Is it really Hell.... Should I move to Phoenix? (housing, rent)

[a1m1700]

Originally Posted by steve22

You can't exactly ignore culture or history when you never really had much to begin with. It is sad to see the desert disappear, not only because of the ugly generic strip-mall-and-stucco sprawl it's being replaced with, but also because it does destroy whatever chance of character this place might have had. Pave over the desert and replace all the native vegetation with grass, and you've basically got any-suburb U.S.A. in all directions with no visual distinction whatsoever, other than palm trees. And, of course, extremely hot weather. I find the design of Tucson to be a much better-thought-out and conservative approach, and not coincidentally a place with much more character & genuine southwestern cultural appeal. There, the city is built into the desert rather than paved over it. It creates a much more organic feeling rather than the artificial, generic vibe of Phoenix.

Here's an idea: anyone interested in visiting Phoenix to check it out for themselves before moving for employment, retirement, etc.: here's an alternative idea that will surely save you money on a plane ticket and accomplish the same effect. Let your car sit in the sun for awhile on the hottest day of summer, until the temperature inside reaches 115 degrees or so. Now sit inside of it for a good 10 minutes. There-you've now experienced what Phoenix feels like every day for 5 months a year. Next, drive to the nearest mall, go inside & walk around. Then, go outside the mall to the Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chili's, Outback, or whatever other generic chain restaurant is immediately adjacent. Have a meal there. Next, if you have any nearby recently-built planned-type residential communities- which will probably not be far away, if you're at a mall. You know the type, you can usually see from the highway in anysuburb, U.S.A. with the 3000-sq-ft McMansions that all look the same, built within the past 5 years. Drive in, and drive around. Imagine that they all have a stucco facade, rather than vinyl wood-subsitute or whatever other cheap material they happen to use wherever you are.

So, now that you've done all that- congrats!! You've just visited Phoenix without ever leaving your own city/suburb. Seem like paradise to you? Well, maybe you'd be someone who would like it here. And if that's true, then you and I definitely have nothing in common. Thank God.

Now this one gets my vote, very well thought out. Very true

[SpeedyAZ]

So, now that you've done all that- congrats!! You've just visited Phoenix without ever leaving your own city/suburb. Seem like paradise to you? Well, maybe you'd be someone who would like it here. And if that's true, then you and I definitely have nothing in common.

Thank you very much, I agree with everything you just said for once! I like the suburb-type of lifestyle, it's comfortable and relaxing. I LOVE traveling to cities like San Fran, Miami, NYC, L.A., D.C., etc but I happily call Phoenix home.

[irwin]

I would hardly consider LA a real city.

In fact, there’s really not much of a difference between LA and Phoenix except for the beach and Hollywood. Also, LA has a cosmopolitan atmosphere that Phoenix will never have, but they are both basically collections of suburbs.

[mhogan10010]

If you haven't read the book by David Brooks, On Paradise Drive, you really should.
I speaks so clearly to this topic and gives perspective and context to what is happening and in America has always happened.

[jenlyn]

Steve22, thanks for the info..Ive heard the same thing from many who have lived there. Just saw a friend of mine who moved here a year ago from Massachusetts..they are putting in for a transfer to Denver.
We are heading there Friday..Im so excited. My kids are still young, 4 and 6yrs old..but my 6yr old remembers the snow in NJ and asks all the time "Why did God make it so hot here!" "Why cant it snow?"
So, Im sure he wouldnt mind moving from Phoenix..just not my cup of tea..But, obviously it is for many people bc they are still building more and more stucco homes right on top of each other!
I hope you get a transfer soon from your job so you can get out of Phoenix too!
I don't want to just rag on Phoenix but it is my honest opinion and I wish I had heard more of the Negatives prior to moving here especially from the Northeast..it is such a culture shock to move here..and many people Ive met from there, who just moved here...really like it..but then there are those like me...who have been here for over 3 yrs..who are like..OK..its time to move on now.It feels like you are on vacation for the first winter you are here since the weather is so nice..but that wore off for me. I do love the community I live in..So, if any of you still want to move to the area..Anthem is a masterplanned community in North Phoenix..however, I 17 is a dreadful 2 lane highway which is the only way in and out of the community. Good luck to everyone!

[klovesdenver]

Hey Steve22- Man, your the greatest. I definatly agree with you on everything - I cant tell you how much I dislike this city- granted I have only been here about a year, but ugg- wish I could move home!

[steve22]

Originally Posted by klovesdenver

Hey Steve22- Man, your the greatest. I definatly agree with you on everything - I cant tell you how much I dislike this city- granted I have only been here about a year, but ugg- wish I could move home!

Great usertag! Maybe I should change mine to stevelovesdenver... that wouldn't be too original, though. I just found Denver to be so much easier a place to connect with. I mean, literally within days of being there, I fell in love with it. And the people there were so laid-back and down-to-earth- lots of midwestern transplants around there who I felt I had lots in common with.
People aren't so obsessed with image and material crap like they are here.

I used to live right near City Park, close to the conglomeration of hospitals next to downtown and not far from 5 points, about Ogden and 23rd St. The area had the reputation of being one of the worst parts of Denver about a decade ago, but I never felt unsafe when I lived there. There were a few unsavory characters and a few houses down the block that were chronically getting police visits, but generally, if you were minding your own business, no one bothered you. And the neighborhoods around there were very old, with that Victorian-style architecture I grew up with in Michigan. It was gentrifying very nicely while I was there, I'm sure it's gotten very nice and yuppified by now.

jenlyn- I'm sure you'll love it. It may surprise you to hear that it doesn't really snow all that much in Denver, and when it does, it generally doesn't stick around too long. The low atmospheric pressure combined with the nearly constant sunshine makes it melt & evaporate pretty quickly. It doesn't stick around for months and make a slushy brown mess like it did back in Michigan.
My ticket's punched back to Colorado, I'll be heading back in a year or so, and looking very much forward to it. If anything, this experience of living here has made me appreciate what I had and gave up.

[wriiter-m]

Originally Posted by prizm

I'm shaking in my shoes. I can't believe how people hate Phoenix.

So here's the deal. I live in Manhattan. Love it This city is sooooo amazing. Don't want to leave, but the almighty dollar calls. Phoenix opportunities are calling. But ****, is it really worth it? I love the culture, people, vibe of New York City. I'm guessing Phoenix is just an incredible hell hole. That is the vibe I'm getting from long time residents.

Just shoot straight. Would I regret every second of living in Phoenix if I moved from NYC? Is there really no culture? Cool areas to live? Is it THAT awful?

-d

We are in Phx area...Mesa to be exact. Came her 5 years ago (5 long years ago) and can not wait to leave. Culture?? That word only exists on a golf course out here. Old Town Scottsdale is fun...lots of small shops and plenty of Native American art....most of it is really good..but pricey! Food...well, be prepared to eat tons of tacos...I had no idea they could be made so many different ways. The real authentic Mexican food is hard to find because most Americans do not like that (which is exactly what we wanted!)..so they have this "Fresh Mex" all over the place.
Kind of reminds me of my old neighbor who made spaghetti with tomato soup..she said it was red and tomato so what's the problem? Oh well, think twice, visit 3 times and find a place where 110+ degrees is not the norm for jJuly or August.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by steve22

Great usertag! Maybe I should change mine to stevelovesdenver... that wouldn't be too original, though. I just found Denver to be so much easier a place to connect with. I mean, literally within days of being there, I fell in love with it. And the people there were so laid-back and down-to-earth- lots of midwestern transplants around there who I felt I had lots in common with.
People aren't so obsessed with image and material crap like they are here.

I used to live right near City Park, close to the conglomeration of hospitals next to downtown and not far from 5 points, about Ogden and 23rd St. The area had the reputation of being one of the worst parts of Denver about a decade ago, but I never felt unsafe when I lived there. There were a few unsavory characters and a few houses down the block that were chronically getting police visits, but generally, if you were minding your own business, no one bothered you. And the neighborhoods around there were very old, with that Victorian-style architecture I grew up with in Michigan. It was gentrifying very nicely while I was there, I'm sure it's gotten very nice and yuppified by now.

jenlyn- I'm sure you'll love it. It may surprise you to hear that it doesn't really snow all that much in Denver, and when it does, it generally doesn't stick around too long. The low atmospheric pressure combined with the nearly constant sunshine makes it melt & evaporate pretty quickly. It doesn't stick around for months and make a slushy brown mess like it did back in Michigan.
My ticket's punched back to Colorado, I'll be heading back in a year or so, and looking very much forward to it. If anything, this experience of living here has made me appreciate what I had and gave up.

I can second what steve22 posted. Colorado is one nice place to be!

I visited in the summer when it hit the 90's, but it was still so nice out that I didn't even bother with using the A/C in the rental car I was driving. I traveled to Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs and even the supposedly bad areas didn't look that bad. The only reason I'm not relocating there is because of the snow. I've had enough of that here in Chicago.

jenlyn, I think you are being smart for visiting first, just to be sure.

[steve22]

Originally Posted by irwin

I would hardly consider LA a real city.

In fact, there’s really not much of a difference between LA and Phoenix except for the beach and Hollywood. Also, LA has a cosmopolitan atmosphere that Phoenix will never have, but they are both basically collections of suburbs.

I'd agree that L.A. has many of the same problems Phoenix has, but does have some pluses in its favor, despite being more expensive and overpopulated. As far as the so-called cosmopolitan atmosphere, or "scene", you do get that center-of-the-universe vibe living in L.A., same as you do in N.Y. The presence of Hollywood, with all of its cheesy overblown hype & publicity, does give it quite a bit more character than Phoenix. And of course, there's the beach and the great year-round weather. Those are both huge huge advantages over Phoenix. And with the beach, you get some very cool communities along the waterfront that make for some nice (albeit expensive) cultural enclaves- like Santa Monica, Venice, and Manhattan Beach. You won't find anything remotely as fun or interesting as those places in Phoenix.