Chicagoans in Phoenix Area (Scottsdale: house, neighborhoods, tile)

[bearbunny]

I have been reading many blogs on the Phoenix area but I am looking specifically for south side
Chicagoans ( including suburbanites) who have relocated to the Phoenix metro area. You know where you came from and can
give advice or opinions on what you feel would be the best place for "people like us" to retire in AZ.
LOL.

Seriously, you know the neighborhoods, crime, amenities, politics, weather, etc. in Chi town, so who
better to make comparisons?

We are "young 65 year olds" who don't want to live in a retirement community. Driving to and
from shopping is about 20 to 30 minutes for us now (that Chicago traffic). We are not rich.
Looking for a nice home under 240K in a nice area.

I'd love to hear your views on leaving "home" and how you feel about it now. Was it a mistake to move?
Are you happy in AZ? What do you dislike and miss the most? What areas do you recommend living in?
How do you really find the people in Arizona, i.e. friendly, cold, etc.?

Any input you have would be greatly appreciated.

[AZgarden]

Hi: I didn't move from the south side but since noone else answered, I will. I lived in Schaumburg and Glen Ellyn and spent alot of time in Riverside. My daughter was in the city so I was there too.

Phoenix is gorgeous when you first get here. I was overwhelmed by the beauty. There are no rusty overpasses, crappy rusted out cars, nor dirty snow. The roads are beautiful compared to the Eisenhower or Stevenson. There aren't the green trees nor the huge fests (Grant Pk) and there are no neighborhoods like the ones in Chicago. There isn't anywhere like Glen Ellyn with its charm and Oak Park with its mansions. Alot of the homes are stucco with tile roofs and cookie cutter is the norm. Alot of beige. If you value architecture and diversity, you won't find it here.

But, there is easy access to everywhere in the area with little traffic nor hassel. You can go up to the mountains to get away from the heat in summer if you hate the heat. It can aggravate you after several years (me) and I am looking at options. I am retired but not in a retirement community. In Ocotillo we have little lakes and paddle boats and its very pretty. We also got a Portillos so you know there are tons of Chicagoans here.

Of course, the initial astonishment at the beauty does wear off and you start to take things for granted. I guess that's what happened to me. I do miss trees and green and water !
Hope this helps some. Please DM me if you have specific questions !

[LagunaMom]

I'm a Northsider (about a mile from Wrigleyville) who married someone from Rogers Park, and we've been here since '73. We're in the same vicinity age-wise as you.

The only things I miss about Chicago are the greening of the river on St. Patty's Day, the holiday lights on Michigan Avenue, my old temple (Temple Sholom), my old country club (Green Acres in Northbrook), Fahey Flynn (may he RIP), and Marshall Field's (ditto). I do not miss the weather, the wall-to-wall concrete, being in the middle of the country, the flat topography, or anything else. Chicago looks dirty, dirty, dirty to me. While Phoenix has bad areas like everywhere else, it's really lovely. You just get used to it.

PhxBarb was right on the money. After all these years, the heat's really bothering me, and as much as I love Phoenix, we hope to move to our second home in SoCal. I miss the cooler temps and the ocean. (I lived on LSD for many years in Chgo and obviously could see the lake. But the ocean is far more grand.)

I haven't flown into Chicago for awhile, but I always could tell when I was at O'Hare because the people were nasty. Don't know why.

People in the West tend to be more laid-back. As far as where to live, the best thing is to just come out and drive around. It really depends on what you're looking for. Each part of the Valley (aka the Valley of the Sun) is different. You could get a house near some man-made lakes for under $240k (Garden Lakes or Arrowhead Lake in the West Valley or The Lakes in the East Valley), but if I were you, I'd go to Redfin.com, and put in your financial and house size requirements.

BTW: Phoenix really is LA, Jr. in terms of traffic and pollution.

Good luck.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by LagunaMom

I lived on LSD for many years in Chgo and obviously could see the lake.

Do you get flashbacks?

[mn55110]

LagunaMom:

Since you mentioned Temple Sholom, I am wondering if Phoenix is a good place for Jewish people? Are there any suburbs in "The Valley" comparable to Skokie, Evanston, and Morton Grove or is the Jewish community, if there is one at all in Phoenix, more spread out?

Are there a number of Temple's or Jewish Community Center's in "The Valley", or are they few and far between? One last question on the subject; how accepting are the people along with major employers who are non-Jewish in Phoenix towards Jewish people? I ask because in some Midwest cities, outside of Chicago, anti-semitism is so pervasive that it very sadly is the norm.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by mn55110

LagunaMom:

Since you mentioned Temple Sholom, I am wondering if Phoenix is a good place for Jewish people? Are there any suburbs in "The Valley" comparable to Skokie, Evanston, and Morton Grove or is the Jewish community, if there is one at all in Phoenix, more spread out?

Are there a number of Temple's or Jewish Community Center's in "The Valley", or are they few and far between? One last question on the subject; how accepting are the people along with major employers who are non-Jewish in Phoenix towards Jewish people? I ask because in some Midwest cities, outside of Chicago, anti-semitism is so pervasive that it very sadly is the norm.

There is a large Jewish population in Scottsdale. Lots of temples, Jewish delis and a large JCC on Scottsdale Rd. The area I moved from in MI had a large Jewish population and there are times when I feel like I never left. Go to Chompies on a Sunday. Oy vey!

[AZgarden]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Do you get flashbacks?

LOL That's Lake Shore Drive !!!!