So Cal. vs. Phoenix (home, live in, restaurants)

[Jeff Jarrett]

In Phoenix it can be 80 freaking degrees right smack in the middle of December. If you love your winters to be cold like I do, than avoid Phoenix like the plague. I don't want to be sweating like a pig during the christmas holidays.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by NytoPhx

I agree it is a lot hotter here, but the reality is, especially now many Californians can't live on the coast and live inland in the San Fernando Valley and even Riverside/San Bernardino. The weather in those locations really is not all that different from here, even in the summer. In October the climate has been strikingly similar, and maybe it is 10 degrees warmer here in the height of summer.

I have lived in the SFV: it does get hot but; it is more like 15 degrees cooler on average than here in the summer............which makes a big difference.

[rogetsthesaurus]

I'm curious about San Diego...because it's not too far from Phoenix, perhaps I should drive and visit some time. Some of my colleagues are leaving Phoenix and moving to San Diego at the end of this school year. They love it. Your thoughts?

[antialphabet]

Originally Posted by rogetsthesaurus

I'm curious about San Diego...because it's not too far from Phoenix, perhaps I should drive and visit some time. Some of my colleagues are leaving Phoenix and moving to San Diego at the end of this school year. They love it. Your thoughts?

expensive.

[_Charles_]

Originally Posted by rogetsthesaurus

I'm curious about San Diego...because it's not too far from Phoenix, perhaps I should drive and visit some time. Some of my colleagues are leaving Phoenix and moving to San Diego at the end of this school year. They love it. Your thoughts?

SD is OK but here is the best description I have ever heard:

Mississippi's wages - Beverly Hills cost of living.

Over the last 2+ decades of my life - I have spent a great deal of time in SD. I have had numerous friends move there only to leave later. I can testify the above statement is true.

[zenkonami]

Originally Posted by NytoPhx

I agree with you for the most part, that there is a lot of unneccessary racism against illegal immigrants and they tend to not bother me whatsoever, as I have always lived in close proximity to illegal immigrants, but I do disagree with the prevailing sentiment that "they do jobs that others wouldn't, supporting the economy". Do you feel as if there just wouldn't be any landscapers if there were no illegal immigrants here? In an economy as bad as ours, there are millions of Americans who would do those jobs (ok so for maybe slightly more money), but look at all of the homeless and destitute, many of them would gladly take those jobs. Its not true, Americans are too lazy to do those jobs, give them some money and I'm sure they would.

So where are those Americans now? And where have they been before? If they will do the job for only slightly more money, and presumably do a better job of it, then the market should be reflecting that.

But it isn't. Why don't our homeless and destitute do those jobs? If they are there for the taking, why couldn't they work under the table as well and undercut the illegal immigrants?

As far as the topic goes, there's a lot more to do in Southern California, and a lot more choices in general, but it's a lot more expensive as well. Not sure I like either Phoenix or L.A / Orange / San Diego that much, though I do like the desert. I think outdoors activities are better in Phoenix, despite the heat.

[John23]

Originally Posted by NytoPhx

I agree with you for the most part, that there is a lot of unneccessary racism against illegal immigrants and they tend to not bother me whatsoever, as I have always lived in close proximity to illegal immigrants, but I do disagree with the prevailing sentiment that "they do jobs that others wouldn't, supporting the economy". Do you feel as if there just wouldn't be any landscapers if there were no illegal immigrants here? In an economy as bad as ours, there are millions of Americans who would do those jobs (ok so for maybe slightly more money), but look at all of the homeless and destitute, many of them would gladly take those jobs. Its not true, Americans are too lazy to do those jobs, give them some money and I'm sure they would.

I live in so cal. I think it's an extremely tolerant city to foreigners.

All the suburbs and areas of LA...glendale/armenians, century city/beverly hills persian jews, koreatown, the list is endless of nationalities.

I think it's interesting, in a city of 80 or 100 nationalities, one group (illegals) seem to stand out and get all the heat. When you break the law to get here, bankrupt the state, city, etc, leave trash places, etc. people aren't going to like you...regardless of color.

Racism in so cal, I don't see it. Anyone can go to pretty much any neighborhood and be accepted. Rich, poor, everyone seems to get along.

Phoenix vs LA. The big trade would be traffic/congestion vs the heat. Is it hotter in Phoenix than Vegas?

Vegas/death valley, I've been there in 115 degree heat. Maybe 118 or 20. And outdoor life, but there's outdoor life in so cal.

If I had to choose riverside/san bernadino, or phoenix, I'd pick phoenix. Or SFV, phoenix...probably phoenix. Less traffic/congestion, less $$, how much hotter is it in phoenix vs sfv?

[ArizonaBear]

I have lived in both the San Fernando Valley as well as the Phx area------------it is definitely hotter here. We are talking about 10-15 degrees higher.

That stated: the cost of housing here is is approximately 50% less than a comparable place in the SFV.

[ibarrio]

It is hotter here in Phoenix then it is in the SFV or the Antelope Valley (Palmdale/Lancaster/Mojave)

[Howard Roark]

I live in Phoenix and work in the South Bay (Torrance) part of Los Angeles. I like both places quite a lot. Phoenix is my home away from the hustle and bustle and still has nice restaurants, my favorite sports teams, great winter mountain biking.

LA has more of my favorite things and a place to cool off. I'm a native Californian.

I'm happy in both places.

Originally Posted by Beth G.

I am interested in those of you who have left So. California for Phoenix area.
a) why did you leave?
b) are you happier in Phoenix now?