from my job.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by magnum0417

I have a temper on the highway too. Because of NY's very restrictive laws on handguns, I honked my horn daily. Seriously. I never feared getting into a shootout.

Out here since I assume many drivers have handguns while driving, I don't underestimate and start honking some idiot who cut me off. Bite my tongue and keep driving. It's hard but that's my way of avoiding a shootout on the 101 or 202.

I agree, roadrage confrontations are never worth the risk.

What I find stressful about driving in and around Phoenix is not so much the stupidity of drivers but the long commute times.

Many people like me drive a long way to work in crush hour traffic and it's no picnic.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by DR2012

Oh man, for those of you that think the drivers are bad, don't ever go to Shreveport LOL. I find the drivers here so much better, and so awesome and smart, in comparison. It's such a relief driving here daily to and from my job.

Every city has crazy lunatic drivers and Phoenix is no exception, but I think most drivers here are pretty average.

The worst drivers I run across here are the cab drivers, they don't speed so much as they are just plain stupid acting.

Other annoying drivers are the ones who cut people off, run red lights, tailgate, fail to signal, and drive too slow in the fastlane, but these drivers are found everywhere from the biggest cities to the smallest hamlets.