My gf hates arizona(phx)... Help! (Phoenix, Scottsdale: lease, home, buy)

[w1ngzer0]

Originally Posted by Bench Warmer

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

I can't help you there, i'm a very paranoid man.

What do people do around here for fun?

Leave the city, go up north and get away from the people.

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?

Nicest place from Phoenix would be east or north of Payson. Cooler, lots of trees, clean air.

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

What did she like in MA? My girlfriend is from Indiana and she loves the sun here. She hated the long cold winters.

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

[jlzpo1]

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

Just moved from Boston this past June. Despite the culture shock of downtown PHoenix being totally DEAD at 9pm on a Saturday, Phoenix and environs hasn't been that bad. I enjoy driving out to the various national parks/monuments in the state, and I enjoy hanging out at the pool in my condo complex in downtown Phoenix.

Accepting that Phoenix is not Boston or any other east coast city, then it's not a bad place- the scenery is great and the sunsets are unsurpassed. However, if you try to compare Phoenix by Boston standard, you and your GF are going to be miserable.

[tkvaz]

it's weird...i couldn't stand it when I moved to phoenix either...also from new england. then one day i woke up and didn't hate it anymore...then a couple months later i realized that i love it!

the day trips and the touristy stuff is fun...but it deosn't make you feel like a local...and that is probably what your girlfriend needs. I'm in the southwest valley...goodyear...so i'm not real familiar with cave creek...but find a small local bar and start going there once a week or maybe a church (don't know what end of the spectrum you two are)...start some sort of a schedule where you integrate yourself into the "locals".

soon enough your gf will start calling herself a phoenician!

good luck!

[military spouse]

I would suggest 2 things:
1. Take a trip to Greer. You will feel like you are in the mountains and it is quite cool up there.
2. Use priceline to get a fantastic resort in Scottsdale and enjoy what is great about PHX. Just sit in the pool and relax. I always feel like I'm on vacation at the resorts around here. It has been about a year since I've pricelined a hotel, but we generally would choose "resort" and offer up to about $80. We typically paid $55-80 per night.

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by military spouse

I would suggest 2 things:
1. Take a trip to Greer. You will feel like you are in the mountains and it is quite cool up there.
2. Use priceline to get a fantastic resort in Scottsdale and enjoy what is great about PHX. Just sit in the pool and relax. I always feel like I'm on vacation at the resorts around here. It has been about a year since I've pricelined a hotel, but we generally would choose "resort" and offer up to about $80. We typically paid $55-80 per night.

You are right about both things. Greer is nice.

My BIL/SIL just stayed at the hotel at Gainey Ranch...not sure of the exact name, it's east of Scttsdl Rd on Double Tree...They paid $79 per night, had a great room and their son had a BLAST at the fantastic pool. I've never seen a pool like that....more like half a dozen pools....one with a sand beach and one had a 3 story water slide. There were lots of 20 somethings having a great time as well as older folks and kids. I use Hotwire and get incredible deals, so if I were looking for a deal I would definately check there. It's kind of a gamble, but I've rarely been disapointed.

Hope the OP considers doing this. If they've been "nose to the grindstone" they need a treat.

[Bench Warmer]

first of all.. Thank you for all the suggestions.. they've been great..

secondly.. what we used to do for fun in massachusetts... when you got a ton of friends, even sitting in a mildew infested basement with a couple of beers, and a deck of cards can be really fun. Stuff like that, I know we can't replace until we start to make friends.. Although, this is exactly a reason why we moved.. This falls under the category of "wasting life" as far as I'm concerned.. It's no different then watching, TV, or sitting on the computer all day... Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sit around with some friends from time to time.. But we were doing this almost every weekend in the winter, or when ever the weather didn't permit other things...

We also like going out bowling, to the movies, to the beach, malls, and we love short road trips...

A short road trip in mass, would be to NH, ME, NY, RI, CT or VT... Our favorite was Montreal, Quebec.. There's no city like Montreal.. Although, that city has seen it's better days.. But still a good time none the less..

Some of the best time's i've had were walking around the Boston Harbor on a summerous night, when weather permitted..

If we were board on a nice day in Mass, we'd drive out to Boston.. Pay the 40$ to park the car somewhere, and just aimlessly walk around looking for something to do.. Before you know it, you've taken the subway to the other side of town, and your at a concert.. or a bar.. Or maybe we decided to watch the first period of the Bruins game at the bar, and then go outside, and buy a couple of tickets off of a desperate scalper looking to cut hiss losses..

A bored night in Boston could always turn into something fun.. for the right price, lol...


I guess what I'm saying is... It was easier to find something to do when you were familiar with the area.. Out here we don't have that luxury.


These are things that we like:
Sports(probably only boston sports.. I've been to a few DBACKS games, and wasn't to interested.. No offence.. but it's impossible to just switch teams..lol)
Nights on the town.
Road trips (anywhere within 7 or 8 hours... we have a San Diego trip planned for next month!)
Day trips ( I take it we should go up north.. We went down to Nogales, Sonora last sunday... Don't go there.. After eating at LA ROCA, I was sick for 2 days... just don't do it.. trust me)
Being outdoors (either of us have ever been hiking or anything like that.. but that's something we'd both love to do.. this is the hobby that we probably need out here.. any trail recommendations would be great!)
Camping (this is probably essential. I think we both need to see a little more green... Maybe even some snow(yuck) in the winter time)
Restaurants (i'm sick of Applebee's, and the cheesecake factory.. Do you guys have anything that isn't exactly nation wide? I know some people think chains are all AZ has to offer.. but that is a Myth.. I know it is)
Theme parks (Are there any theme parks around?)

Pretty much, ANYTHING!


This state has everything Massachusetts has to offer... and then some.. I just want to put together a few weekends in a row of fun.. Open her eyes a little bit..


Thanks for all your help everyone! Keep the suggestions rolling in! Thank you!


-Bob

[Bench Warmer]

Originally Posted by Husker Fan

If you can splurge a little bit take her Sedona for a weekend. It is AMAZING!! A little pricey cause it is a huge tourist area but not a long drive and the scenery is breath taking. The first three years we went to AZ for vacation in March we made a point of staying there at least one night. We stayed at the Southwest Inn which I would also recommend.

We spent a few hours in Sedona the first time we came out here for vacation. We watched the sun rise, on a hot air balloon.. Sedona did look awesome. What else is there to do in Sedona.. Everyone keeps talking about it.. I can't wait to go to Sedona again.. What should I put on the agenda?

[Bench Warmer]

Originally Posted by Elmonellie

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.

Yeah, we are def. looking to get out of QC! I really like Gilbert.. it's a nice town, and it's a little bit closer to the action (compared to QC). I'm looking to buy a house in 12-18 months, if I decide to make this place home.. Another luxury of AZ. In mass, everything is so damn expensive.. I'd never own...


You know, when I was back home in Mass.. I met a guy who used to live out here... he said.. you have to see Cave Creek.. It's awesome.... Well, one day I tried to drive up there to check it out.. I couldn't find nothing but open barren land... My map sucked, and I had no idea where I was going!

Where could I find addresses to the things to see in Cave Creek!? thanks in advance!

[Bench Warmer]

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.

It's no one's fault but our own.. We really haven't been out... The last 6 months of life have consisted of working, coming home, and stayin in.. to dodge the heat, and to save up some cash... but we are back on our feet again... and the temp is going to be dropping soon.. I'm sure we'll meet people our age, with simaler interests.

[MaxPower123]

For restaurants, try Bill Johnson's Big Apple.

http://www.billjohnsons.com/