Denver vs. Phoenix (relocation, real estate, home)

[sweettearose]

Originally Posted by funyon

I have heard both points on the summer evenings in Phoenix -- whether or not you can be active. Hopefully, you can shed some light on this. Once the sun drops, is it still too hot to take dogs for walks, sit outside, etc.? I've been told by others that in the summer that's when everybody does their thing outside. However, I have also heard that because of all the concrete and asphalt, there really is no good time to be outside in the summer. The main reason I want out of Denver area is I'm tired of being in for 5-6 months of the year -- I really hate the cold. I realize that I will not want to be out in the middle part of the day, but was hoping that in the mornings and evenings, one could step out and go for a walk. By the way, how early do you have to get out before it's too hot in the summer?

We take our dogs and children on walks in the evening in the summer. The shade really impacts Arizona summers more than other places. Because it is a dry heat, the heat doesn't feel nearly as intense in the shade or in the evening. For example, you can't walk barefoot during the day on the street pavement because it's so hot but at night, you can easily do so. The mornings are really nice too and you have the same effect. You only have to be concerned with the heat in the summer from 11 AM to 6 PM. Of course, it's still warm but you can do plenty of outdoor activities. If you've had a chance to speak with any soldiers in Iraq, ask them what their mornings and evenings were like. The dessert can get quite cool in the mornings and evenings so it's not true that you can't engage in outdoor activity in the summer.

What people forget is that the opposite is also true. Dry summers may not feel as intense but dry winters feel much more cold even if it is 50 degrees outside. A lot of Superbowl travelers experienced that suprising cold when it would be 50 and it would probably feel like it was upper 30's.

People tend to exaggerate and embellish the truth about Arizona weather in both regards. The summers are not nearly as bad as people make it out to be but then our winters are not like Florida winters either. Sunshine is the one consistent factor and it is sunny in Phoenix 300 days out of the year.

[sweettearose]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Even though I disagree with about 80% of what you're saying, I'm not even going to bother arguing with you on most of what you're saying here, including the weather-- a pointless debate. But on this point, your perceptions are clouded by stereotypes and have absolutely nothing to do with the pace of life and culture in either the west coast (aka, California), Phoenix, or Denver. #1 The popular image of the "west coast" (aka, California) as a "laid back" place, based on popular culture references to the "surfer lifestyle" is nothing more than a myth. Californians are some of the most over-worked, over-stressed, sleep-deprived people in the country. Traffic congestion, crime and aggressive drivers aren't exactly signs of a "laid back" lifestyle. #2 Phoenix is NOT the "west coast," it never was and it never will be. If you truly think Phoenix is the west coast, then you're a southern California wanna-be. Also, take a look at this thread I started on the California forum. Most Californians, the true west coasters, do not consider Phoenix to be the west coast. #3 Your statement about perceived differences in regional politics and diversity is extremely one-dimensional and simplistic. The good people on the Denver forum have already patiently responded to both of your concerns about diversity and politics, debunking the myths, which apparently you ignored. But leaving Denver aside, since this is the Phoenix forum anyway, since when did Phoenix become some sort of haven for liberals? A little wishful thinking, IMO.

I fail to understand why people are so ready to call anyone in Arizona a southern California wanna-be simply for saying that Arizona has things in common with California due to proximity. I personally felt it was more left leaning, and laidback than Denver. Cities and states on the east coast are often said to have things in common because of their regional proximity. Phoenix and Arizona have things in common with California but I never claimed they were exactly alike. I'm from New York originally and I would said that we share some things in common with cities in the northeast like Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore although we are not alike.

I'm sorry you are not happy with the fact that Denver is religiously more conservative and right wing than Phoenix. I can't really change that. I think you should be happy with your home instead of feeling bad that it isn't more like Phoenix. If Denver is so much nicer than Phoenix then why would you choose to attend ASU? The University of Colorado is an excellent school. I'm confused because it seems like one who claims there is so much more to do in Colorado would remain there during his college years especially since ASU isn't known as an prestigious academic institution. I visited Colorado and spoke to many people there which helped me form my opinion. I'm grateful for the comments provided by those on the Denver forum but my experience told me otherwise. Can't we agree to disagree

I have worked on the west coast. You are still a student at ASU. Maybe when you graduate and have worked at a job fulltime for a number years in California, can you attest to the worth ethic and nature of the west coast. I can tell you that our branch in San Francisco was known to work 10-15 hours less per week than our New York branch. We knew a lot of that can be explained by the working environment of the west coast. I have worked in that office and that often rang true especially in regards to the office wardrobe. For example, our casual Fridays still involved slacks or a skirt in NY while our San Francisco counterparts were allowed to wear jeans. The men could wear sport coats but in NY, they were required to wear suits. The dotcom culture was forged in California which was laid back so that's further proof supporting my claim. I'm not basing my opinions on stereotypes as you claim. I would encourage you to work in California when you graduate for a period of time and I think you will find that a lot of the laid back steretypes tend to be true when compared with the east coast.

[ab14asos]

My wife and I too have been trying to decide if we want to live in Phoenix or Denver. We currently live in Flagstaff and hate it because the city itself is nasty, cost of living is high and they receive just a bit too much snow. I agree with alot of you that Prescott's climate is about perfect. If I could choose any place in the U.S. to live it would be Prescott. The only problem with Prescott is the job market and the lack of activities for children. It doesn't seem like Prescott has planned much for children in the past decade or 2 that it has grown so much. They have focused more on people who are retirement aged due to so many people retiring there from SoCal. The size of the Prescott/Prescott Valley/Chino/Dewey-Humboldt area is perfect. They have anything there a person could want but the area isn't too large to handle like Phoenix.

Gretchen B - Just an update. I'm not trying to start an arguement but the "Tri-City area" or should it be called "Quad City" I read that the area population is more around 280,000 people not 80,000. As of this past July, Prescott Valley alone has 66,000 people due to it's annexation of surrounding areas. The Prescott area is becoming a major city and many people forsee it growing much larger in the next 15-20 years.

It is hard to decide between living in Phoenix or Denver. They both have wonderful things to offer. It really depends on how large of a metro you want to live in and what type of weather you prefer (Hot summers or Cool winters).

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Let's put it this way: imagine the hottest summer days in Denver in July or August, when the temperatures get into the upper 90s, and assume no afternoon thunderstorms (which can be annoying but signficantly lower the temperatures, making the evenings delightful once the storm passes through), so it's a dry heat lasting all day. Hot during the day, but perfectly comfortable at night. If we take this last year as an example, that's the kind of weather Phoenix had in October and April and some of May. How comfortable are you in Denver in July and August? If that's too hot for you, stop reading. If you enjoy those months, keep reading on. Now: Do you remember that day several years ago (July 20, 2005) when the thermometer in Denver reached its all time record high-- 105 degrees? Imagine heat that hot, every single day, day after day after day, with no breaks. That's what June and September were like in Phoenix last year-- hotter than anything Denver regularly experiences at any time of the year. Is that hot enough for you? If so, stop reading. If not, keep on: Imagine heat hotter than even the hottest day on record in Denver going on for 2 months straight: that's July and August in Phoenix for you.

Now, for the nice months of the year: November in Phoenix is equivalent to September in Denver. December, January, and February in Phoenix on average are equivalent to late September/early October or April in Denver (either a dry or rainy April day-- not a late spring snowstorm). Some of the coldest days Phoenix gets in Dec, Jan, and Feb are about on par with the warmest days Denver might have in November, February or March. An average March day in Phoenix is equivalent to early May in Denver (the perfect time of the year for both cities). And of course, the weather Denver gets on average in December, January, and February does not exist in Phoenix's climate. And obviously, the snowstorms Denver gets does not exist in Phoenix's climate either. Winter rains, like today for example, are very common though. The monsoon season in Phoenix doesn't really have a parallel to Denver either-- closest thing would be the afternoon thunderstorms in early summer, but without the cooling effect.

My take is that 90 degrees in denver, because of the high alt. and thin air feels more like 110 in phoenix.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by zonababe

Well the grass is always greener on the other side, except in Phx it's xeriscape.

just try and find green grass anywhere in denver or on the front range. Its brown and ugly 7 months a year. I liked the snow only because it covered the ugly brown landscape. Phoenix is looking kinda lush right now thanks to the rain.

[kmc87]

people talk a lot of crap about phoenix, and while much of this is true (pollution, complete lack of a good public transportation system, and of course 110+ degree summers) there are a lot of great things about the city.

A few good things about Phoenix:

1. Superstition Mountains, while completely different from the Rockies of Colorado, the superstitions are gorgeous, great for canyon hikes, very close to the city, and full of interesting history (if you're into that sort of thing).

2. Summer Thunder Storms, every august is monsoon season and at this time, you can see some of the most spectacular lighting lightning displays in the country.

3. Tempe, home to ASU, has gone under amazing revitalization in recent years. In tempe you'll find excellent shopping and dining, a great riverfront park with nearby marinas, and Gammage Auditorium which hosts everything from ballets to traveling broadway productions like Phantom of the Opera. Best of all, it's slightly edgier and not ultra high-end like Scottsdale, where you can feel kind of out of place if you're not super wealthy.

[WestCoDude]

Originally Posted by sweettearose

I fail to understand why people are so ready to call anyone in Arizona a southern California wanna-be simply for saying that Arizona has things in common with California due to proximity. I personally felt it was more left leaning, and laidback than Denver. Cities and states on the east coast are often said to have things in common because of their regional proximity. Phoenix and Arizona have things in common with California but I never claimed they were exactly alike. I'm from New York originally and I would said that we share some things in common with cities in the northeast like Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore although we are not alike.

I'm sorry you are not happy with the fact that Denver is religiously more conservative and right wing than Phoenix. I can't really change that. I think you should be happy with your home instead of feeling bad that it isn't more like Phoenix. If Denver is so much nicer than Phoenix then why would you choose to attend ASU? The University of Colorado is an excellent school. I'm confused because it seems like one who claims there is so much more to do in Colorado would remain there during his college years especially since ASU isn't known as an prestigious academic institution. I visited Colorado and spoke to many people there which helped me form my opinion. I'm grateful for the comments provided by those on the Denver forum but my experience told me otherwise. Can't we agree to disagree

I have worked on the west coast. You are still a student at ASU. Maybe when you graduate and have worked at a job fulltime for a number years in California, can you attest to the worth ethic and nature of the west coast. I can tell you that our branch in San Francisco was known to work 10-15 hours less per week than our New York branch. We knew a lot of that can be explained by the working environment of the west coast. I have worked in that office and that often rang true especially in regards to the office wardrobe. For example, our casual Fridays still involved slacks or a skirt in NY while our San Francisco counterparts were allowed to wear jeans. The men could wear sport coats but in NY, they were required to wear suits. The dotcom culture was forged in California which was laid back so that's further proof supporting my claim. I'm not basing my opinions on stereotypes as you claim. I would encourage you to work in California when you graduate for a period of time and I think you will find that a lot of the laid back steretypes tend to be true when compared with the east coast.

Agreed. Absolutely agreed.

[cruisedude111]

Lived in Phoenix for all my life and as far as crime goes it really matters where you are. the south side and west side of phoenix can be pretty bad but where i am (N. Phx) its really great.
crime is every where you go though weather its beverly hills or brooklyn.
like i was saying the the north side of phoenix is great and with the number of foreclosures there are around phoenix you will find some really really good priced homes.
hope this helps a little

[Lovegun]

Originally Posted by Beena

Relocated to Scottsdale from Denver 14 years ago and will never go back. Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. You can go months here without seeing a cloud. To me that is priceless. The cold and gloomy freezing weather in Denver was enough to kill a person. The outdoor life here is incredible.

Myself, I am tired of always needing sunglasses and squinting wherever I go. This person is dead on. Non stop sun but that also comes with non stop heat as well.... I thought that Denver had mild winters compared to other parts of the country. My suggestion would be to try it out for a year...you can always move back, just make sure you have money saved up....

[tolovefromANFIELD]

Wow, all these relocation posts revolve around, how nice/hot is Phoenix.

Don't you all consider other more important factors other than the weather? Like SUN/SNOW put food on your table. It would be very nice to SEE an objective thread on this forum without added "feelings" from either side.

How about quality of schools, accessibility of the public transportation, cultural diversity, restaurants, night life, parks and recreation, quality of jobs, crime etc....I mean the stuff that matters. None of this silly If I don't see snow or feel the oppresive heat I would die a happy man.

Are you all retired, and the weather is the only thing that concerns you or what? Those joints little sore