Advice on Surprise / North Peoria ?? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: how much, affordable houses, job market)
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Just goes to show there's something for everyone. I'm a native of Scottsdale/Phoenix, lived there for most of my first 30 years and couldn't wait to get out after that. Loved it growing up, but no longer. I've been in Boulder/Denver for last 2.5 years and much happier. There are definitely nice aspects of AZ/Phx, such as desert sunsets, good restaurants, beautiful winter weather, and finally a halfway decent governor. But, I don't get the family friendly features you speak of unless you are talking specifically about certain developments in Scottsdale or in newer areas that are far removed from original developed areas. The majority of neighborhoods feature few parks, walking trails, etc. And, traffic, pollution, and unrelenting heat are ever-present. There are too many people, and all from different places which removes the sense of community and does make it seem as though people are less friendly there than they used to be. I do have to just add, too, that some of the foliage you speak of is not native to the area, and that landscaping - while it makes things look much nicer and greener - is not natural and creates other problems down the road (i.e., allergies, water usage issues). On the other hand, my parents still live in the house I grew up in and couldn't be happier. Theirs is a rare neighborhood that is closed off to traffic, pleasant, and safe. They are in the older part of Scottsdale which still retains some charm and modesty. But, there's no way that I could afford it or any other areas that shield one from the unpleasant features.
On the other hand, if the heat doesn't bother you, and you're focused on adequate job market, shopping, healthy living, it's definitely do-able. I love CO because I didn't have to give up sunshine to get away from the heat.
Thanks for all the input, I really do appreciate it. We are focusing on the Surprise area or the far North Peoria area. Would like to know what you think about those two areas. Most of the communities we are looking at are master planned communities and do seem to have the parks, trails and all the other things I mentioned. I do not want to be one of the people that made a mistake and want to come back so please continue to give me all the "good, bad, and ugly" regarding the Phoenix area. We are very much warm weather people and that would be the main reason for leaving. We basically shut down in the winter and quite frankly, I get somewhat depressed this time of year. I'm like a new person come summer and tired of shutting down for 5-6 months of the year.
Just goes to show there's something for everyone. I'm a native of Scottsdale/Phoenix, lived there for most of my first 30 years and couldn't wait to get out after that. Loved it growing up, but no longer. I've been in Boulder/Denver for last 2.5 years and much happier. There are definitely nice aspects of AZ/Phx, such as desert sunsets, good restaurants, beautiful winter weather, and finally a halfway decent governor. But, I don't get the family friendly features you speak of unless you are talking specifically about certain developments in Scottsdale or in newer areas that are far removed from original developed areas. The majority of neighborhoods feature few parks, walking trails, etc. And, traffic, pollution, and unrelenting heat are ever-present. There are too many people, and all from different places which removes the sense of community and does make it seem as though people are less friendly there than they used to be. I do have to just add, too, that some of the foliage you speak of is not native to the area, and that landscaping - while it makes things look much nicer and greener - is not natural and creates other problems down the road (i.e., allergies, water usage issues). On the other hand, my parents still live in the house I grew up in and couldn't be happier. Theirs is a rare neighborhood that is closed off to traffic, pleasant, and safe. They are in the older part of Scottsdale which still retains some charm and modesty. But, there's no way that I could afford it or any other areas that shield one from the unpleasant features.
On the other hand, if the heat doesn't bother you, and you're focused on adequate job market, shopping, healthy living, it's definitely do-able. I love CO because I didn't have to give up sunshine to get away from the heat.
Thanks for all the input, I really do appreciate it. We are focusing on the Surprise area or the far North Peoria area. Would like to know what you think about those two areas. Most of the communities we are looking at are master planned communities and do seem to have the parks, trails and all the other things I mentioned. I do not want to be one of the people that made a mistake and want to come back so please continue to give me all the "good, bad, and ugly" regarding the Phoenix area. We are very much warm weather people and that would be the main reason for leaving. We basically shut down in the winter and quite frankly, I get somewhat depressed this time of year. I'm like a new person come summer and tired of shutting down for 5-6 months of the year.
(I am copying my response into this thread after seeing MOD note)
I am less familiar with Surprise than Peoria, as I believe Surprise is a newer town. I have friends who live in Peoria. It is good in that it is a growing area, with affordable houses, and some key draws nearby such as the new stadium and Arizona State University West Campus. I really don't feel informed enough to speak beyond that, though I know that I never got a sense that there were a ton of independently owned stores or restaurants in the area - more so chains and the like. It felt a bit generic, I guess. But, many would say that about where I live in Lafayete (subdivision with houses that look ALL the same!) and for some reason it doesn't bother me here.
I think the fact that the places you are looking into are planned communities and that you really appreciate warm weather means you'll probably be just fine. And, I say that because I think anyone who wouldn't appreciate AZ or Phx area would know as soon as they stepped off the plane. So, I'd be surprised if you'd visited, got a good feeling, then felt differently later. I will say, however, that 'waiting til the sun sets' does not always do much. I agree with the poster who mentioned how urban concrete prevents the cool down that used to come with nighttime (in fact, I recall a stat that it is now on average 11 degrees warmer at night than it used to be years ago before so much development). But, maybe that'd be less an issue in north Phx where you are looking.
Even though I find people in Scottsdale to be rather rude, that is its reputation. I also think some of the rudeness in Phx area is a function of people being frustrated by heat and traffic. I could imagine that newer planned communities with families might not be so bad.
It's always seemed to me that metro Phx has a perfectly healthy job market, so not sure how worried you should be about that. But, then I suppose it's a matter of how much you mind commuting. Phx is a bit behind in its mass transit systems and so most people drive in their cars on increasingly crowded surface streets or freeways.
Anyway, bottom line is that I think people know how they feel about AZ pretty quickly, so I wouldn't worry about feeling hoodwinked if you truly appreciate desert and you're not naive about the everyday realities that metro Phx shares with many other places these days, including San Diego (i.e., traffic, pollution, sprawl).
Note if it's going to be awhile before you decide, you could always try to vacation there this summer. A lot of the nice resorts have nice discounts in summer months (and many locals take advantage of those rates, so you could also maybe bump into people who'd be able to give you more info on AZ living).
[quote=jed0909;2714801](I am copying my response into this thread after seeing MOD note)
I am interested in what the MOD note was? Sometimes I just have to read what everyone is saying. Also how come there are two postings of the same message.
I am either tired or bored to be asking those kind of questions.
Not sure about the double posts. The MOD note was just because our discussion of Phx began in a Colorado thread (about people leaving CO) and I think it got too AZ-oriented so he requested it be moved!
You should give funyon more info on Surprise and Peoria - I know lots about Phx and Scottsdale, but not so much about those suburbs.
We can give you our humble opinion on N.Peoria. I fell in love with this city when we came and stayed while looking for a place to live in AZ 4 years ago. We ended up in Vistancia, which won the award for best master planned community two years in a row. The ammenities and location are fantastic. There are several very nice developments in the foothill areas, one is Sonoran Mountain Ranch up 67th ave. It is a bedroom community and does not have the shopping That we have at Vistancia and Westwing (another nice development). This city is one of the cleanest we have been in. We have had the opportunity to visit Surprise many times and still like it as far as affordability. They are getting new shopping centers and the future growth will be something to consider. The one drawback for us was that it appears to be one big mass of houses and is not as nicely broken up with green space as N. Peoria. Still, it is a great city and should remain on your list. Come and visit.
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