Single USAF Male, No Kids- Possible Orders to Luke AFB Jun 2020

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by AZ Manager

Higher than 99% of the other offerings in the valley, maybe you have never been? I know the East valley doesn't have a Yard House south of their Fashion Square location so it is likely you just haven't been to one. I never said Westgate is an "entertainment mecca" considering I was talking about your "giant, sloppy food court" dig. You do know the difference between dining and entertainment right?

You leap to a LOT of bull conclusions, your bias is showing. Maybe, don't talk about stuff you clearly know nothing about?

I’ve been to Yard House before. Actually at Westgate before a hockey game. There’s nothing high end about it whatsoever. If you think that 99% of the valley’s dining options are below that, you’re really missing out on a lot of spectacular places. Sure, I could see how Westgate would seem like a fun place to live near for someone that thinks a generic chain restaurant is higher-end, but based on the OP’s comments, I don’t think that would be his cup of tea.

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

The OP wants “art galleries, museums, scouring for collectible LPs, bar hopping, and seeing live performances”. I don’t see how Westgate’s mediocre, generic offerings would satisfy someone with those interests. Did you read his criteria?

No, you're confused again. All those fall under "central to the cultural things in the valley" which was only one of the needs listed in the original post.

So, that one item you can argue isn't central but Westgate meets all the other criteria and can be argued it even meets that one.

Again, a military member working at Luke AFB is more than likely not going to be happy living in central Phoenix.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

No, you're confused again. All those fall under "central to the cultural things in the valley" which was only one of the needs listed in the original post.

So, that one item you can argue isn't central but Westgate meets all the other criteria and can be argued it even meets that one.

Again, a military member working at Luke AFB is more than likely not going to be happy living in central Phoenix.

Nope, not confused. We seem to agree actually, that Westgate is a poor suggestion given his interests and that it doesn’t meet his criteria. I share some of the OP’s interests and would be miserable living in that area. If he decides to concede on being near his interests in favor of a shorter commute, then sure, but as it’s presently laid out, not a fit.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I’ve been to Yard House before. Actually at Westgate before a hockey game. There’s nothing high end about it whatsoever. If you think that 99% of the valley’s dining options are below that, you’re really missing out on a lot of spectacular places. Sure, I could see how Westgate would seem like a fun place to live near for someone that thinks a generic chain restaurant is higher-end, but based on the OP’s comments, I don’t think that would be his cup of tea.

We agree that that are many locations in the Valley that are one to three levels above Westgate. That's not up for debate. With that said, Westgate spills over into Northern Ave with another 4-5 spots to dine and drink. Some of which have people in their late 20's and early 30's that hangout. Furthermore, if you drive up to Bell, there is another 15 spots to bar hop on the strip.

The reality is those areas beat-up on 9x% of the countries nightlife. It slaughters the area around Luke. Is it as nice as Scottsdale? Nope! It's all relative. Saying that, if you put that much priority on the caliber of bars, it might be time to realign your priorities. You are trying to apply your standards to others. I prefer to be a little more balanced.

Sure, I too definitely prefer the caliber of bars and restaurants in areas around the Willo District, Scottsdale (pretty much everywhere), and downtown. But the Westgate area as a whole (plus spillover) isn't slumming it as you like to suggest. But surely it's a couple levels down. For me at least, the biggest difference can be the caliber of people. Go check out that casino in Westgate. Yicks! It's one reason why we are going to move. There can be a concentration of trashy people in some venues. If I was looking to date someone, I'd be picking nicer hoods "to shop". YMMV.

[Finger Laker]

The casino will draw better when it's built better

I was at Westgate last Friday and it was packed, but nothing really trashy. Mostly middle class people having a night out.

In that area you have a comedy club, piano bar, beer bar, arcade bar

Movie theater

Irish bar, country bar, lounge, brew pub w/games, fat Tuesday, etc

Wise variety of food options from bbq, to crab boil, Korean bbq, Mexican, Greek, pizza, burgers

Desserts from fractured prune, a candy shop, boba/ bubble tea, gelato pops, etc.

Even a cigar shop

Definitely no storage of options to kill a little bit of time, mingle, etc

Then add the events - the are frequently live local bands playing in the fountain park (13 nights in May), frequent bike nights, car shows, fitness nights, etc.

Then mini events like ninja warrior weekend.

Then all the events at the 2 stadiums, I went to the cirque show that was just setup there

Throw in Top Golf which is right there. Then the whole complex at the 101/ northern. The Cabin is popular with singles there.

Go another 10-15 minutes up and you have all the arrowhead options which are plentiful

Then the arrowhead mall, the outlet mall at westgate and Cabelas.

Definitely no shortage of options or things to do there

Regardless of your bias or distaste in marketing

I also definitely gave my opinion on the posters interests and locations and see no need to repeat it - it's not relevant to your mischaracterization

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

The casino will draw better when it's built better

I was at Westgate last Friday and it was packed, but nothing really trashy. Mostly middle class people having a night out.

I agree with your post. But to clarify what I said earlier, I've been in that brand new casino twice. I propose pretty much all of the patrons are broke, look "weathered", >>>50% smoke, >>50% are all tattooed up. To pay a complement, the "nice tooth" joke comes to mind.

You are right, Westgate is full of a wide range of patrons and mostly middle class. Actually, I like being in middle America. But last week for example, I can easily see a different caliber of patrons when I had dinner at The Vig (McCormick Ranch) or lunch at the Zinc Bistro (Kierland area). Personally, I'd like to move away from the jacked up 4x4 type crowd. That means demographically speaking, I need to spend some more money. It seems AZ attracts a unique subset of the middle class. I digress....

I don't have any problem dinning at the Yard House or BJ's or ___________ near Westgate. As I said, 9x% of the USA locations doesn't have it as good as the area around Westgate. I'm talking about places all across the country like the town where I am sitting right now (Lincoln, NE; population 284,000). Somehow, they are getting along just fine without looking down at other people. There is a point where peoples passions are considered pompous. I think some people posting have crossed that line multiple times. As if it is partially rooted in their meaning of life.

Off to MN. Our lakes ice should be out next week and it's time to boat to dinner.

[Finger Laker]

Yeah - I work in Scottsdale and there are some nice places for sure..... There are also a bunch of high price mediocrity

The people can be a different kind of awful as well

Will be interesting to see how the casino develops - I know no one who wants to go there, because it's basically a smokey single room slots hall ..... The existing casino will be a minor part of the final design, I'm not completely positive but they may not actually game in that structure in the final plans

I think if they make it nicer they'll attract nicer - while keeping in mind that casinos will always be a little bit shady

Enjoy your trip - can't argue with time on the water