City parallels between the East and West Valley (Phoenix, Mesa: homes, employment)

[Pink Jazz]

If anyone remembers, I previously made a thread about how I think Peoria is the Gilbert of the West Valley, however, there was quite a bit of disagreement. So, what would you think is the biggest city parallel between the East and West Valley?

For me, the two cities in the East and West Valley that are most similar to each other are Mesa and Glendale, respectively. Both are relatively established suburbs that are somewhat urban (though less than Phoenix or Tempe), and both contain a mixture of desirable and undesirable areas.

What does anyone here think?

[SageCats]

I'd say Tempe is unique... None like Tempe in the West Valley.
What would the Scottsdale of the West Valley be? Vistancia (in terms of nice looking homes?) or not really?

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

If anyone remembers, I previously made a thread about how I think Peoria is the Gilbert of the West Valley, however, there was quite a bit of disagreement. So, what would you think is the biggest city parallel between the East and West Valley?

For me, the two cities in the East and West Valley that are most similar to each other are Mesa and Glendale, respectively. Both are relatively established suburbs that are somewhat urban (though less than Phoenix or Tempe), and both contain a mixture of desirable and undesirable areas.

What does anyone here think?

Why do this again? The earlier thread http://www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...st-valley.html ended up being the same discussion you are asking for now, as other cities entered into the discussion. So people disagreed with you-- that's what happens on forums.


I think you will find, again, that most people do not care which cities in the east and west valleys are most alike, and probably haven't given it a thought. As one of the posters in the other thread asked, why does a city on one side of the Valley have to have a parallel on the other side? They each stand on their own as Phoenix suburbs.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by observer53

Why do this again? The earlier thread http://www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...st-valley.html ended up being the same discussion you are asking for now, as other cities entered into the discussion. So people disagreed with you-- that's what happens on forums.


I think you will find, again, that most people do not care which cities in the east and west valleys are most alike, and probably haven't given it a thought. As one of the posters in the other thread asked, why does a city on one side of the Valley have to have a parallel on the other side? They each stand on their own as Phoenix suburbs.

I couldn't agree more with this! I enjoy the uniqueness of each city here in the valley and prefer they not all be alike. Are you planning a move? Is that why you posed this question?

[JGMotorsport64]

I guess I could say Glendale and Mesa have some parallels, although IMO Mesa is run significantly better than Glendale is. But both are large bland bloated sububs. Maybe Queen Creek and Surprise/Avondale/Goodyear since both are just sprawl on former farmland.

Peoria is nothing like Gilbert.

WV doesn't have a Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, or Scottsdale. Gilbert is one of the wealthiest cities in the state and resembles a western farm town, Peoria is a collection of senseless newer sprawl over what was really pretty desert. Chandler is a major employment hub, Tempe is more urban than anywhere except Phoenix and Scottsdale is an international Tourist destination.

Likewise, WV has newer and nicer Master Planned Communities that aren't found on the East side because it's an older side of town.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

I guess I could say Glendale and Mesa have some parallels, although IMO Mesa is run significantly better than Glendale is. But both are large bland bloated sububs. Maybe Queen Creek and Surprise/Avondale/Goodyear since both are just sprawl on former farmland.

Peoria is nothing like Gilbert.

WV doesn't have a Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, or Scottsdale. Gilbert is one of the wealthiest cities in the state and resembles a western farm town, Peoria is a collection of senseless newer sprawl over what was really pretty desert. Chandler is a major employment hub, Tempe is more urban than anywhere except Phoenix and Scottsdale is an international Tourist destination.

Likewise, WV has newer and nicer Master Planned Communities that aren't found on the East side because it's an older side of town.

Goodyear is a younger, less developed version of Gilbert (sans Morman influence that Gilbert had in its earlier days). A lot like I remember Gilbert back in the early 90s. Give it twenty years and you won't be able to tell the difference.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Goodyear is a younger, less developed version of Gilbert (sans Morman influence that Gilbert had in its earlier days). A lot like I remember Gilbert back in the early 90s. Give it twenty years and you won't be able to tell the difference.

I'll concede there, Goodyear has great bones for a good city.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

I'm from Surprise and after reading the premise of the thread, I yawned very close to how they yawn in Gilbert.

[PhureeKeeper]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

I'm from Surprise and after reading the premise of the thread, I yawned very close to how they yawn in Gilbert.

Perhaps you have a twin in Gilbert (in a parallel universe).

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

I'm from Surprise and after reading the premise of the thread, I yawned very close to how they yawn in Gilbert.

You have a point, I think. Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale all have some history and a bit of individual character. But the rest - the endless suburbia of the south east valley and the growing suburbia of the far west valley are monotonously similar. I have said before that without GPS if you woke up in Goodyear or Gilbert or Chandler or Surprise and several other 'burbs, you would have no way of knowing where you were from the streetscape, or the array of corner stores and mini-malls.