Former Texans in Phoenix (Scottsdale, Prescott: employment, scorpions, allergies)

[mzeke08]

Considering a move from San Antonio. We moved from Austin to SA but are not really liking it so we're going to try Phoenix. Any regrets, things to think about before a move, young family friendly, or any other things to consider.

Thanks for any advice

[Bondurant]

I am not from Texas nor have I visited San Antonio. I did, however, have a friend that left Phoenix for SA and returned after 5 months. She liked it here a lot better and to be perfectly honest she didn't like Phoenix very much. That said, I absolutely love Phoenix but was upset she left SA before I could visit to see the Alamo and go to a Scorpions game.

What do you do for a living? Have you researched any jobs here?

[agorski]

We moved here from Houston 8 years ago. By here, I mean the small metro of Prescott, not the huge one of Phoenix. Compared to San Antonio/Austin you'll never have a humid day or a cold winter day in PHX but it will definitely be hotter. The streets go in straight lines. ;-)

One of the happiest days of my life was when I left my lawn mower in Houston!

[mzeke08]

Bondurant I work in public education on the administration side so I know I will take a small hit $$$ wise and my wife is a Physical Therapist, so we will be ok on the employment side of it. Agorski, well the heat will not be a big deal, we grew up in the dessert.

Thank you both for the info. Keep the suggestions/tips/warning coming, please.

Do you all know if phoenix is a pet friendly city (i.e. dog parks)

[Bruce Jackpot]

Not from Texas either but have been to Austin and Dallas. If you've been up to Dallas (which you probably have from living in Austin/SA, right?)

I see some similarities between the Phoenix Metro and Dallas Metro. Maybe that gives you some perspective.

Mostly the rampant consumer culture and to some extent people. If you've been up to Dallas I'm sure you noticed they have a ton of STUFF. By stuff, I mean more than plentiful shopping malls, restaurants, tons of Walmarts... just anything and everything. A shoppers paradise. If you enjoy eating at restaurants from time to time it'll take you a lifetime to run out of new places to try.

There is some superficiality to be seen in parts of PHX (like in Dallas) but nothing too obnoxious. And by people, in Texas I noticed plenty of big blonde hair and big... other things as well if you know what I'm sayin'. We have some of that in parts... if that bothers you. But people in the Phoenix area are fine. I think you'll find them friendly enough.

But I also notice a lot of poverty here as well. Particularly in parts of Phoenix which should be no surprise considering it's one of the largest cities in the country. But when I say poverty I don't mean dangerous, ghetto, or trashy necessarily. Just poor, mostly working poor.

But if you're in most of Scottsdale and most of the East Valley (according to other posters, I'm more familiar with PHX/Scottsdale) you probably won't notice it at all.

[SK115]

Originally Posted by mzeke08

Considering a move from San Antonio. We moved from Austin to SA but are not really liking it so we're going to try Phoenix. Any regrets, things to think about before a move, young family friendly, or any other things to consider.

Thanks for any advice

I lived in Phoenix for several years. As a native Houstonian, I did not care for it. What really stuck out to me was the difference in cuisine. I missed kolaches, BBQ, Gulf Coast Seafood, and Tex-Mex (the Sonoran Mexican food in Phoenix is quite different).

I also did not care for the weather. The winters in both Houston and Phoenix were pretty identical, but the summers were too hot in Phoenix. Humidity or not, the temperatures were too simply hot. The whole dry heat thing is simply a myth. Many people in Phoenix are from cold regions, such as the Midwest, the Northeast, or the Great Plains, and I can understand that Phoenix is an upgrade for those trying to escape the cold. But being from Texas, you may not see the appeal of the weather.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by SK115

I lived in Phoenix for several years. As a native Houstonian, I did not care for it. What really stuck out to me was the difference in cuisine. I missed kolaches, BBQ, Gulf Coast Seafood, and Tex-Mex (the Sonoran Mexican food in Phoenix is quite different).

I also did not care for the weather. The winters in both Houston and Phoenix were pretty identical, but the summers were too hot in Phoenix. Humidity or not, the temperatures were too simply hot. The whole dry heat thing is simply a myth. Many people in Phoenix are from cold regions, such as the Midwest, the Northeast, or the Great Plains, and I can understand that Phoenix is an upgrade for those trying to escape the cold. But being from Texas, you may not see the appeal of the weather.

My opinion is the complete opposite. I spent a summer in Dallas and it was pure hell. Dripping in sweat and being moist nonstop is way worse than simply feeling very hot.

[BestintheWest]

Originally Posted by mzeke08

Considering a move from San Antonio. We moved from Austin to SA but are not really liking it so we're going to try Phoenix. Any regrets, things to think about before a move, young family friendly, or any other things to consider.

Thanks for any advice

We must be following each other around.

Lived in Az since 1987. Moved to Bastrop just east of Austin for 4 years. Returned to AZ. Moved to San Antonio for 4 years, returned to AZ.

After the allergies and humidity in the SA and Austin area we are back in Phx and will stay put this time.

[SK115]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

My opinion is the complete opposite. I spent a summer in Dallas and it was pure hell. Dripping in sweat and being moist nonstop is way worse than simply feeling very hot.

But monsoon season in Phoenix combines the nonstop moistness with feeling very hot.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by SK115

But monsoon season in Phoenix combines the nonstop moistness with feeling very hot.

During the monsoon the temps drop and humidity levels tend to not be quite as high as in Texas. Monsoon days are no cakewalk, but you get some breaks of dry heat in between the cooler, stickier days.