Best Thing About Phoenix (Tucson, Scottsdale: landscaping, live in, friendly)

[MotleyCrew]

We just returned from Florida and are even more grateful that we did not move there instead of AZ. We hit the Phoenix airport and felt relieved to be home. This is a very clean city and state, and we noticed the difference while touring around Florida again. The HOA's in Florida are still headline news as far as corruption. They have too many HOA's that are assessing the home owners without cause and racking up $50,000 dollar fines. The courts ignore this but have started to make noises about the need in changing the laws. The homeowners are helpless. Insurance is another issue and just as corrupt. The housing market crash is also headline news along with runnaway crime. I love AZ.

[deamgabe]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

We just returned from Florida and are even more grateful that we did not move there instead of AZ. We hit the Phoenix airport and felt relieved to be home. This is a very clean city and state, and we noticed the difference while touring around Florida again. The HOA's in Florida are still headline news as far as corruption. They have too many HOA's that are assessing the home owners without cause and racking up $50,000 dollar fines. The courts ignore this but have started to make noises about the need in changing the laws. The homeowners are helpless. Insurance is another issue and just as corrupt. The housing market crash is also headline news along with runnaway crime. I love AZ.

Thanks for the info.
Florida is one of our options to relocate, besides moving back to AZ.
I'm glad to know our decision was right. The city is indeed very clean, that's one of the things that I like about it too.
I live in UT right now, everyone says it's very nice here but I can't stand the 'small town' atmosphere and the harsh winters in this place.
Can't wait to go back to AZ!

[PhxBarb]

I love the shopping and we have IKEA! And the used furniture stores like L&R in north Phoenix on Bell and 28th. And all the pet fairs. All the pet adoption agencies here. The doggie parks. And the 2 seasons for planting. We can plant flowers NOW and its Feb. I love all the restaurants. I just really hate the HEAT.

[PhxBarb]

OH Yah.....I forgot. I love the casinos!

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by FlyGuy_ca

Seems like people are posting many reasons why the do not like Phoenix. Being that it is the fifth largest city in the country, there must be some reasons why people DO like Phoenix, so I ask..... what do you like about Phoenix?

From my visits to the area here is what we like:

• The weather. Being from Canada and having 6 months of winter with temperatures reaching -40 degrees below zero (yes, that is negative and in farenheit). Having to live in air conditioning for a couple of months out of the year does not seem to be a bad alternative.
• Easy to get around. Yes it is a big city and there is a lot of traffic, but it seems to flow fairly easy.
• Geographic location. Within less than a days drive you can go out to Sonoma, the mountains, Grand Canyon, California, Las Vegas, and Mexico.
• Relatively low cost of living compared with many other major US cities.
• Monty's Restaurant. Great steaks.

Granted I do not live in Phoenix and do not have to worry about schools, summer weather, commuting to work, etc. But overall looking at the big picture Phoenix seems to have many great things to offer.

I like:

1) Weather. Today Chicago is having subzero windchills and it is currently 72 on my deck, where I have a laptop set up permanently from now until next November or so. I work the later hours of the afternoon outdoors, even in summer. Yes it is hot, but it feels nice. I've never had a problem with the heat.

2) Nice roads for the most part

3) Good area, close to many naturally beautiful places. The valley is beautiful, in its own way.

4) Airport and airspace aren't a disaster zone like ORD, ATL, and most of the east coast, but still offers the good direct flights.

5) Lots of things are new, which bothered me at first, but now is very appealing.

6) Winter brings tourists and snowbirds, meaning a somewhat steady economy. Most people are pretty decent.

7) Cost of living isn't bad (I came from DC)

8) Reasonably sane tax structure, doesn't hurt as badly as elsewhere.

9) Property tax is far less than the Midwest or East

10) Best of all... It's not LA.

[Synergy38]

Originally Posted by ibarrio

I love the Thunderstorms. The weather is nice...Sat outside tonight and enjoyed a T-Bone steak and a fine cigar...

Man, that's mind kind of livin!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by 43north87west

I like:

1) Weather. Today Chicago is having subzero windchills and it is currently 72 on my deck, where I have a laptop set up permanently from now until next November or so. I work the later hours of the afternoon outdoors, even in summer. Yes it is hot, but it feels nice. I've never had a problem with the heat

What weather channel are you watching? It was 22 degrees today, with a 5 mph wind. We're still below normal, but by the weekend well be in the lower 40s, back to normal. Been a crazy winter. Oh, and Scottsdale is currently showing 62 degrees. Is your thermometer broken? lol Scottsdale, Arizona (85250) Conditions & Forecast : Weather Underground

My fave things about Phoenix:

1) great Mexican food

2) great highway "murals" (ie along parts of the 101)

3) beautiful spring and fall weather

4) short drives to Mexico, San Diego, Flagstaff, Sedona, Grand Canyon, etc

5) desert preserves

6) desert critters (that you all love to hate)

[fdxboy]

Liberal Gun laws!!!!

[joninaz]

It's Feb and I'm wearing shorts and a T-shirt, on conference calls with coworkers in the midwest and NE getting snowed on. Meanwhile I'm slipping out on bike rides or a trip to the nursery.

Also, I just got back from working in NYC and would spend $30 on a few drinks at a mid-town pub at night. We just went to a patio place in Tempe and for happy hour had a free buffet and $1 drinks. My tab was $3.

And I don't mind seeing members of the other sex also wearing shorts and Ts much of the year

[Lovegun]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

sunsets here are amazing - the variety of climates in such a short area is great as well - people are very open to visitors (exactly the opposite when I moved to MN)

food is good on the higher end

weather is nice

easy to get around

a wide variety of things to do and you can have a pretty private life

cost of living is very good - overall good attitudes

Sorry but everything you said has a catch 22.

My fav thing about Phoenix is the mountains.