My gf hates arizona(phx)... Help! (Phoenix, Scottsdale: luxury, military, condo)

[movinsomewhere]

We moved here about a year ago, some of the things we've seen/done are:
Sedona
Slide Rock (While we were in Sedona)
Salt River tubing-we had a blast-even with our kids!
Tonto Natural Bridge
Boyce Thompson Arboretum

There is so much to do and a lot of these things are inexpensive. Have fun!!

[YAZ]

Some things my wife & I like to do:

1. Sedona.

Day trips are fun, but we like to spend the night. I can walk around there for a year and a half and still not see everything.

Hint: You don't need a trail pass to walk the trails.

2. Baseball & football games.

Cheap fun ifya work at it. Cardinals tickets are pricey but you'll meet folks from all over while tailgaiting.

3. Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield.

Much more "up close & personal" than the Phoenix Zoo, which is still cool as far as zoos go. The new aquarium should be complete around Christmastime. Honorable mention goes to "Out of Africa" by Camp Verde. Pack a cooler for lunch.

4. Camelback Mountain Hike.

'nuff said. Bring your camera. And water.

5. Dining/Partying in Scottsdale.

Call a cab. You'll be there all night.

6. Rainforest Cafe, AZ Mills Mall.

If your friends/family come out to visit & they have children, THE place to go. We go there to catch a movie & have dinner.

7. Lost Dutchman Park.

A drive for us living in North Central Phoenix, but you're much closer. A neat place to spend the day.

8. Golf.

Everywhere. Check out Golfnow.com. 20 dollars per round is quite common.

9. Tempe Towne Lake.

Lots of stuff to do & see, including outdoor movie night. Pop your own corn & bring your favorite blanket.

10. Cricket Pavillion.

A really cool place to catch your favorite act. Check the concert schedule.

The Glendale Blues & Jazz Festival.

This is my favorite, and it only comes around every April. Nationally renowned bands, with a 'lil bit of local flavor thrown in. Many local acts play at the Rythm Room all of the time. So, ifya like that kinda stuff check out their schedule.

[HollyhockGarden]

Hi -- Welcome to Arizona. My daughter and her boyfriend are living in Tucson and are about the same age. She just graduated from the U of A so she has a few friends from there; he moved down for a new job a year ago. Now that they have moved to a house on the NW side of town, they are away from the college scene so it has been a bit lonely. They have been making friends through the college contacts and work, so far. Also have some friendly next door neighbors. Still, it is lonely. I'm trying to encourage her to attend a church, as there are people at the activites, and doesn't cost much money. Just starting out and renting a house is expensive for them. They enjoy going camping and hiking for recreation. For them, a $300 trip to Sedona, staying in a hotel,would be a LOT of extra money. Usually when they go somewhere, they take the backroads in their Jeep and camp, sometimes with another couple. The Sierra Club has some great activities, there are many volunteer opportunities, and again, try a church or synagoge. It is a great way to meet people in the neighborhood. Also take a walk, get a puppy and go to the dog park. Plant a garden in your front yard. There are lots of nice people out here -- you just have to get out to find them. Good luck!!!

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by Bench Warmer

Hello!

My girlfriend and I moved to Arizona, from Massachusetts about 6 months ago. Both of us were born and raised in Massachusetts. We both loved Boston, and liked a lot about Massachusetts.

We decided to move to Arizona because of the things we didn't like about MA. Astronomical cost of living, Rainy Springs, miserable winters, etc. We moved to Arizona for many reason. The climate, the cost of living, work (i'm an electrician.. Tons of work out here for me. Back home a lot of electricians are out of work), it's proximity to Vegas, LA, San Diego, etc... Plus I really liked how diverse Arizona is. We have everything here except the ocean... and the ocean is only a few hours away anyways!

Well anyways.. for the past 6 months, we haven't really taken advantage of anything Arizona has to offer! It cost us a lot of money moving all of our things out here.. We are finally back on our feet again...

Since we've been here, our lives have consisted of working, and saving our money. We haven't really done much of anything. I think the problem is, it's hard making plans when you literally have no idea where anything is. Also, it kinda sucks that we haven't made any friends yet..

We are 23, and 21.. We've been in Queen Creek since we've been here. Which is another obstacle.. There isn't much going on out here. Anyways, My GF hates this place... And I don't blame her.. So far it hasn't been fun.. But then again, she hasn't even saw the real Arizona.

I need some advice on things to do around here.. Where do people our age usually go out to mingle?

What do people do around here for fun?

What's the nicest part of AZ?? This whole place isn't a desert.. I know we could go up north for a day.... what are your suggestions?

What could I possibly do to have Arizona win her over??

We've got so caught up in our daily grind, we've lost touch of what we actually came out here for.. (more time outside, less time in front of the TV/computer)


I'll appreciate any and all suggestions.. I'm looking for just about anything, state wide.. Thank you very much!



-Bob

You sound like a great person...hope that girl of yours knows that!

Like a few others have said, Queen Creek is not the best place for a 21 & 23 year old. I understand that sometimes you have to do what you have to do...but is there anyway you could move to the Tempe/Scottsdale area? Or even parts of Gilbert are "younger couple" oriented... What is your situation...could you move? I know it's expensive, but I think this would solve a great many of your problems.

Also, do you guys have a hobby? Like bike riding, hiking, bird watching? There are a lot of clubs for this stuff for under 30's. Have you looked into clubs?

Well, here is a cheap thing to do this weekend: Come up to Cave Creek and go to Harold's bar on Fri or Sat night. Gas, plus drinks and dinner will be under $50 and you will laugh a lot and see some real goofy characters. Plus you can walk around the town and maybe go to the biker bar. It's a touristy evening, but cheap and the local color is still pretty vibrant in Cave Creek.

[AZTodd80]

Everyone has mentioned some really great activities, and I'll give a list of some of my favorite things to do.

- Desert Botanical Gardens
- Hiking one of the many mountains around the Valley, South Mountain, Camelback, Squaw Peak
- Mountain Bike Riding - there are tons of trails all over, I like the ones up in Cave Creek a lot.
- Phoenix Zoo or Wildlife World Zoo - Phoenix Zoo is especially cool during Christmas when they have Zoo Lights
- Taliesen West
- There are a ton of different restaurants around town, I always like trying new ones.

[artvandelay]

I'll address this part, as I'm trying to overcome the same thing:

"Also, it kinda sucks that we haven't made any friends yet.."

I have not made many friends here compared to previous locations in the Midwest. Finding places and attractions is one thing, but connecting with people was more important to our family. Unfortunately, mu neighbors are very neighborly where I live. I am friends with 2 neighbors after 2 years, and I'd guess more than that would steal from me if I left something out. This is the biggest difference from the Midwest for me. I'm not incredibly outgoing, but I'm not too reserved either. As someone with normal extroversion, it takes me a bit more effort to meet and connect with people. We've joined a church and Moms and Dads groups, and some are yielding friendships, some not. Maybe the extra effort it takes to meet people is a good thing; everyone can use networking improvement.

Good luck to you.

[rebelcork]

I find the friends part surprising. I guess joining things may be a way to meet people. I find the people in Phoenix to be some of the most friendly around. In fact, this is one of the things that I like so much about the place. Where I live right now, people aren't very friendly at all, and when I compare that to my experiences in AZ it's a huge difference. For example, my wife and I like to do a 45 minute or so walk about 5 days a week. When we do that here it's rare that anyone smiles at you or says hi, even if you say hi, nod or smile at them. When we have gone for walks in Phoenix, the majority of people are nice and friendly. I'd say here we're luck if one in ten does, while in AZ it's more like nine out of ten. That's just one example. We are moving to another city about 15 minutes away and people there seem a bit more friendly, but nothing compared to Phoenix.

[sassieb75]

Are you renting or did you buy a home when you moved here??? If you are renting, I'd suggest moving closer to phoenix when your lease is up. I would never live out in QC but you probably didn't know any better having not ever lived here before. Give yourself a couple of years one you move away from QC. It really does take awhile to get adjusted to AZ life. We moved here from california back in 2001 and I hated the first 5 years...now it's home to me. I could not imagine lving anywhere else (right now)...good luck!

[j760]

Get a new girlfriend?

Kidding of course.

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by rebelcork

I find the friends part surprising. I guess joining things may be a way to meet people. I find the people in Phoenix to be some of the most friendly around. In fact, this is one of the things that I like so much about the place. Where I live right now, people aren't very friendly at all, and when I compare that to my experiences in AZ it's a huge difference. For example, my wife and I like to do a 45 minute or so walk about 5 days a week. When we do that here it's rare that anyone smiles at you or says hi, even if you say hi, nod or smile at them. When we have gone for walks in Phoenix, the majority of people are nice and friendly. I'd say here we're luck if one in ten does, while in AZ it's more like nine out of ten. That's just one example. We are moving to another city about 15 minutes away and people there seem a bit more friendly, but nothing compared to Phoenix.

I've heard so much variation of neighbor relations. With Queen Creek and other new, affordable developments, it's hit or miss. You may have lots of young families eager to build neighborhood relations, or people who are shady, borderline mortgage-worthy, and don't really know how to respectfully live in close proximity to others. In my experience, affordable houses + questionable school district = the shady and disrespectful neighbors. Sometimes the new neighborhood thrives with infrastructure and money influx, other times it peters out after 3 years from foreclosures, high renter %, and a few bad seeds driving off the good seeds.