Thinking about moving to Arizona from Austin, TX.

[driftwoodpoint]

Hey Austin Boy,
Do you know Max Nofziger who was the ex-street flower salesman who ran for major or Austin? I have been reading some things on the Internet about him. I went to college with him and have lost track of him.
If you know him or know someone who knows him
Have him call "Corky"...LOL We went to college together

[driftwoodpoint]

I've never been to Austin but it sounds like a unique area. One of my sons moved to just south of Dallas and I need to go out and visit.

[Mudgie]

[quote=Austin_Boy;4002560]Hi Everyone,

I recently moved from Texas to Arizona. I love it here. The people are great. Very friendly. I lived in Dallas and Houston before moving here. I am very familiar with Austin. While it is hot some of the year, I have never spent so much time outdoors as I do here.

[gregandvicky]

Originally Posted by Austin_Boy

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to get some opinions on Phoenix. I'm currently living in Austin and I've only been here for about a year. I'm thinking about moving to Arizona since I have some family and friends there.

Since I have never been to Arizona I'm wondering if I'm going to like it. Has anyone been to both Austin and Arizona? I would like to hear some opinions on which is nicer for a young family. Which has nicer weather overall?

We moved to the Austin from the suburbs of Phoenix four years ago.

Phoenix is hotter but Austin humidity is horrible.

Houses right now are less in Phoenix.

Property taxes in Phoenix are almost, not quite, 1/3 less than they are in Austin.

The roads and infrastructure are much much better in Arizona than Texas.

We lived in various area in Arizona for 12 years now in Austin area for four years. We just sold our house and leave tuesday back to Arizona.

Overall, Arizona wins. Yes income tax, groceries are less in AZ, overall the cost of living with all added up is less in Arizona and we speak from experience in both places, not a guess not a hunch but from experience.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by gregandvicky

We moved to the Austin from the suburbs of Phoenix four years ago.

Phoenix is hotter but Austin humidity is horrible.

Houses right now are less in Phoenix.

Property taxes in Phoenix are almost, not quite, 1/3 less than they are in Austin.

The roads and infrastructure are much much better in Arizona than Texas.

We lived in various area in Arizona for 12 years now in Austin area for four years. We just sold our house and leave tuesday back to Arizona.

Overall, Arizona wins. Yes income tax, groceries are less in AZ, overall the cost of living with all added up is less in Arizona and we speak from experience in both places, not a guess not a hunch but from experience.

Thanks for posting this. I have my concerns as well about the Austin area as I visited there back in January of this year while wondering how I would feel relocating there. I do love certain parts of Texas and have enjoyed all my visits there, but the property taxes and the humidity (having spent some Summers in Houston I know what it feels like) have me reconsidering locating there. I am planning a return visit this August just to be sure, but input like yours helps me to understand what I may be in for.

[Ezekiel]

Well, I don't live in Phoenix now, but I did live there from 1991-2002. And I moved from Phoenix to Austin, where I live now. Phoenix is hotter, and while people will tell you "It's a dry heat," it's still damn hot. But if you are a runner, you can run in the 87 morning weather in Phoenix and not die, whereas here in Austin, you know that is quite a feat.

People will tell you crime is less in the outlying areas of Gilbert and such, and they're right, but given that all the cities in the metropolitan area just butt right up next to each other and you'll probably spend a lot of time in other areas, things like car break ins and random street crime exceed that of Austin (barring the east side, which you know is largely a pit). I feel safe walking downtown Austin at night, not Phoenix.

If you like outdoors, Arizona is hard to beat. While the greater Phoenix area is huge and sprawling, once you leave it, it's the great wide open. Tons of rugged and beautiful outdoor adventures to be had. It's really hard to beat the combination big city plus wilderness that Arizona offers.

The Sonoran Desert is in my limited and humble experience, one of the most beautiful and enchanting places on Earth.

Jobs are to be found in Phoenix for those with talents and skills. No problems there.

Phoenix and outlying areas are much more conservative than Austin. You know how in Austin you go to Central Market or Whole Foods and see soccer moms with full sleeve tattoos? That isn't going to happen in Phoenix (for all intents and purposes).

Kiss trees goodbye. Saguaro more than make up for them, though.

Car batteries do not last a life time as advertised. A year is pretty typical.

It isn't the south. Don't expect the southern charm factor to be in place. Random conversations and friendships sprung over the contents of your grocery cart won't happen in Phoenix.

Given the opportunity, I would be back in Phoenix in a second. In fact, I am working towards that now.

[lesterjg]

I lived in Western Phoenix (Goodyear) for 10 years. Moved to TAXES, I mean Texas 2 1/2 years ago, and can't wait to move back.Grocerys cheap, property taxes 1/4 of Austin area, for more expensive homes. Keep your hill country, I'll take the worst part of Phoenix, over the best part of Austin anytime. TAXES, I mean Texas sucks.

[gregandvicky]

Originally Posted by lesterjg

I lived in Western Phoenix (Goodyear) for 10 years. Moved to TAXES, I mean Texas 2 1/2 years ago, and can't wait to move back.Grocerys cheap, property taxes 1/4 of Austin area, for more expensive homes. Keep your hill country, I'll take the worst part of Phoenix, over the best part of Austin anytime. TAXES, I mean Texas sucks.

We lived in Goodyear also and moved to TAXES, sorry, I mean Texas. Lived there 4 years.

We just got back to the Maricopa AZ area and wow, what a difference. We feel liked we just got released from jail. Texas does suck, of course unless you like humidity, high property taxes and good ole boys, with every other ad on TV saying Texas.

[goolsbyjazz]

Ok, here we go. I recently moved from Phoenix to Austin and like them both. Austin offers a friendlier climate (you do get the seasons, albeit, not like in the east), people are a little more engaging, there is a lot to do in the city for young families...a lot! And, although it is growing, is still a smaller city so you can get that "home town" feel. It' is located near three of the largest cities in the nation (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio) and, for what it's worth, Texas does have a coast. The biggest knocks against Austin are the property taxes and traffic. Austin's traffic is horrible! Phoenix, on the other hand, is an entirely different beast. It is huge and, in spite of the economic situation, continues to grow. It offers many of your larger city amenities, has a more developed road system than Austin and right now you can get a better deal on a home in the valley. Austin's economy is still humming along and they definitely want to get a good price for the houses. I feel that Phoenix is more open in terms of multicultural families. I see it in Austin, but not nearly as frequently as I do in Phoenix. The knock against Phoenix, to some, may be the extreme heat in the summer. It is no joke! Suburban sprawl and all of its side effects are also an issue here. I did notice more crime in the Phoenix area, but believe that issue is relative to the size of both citites. We like Austin a lot, but for some reason the valley feels more like home to us. Good luck.