Mid-decade census counts show population surge in 7 Phoenix-area cities (rent, job transfer)

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by autism360

A great man once said one of the great things about America if you do not like like the policies of a state you can move elsewhere.
However if all the liberal/progressive/socialists move to conservative states and turn them into liberal states then America will no longer be great.

I don't know about that, I thought that New York offered a better quality of life than AZ does, I moved here for the weather, not for the politics

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by ScottsdaleMark

I don't know that it's inevitable...I don't think you can paint the Hispanic population with a broad brush and just say that they're mostly all going to vote blue forever, which seems to be what everyone is counting on. There are plenty of Hispanic people who don't vote blue now. I know a lot of liberal Arizonans complain about voting turnout rates among AZ minorities, that seems to be a constant refrain on some of the websites I've visited, about how the old white conservatives do nothing but vote and the liberals have a harder time mobilizing their forces to the ballot box. So that may be a factor as well in delaying or preventing the state from turning purple or blue.

I think things are always changing. In a country with our economic and social mobility, people can and do change their views. It wouldn't shock me if we went in EITHER direction, more red or more purple/blue.

Additionally, while much of our influx comes from liberal states like Illinois and California, activity on this board would seem to indicate that many of our migrants from these dark blue states, are in fact conservative "refugees" seeking out a more red place to live. Therefore an influx of Chicagoans...may not in fact be an influx or liberals. At least it certainly isn't if this board is any indication.

Good points. I agree/think we are leaning towards purple more than anything. I think the biggest takeaway is given independents in this state now outrank team red/blue, we technically aren't a red state anymore. Personally I'm glad it's independents taking over the majority, very fitting for AZ I think in many ways. What color is Independent anyways?

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

I've voted in every general election since I've lived here, and almost every single candidate I've voted for has lost. That tells me I'm in the wrong place

If you base a place to live on good honest and competent politicians running a state that serve the people, personally I think you'd have to leave this nation. But given you feel CA is your political nirvana, well, enjoy your version of "political paradise" when you arrive back there.

[AZ_Rookie]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

That "solidly red" is one of the reasons I'm moving to California after tying up loose ends here. I can't stand the right wing politics here in AZ, especially Sheriff Arpaio

Funny - that's a BIG reason I'm moving from CA to AZ.... As long as the two states keep trading like us, things will be fine by me!

[Akonyo]

Originally Posted by raindance maggie

California too!
You wouldn't believe the amount of business being lost in California because of all the preposterous laws and regulations enacted by the legislature and approved by gov. Moonbeam Brown.

Absolutely.

I was recently stationed in CA while in the military. Upon separating, I briefly looked for work there. I had more interviews in the East Valley than I did in all of California. And that's with a few ties in Cali and almost none in Arizona.

[Akonyo]

Originally Posted by AZ_Rookie

Funny - that's a BIG reason I'm moving from CA to AZ.... As long as the two states keep trading like us, things will be fine by me!

Agreed.

After living in liberal hellholes (NY and CA), I'm very happy to be living in a red state.

[Akonyo]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

I don't know about that, I thought that New York offered a better quality of life than AZ does, I moved here for the weather, not for the politics

What the hell?

Where in NY? I lived in NY for almost my entire life. It's awful in just about every way possible, one of the worst states in the country imho.

[cactusland]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

That "solidly red" is one of the reasons I'm moving to California after tying up loose ends here. I can't stand the right wing politics here in AZ, especially Sheriff Arpaio

Sorry it didn't suit you, some of us like it though!

[RJ312]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

That was largely due to the recession. People wanted to move here but couldn't because of the lack of jobs. During 1990-2008, Phoenix outgrew all the Texas cities because we had jobs. We were once ranked the fastest growing city in America for jobs...#1 not just population growth.

Once our job market improves, people will move back. The appeal of Phoenix is that it is has the west coast California culture, geography and weather with the fiscal conservative govt of the southern states like Texas. Texas is still very much southern in terms of it's culture and a lot of people who move there from the coasts ultimately don't like it or try to move when they can.

The jobs that were there during 1990-2008 were not that great. Phoenix lacks Fortune 500 Headquarters, when it is compared to cities of similar sizes. Dallas and Houston are better bets for higher quality jobs.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by Akonyo

What the hell?

Where in NY? I lived in NY for almost my entire life. It's awful in just about every way possible, one of the worst states in the country imho.

I lived in Rochester, Upstate. Other than the horrible weather, everything else was great. Most people I knew actually made real money, not $12/hr, since NY still has private sector unions and is not a right to work state. You actually got something in the way of gov't services for all the taxes you paid, more holidays than here in AZ (due to large Catholic and Jewish populations), heck back when I worked construction 8 years ago, I worked with a guy twice my age who was also from Rochester originally, and he was union, but still made only 60% in Phoenix what he made back in Rochester. And best of all, you didn't have the gaggle of right wing politicians in Albany like you have down at 17th Ave&Washington here. There are some republicans in the state legislature there, but a NY Republican is like an AZ independent at worst

[Akonyo]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

I lived in Rochester, Upstate. Other than the horrible weather, everything else was great. Most people I knew actually made real money, not $12/hr, since NY still has private sector unions and is not a right to work state. You actually got something in the way of gov't services for all the taxes you paid, more holidays than here in AZ (due to large Catholic and Jewish populations), heck back when I worked construction 8 years ago, I worked with a guy twice my age who was also from Rochester originally, and he was union, but still made only 60% in Phoenix what he made back in Rochester. And best of all, you didn't have the gaggle of right wing politicians in Albany like you have down at 17th Ave&Washington here. There are some republicans in the state legislature there, but a NY Republican is like an AZ independent at worst

Fair enough.

Sorry for the rude response. I was taken aback by the thought of someone saying that they like NY more than AZ, but I understand now.

I'm from Long Island, quite possibly the worst place in the US. It's overcrowded and ugly. Prices are so high for everything, you'd think that it's Manhattan. There are not many jobs even in my sector (health care) and the jobs that do exist are typically sketchy, at best. The people are rude and obnoxious. There's a massive drug problem and many of my friends from high school died from heroin overdoses. I didn't understand how truly bad that place is until I joined the military and relocated to another state for a few years.

I have been upstate a few times (not to Rochester, but to the Syracuse area) and I do agree that it is definitely different up there. Like you say, if it wasn't so damn cold, it would be a reasonable place to live.

And it's interesting that you say that about politics. I was a registered Republican in NY. I recently registered to vote in AZ as an independent.