Forest transplants (Phoenix, Flagstaff, Prescott: 2015, crime, camp)

[popwar]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

You can't see anything in the "lush forest". No geology, no topography, just a piece of the sky. Very dull as it all looks the same. And for at least half the year it is gray/brown, dead and dismal. A little green in the desert landscape goes a long way too. Check out the golf courses in AZ where tees and greens are green but much else is desert landscaped and surrounded by mountains you can see. They are much more attractive than a big grass tract golf course in the lush forest in the midwest.

Theres something about being in the pines with a beautiful creek, with big river boulders covered in moss with some sun shining through.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by popwar

Theres something about being in the pines with a beautiful creek, with big river boulders covered in moss with some sun shining through.

Yup. It's about two hours away from central Phoenix to that scene. But you know what is really cool? Being in a lush riparian habitat in the middle of the desert. Huge sycamores, grasses, wildlife, a cool stream with native minnows in a 200 foot strip running through a harsh landscape of saguaro cacti and mesquite. I'm thinking of Mesquite Creek on the Apache Trail or Poland Creek in the Bradshaw Mountains- both about an hour away. The contrast in the juxtaposed habitats is simply mind-blowing.

[KurtAZ]

I wouldn't exactly call Northern AZ "lush" either. It does have its' redeeming qualities and is a great place to camp (when those "lush forests" are open) but it is still dry for the most part. A few streams and rivers, but those get so crowded and polluted by "visitors" who think it is someone else's job to clean up after them.

[gemstone1]

"But you know what is really cool? Being in a lush riparian habitat in the middle of the desert."....or kayaking that lush desert river....or skiing/fishing on a different desert river....or hiking an over 10,000 foot peak, complete with an alpine lake, all rising from the desert floor....AZ is a land of so many choices, so many things to see and do.

Regards
Gemstone1

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by gemstone1

The desert grows on you.....

I found a little desert on me when I woke up this morning.

[auto camper]

Lush, from the UK, had a 1995 release called Lovelife. The song Ladykillers received airplay on alternative radio stations.

[HTY483]

I'm sick of the desert and the barren treeless landscape. I prefer mountain towns such as Prescott, Flag, Cedar City UT etc...But I am a mountain biker and the desert really does have the best trails if you like the rough stuff. And the sunsets are truly amazing.

I really enjoyed Denver when I lived there. It's far from lush but the grass on the prairie and front range mountains is at least green for a few months out of the year and Denver has lots and lots of trees.

[SK115]

I lived in Scottsdale for several years, before returning to my hometown of Houston.

Houston has large swaths of pine forests in residential areas, as well as oak trees in other areas. I missed the forests and greenery when I lived in Scottsdale.

People from frigid cold climates (Northeast, Midwest, Great Plains) tend to adjust better to Phoenix. They are trading greenery and snow for warm weather. But coming from the South, I liked having greenery AND warm weather.

If I were to live in Phoenix, I would look at more established neighborhoods that were built before xeriscaping became the norm. Some of the older neighborhoods in Phoenix (such as Arcadia) have flood irrigation and are very green with orange groves.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by popwar

Did you "sacrifice" Lush Forest everywhere you look to come to Phoenix? if you did, how has the change been for you? I know there is Lush forest all over Northern Arizona but not in the valley so it's just not the same.

1. There are parts of Phoenix with plenty of trees
2. There is a giant unending pine forest about 1.5 hrs north of the city

[manchurainprez]

Phoenix isnt as desolate as, for some reason, people claim it to be, Vegas ABQ and Tucson are all far more Tree less. Yes you actually have to go out of your way to move to a tree filled neighborhood, IDK why youd move into a desert landscaped subdivision if you dont like desert, I dont like desert landscaping and I have never had a problem at any income moving to a neighborhood with grass and trees. GHASP even trees that lose their leaves.

Most neighborhoods without greenery means people unwilling to shell out to water their plants, so they are cheap or you live in a neighborhood with..."economic disadvantages" lets say













Even in new built neighborhoods

Verrado



Gilbert: