Denver vs. Phoenix (Scottsdale, Peoria, Flagstaff: condo, crime, buying a house)

[funyon]

Hi, I'm back with a new thread hoping to find out even more info. on our possible relocation to the valley. I was on the Denver forum talking about moving from Denver area to Phoenix area. I was very surprised at some of the responses regarding the two. I have been warned about higher crime, more pollution, less friendly people and a lack of community in Phoenix. I hope there is someone who has moved from Denver to Phoenix and can give me their opinion on the transition. I have been to the Phoenix area and have not experienced any of the negative (we were on vacation). Please tell me like it is--the good, the bad and the ugly. Our pollution is bad here in Denver, is Phoenix worse? As far as crime, we are looking at Surprise, north Peoria or Litchfield Park, does anyone know about the crime in these areas?

[vegaspilgrim]

We've had this exact "versus" thread many times before on both forums, which I've frequently contributed to. Start off by checking these links out:

Denver vs Phoenix
Phoenix Or Denver
Denver Or Phoenix
Arizona vs Colorado
Better Place: Denver or Phoenix?

It all depends which part of Denver you're from, and which part of Phoenix you're moving to. And what your personal interests are-- what do you like to do, what makes you happy? One thing's for sure-- the people are no friendlier or nicer in one metropolitan area or the other as a whole.

The thing with moving from a city like Denver to a city like Phoenix is that once the move is all said and done and the dust finally clears, you're not really gaining anything in the net; it's a lateral move. All you're doing is trading one thing for another. One large sprawling western metropolis with another large sprawling western metropolis. Below freezing temperatures and snowstorms for relentless barbaric heat and monsoon season dust storms. Weeking trips to Mt Evans, Rocky Mountain National Park with weekend trips to Sedona, Catalina Mountains and Flagstaff. I-70 backups, accidents, and closures with I-17 backups, accidents, and closures. Broncos for the Cardinals, Rockies for the Diamondbacks, Avalanche for Coyotes, Nuggets for the Suns. Frontier Airlines with US Airways/America West. Coors with Corona. Green and white license plates with blue and maroon license plates. Different theme, same basic concept. It's all what flavor you personally prefer.

[funyon]

You are right--it is one thing for the other and you need to do what is best for your personal taste. I would pretty much trade all the Colorado things for the Phoenix things, with one exception -- the Avalanch.

[sweettearose]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

We've had this exact "versus" thread many times before on both forums, which I've frequently contributed to. Start off by checking these links out:

Denver vs Phoenix
Phoenix Or Denver
Denver Or Phoenix
Arizona vs Colorado
Better Place: Denver or Phoenix?

It all depends which part of Denver you're from, and which part of Phoenix you're moving to. And what your personal interests are-- what do you like to do, what makes you happy? One thing's for sure-- the people are no friendlier or nicer in one metropolitan area or the other as a whole.

The thing with moving from a city like Denver to

a city like Phoenix is that once the move is all said and done and the dust finally clears, you're not really gaining anything in the net; it's a lateral move. All you're doing is trading one thing for another. One large sprawling western metropolis with another large sprawling western metropolis. Below freezing temperatures and snowstorms for relentless barbaric heat and monsoon season dust storms. Weeking trips to Mt Evans, Rocky Mountain National Park with weekend trips to Sedona, Catalina Mountains and Flagstaff. I-70 backups, accidents, and closures with I-17 backups, accidents, and closures. Broncos for the Cardinals, Rockies for the Diamondbacks, Avalanche for Coyotes, Nuggets for the Suns. Frontier Airlines with US Airways/America West. Coors with Corona. Green and white license plates with blue and maroon license plates. Different theme, same basic concept. It's all what flavor you personally prefer.

Monsoon season dust storms? Don't you think you are exaggerating just a tad. Granted, the heat is relentless in the summer but we have never been really affected by monsoons or dust storms the way Denver has been affected by snowstorms. I don't recall our downtown, airport and freeways temporarily closing for 24-48 hours due to a dust storm. It's always amusing to see people drum up criticisms about Phoenix because they don't like the city.

It just depends on what you like. I interviewed for a job in Denver. It certainly had a nicer downtown and more of an urban feel. However, it also felt much more politically and religiously conservative and less diverse. And if you live in Denver, I certainly hope you love it because there are not many places you can really travel to on the weekend since it is isolated. Phoenix has better weather and it's located near the west coast so it is much more laid back and liberal if that's what you like. Even the conservative people in Phoenix are much more left leaning than conservative groups in Colorado and other parts of the country.

[joninaz]

In retrospect, rather than buying a house in AZ several years back, I should have bought a condo both places. Winters in AZ and summers in CO seem a perfect scenario. Both places have great attributes, some similar and some unique (as previously mentioned).

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by sweettearose

Phoenix has better weather and it's located near the west coast so it is much more laid back and liberal if that's what you like. Even the conservative people in Phoenix are much more left leaning than conservative groups in Colorado and other parts of the country.

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.

[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.

[zonababe]

Originally Posted by funyon

You are right--it is one thing for the other and you need to do what is best for your personal taste. I would pretty much trade all the Colorado things for the Phoenix things, with one exception -- the Avalanch.

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

[zonababe]

Doesn't Denver have better public transportation than Phoenix?

[Patrick754]

Originally Posted by zonababe

Doesn't Denver have better public transportation than Phoenix?

yes it does.