The real problem with Phoenix weather... (Ajo: job market, school, college)

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Depends on the area. Someone moving to Pearsoll, TX instead of Scottsdale will experience more crime, lower quality of life, etc. Same can be said for those who choose Nogales, AZ instead of Dallas, TX. To generalize and say TX has a "lower quality of life" is rather ridiculous.

Ewww, your back! Give me numbers, give me facts. Don't make me pull out the book on you! Have to run, I'll be back with my book.

Dallas has a much higher crime rate than any Arizona city and Nogales is a safe border town given that Sonora, Mexico is one state in Mexico that is "stable" and not involved in the drug war like Cuidad Juarez (borders El Paso) and Tijuana (borders San Diego).

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

Ewww, your back! Give me numbers, give me facts. Don't make me pull out the book on you! Have to run, I'll be back with my book.

Ok, would you seriously choose Nogales, AZ or Bumblebee, AZ over Dallas, TX? Who would have the lesser quality of life?

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Ok, would you seriously choose Nogales, AZ or Bumblebee, AZ over Dallas, TX? Who would have the lesser quality of life?

Me, heck no, but others have, why bag on them?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

Me, heck no, but others have, why bag on them?

Then dont say AZ has a better quality of life than TX, because thats not true in every case, hence my post. Comprende?

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

Very true, however, I think people move here instead of Texas a.k.a. Taxes because they realize that even though Texas has "similar" jobs, the quality of life there is lower and crime much higher. Also, I think they realize Texas is hot and humid, 90 degrees + with high humidity is much less tolerable.

I personally think it's because AZ is still close to home (for Cali people) and doesn't have that cultural divide that Texas posseses. Let's be honest, Texas may have many nice aspects but a lot of people are apprehensive about moving there because it's an entirely different culture and it's still very southern. Texas actually has a better tax structure in my opinion because they have no state income tax and it's very pro-business.

I agree with you though, the quality of life is better in Phoenix. The weather, cultural and recreational aspects are better in Phoenix. The jobs, education and cost of living is better in the Texas cities. What's more important? Well that depends. I have a great job in Phoenix and wouldn't make more money in any of the Texas big 3 so for me the recreational opportunities make Phoenix a better choice. Most of the criticisms levied on Phoenix can be found in Texas. None of the Texas cities really have that urban feel even if their downtowns are bigger than Phoenix. People complain about the weather in Phoenix but Dallas has a really hot summer (not as bad as Phoenix) and a cold winter. Houston is nearly as hot as Phoenix but has 3 times the humidity. Austin and San Antonio have similar weather patterns to Houston but it's not as hot but still hotter than what people in California prefer. There are no fun cities or large metropolitan areas you can drive to on the weekend aside from their fellow Texas cities. It's also flat in most of the Texas cities. Austin is the only city that has any scenery and it has enough lakes for water activities but Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have no real outdoor recreational activities whereas as Phoenix has Flagstaff, Sholow, and Sedona not to mention the mountains in the city to bike, rock climb or hike.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

I would suggest you read my thread on Skin Cancer since you are quoting sterotypes and false presumptions about skin cancer and the AZ skin cancer rate. The facts are much different. Again, as a physician, I can tell you that one developing skin cancer has much more to do with a person's family history and genetic predisposition (red hair, fair skin) than mere exposure. Melanoma is not a common form of skin cancer. In fact, melanoma only makes up 5% of all skin cancers. Yes, melanoma makes up 75% of all skin cancer deaths but the actual incidence of melanoma is quite low. There are many states that have higher skin cancer rates than Arizona including Minnesota which further supports what I've been saying about an individual's family history and genetic predispositions as being more important than exposure in developing skin cancer. Furthermore, the elevation of an area counts more toward the exposure risk than heat. That's a big misperception among lay people. This is why you can go skiing in Colorado in March when it's 40 degrees outside but get burned to a crisp if you aren't wearing sunscreen. I know people who have climbed mountains in the Andes and Himalayas and a major risk factor is burns.

First, I could not locate your skin cancer thread. If you'd provide a link, I would gladly read it. I'm not disputing your statements about genes & family history. However, being that you're a physician, I'm rather surprised that you're discounting the facts about Arizona and the skin cancer rates. The facts are there: Arizona has the second highest skin cancer rate in the world, behind Australia. Here's one of the links that cites this fact ... and every other documentation on skin cancer that I've seen backs this up.
About Skin Cancer and Melanoma, Patient Education, Skin Cancer, Melanoma, Seattle, Washington < Skin Cancer/ Melanoma (broken link)

Originally Posted by miamiman

The fact is that many people just like to complain. Everyone moved here voluntarily. If the Sun is too intense and you feel like you're going to get skin cancer and start developing skin spots, LEAVE. If you cannot walk your dog without it dancing on the hot pavement, it's probably time to go.

I understand that everyone is here for different purposes and many cannot up and leave. However, if the weather bothers you THAT much, it's probably time to make some difficult decisions. Put up or leave.

One of the issues I have with your statements is that you ASSume everyone moved here from another location ... as you obviously did, stating that you're an ex Floridian. Some of us are natives, and a lot of us live here for more important reasons besides the climate. The other problem is when transplants like you start lecturing to natives and long term residents to move if they don't like the sun or the heat. They are pretty simplistic responses, and rather short sighted!

Furthermore, Phoenix has more to offer than just sunshine (and certainly has the potential to be known for more than just sun & heat) ... although unfortunately, many people still move here for silly reasons such as the climate. Although I was born & raised here, my parents moved here in the 1950s ... and it wasn't for the sunny climate. It was for other reasons, such as jobs and the right to work atmosphere which Arizona has ... and is also a contributor as to why I still live here, being that I'm strongly anti union.

Another thing is that a good share of us natives used to love the heat when we were younger ... but some of us developed health problems along the way which increase our intolerance to heat. That has happened to me, as well as several others I know. There are many factors that play into why a person is less tolerant to sun & heat than the next person. More power to those who thrive in the sun & heat! Let them soak in the sun, burn their skin, and fry their brains. Some of us have career, family, and home here ... the priorities in life.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

Very true, however, I think people move here instead of Texas a.k.a. Taxes because they realize that even though Texas has "similar" jobs, the quality of life there is lower and crime much higher. Also, I think they realize Texas is hot and humid, 90 degrees + with high humidity is much less tolerable.

All ture, all true, at least from my point of view. Let me add that Texas beleives it is a foriegn country...they really do. It feels much like a different country. I lived in Austin, which is supposed to be, according to most Texans, Paridise. The weather was Horrible, the roads...where do I begin, Nevermind, I don't want to get started on the roads.

I think its amazing here. People told me that 110 plus degrees would change my mind. 95 degrees in Texas is sooooo miserable.

I don't understand why people would move there for jobs, the pay, at least for what I do, is about 20k less a year, with less bennies. I don't work for Big Oil, so maybe thats the boat I missed when I lived in Texas.

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

All ture, all true, at least from my point of view. Let me add that Texas beleives it is a foriegn country...they really do. It feels much like a different country. I lived in Austin, which is supposed to be, according to most Texans, Paridise. The weather was Horrible, the roads...where do I begin, Nevermind, I don't want to get started on the roads.

I think its amazing here. People told me that 110 plus degrees would change my mind. 95 degrees in Texas is sooooo miserable.

I don't understand why people would move there for jobs, the pay, at least for what I do, is about 20k less a year, with less bennies. I don't work for Big Oil, so maybe thats the boat I missed when I lived in Texas.

Similar jobs that I found before taking my salary here in Phoenix were at least 30k less a year. Dallas was the closest, paying 22k less a year. I hear lots of stories like our, Phoenix pay is better and that is reflected in Phoenix's median and per capita incomes outpacing other cities.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

Similar jobs that I found before taking my salary here in Phoenix were at least 30k less a year. Dallas was the closest, paying 22k less a year. I hear lots of stories like our, Phoenix pay is better and that is reflected in Phoenix's median and per capita incomes outpacing other cities.

22k and 30k less? less than where?

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

22k and 30k less? less than where?

Texas cities of Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, Atlanta, Miami, and Denver. Chicago was closer paying 12k less, Seattle paid more but the cost of living is astronomically high and I didn't look into Cali cities since I don't want to live in any of them...been there, done that. And my parents own a summer home in the Seattle area, we go there in the summer once in a while. But it still drizzles and is clouldy too often(and I lived there for a long time and wouldn't want to establish myself there).