Where are There Children Playing Outside? Arcadia, Chandler, Desert View or? (Phoenix: appointed, HOA)

[wit-nit]

Where the kids play depends on their age plus I would think that the heat plays a big part in playing outside and in the streets particularly. At least 6+ months of the year the pavement will be burning hot, some days 180 degrees or more. Even the grass gets hot here. You've probably heard about frying an egg on the pavement. Kids will dehydrate quickly and then want to go and sit and play their video games. Traffic can be a danger unless you live on a cul de sac.
Some houses with pools can be a gathering place in the summer where friends will congregate. Many will go to the malls and goof off.
It's a different lifestyle out here in the West compared to NY.

[NYNO]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

Where the kids play depends on their age plus I would think that the heat plays a big part in playing outside and in the streets particularly. At least 6+ months of the year the pavement will be burning hot, some days 180 degrees or more. Even the grass gets hot here. You've probably heard about frying an egg on the pavement. Kids will dehydrate quickly and then want to go and sit and play their video games. Traffic can be a danger unless you live on a cul de sac.
Some houses with pools can be a gathering place in the summer where friends will congregate. Many will go to the malls and goof off.
It's a different lifestyle out here in the West compared to NY.

Have lived in southern Nevada for a long while now so I'm very much acclimated to this heat. Its the additional 5 degrees F that will be the cause of my undoing in the Phoenix summers!

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by NYNO

Have lived in southern Nevada for a long while now so I'm very much acclimated to this heat. Its the additional 5 degrees F that will be the cause of my undoing in the Phoenix summers!

Just curious why are you leaving Las Vegas and moving here if you don't mind sharing?

[NYNO]

Originally Posted by timothyaw

Just curious why are you leaving Las Vegas and moving here if you don't mind sharing?

Sure. While we like a lot of things here the economy is a one-trick-pony. Also, going into 'town' with our kids invariably means visiting a casino. Are there other local things that dont involve going to a casino? Sure. But they're few and far in between. Ideally my kids will grow up in a place that isnt as transient or soley focussed on hospitality. Most everyone who grows up here and doesnt want to work in a casino moves away.

To be clear, there are lots of things we love about LV but as long as your entire economy is reliant on ______ you're going to be beholden to all of the interests of that industry.

I co-founded a gaming company and have been around gambling my entire life. I have nothing against gambling. In fact I love it. I just want my kids to have options.

[Voebe]

It's been my impression that children stopped playing outside with the advent of multiple computers in the house.

[cltindian]

I am in the same boat as the Op, problem is that older neighborhoods such as in Chandler, are a hit or miss. If you have your kids attending a Charter school, then its even harder as their neighborhood kids in public schools probably hang out with friends from the same school/class/grade because their schedules match. The neighborhood you are looking for can be found in new construction where younger families start off, but in areas like Chandler etc those are far and few. Same boat, same struggle here.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by Voebe

It's been my impression that children stopped playing outside with the advent of multiple computers in the house.

There's certainly some parents that do that. My kids are outside most days even if it's 110. They still have video games but as a parent you have to put a limit on that or you'll raise socially awkward kids. With my older son a freshman in high school, they practice baseball and football 6 days a week. Football practice for Fall has already started and he's still in baseball season. I'm sure he has classmates that hide inside though too.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by NYNO

Sure. While we like a lot of things here the economy is a one-trick-pony. Also, going into 'town' with our kids invariably means visiting a casino. Are there other local things that dont involve going to a casino? Sure. But they're few and far in between. Ideally my kids will grow up in a place that isnt as transient or soley focussed on hospitality. Most everyone who grows up here and doesnt want to work in a casino moves away.

To be clear, there are lots of things we love about LV but as long as your entire economy is reliant on ______ you're going to be beholden to all of the interests of that industry.

I co-founded a gaming company and have been around gambling my entire life. I have nothing against gambling. In fact I love it. I just want my kids to have options.

That sums up Las Vegas well and good for you on giving your kids a different viewpoint. Thanks for sharing. You'll find Phoenix a wonderful place for your family.

[PhureeKeeper]

I'm in the Andersen Springs area of Chandler. I'm retired with no kids but all the neighbors with young kids let them play outside in the street. After school and on weekends I often hear kids shouting out "CAR"! That's their way of dodging cars. Makes me cringe every single time I see them running around. We also have miles of greenbelts and 3 playgrounds in the community. Some of the kids will play ball in the greenbelt but most opt to play in the street.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by PhureeKeeper

I'm in the Andersen Springs area of Chandler. I'm retired with no kids but all the neighbors with young kids let them play outside in the street. After school and on weekends I often hear kids shouting out "CAR"! That's their way of dodging cars. Makes me cringe every single time I see them running around. We also have miles of greenbelts and 3 playgrounds in the community. Some of the kids will play ball in the greenbelt but most opt to play in the street.

Sounds logical: green spaces & playgrounds all around, but the kids play in the street instead. It's what I often refer to as "dumbass parenting". If their kids were accidentally struck by a car, the same parents would likely sue the driver of the car. Because after all: vehicles have no business on the street when their precious children are there. It's the same story when somebody's rugrat trespasses onto a neighbor's property & becomes injured: don't dare tell your kid to stay off other people's property. Just sue the property owner!