Just moved to Gilbert from Denver, CO (Phoenix, Mesa: sale, new home)

[Mommy2maddox]

Hi everyone! My husband, son and I have just relocated from Denver to the Phoenix area. My husband has been in the Denver area (after moving from the Chicago area) for almost 10 years and I had lived there for 30 years, only moving from Nebraska to Colorado at the age of 4. Other than looking for a home at the beginning of November this year, I haven't been to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area since I was 12 which was a good 22 years ago. I bought my car in Flagstaff back in April 2004 and I was in Green Valley in March of 2009. I spent many summers at my aunt and uncle's in the Scottsdale/Phoenix areas when from around 5-12 years. I don't remember much about it at all.

So, with all that said, I have not heard many great things about Arizona. I remember LOVING the summers that I did spend here. I really enjoyed Flagstaff, even though it was mostly business as I was buying a car. I enjoyed Green Valley aside from the fact that there were NO people my age there. It was warm but I didn't dislike it.

When we started to tell people we were moving to PHX, the typical response I would receive would be, "oh! Nice! You're going to die in the summer!" or "Oh, that's great! BLAH! Not really! LOL!" or "WHY?? Why on earth would you move THERE of all places?" I am honestly fed up with people saying this. I realize we are leaving a beautiful state but there HAS to be things that PHX has to offer as DEN offered us while we were there.

So, please tell me things to look forward to. I am a stay at home mom right now with a 2.5 year old son. I want to hear positive things about this new home we are living in. Thank you!

[youthinkso]

A lot fewer Liberals/democrats...

When your friends are digging their cars out of a snowbank this winter you will be laughing.

[ShampooBanana]

Palm trees, beautiful winters, plenty of sunny days, you still have mountains (just not as big), it's super clean most places, lots of beautiful places within a couple hours drive, it's a lot cheaper to live than Denver.

[Foreverking]

Denver is brown and dead looking this time a year and will be for months, Phoenix is always green year round. Not lush green, but green all the same. Really, the biggest advantage for our family is that the place is close it other cool places. Denver has a nicer downtown and a better football team, I wouldn't want to move there either.

[maverick974]

Incredible sunsets almost every day.
Spectacular winter weather.
Big, clean streets
Very good infrastructure.
Not much traffic. (People here have no idea what real traffic is like.)
The desert scent after a rain shower.
Exceptionally nice people for the most part.
No tornado s.
No earthquakes.
No hurricanes.
Tons of stuff to do ALL YEAR 'ROUND.
Easy access to almost anything you want. Vegas, Cali beaches, snow covered mountains, etc.
Flip flops and shorts almost all the time.
Laughing at the severe weather everywhere else.
Cactus flowers.
Sheriff Joe. (like him or not, he sure is entertaining,)
Bashas
Being able to do outdoor activities every day.

The best darn CD forum there is and so much more.

[PhinsFan1]

Gilbert is a fabulous place to raise young kids. It's super family-friendly, with lots to do with young kids. It's much easier to make "mommy-friends" in Gilbert then in some other areas b/c there are so many SAHM's. It's easy to find playgroups to join, which is nice for the kids and the moms.

One of the BEST things about living here with young kids is that you don't have to spend 20 minutes packing them into snow suits, hats and mittens every time you go out. That's a huge pain in the butt and I think you'll love that part. You're rarely stuck in the house going stir crazy b/c of the weather. Even in the middle of summer when it's super hot, you can take the kiddos swimming. And when swimming gets old, there are museums, splash parks, play areas at malls, and movies. We used to enjoy the Mesa Art Museum when my kids were your son's age. Not sure if it's still there, but it was a cute place. Also, the PHX Children's Museum is fun for young kids. And Harkins Theaters (they have one at San Tan Mall, in Gilbert) do summer movies, which is a great deal. It's only $7 per person for the whole summer, and that gives you a movie one day a week for like 12 weeks. They play last year's kids' movies, so you won't be seeing anything current. But the whole audience is kids and moms, so you don't have to worry about your kiddo staying quiet. Buy tickets early though, b/c they always sell out. I think they usually go on sale around March or April. Many local elementary schools sell them as fundraisers, or you can buy them at the theater.

Denver is a beautiful area with lots to do, and AZ might be a big adjustment for you. But if you give Gilbert a chance, I think you and your family will enjoy it. Good luck!

[Pink Jazz]

Welcome to Gilbert. Just for curiosity, did you buy new or pre-owned? If you bought new, which builder? Also, which community did you buy in?

[cre8lite]

the lightening storms during monsoon season? freaking ah-mazing! i lived in phx from 1998-2003 & still to this day miss the lightening shows

[PlainWhite]

Originally Posted by youthinkso

A lot fewer Liberals/democrats...

The OP asked about the good things, not the bad things.

[HX_Guy]

Originally Posted by PlainWhite

The OP asked about the good things, not the bad things.

I was going to say the exact same thing.