Anyone lived in both FLORIDA & Phoenix? (Chandler, Bullhead City: fit in, high crime) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

Tiger Beer · 02-28-2009, 05:41 AM

If so, how would you compare the two?

ArizonaBear · 02-28-2009, 06:31 AM

I have lived in both places.

Suffice to say: despite it being significantly hotter here in Arizona; the much lower humidity makes things bearable here.

About the only part of Az where it is Florida class for heat misery would be places like Bullhead City between its 112F avg summer highs and the humidity from the Colorado River.

Again: for me at least; Arizona wins hands down.

Nanny Goat · 02-28-2009, 07:56 AM

I live on the east coast of Florida. I found Florida heat easier to tolerate because it's 3 months, not 4-5. The humidity is very hard, but there are days, at least, that it cools down--rains and some clouds--to break up the hot summers. By Sept.1, it starts to cool down there.
Here the heat is relentless. It is dry, of course, so in a way it's easier to take. Arizona, overall, however, is much better than Florida. I found Florida to be just too southern for me. The only place I liked was Ft. Lauderdale. Arizona has alot more going for it than there.

Tiger Beer · 02-28-2009, 08:07 AM

Ft. Lauderdale or Broward County was the area I was most interested in...I've driven around parts of FL...and liked many aspects of it, but moreso southern Florida minus Miami.

I'd also love to hear more about differences besides just the weather as well - although it is a regular theme, but curious of all aspects.

Speaking of weather, that is interesting the longer vs shorter heat which is a nice addition to the usual dry vs humid debate.

All that is posted, is interesting however!

Bitofhonee · 02-28-2009, 08:32 AM

I currently live in Florida and lived in the Phoenix area specifically Chandler and Az wins hands down! I have lived in Florida my whole life and I really dont understand what people like so much about it here other then maybe the beach but for me living here my whole life I probably go to the beach about twice a yr if that. I live in the south florida area, the area you are looking into and unless you desire to live in an over populated melting pot of crime and immigrants that are taking over I dont see what there is to love here. I would love to be able to live in Phoenix agian but our jobs are here. Of course there are nice places in Florida but they are north of here. So, unless you have alot of money and can afford to live in a really really nice area I wouldnt reccomend Fl. and dont get me wrong I am fully aware that Phoenix has its high crime as well ( me and my husband both work in law enforcement) but living in Chandler was great for us. Everything is new and nice and well kept unlike FL with overgrown non kept landscaping and old buildings (again unless you live in a nice area). Hope this helps

Nanny Goat · 02-28-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix lady

I live on the east coast of Florida. I found Florida heat easier to tolerate because it's 3 months, not 4-5. The humidity is very hard, but there are days, at least, that it cools down--rains and some clouds--to break up the hot summers. By Sept.1, it starts to cool down there.
Here the heat is relentless. It is dry, of course, so in a way it's easier to take. Arizona, overall, however, is much better than Florida. I found Florida to be just too southern for me. The only place I liked was Ft. Lauderdale. Arizona has alot more going for it than there.

Correction: I lived on the east coast of Fla. I liked Fort Lauderdale (to visit)--it had a good vibe, for lack of a better description. Most of Florida, for me personally, was too southern. Even though people say Florida is just where a bunch of Noreaster's go, I disagree. Florida, esp. smaller/rural areas are very backwards. There's still alot of "bubba talk" and "bible thumpers" for me to like it there.
I never investigated the west coast of Florida, only the east. Miami wasn't my thing either. We have an old friend in Ft. Lauderdale who's lived there his whole life. Crime has risen, but it depends on where you live like everywheres. More drugs in Florida, you would hear that everyday (even from boony town where I lived).
Arizona is more open/tolerant/live and let live attitude.

Tiger Beer · 03-01-2009, 10:50 AM

Some interesting things posted so far.

Drugs ARE something I have no desire to be around - I mean as part of the local culture. That aspect of proximity to Miami seems to scream 'drugs'.

The 'southern' thing I've never really been around. I am attracted to Southern Florida more because your average american seems to dislike it!

buckeyenative01 · 03-01-2009, 08:53 PM

Drugs are inescapable, and we've got blood running thick in the streets of border towns all across the state thanks to the cartels to the point that tourism boards advise against visiting Nogales and Rocky Point (two points of interest for vacationing Arizonans)

As for drugs in South Florida, I've got two words for you: Miami Vice

. As for Florida being in the south, it technically is, but Miami is more in tune with the Caribbean than the Deep South.

Woody7 · 03-01-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckeyenative01

Drugs are inescapable, and we've got blood running thick in the streets of border towns all across the state thanks to the cartels to the point that tourism boards advise against visiting Nogales and Rocky Point (two points of interest for vacationing Arizonans)

As for drugs in South Florida, I've got two words for you: Miami Vice

. As for Florida being in the south, it technically is, but Miami is more in tune with the Caribbean than the Deep South.

How true, South Florida is not Dixie.

caryberry · 03-01-2009, 11:06 PM

While winters in AZ are milder, the summers stink. There is a much more laid-back island attitude in FL that some people find hard to fit into. Both AZ and FL have very tourist and transit populations but the number of towns and cities give you a more diverse choice of places to live. I will not get into the "southern" vs. "Yankee" debate, as I came from the school of not saying anything, if you can't say something nice. The crime and illegal immigration problems are much worse in AZ.

So much so, that my family has decided that we would rather put up with hurricanes than the pollution and dust.

Sometimes you just have to live someplace to really see its beauty and its warts.