6 yrs living here, I can't help but miss the ocean and greenery! (Phoenix: house, neighborhood)

[beachbuminAZ]

Any tips on overcoming me missing the ocean, beach, greenery, mature trees? Originally from NJ where I was 30 mins away from NYC, 40 min to the ocean and 20 min to hiking trails.

I've done a Sedona trip, but it just doesn't cut it. I don't like that my kids are growing up indoors during the summer, instead of playing outside with neighborhood kids.

Am I crazy to think about leaving AZ, when so many desire to move here?

[Maroon197]

Who cares what anyone else does or doesn't want to do? The Northeast is full of people who wouldn't live in Phoenix for any amount of money. And Phoenix is full of people who wouldn't live in the Northeast if given the choice. Just do what is right for you.

The only other thing I would add is that you should make sure you take everything into account, and try to avoid making any decisions based solely on your current weather-based misery. Try to remember ticks on the hiking trails, blizzards in the winter, crowds everywhere all the time, and crappy roads. Weigh the pros and cons and decide what you really want for you, knowing that no place is perfect and everything requires trade offs and sacrifices.

[asufan]

Yep, I'm from Mission Viejo, wife is from the Corona del Mar area. I moved here for college and eventually back for business, not the desert. I hate the desert. We chose the ocotillo/Fulton ranch area because there are trees, grass and water (schools too actually). to me this is the best area for what I like, but there are other similar areas scattered about the metro area.

[yukon]

You do know you can drive to San Diego for the weekend and holidays, right? And there's a beach there….

[asufan]

Originally Posted by yukon

You do know you can drive to San Diego for the weekend and holidays, right? And there's a beach there….

It's not the same as actually living in that environment. not even close.

[PinkElephant]

Anywhere but here! at least the kids who are cooped up due to winter conditions are usually in school. Summertime should be carefree not like a sick day!

I like it here but this would be tough for a kid!

[PoppySead]

Do you have a pool? That makes a huge difference for kids in the summer.

I have a place here and in Laguna. I hate to tell you this but,,,,no, you will always miss it. But, a pool really does make summer it's own fun season and you don't even need towels to dry off.

I've lived in PHX without a pool when my kids were small and it made a huge difference. It made summer long and boring. When we finally bought a place with a pool the kids actually looked forward to the summer and were outside on and off swimming all day.

I only keep the house here because I have to work here half the year. I really love Phoenix but nothing is as good as the beach for me either. There's just something about it. Phoenix is a close second, if you have a pool.

[PoppySead]

Originally Posted by PinkElephant

Anywhere but here! at least the kids who are cooped up due to winter conditions are usually in school. Summertime should be carefree not like a sick day!

I like it here but this would be tough for a kid!

Yes, I always thought the kids in Phoenix got a shady deal having summer break in what's essentially our "blizzard" weather. During our great weather they are in school.

[tlvancouver]

Originally Posted by PoppySead

Do you have a pool? That makes a huge difference for kids in the summer.

I have a place here and in Laguna. I hate to tell you this but,,,,no, you will always miss it. But, a pool really does make summer it's own fun season and you don't even need towels to dry off.

I've lived in PHX without a pool when my kids were small and it made a huge difference. It made summer long and boring. When we finally bought a place with a pool the kids actually looked forward to the summer and were outside on and off swimming all day.

I only keep the house here because I have to work here half the year. I really love Phoenix but nothing is as good as the beach for me either. There's just something about it. Phoenix is a close second, if you have a pool.

This! ^^^

Without a pool it would not be a great place for kid. A pool with tons of shade makes for fun, exercise, friends over and a great summer. Add to that no bitter winner and you have the reason people live there instead of the north.

[beachbuminAZ]

Originally Posted by PoppySead

Do you have a pool? That makes a huge difference for kids in the summer.

I have a place here and in Laguna. I hate to tell you this but,,,,no, you will always miss it. But, a pool really does make summer it's own fun season and you don't even need towels to dry off.

I've lived in PHX without a pool when my kids were small and it made a huge difference. It made summer long and boring. When we finally bought a place with a pool the kids actually looked forward to the summer and were outside on and off swimming all day.

I only keep the house here because I have to work here half the year. I really love Phoenix but nothing is as good as the beach for me either. There's just something about it. Phoenix is a close second, if you have a pool.

We don't have a pool. We can pack up and drive to Grandma's house in town or down to her community pool, but it's not the same as being able to jump in in your own backyard. My almost 3 year old stares out the window at her playhouse and Little Tykes car, knowing it is too damn hot to go out. She won't even go out in the early morning. It isn't even July yet, and she is bored.

Please San Diego is a 5 hour trip with breaks for the little kids. Its at least $1k each trip. Sure if it were just my DH and I, we would go twice a month and stay at a crappy motel. But with a family It's a whole production. And it's crazy expensive there.

I miss the east coast vibe, the sense of community. In my neighborhood, I have no clue if my next door neighbor is alive or even in her home. Everyone pulls into their garages at night and out in the morning.

And yes I agree, these poor kids get no snow days...yet are stuck home during the worst weather months here. I'm sure the pool helps, but honestly how many days in a row can you do the pool without getting bored.

Don't even get me started on July 4th. We can't even bbq, we have to throw the food on the grill, run back inside, then back out to grab the food and back in again to eat to avoid the flies and heat.

If I were a desert/mountain/lake/boating/camping gal that I would probably love it here. But, I am more of a beach chair with a good book and my toes in the sand kind of gal. I'm hoping we can make a move back to the coast soon, before my kids get old enough to have crappy summer memories.