Best Thing About Phoenix (Sedona: homes, schools, tile)

[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.

[vegaspilgrim]

Okay, now I'll make another top 10 list as a companion to my top 10 list of negatives in the other thread:

#1 -- Mexican food. Most Mexican restaurants in Phoenix aren't very good, but there are a number of them that are spectucular.
#2 -- Attitude towards newcomers-- people in Phoenix pretty much embrace anybody who moves here without any questions asked. Nobody will look down on you based on where you come from.
#3 -- Freeways-- the most state of the art, smoothest pavement, well designed, well light freeways in the entire United States.
#4 -- Block walls-- at first I totally hated them, but now I love them-- they provide a lot of privacy, hold up much better than wooden fences, and look way better than chain link.
#5 -- Arizona natives. They may be a minority of the population, but people who were born and raised in Arizona and stayed here are pretty cool people IMO.
#6 -- Politics. It can be pretty wacky at times, but AZ has historically been characterized by old-school western "live and let live" moderate conservative attitude-- which is pretty much how I stand. Unfortunately, this seems to be changing. I also happen to think Janet Napolitano is a pretty good governor.
#7 -- The sunsets are pretty nice, especially when you look away towards the backdrop, and for about 3 minutes the sky turns a bright purple color.
#8 -- Old school "ranch style" homes built in the 1950s-70s. At first I used to hate them, now I love them, or at least some of them. While there are always some ugly ducklings, they tend to be better proportioned than newer homes. I think developers should go back to building in that style; red brick homes all around, only difference is I would throw on a tile roof and have slightly higher ceilings.
#9 -- Smell of the desert after a rain.
#10 -- ASU: they offered me a pretty good scholarship, which is why I'm here. That's got to count for something.

[amatrine]

Open skies. I love monsoon season. Sedona is my favorite place anywhere to goto.

[londonbarcelona]

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.

That's because you are a VISITOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Try living here...........

[snowthedirtbub]

I love arizona,

I like the variety of people, the food (mexican) and i have to agree arizona has the best freeways. There are alot of out door activities like hiking, camping, riding quads, plenty of lakes around. One of my favorite things is the sunsets, the sky turns purple and pink, absolutely beautiful. Great views where ever you go (check at arizona highways fantastic magazine). And i love how you can go from the valley, with a desert landscape, to the moutains with a forest landscape in 2 hours.

Thats just some thing.

Maybe i love it because i was born here, and know what things to do.

[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

[ibarrio]

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

[silverbear]

Echo most of VP's reasons. It's amazing how certain things like block walls and mid-century homes have grown on me, too. I like Phoenix natives so much that I married one.

My own reason to add: amazing combination of indoor and outdoor attractions. Phoenix is a city where it's possible to go on a rigorous hike in the morning, go to a first-rate museum in the afternoon, and then have a great dinner in the evening. All of these activities are available in close proximity within Phoenix city limits.

[sablebaby]

I LOVE our sunsets!

I LOVE the mountains that surround the valley.

I like the grid system -- so easy to get somewhere, you always have numerous ways to get to your destination.

I LOVE our winter weather.

I LOVE monsoon season (just not the humidity!).

I really like that our weather is pretty consistent. You never have to worry about the temps going up or down drastically, or if it's going to suddenly rain.

I LOVE how new everything is.

[Sprty]

the fact that you can leave