One Month In (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise: mortgage, transplants, insurance)

[ms.sunshine]

So I’ve been in Phoenix for a month and this is my experience. I’ll sort it by common categories.


Heat

The heat here is more bearable than Florida (where I’ve lived most of my life). Because the humidity is so low, the heat is not suffocating. The heat can be intense when it’s over ~112. The low hundreds are similar to 90s in Florida. I work at an elementary school and have to be outside for recess duty. It gets hot and I sweat even while standing in the shade, but the sweat dries quickly. You don’t stay sticky all day like in Florida. My car windows are not tinted yet and I have tan leather seats. I simply put a thick reflective sunshade in the windshield and pay attention to the direction in which I park. The seats have been warm but not scorching and the steering wheel has never been too hot to touch. When it’s over 110 I would try to avoid getting into a parked car between 1 and 4pm.


Traffic

When I first arrived in Phoenix I was staying in North Scottsdale. I work in what I assume to be central phoenix (~15th Ave. and Camelback). My commute was about 30 minutes. Traffic was dense but definitely not slow. I generally go 10 MPH over the speed limit on the freeway and I had to stay in the right lane because literally EVERYONE was passing me, even in construction zones. So the point is there were a lot of cars on the road but they were all moving at a good pace.

Since this time I’ve moved just 9 minutes from my job so I cannot comment on traffic anymore. The traffic lights seem pretty well coordinated. It seems as if in Scottsdale the left turn signal comes at the end of the cycle while in Phoenix you may get a left turn signal at the beginning of the light cycle or not at all depending on the time of day. Also, left turns are forbidden on some streets at certain times so be careful how you plan your route.

I’ve not noticed any particularly bad driving. You have to pay attention to other driers and bicyclists, just like everywhere else. However, my car insurance with GEICO increased almost $100 just for moving from Jacksonville to Phoenix. I haven’t heard any car horns since I’ve been here. People seem a lot more patient here.


Tickets/ MVD
There are warning signs when cameras are used to enforce traffic laws. People slow down when they are in a camera enforced area. I’ve been told there are no traffic cameras on the 51.

I was driving around town for about 3 weeks with my Florida license plate and had no problems. There are title and registration places all over town. It was definitely worth an extra $20 to go to a private place instead of the government run MVD. There was no line when I went on a Saturday morning. Unfortunately, most of the private agencies do not issue driver’s licenses so I had to go to the MVD the next Saturday and it took FOREVER, at least 2 hours.


Taxes

Taxes are crazy here. There is tax on everything. There are many towns in the Phoenix area and taxes are different in each town. Sales tax is rather high here. It is about 8.3% in Phoenix. There was tax on the activation fee for electricity. The tax is very low on the cable bill. I think there was municipality fee of just over $3 and I have a DVR and internet. I have not received an electricity or water bill yet. The vehicle tax has been thoroughly explained in previous posts so I will not go into detail about that. There is also a tax on rent. My rent tax in Phoenix is 2%.


Neighborhoods

Like I said, I spent some time in North Scottsdale. It was ok, but not quite my flavor and very out of the way. I would probably live there if I worked near there but I’ve had no reason to return since. I might go to Kierland Mall once in a while.

Now I live in the Biltmore area and I love it. I’m single and 25 years old. Everything I want is right here. I found a great townhouse with an attached garage. If the weather was cooler I could walk to the mall, the movie theater, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, multiple restaurants, night clubs, church, and the library. However, driving makes everything easier so I’ll probably still drive. The Biltmore area is also centrally located. There is easy access to the 51 and I can be anywhere in 20-30 minutes. I do not see many children here, but there is an “Excellent” rated school next to my townhouse, so there must be some families around.


Meeting People

I moved out here not knowing anyone. It seems to me that a lot of people move here in a similar state so they are open to meeting new people. I’ve had the most success meeting people by going to events I find out about online. My favorite sites are phxsoul.com and Use the Internet to get off the Internet! - Meetup.com .


Grocery Stores
I’ve only been to Fry’s and Safeway. I prefer Safeway 10 times more. There’s a Basha’s on my way home but it is in a difficult location for the direction I travel.


Weirdest Difference
I have not found any cold tap since I’ve been here. I’m told that it costs too much to bury the water lines deep enough to keep the water cool. It’s weird having to brush my teeth with warm water. I hope it gets better in the winter.

[NytoPhx]

I agree, I just moved here, but have been to south Florida numerous times in the Florida. I would honestly say 110 here is more than or about as comfortable as 90 in Florida. You can't go by the temperature here, it is nowhere near as bad as I thought. It doesn't really bother me until it is well over 110.

[Howard Roark]

I've been away from my Phoenix home most of this summer and return every two weekends. But I keep tabs on the weather (want to know if the airplane is in for a bumpy ride over the northeast part of AZ on my flight from the east coast). This has been a cool summer in Phoenix. Just wanted to warn the original poster!

Last summer I was in Phoenix full time and there was a long string of weeks where the high temperatures were above 112. The monsoon returned to Phoenix with extra power this year and that's what kept the high temperatures down. However you probably felt more humidity this summer than I did last summer!

Sad (for me) but I neglected the care of my car in Phoenix and never tinted my windows. My steering wheel is slightly melted. I just never took the time to get a dashboard protector or windshield cover until this summer. Got a steering wheel cover and I think it looks cool. A reflecting windshield interior cover makes a huge difference in interior car temperatures when you park in the sun. I avoid parking under trees (and lamposts) because of bird droppings.

[Elmonellie]

Good post Ms. Sunshine. Sounds like you are enjoying Phx. The water gets MUCH colder after the summer. You are going to LOVE fall and winter here.

[twiggy]

You've seemed to find your home! Congrats.

[ivanabacowboy]

Heat
It definitely isnt as warm this year. There were many many days over 110' last year-think it broke a record. I dont think there have been that many this year. But if I was a kid in school, I dont think I'd want to be outside playing in the heat-I hope they shade the play areas! Those sun shades for cars are awesome. No, they dont actually keep the car "cool". But they keep it cool enough that you dont get burnt on the seatbelts, and once you turn on the AC it starts to cool much more quickly. If you've only been here a month-wait. The humidity is fairly high now for Phoenix. It will drop a lot once the monsoon ends.

Traffic
Given your reference to Kierland (I live right near Kierland), if you can get all the way to 15th Ave & Camelback in 30 minutes at rush hour that was good. Interesting observation on the left turn signal. I never really noticed but will next time. My car insurance went up about $40 a month moving from Cleveland. But I also went from a Dodge Caliber to a Ford Mustang since I moved my policy to AZ, so that may have something to do with it as well. Both were 2007. The Caliber I bought last June. Drove it until August when the movers took it to haul it out here. Last November, an ARMORED TRUCK rear-ended me by Kierland and totalled it. Thus the also 2007 Mustang....

Tickets/ MVD
Surprised about your comment about the MVD and getting your license. I went to the MVD (Paradise & Scottsdale) and was out of there in about 15 minutes flat, new license in hand. And the place was crowded. I was amazed. In Cleveland it DID take 2 hours. ;-)

Taxes
Florida does not have an income tax if I recall correctly. But they tax absolutely everything else to make up for it. Like the Doc Stamps and Intangible Taxes you have to pay on a mortgage and mortgage note. Sales tax is a bit higher here than in Ohio (I think we were around 7.5%), but there also is no city income tax (which where I lived in Ohio was 2.5%). True the vehicle tax will ding you if you have a more valuable vehicle, but there also are no toll roads (which Florida has a trillion of if I remember correctly last time I was there). I thought the rent tax was weird when I moved here.

Neighborhoods
Glad you like your new home in Biltmore. I love the Kierland area. Different tastes. I am also a bit older than you (early 40s).

Meeting People
Since a lot of people here are transplants from elsewhere, I have found it much easier to meet people. And people seem friendlier and will actually talk to you. Way different than Cleveland where they are more likely to flip you off than say hi.

Grocery Stores
Of the "chains" I prefer Fry's. Tho I do most of my shopping between Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Costco and only do the chains for something I cant find at those stores. Basha's is pretty nice (there is one at Grayhawk) and I will go there occasionally.

Weirdest Difference
LOL! This actually is true. It's not like its "hot hot hot" water that comes out of the tap, but definitely even "cold" is "warm". That's why they make ice cubes. ;-)

[ShaunChgo]

Nice post. I lived in North Phoenix for a while before moving back to Chicago. I visit the Scottsdale area once a year with the hopes of returning for good within another year or two (If my wife/mother-in-law can cut the cord). One of the things I love about Phoenix and it's surrounding burbs are the people whom are very friendly. I like to call Phoenix a "Chicago Suburb" because there are so many of us which is evident when you watch a D'backs/Cubs or Suns/Bulls game.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Traffic
Given your reference to Kierland (I live right near Kierland), if you can get all the way to 15th Ave & Camelback in 30 minutes at rush hour that was good.

Remember guys, it's still summer and the traffic is a LOT lighter during summer. Just wait another couple of weeks.

[ms.sunshine]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Traffic
My car insurance went up about $40 a month moving from Cleveland. But I also went from a Dodge Caliber to a Ford Mustang since I moved my policy to AZ, so that may have something to do with it as well. Both were 2007. The Caliber I bought last June. Drove it until August when the movers took it to haul it out here. Last November, an ARMORED TRUCK rear-ended me by Kierland and totalled it. Thus the also 2007 Mustang....

Tickets/ MVD
Surprised about your comment about the MVD and getting your license. I went to the MVD (Paradise & Scottsdale) and was out of there in about 15 minutes flat, new license in hand. And the place was crowded. I was amazed. In Cleveland it DID take 2 hours. ;-)



Grocery Stores
Of the "chains" I prefer Fry's. Tho I do most of my shopping between Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Costco and only do the chains for something I cant find at those stores. Basha's is pretty nice (there is one at Grayhawk) and I will go there occasionally.

I meant to say my car insuarance premium increased almost $100 per six months.

Did you go to the MVD on a Saturday? It's probably better to go during the week if you can get off work.

I'm looking forward to trying Trader Joes. It's close by and I hear great things about it.

[dbean]

The tap water!!!! Yes, I will also agree, its ALWAYS warm, if not hot!! From NE, I really miss turning on the faucet and getting a COLD drink. Funny that u also mentioned that!!