What are some cute, more unique towns/ areas in Maricopa county? (California college grad recently moved to Gilbert) (Phoenix: neighborhood, school)

[Quizillla]

I recently moved to Maricopa County, AZ (Gilbert) to attend ASU for graduate school and begin my professional career. I've found that jobs are a LOT easier to find here than the San Francisco Bay Area and it's been a great place for me to begin my professional career and boost my resume.

Despite this, I'm definitely looking to move back somewhere cooler once I finish grad school (I'm thinking Colorado, Oregon, or Washington/ Seattle).

The point of this post, though is that I've found myself struggling in Arizona. Everything is SO spread out and there doesn't seem to be any central area Downtown where young twenty-somethings like myself can hangout. Mill Ave. is okay and so is Downtown Scottsdale, but even those don't have a ton of people hanging-out on weekends. It seems like people mostly stay home. Am I wrong for thinking this?! Or am I just going to the wrong places?

Are there any other places that locals suggest that I can visit to feel a greater sense of community? It seems like San Francisco is FILLED with stuff to do and I just am not feeling that in Phoenix.

How can I survive the next three years without going bonkers?! Lol.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Quizillla

I recently moved to Maricopa County, AZ (Gilbert) to attend ASU for graduate school and begin my professional career. I've found that jobs are a LOT easier to find here than the San Francisco Bay Area and it's been a great place for me to begin my professional career and boost my resume.

Despite this, I'm definitely looking to move back somewhere cooler once I finish grad school (I'm thinking Colorado, Oregon, or Washington/ Seattle).

The point of this post, though is that I've found myself struggling in Arizona. Everything is SO spread out and there doesn't seem to be any central area Downtown where young twenty-somethings like myself can hangout. Mill Ave. is okay and so is Downtown Scottsdale, but even those don't have a ton of people hanging-out on weekends. It seems like people mostly stay home. Am I wrong for thinking this?! Or am I just going to the wrong places?

Are there any other places that locals suggest that I can visit to feel a greater sense of community? It seems like San Francisco is FILLED with stuff to do and I just am not feeling that in Phoenix.

How can I survive the next three years without going bonkers?! Lol.

The Valley IS filled with stuff to do, but it is a very different place than SF, which by its geography is very tightly compressed. No, people don't "mostly stay home". No, there are not any "cute, more unique towns in Maricopa County" which would give you more than what you've found in downtown Tempe, downtown Scottsdale, etc. I'd add downtown Phoenix, with events like First Fridays, etc. But you are not going to find downtown SFO here, so you may need to modify how you approach your social life. Check out calendars of events online. You can also find like minded people through meetup.com groups geared to special interests, or volunteering, or taking a class that interests you.

[teddyearp]

Originally Posted by Quizillla

<snip>Despite this, I'm definitely looking to move back somewhere cooler once I finish grad school (I'm thinking Colorado, Oregon, or Washington/ Seattle).<snip>

Who knows? Maybe by the time you graduate Arizona will have legalized marijuana too.

[PhureeKeeper]

Phoenix metro is a "town" of about 5 million people, so I hope you don't find everyone in one compressed area. Would be a bear to find a place to park.

Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler all have their own downtown areas with lots of bars, restaurants and some artsy shops. Chandler has an art walk on the 3rd Friday of every month.

Get out there and try again.

[kct987]

Uuhh your definitely going to the wrong places. I'm a young 20 something too. Mill and old town Scottsdale have tons of people hanging out on the weekends. Maybe your going at the wrong time? Idk. I hang out in downtown phoenix. Its different than mill and Scottsdale because not everything is on one strip or clustered. But still tons of people on the weekends.

[azdr0710]

San Francisco population density = 17,247/sq. mi

Phoenix population density = 3165/sq. mi.

doesn't justify that people "stay at home", but might explain why there aren't people walking all over a neighborhood, as in denser metro areas....

[JGMotorsport64]

Compared to SF Phoenix is a bloated suburb. It's a lifestyle thing that I gather might not fit you. Although you might enjoy places more centrally located than Gilbert. Chandler has a decent downtown area, Tempe is generally the spot for ASU Students. Old Town isn't my cup of tea but it's pretty busy at night. Central Phoenix is pretty vibrant and artsy if you're into that thing. I chose to live by the rail. There's a certain level of loneliness that comes via auto commuting. I bet you're feeling it.

There are some neat restaurants in Chandler. I'm a proponent of The Perch myself, but I'm a beer nerd.

[Quizillla]

Originally Posted by observer53

The Valley IS filled with stuff to do, but it is a very different place than SF, which by its geography is very tightly compressed. No, people don't "mostly stay home". No, there are not any "cute, more unique towns in Maricopa County" which would give you more than what you've found in downtown Tempe, downtown Scottsdale, etc. I'd add downtown Phoenix, with events like First Fridays, etc. But you are not going to find downtown SFO here, so you may need to modify how you approach your social life. Check out calendars of events online. You can also find like minded people through meetup.com groups geared to special interests, or volunteering, or taking a class that interests you.

Thanks so much! Great advice. I realized I kind of approached it in a weird-way comparing two VERY different cities. San Francisco is obviously much more urban and compact/ less spread out. I guess it's just kind of a culture shock. I miss the nature around San Francisco, but I agree that Phoenix is definitely growing and that if you look, there is plenty to do. Maybe I've just noticed less people out because Phoenix is so spread-out and doesn't really have a central area.

Thanks again. I appreciate the advice.

[Quizillla]

Originally Posted by teddyearp

Who knows? Maybe by the time you graduate Arizona will have legalized marijuana too.

LOLZ. Doubt it

[Quizillla]

Originally Posted by PhureeKeeper

Phoenix metro is a "town" of about 5 million people, so I hope you don't find everyone in one compressed area. Would be a bear to find a place to park.

Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler all have their own downtown areas with lots of bars, restaurants and some artsy shops. Chandler has an art walk on the 3rd Friday of every month.

Get out there and try again.

Thanks so much! Out of what I've visited, I've liked Old Town Scottsdale, Old-Town Gilbert (or is it Downtown?? I can't remember, lol), and Mill Avenue. I definitely agree those places have the best nightlife/ artsy shops. Downtown Chandler (near Chop-Shop) was very cute too.

Arizona definitely has a lot to offer, I just think it's very different from how San Francisco is set-up and it's definitely been a bit of a shock. I also just about went crazy from the summer 120 degree heat! How do you all deal with that?!