Denver vs Phoenix (2009-2010!) (loft, schools, quality of life)

[homlish560]

I don't really get into Politics that much but I can't see how either Denver or Phx. would be a place for Liberal people.

If ya want true Liberalism, head farther West to LA or the Bay area!!!!!!!!

I came from LA area and the Liberalism there was tolerable for awhile but I got sick of it after being there for a length of time. With more Liberal areas come higher taxes and more Welfare programs - 2 things I'm really against!!!!!!

I'm a proud Independent and Phx. is just right for my tastes.

[AliveandWell]

Originally Posted by LAnative10

That would be a hard one for me.

As a city, I prefer Denver. However, I hate cold weather, so I think if it came down to it, I would probably choose Phoenix.

Are you sure about that? You are now in Dallas TX which can get cold in the winter. If you hate cold weather, why are you in Dallas? Dallas may not get as cold as New York or Minnesota, but its not warm either.

[miamiman]

Denver and Phoenix do not compare. Move to Denver.

Denver is much more liberal and progressive than Phoenix. In Phoenix, you still have people carrying guns out in the open as though they're perpetual extras in a Clint Eastwood western. Phoenix also has a sizeable Mormon population, which keeps a conservative atmosphere over the entire area.

Denver is a more established city, thus a more genuine urban atmosphere. 95 percent of the city of Phoenix is suburban style development. If you're randomly plopped in a random Phoenix neighborhood, you likely won't know whether you're in Phoenix or one of the suburbs. One poster believes that Phoenix is where Denver was fewer than 20 years ago. Not so. Phoenix is unapologetically suburban, and will remain that way. Denver has been an urban city for more than 100 years.

I believe there is more for children to do in the Denver area with the nearby recreation. Phoenix has a couple of area manmade lakes and there are some ski resorts that receive very unreliable snowfall each winter. Arizona comes in dead last when it comes to education spending for public schools, so that could definitely be a negative. Many residents here see little value in education, and thus complain incessantly about having to fund public schools. There are, however, many good private schools throughout Phoenix.

I truly think that Phoenix is not for you. Denver offers so much more, and will continue to do so.

[synapse]

Originally Posted by miamiman

One poster believes that Phoenix is where Denver was fewer than 20 years ago. Not so. Phoenix is unapologetically suburban, and will remain that way. Denver has been an urban city for more than 100 years.

No it hasn't. Denver's downtown may have remained more of a real downtown than Phoenix's as the city developed - Phoenix's downtown developed, died, and only now is slowly coming back - but Denver's downtown was still in pretty sad shape before the light rail in 1991. The 16th Street Mall had a few good restaurants but was mostly low-end merchandise. Now look at it - it's terrific. The Pavilions, the museums, the library - all of that came after light rail. But honestly, most of Denver is a sprawling suburb just like Phoenix, just smaller - and once you get outside the main downtown, can you really say that Denver proper is any different in terms of its large homes and sprawl than Phoenix? More parks, maybe, sure. A big advantage. But Denver was and is quite suburban too. I happen to prefer Denver, but to say its urban a la Chicago or Seattle isn't correct.

[ninous26]

With all this schooling talk and dead last in education.. This state has A LOT of immigrants... Chinese, Mexican, Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, and many more.. Go figure.

[acrylic]

Originally Posted by ninous26

With all this schooling talk and dead last in education.. This state has A LOT of immigrants... Chinese, Mexican, Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, and many more.. Go figure.

What does that have to do with anything?

And I find it funny that you bring Serbs/Croats/Bosnians into the mix. I doubt there's enough of a sizable population there. (Though I wish there was, my parents would indeed like that.)

[ninous26]

Has to do with new comers from different countries not knowing the English langauge very well.. Phx is a fast paced growing area.. Somewhat illiterate immigrants having their kids in schools not doing so well plays a factor in these low SAT and ACT scores.

[justme02]

Originally Posted by AliveandWell

Are you sure about that? You are now in Dallas TX which can get cold in the winter. If you hate cold weather, why are you in Dallas? Dallas may not get as cold as New York or Minnesota, but its not warm either.

Well I havent lived through a winter here yet, but Ive been here many times in the winter. Its true it can get cold during the winter, but the cold spells are typically short lived and followed by warm spells. My mother grew up in the area and always used to say that winters in North Texas were roller coasters. 3-4 days of cold followed by 3-4 days of mid 70's. Then repeate.

On topic, I actually think very highly of both cities in question. Weather aside, I would probably be happier in Denver because its a little more international than Phoenix, but I do like Arizona a lot.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by ninous26

With all this schooling talk and dead last in education.. This state has A LOT of immigrants... Chinese, Mexican, Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, and many more.. Go figure.

And the 'Hispanic' contingent is fading out with so many Anchor Babies leaving Arizona with their illegal alien parents. Most 'Mexican' Americans speak English fluently.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by AliveandWell

Are you sure about that? You are now in Dallas TX which can get cold in the winter. If you hate cold weather, why are you in Dallas? Dallas may not get as cold as New York or Minnesota, but its not warm either.

Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Dallas, Texas, United States of America

Dallas winters avg. only 10 degrees less than Phx's----------Denver is much colder.

Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Denver, Colorado, United States of America