Seattlelite (ex-South African) moves to Scottsdale (Phoenix, Glendale: house, school, to live in)

[Too much sun]

Hi!
I relocated from Seattle for work in July this year and am having a terribly hard time fitting in. The weather, culture and people, etc. are all very different. I miss the gray skies and wonderful quirkiness of Seattle!! Are there any other Seattlelites or South Africans here who can offer some friendly advice?

Thanks!

[cathyinbothell]

My husband and I live in Bothell and own a place in the Northwest Valley. We are only able to be there for a week or two at a time, maybe 3-4 times a year until we retire. I can imagine that it is kind of a culture shock for you to be there full time, and to be honest, if we are able to, we will always keep our house in Washington as well. BUT, having said that, sometimes I yearn for the sun and blue skies of Phoenix so much that I can't see straight! Day after day of gloom in the fall and winter and dark drippy days have started to wear on me..and I am a native Northwesterner. There is no place more beautiful than the Seattle area on a sunny day...I truly believe that...but those days are few and far between. Phoenix still feels somewhat foreign to us too, but we enjoy getting to know the area, and you will soon find someone from Kirkland or Ballard or Shoreline down there and realize that so many residents of Phoenix are actually from somewhere else. Hang in there!

To sum up...the past two days have been 58-60 degrees and rainy...We will heading your way in two weeks and can't wait!

Cathy

[Too much sun]

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for your vote of confidence! Enjoy your time here.

[fcorrales80]

Hey too much sun,

I know what you are talking about, Phoenix is very different from Seattle and can feel very dull if you don't know the right places to go. I lived and graduated from school in Olympia. I also have lived in Tacoma (Stadium District), and Seattle for the largest amount of time in my life. I am an army brat so I've been everywhere. There isn't anything that reminds me too much of Seattle because even if some things in Phoenix take place in Seattle or the other way around, there is always a uniqueness to things here that you don't forget you're in Phoenix. That being said, I feel as though I "fit" in extremely well here. I don't live in the suburbs and I think that is a HUGE reason why I don't really miss Seattle too much. I love clubbing and going to bars and love the nightlife, so in that respect, Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale offer way more than Seattle ever did. I don't really go to Chandler, Arrowhead, etc. because it is just not my thing and it feels very different from the central city locations of Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale. Even Westgate in Glendale feels a little more "connected" than other suburbs, but it is still a small area. First off, what are your interests and what do you like to do?

[mwwwin]

I've got a colleague that was born and raised in Seattle and lived there until he was 20. He then went to school in CA, worked there for a number of years, then worked in Dallas for a number of years and has been in Scottsdale for the last five years.

He loves it here so much that his folks have a hard time getting him to even go back to WA once a year for a few days for the holidays. He tells everyone to visit him here. Whats not to love about being able to live in a place where most people only hope to visit perhaps once a year!? However, he is a white fellow...

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by Too much sun

Hi!
I relocated from Seattle for work in July this year and am having a terribly hard time fitting in. The weather, culture and people, etc. are all very different. I miss the gray skies and wonderful quirkiness of Seattle!! Are there any other Seattlelites or South Africans here who can offer some friendly advice?

Thanks!

Chanting ***USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA***

[chandler-ana]

Originally Posted by Too much sun

Hi!
I relocated from Seattle for work in July this year and am having a terribly hard time fitting in. The weather, culture and people, etc. are all very different. I miss the gray skies and wonderful quirkiness of Seattle!! Are there any other Seattlelites or South Africans here who can offer some friendly advice?

Thanks!

most of the people in phoenix came from somewhere else.
sounds like you came alone and you're missing the familiarity of friends/family more than the sky.
it is very lonely moving somewhere and not knowing anyone.
alot of us felt just as lost as you do.

the good news is that it gets easier every day and you will make new friends. it takes time but it will happen

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by chandler-ana

most of the people in phoenix came from somewhere else.
sounds like you came alone and you're missing the familiarity of friends/family more than the sky.
it is very lonely moving somewhere and not knowing anyone.
alot of us felt just as lost as you do.

the good news is that it gets easier every day and you will make new friends. it takes time but it will happen

this is what i'd do....if you get lonely, get on your knees, think of me and sing

You are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart