Someone please explain the appeal of Phoenix... (Glendale: job, home)

[Joss]

I was born in AZ and grew up near Phoenix and in Scottsdale - for my first 30 years or so. Now I've been away for the last 20 and the Valley has changed tremendously in that period.

But, though I love Arizona's geography deeply, I probably wouldn't move back to live there. Just too many people now.

INPHX touches on it above, but I've read a number of posts on this thread and others, and this is a point that seems to be under represented. I don't think you live in Phoenix to enjoy its culture. If you DO live there, you just find the most culture you can and try to be happy about it. For example, Mexican food is one of those things for me.

You live in Phoenix because it is a gateway to ALL the AZ outdoors. There is not another state in the Union that offers the topographic variety and beauty of Arizona. But you will never find this in Phoenix. Phoenix is concrete, asphalt and people. And more people.

Yet there is SOOOO much public land in Arizona that I could walk it the rest of my life and still not see it all. And it is all there for those who just get out into it.

When I moved away, the absence of public land outside Arizona was one of the biggest shocks I received. Arizona, for the most part, is like one huge camp ground. Drive 50 miles out of town, take a side road. Find a place you like and camp and hike. Outside of Arizona - you can't really do this. It's all private land; fenced with no trespassing signs. Eastern and city people seem to have no concept of this difference, unfortunately for them.

My guess is... if you don't enjoy the outdoors... it's not too likely you are going to find Phoenix, or even Arizona hospitable.

[Steel87]

I didn't read any other posts besides for the OP and I will answer them.

summer weather - 110+ degrees is hot no matter how you look at it

Yes, it is hot for 3 months of the year. Rest of the year is mild to warm. 90s really isnt all that bad after you live here for awhile. I prefer 90s to 0/sub-zero weather.

remainder of the year - smog alerts and ozone alerts

Living in the suburbs, we have relatively clean air. Wear sunblock. Takes less than a minute to apply to face and arms. I don't do it all that often but if you are that concerned, take the necessary precautions.

taxes are on the rise as are home prices

Um, if you are worried about housing prices in AZ, I don't know where else you live. Houston and Dallas may be the only 2 remaining major cities with cheaper housing.

jobs don't pay well enough to buy the average priced house

If you have the proper education and experience, you wouldn't have to worry about the low-paying jobs. This all comes down to YOU.
[quotecrime is on the rise and has been for the past decade[/quote]
Comes with living in a large city that attracts thousands of new residents each year. Fortunately, most crimes are not serious ones.

traffic is like LA...just as congested too

Whoever made this comment has never been to LA. I can easily and safely travel anywhere in a speedy manner. There are very few times during the day that I can't go the speed limit if not faster on the freeway. And even more so, the freeway in Phoenix can't compare to that of LA.

Why did I move here? I feel Phoenix was a great place to raise a family. I prefer suburbia over city living. I lived in Chicago, NYC SF and Boston as a young adult and its much more convenient when you are single and don't have a family. Phoenix suburbs have some great schools, Scottsdale in particular. Chaparral High has consistently been named one of the top public schools in the country (being ranked as high as number 68 in 1999.)

The weather is great for the majority of the year. My wife and I particularly enjoy outdoor activities. If you do not like outdoor activities, this is not the city for you.

When we were looking for ap lace to settle down and start family, we basically chose the west for its weather. We crossed off California due to its expensive housing. We like rain, but not that much, so the northwest was eliminated. It really came down to Denver and Phoenix. We liked Denver a lot, its a great city and looks terrific for its size, great sports enthusiasm, etc. But Phoenix trumped it due to many other factors including education, teen sports (particularly swimming and tennis which was better in Phoenix), golfing (my wife and I have a slight obsession), and really the amenities that Denver was lacking such as a wider selection of luxury shopping, upscale dining, Scottsdale had a greater variety of nightlife. Crime rates in these particular Phoenix suburbs are close to nonexistent.

Overall, I love living here very much, as do my children.

[ELOrocks17]

I have lived in Phoenix nearly my whole life. I was born here and with a short stint in Indianapolis, Sacramento, and Jamestown NY, I have always been here. I hate Phoenix, I hate the murderous heat, I hate the people who drive like frickin maniacs on the roads, I hate the Illeagal immigration problem, I hate the fact that it takes over 2 hours to go from one end of the city to the other. I hate the pollution. I hate the fact that it goes 140 days without a drop of rain. And I hate the stupid weather reporters here who constantly whine and complain whenever it does rain.

[ITChick]

Phoenix is great if you currently live in a place like Chicago, where the winters are long and cold. The change of scenery from flat plains to desert can be very appealing.

Based on reading the posts in this forum, I see a pattern emerge from those that say they enjoy living in Phoenix; they are the ones in living in the affluent parts of Scottsdale.

[Azrider]

I love it here. I live in the south-east Scottsdale, not nearly as "affluent" as Paradise Valley and those areas. I spent my first 2 years in Tempe, and that was nice. I chose to move to Scottsdale to get a perspective on a different neighboorhood. I plan to move out of Scottsdale soon, and buy a home, but I havent decided where yet.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by doublet

What part of Charlotte are you moving to? We currently own a bungalow in North Davidson (NODA) Arts District. We bought when the neighborhood was still "in transition" at a reasonable price, and now the house has appreciated to more than twice what we bought it for 6 years ago.

I'm trying to be realistic about the move to the Surprise area and just holding on for 4 years until we can get back. These message boards have me a little anxious and I wish I could find SOME place in the West Valley with decent schools and tolerable levels of crime that could put my mind at ease somewhat. My husband's company will help us with relocation costs, so the main concern is keeping it within a manageable commute time to Surprise. Any suggestions?

Oh hey doublet, I thought I saw you on the NC forum. We are moving to Davidson and oh do I love that place, I can't wait.

I would suggest maybe you look around maybe Union Hills and North of that maybe between 67th and maybe 99th ave. Their seems to be some nice homes up around there. Maybe you want to look into that new Marley Park subdivsion the builders are dying right now maybe you can swing a good deal on a spec home.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by ITChick

Phoenix is great if you currently live in a place like Chicago, where the winters are long and cold. The change of scenery from flat plains to desert can be very appealing.

Based on reading the posts in this forum, I see a pattern emerge from those that say they enjoy living in Phoenix; they are the ones in living in the affluent parts of Scottsdale.

Hey Chick haven't seen you around too much lately. How's the NC trip coming?

You know I don't hate AZ I live in Gilbert and I appreciate the good things here. We do have a lot of good. I guess I get negative because I'm excited to move to NC but if I wans't moving there I's stay right here.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by a1m1700

Hey Chick haven't seen you around too much lately. How's the NC trip coming?

You know I don't hate AZ I live in Gilbert and I appreciate the good things here. We do have a lot of good. I guess I get negative because I'm excited to move to NC but if I wans't moving there I's stay right here.

Hey a1m! Missed ya! I know I haven't been around much. Too busy at work. I'm trying to get this NC thing going already because it's almost September!

I do get your point (above). Having no snow in the winter is a good thing.

I don't want to argue with you (you're too nice), but based on everything I saw, it seemed that the quality of life isn't there for someone who can't afford to live in an affluent area.

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by ITChick

Hey a1m! Missed ya! I know I haven't been around much. Too busy at work. I'm trying to get this NC thing going already because it's almost September!

I do get your point (above). Having no snow in the winter is a good thing.

I don't want to argue with you (you're too nice), but based on everything I saw, it seemed that the quality of life isn't there for someone who can't afford to live in an affluent area.

No arguement there I totally agree with you

[steve22]

Originally Posted by Joss

My guess is... if you don't enjoy the outdoors... it's not too likely you are going to find Phoenix, or even Arizona hospitable.

I love the outdoors, and can't stand Phoenix. Sure, the parks & rec areas like South Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and the McDowell preserve are great, but anymore it's so freakin' crowded at any of those places that you can't even get a parking spot on weekends during the cooler times of the year or hope to enjoy them without battling teeming hordes of people. And again, the heat renders outdoor activities, at least in metro Phoenix, basically impossible to enjoy for half the year. Trying to hike Camelback Mountain, in particular, on any weekend when the temp is below 75 is an absolute exercise in futility. If you have time to take a 2-hour drive, you can head up to Flag, Prescott or Sedona and enjoy the outdoors there, but again everyone else has the same idea on the weekends & there's only one 2-lane interstate going that direction.

Personally, the fantastic scenery and interesting topography are 2 things that I do like about Phoenix. But there's just so much concrete, it's gotten so huge and there's so many people, that it's gotten very tough even to enjoy that aspect of it.

As an avid fan of the outdoors, I would rate Phoenix on the whole better than most east-coast cities for those types of activities (Morgantown, WV and Burlington, VT are 2 east-coast cities off the top of my head that kick Phoenix's tail in that department), but mediocre in comparison to numerous other cities out West. I can name off a couple dozen cities west of the continental divide that have a better overall quality of living with equal, if not better outdoor recreational things to do. And you can enjoy them year-round, unlike here.