East Coast cities vs. Suburban Sprawl (Phoenix, Glendale: apartments, condos, job market)

[HX_Guy]

We're talking about this whole East Coast cities things and we're forgetting we have a great urban city on the West Coast, San Francisco.

I'm currently in San Fran and I've got to say it's amazing. It's my second time here and I would live in this kind of environment in a second leaving all of Phoenix behind. Usually the harsh east coast weather is thrown out as a negative and a positive for Phoenix...but what about San Francisco? It's got Phoenix's weather in the winter and east coast's weather in the summer, plus it feels like Im in Chicago or NYC here. We're staying at the Marriott at 4th and Mission and there is a AMC theatre on the corner where we just saw I Am Legand, before that we grabbed a bite to eat right outside the lobby and there are stores upon stores in every direction, restaurants, Ace hardware, dry cleaners...everything! We came into Oakland airport and grabbed the train into downtown and even that was an awesome experience, just looking out the window...relaxing, not dealing with driving. This is definitely for me!

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by airbag

to address the original question - most people on this planet don't consider phoenix a major city. oddly enough, the only people who do are a few who live here and probably wish they didn't. this place doesn't really claim to be a major city, and that's the way it should be. phoenix's place is not as a world class city, and it never will be, nor should be - you'd have to be on crack to make that claim - or have never lived anywhere else. rather, phoenix is a solid mid-sized city with great weather 9 months out of the year, mostly affordable and convenient - there is nothing wrong with this, and it certainly doesn't imply any inferiority. but if you are looking for a real urban experience, rich in diversity and culture, look elsewhere.

Gee, how should we classify the 5th largest city (and soon to be 4th) in the United States? Small. Mid-Size or Major?

Hmmm????

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

We're talking about this whole East Coast cities things and we're forgetting we have a great urban city on the West Coast, San Francisco.

I'm currently in San Fran and I've got to say it's amazing. It's my second time here and I would live in this kind of environment in a second leaving all of Phoenix behind. Usually the harsh east coast weather is thrown out as a negative and a positive for Phoenix...but what about San Francisco? It's got Phoenix's weather in the winter and east coast's weather in the summer, plus it feels like Im in Chicago or NYC here. We're staying at the Marriott at 4th and Mission and there is a AMC theatre on the corner where we just saw I Am Legand, before that we grabbed a bite to eat right outside the lobby and there are stores upon stores in every direction, restaurants, Ace hardware, dry cleaners...everything! We came into Oakland airport and grabbed the train into downtown and even that was an awesome experience, just looking out the window...relaxing, not dealing with driving. This is definitely for me!

It is claimed that Mark Twain once said that the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco. In other words, the weather isn't always so nice and isn't for everyone. For me, however, the major negatives I associate with San Francisco are its loony left city government (and that comment comes from someone who is liberal by Phoenix standards); the aggressive panhandling; and the condescending attitudes I've often encountered from transplants and visitors from the Bay Area.

That being said, I do like the pedestrian-centric nature of San Francisco proper. I would never care to move there, but I think Phoenix can certainly learn some things from San Francisco as it redevelops its urban core. In any case, I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying your trip.

[Plin]

Originally Posted by silverbear

It is claimed that Mark Twain once said that the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco. In other words, the weather isn't always so nice and isn't for everyone.

I was there in May, and it was freezing. And I say this as a person who likes cold weather--however, only when seasonally appropriate. I had a hard time enjoying anything about the city, because it was so cold and damp and under a grey cloud most of the time.

There is a lot to like about San Francisco in terms of how it is organized as an urban space, but I'm much more excited about moving to Phoenix than I would be about moving to be near the Golden Gate--even though I'm definitely a member of the "loony left."

[nickluva]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Gee, how should we classify the 5th largest city (and soon to be 4th) in the United States? Small. Mid-Size or Major?

Hmmm????

Just because a city is big doesn't make it major. Mesa is bigger than Atlanta,Miami and Pittsburgh, would you consider Mesa a major city??? Hell San Antonio and San Jose are also among the nations 10 largest cities just like Phoenix. Those two cities don't even get noticed much in their respective states.

[nickluva]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

We're talking about this whole East Coast cities things and we're forgetting we have a great urban city on the West Coast, San Francisco.

That's the only city in the west that actually feels like a city. The reason is because Frisco doesn't have that much land to work with just like cities back east don't. That's the reason why cities like Phoenix and L.A. feel like huge sprawling suburbs. Too much land and spread out planning.

[sweettearose]

Originally Posted by nickluva

That's the only city in the west that actually feels like a city. The reason is because Frisco doesn't have that much land to work with just like cities back east don't. That's the reason why cities like Phoenix and L.A. feel like huge sprawling suburbs. Too much land and spread out planning.

I grew up in the upper east side of NY and I love the concept of space. I do miss this city at times but I would never try to raise my kids there. The city is just not a place for families and this is coming from someone who grew up in the city. The congestion in the cities is just getting worse. I can see the changes from the 80's and early 90's. There are so many immigrants and blue collar workers that move to the east coast cities that force the cost of living to increase as well as the traffic and congestion. NY has traffic at all times and even a cab ride to JFK is an hour on non busy days which was 20-30 minutes 20 years ago.

I also like how things on the west are new. Even the finest hotels in New York are tiny and a little worn. I was visiting family and the city is just starting to look really old. When I arrive in the west, I just feel I hopped in a time machine to the modern world.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by nickluva

Phoenix is really for the people who are looking for the slower pace of living and people who want sunny weather year round. If your looking for something other than that you will be very disappointed.

Your concept of Phoenix being the "slow pace of living" is outdated. That way of life was true several decades ago, but it is starting to turn around ... and it should, being as large as we are. The nation's fifth largest city cannot and should not depend on retirees, mountain views, or blue skies for its economic base. Besides, with all the people living here now, those so called "blue skies" are often clouded with haze & pollution.

While many people still move here for a sunny climate (unfortunately), I am seeing more newcomers who are seeking higher paying professions, an active nightlife, and more amenities which belong in a large urban area. That's why there's increased favoritism about building up the urban cores and proposing theme parks.

[nickluva]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Your concept of Phoenix being the "slow pace of living" is outdated. That way of life was true several decades ago, but it is starting to turn around ... and it should, being as large as we are. The nation's fifth largest city cannot and should not depend on retirees, mountain views, or blue skies for its economic base. Besides, with all the people living here now, those so called "blue skies" are often clouded with haze & pollution.

While many people still move here for a sunny climate (unfortunately), I am seeing more newcomers who are seeking higher paying professions, an active nightlife, and more amenities which belong in a large urban area. That's why there's increased favoritism about building up the urban cores and proposing theme parks.

Ok, sorry to do this but i'm gonna pick apart your post. Several decades ago my foot. You and I both know that one is not true. You meant several months ago right??? The slower pace of living out here is still in effect out here in the nation's 14th largest metro area(That 5th largest city thing is totally misleading) You annex upto more 500 square miles of land and all you get is a 1.5 mil people??? That isn't anything to brag about. But yeah Phoenix is big and still growing.

Don't be fooled Phoenix may have plenty of jobs but the majority of them don't pay too high. If you have a college degree and you're trying to find a high paying job out here it's going to be a bit of a challenge. Ya gotta remember this is the home of the 30k millionaires. You know it's sad when you feel like a king or queen and you're only clearing 30k a year.

The nightlife out here is average at best. The one thing that's really good about it is that going out on the town here is cheaper than many other places. I do agree that the urban cores(if you can really call them that) should be built up. First thing they gotta do is tear down some of these buildings and street corners. Downtown looks too spread out. They gotta destroy and rebuild it big time. It can be done but it's gonna cost billions hell maybe even trillions lol. A theme park in Arizona? Who in their right mind wants to goto a theme park in the middle of the desert in the summer time??? You know how hot it gets out here?? Dumb idea....it would be like the only theme park to close in the summer time....that would be funnny

[ArizonaBear]

One thing that I dislike about many cities (San Francisco being an exception) is the skyscrapers.

In other words; the fact that Phx is still a 'horizontal' city appeals to me