Like to learn facts about Phoenix living (Tucson, Mesa: house, safe area)

[kathywantstomove]

Hi. My husband and I are planning on moving to warmer/dryer weather and Phoenix keeps coming up the winner but first we'd like to know about your great city. Can anyone help me? I would like to know lots of answers to questions but first of all my question would be, "is Phoenix safe to live in"? Are there better areas than others? My husband would be working downtown so the commute is there for him which he doesn't mind but would like to drive to the light train and go down that way if it's better. What is driving like in Phoenix? Is the city easy to get around be being laid out wisely? Thank you and I would appreciate any facts that you can think about that I didn't ask. Thanks so much.

[texan4me]

Welcome. I am a native Arizonan. Lived in Phoenix for 5 yrs before moving to Seattle. We are also considering a move. I can never get warm here!!!! I long for HEAT and SUN My husband would like to move to his home state of TX so we are in the contemplation stage ...... hmmmmmm....... Where are you moving from??? AZ is definately hot and dry!! If that's what you are looking for you will love it there. That is what has me so concerned about TX.... the humidity (which doesn't exist for the most part in Phoenix). Not sure what area you are looking at moving to but I do believe the light rail system is only located in the downtown area. It is not as if you can live in a suburb of PHX and take it into the city. They just don't have that kind of rail system there. We left when they were building it so...... Like any large city it has its crime. We lived on the west end. Litchfield Park, Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Surprise area. We liked it and never had any problems with house break ins and such. Once my husband had his truck broken into. Tempe, Mesa area always seemed to have shootings and car theft and such on the news, but then again they are bigger cities and college area. Deer Valley area nice too, but FAR from downtown.

Commutes can be a bear! Freeways get packed. Can take an hour to get across the valey during rush hour. However, you can take surface streets to avoid that situation....it was way better for me. I give Phoenix props on how the city is laid out!!! VERY easy to figure out. There is a method to the madness unlike other places. Seattle is crazy for that... we have been here over 2 yrs and I still haven't figured it out. SW SE NW NE N S W ???? Not sure what divides anything here. SOmetimes you use the direction following your street name and sometimes after the number???

I was born and raised in Tucson which is 1 1/2 hr south of Phoenix. That is where my family is. Doesn't get as hot but not as much opportunity there and huge difference in pay

If you would like any more info let me know....

Best of Luck!

[SpeedyAZ]

Phoenix is a great city to live and work in, are there any particular questions you wanted answered? I could go on for an hour describing Phoenix and the surrounding areas but I just don't have that much time.

Is Phoenix Safe? Yes for the most part Phoenix is a safe city, just be smart. Don't walk around with a wad of cash in your hand or drive/walk through certain neighborhoods at night. Lock your doors and I'd advise getting a security system.

Is Phoenix easy to get around? Yes, Phoenix was laid out on a grid pattern and it an easy city to drive in. During PEAK rush hour (7:30-9:30 am) and (4:00-6:00 pm) it can get a bit hairy on the freeway but it's still better than driving in Los Angeles or New York.

If you have any particular questions just ask and we'll be more than happy to help you out.

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by kathywantstomove

Hi. My husband and I are planning on moving to warmer/dryer weather and Phoenix keeps coming up the winner but first we'd like to know about your great city. Can anyone help me? I would like to know lots of answers to questions but first of all my question would be, "is Phoenix safe to live in"? Are there better areas than others? My husband would be working downtown so the commute is there for him which he doesn't mind but would like to drive to the light train and go down that way if it's better. What is driving like in Phoenix? Is the city easy to get around be being laid out wisely? Thank you and I would appreciate any facts that you can think about that I didn't ask. Thanks so much.

I've lived in Tempe, AZ for 31 years now. Moved from Chicago area when I was 23.

Driving at rush hour is a pain. My wife works 15 miles away in the Central Corridor and it takes her any hour each way. With all the new freeways and light rail it is real easy to get around, but there are just a lot of us out there. I'm lucky I work from home.

It reached 104 degrees today, but it is supposed to start cooling off (90's) tomorrow.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by texan4me

Not sure what area you are looking at moving to but I do believe the light rail system is only located in the downtown area. It is not as if you can live in a suburb of PHX and take it into the city. They just don't have that kind of rail system there.

Light rail actually runs 20 miles from the Christown area of Phoenix to the west end of Mesa. It's one of the most ambitious starts to any rail transit system in history. I know people from East Mesa to Arrowhead (north Glendale) who use light rail by either driving or taking an express bus to a light rail station and then hopping on the train for the second half of the journey. I do it myself many days by using the Central/Camelback park-and-ride. While there's certainly lots of opportunity for growth and expansion, the system is viable for commuting to Downtown, Midtown, and Tempe from many parts of the metro area.

[mich0422]

Information regarding traffic will depend a lot on where you are moving from. Compared to some cities you will find it better, some worse.
There are really nice parts of Phoenix and others not so nice. It's a matter of opinon.
Where are you coming from?

[Jucaam]

Phoenix is relatively safe...there are pockets of unsafe areas to stay clear of.

Phoenix is also referred to as "The Valley"....with the West Valley and East Valley.

We're coming into the time of the year with beautiful weather that bring winter visitors from all over...it's very nice until maybe June.

We've just gotten the light-rail (finally!), but generally most people rely on their car for commuting around the Valley. Many crazy drivers on the road...(too many people on their cell phones not paying attention or aggressive drivers tailgating your bumper...etc.)

Phoenix is less than an hour plane ride to Vegas. A 5-6 hour car ride to Anaheim or San Diego. A few hours away from Flagstaff or Sedona (if you want to get out of the Valley for the day or weekend).

The Valley is a "melting pot" of people from many other states...used to be mostly people from the Windy City that moved here.

Citrus trees grow really well here (LOVE the smell of orange blossoms in the spring! And fresh sweet oranges in the winter!)

A house with a swimming pool is a must.

Phoenix tap water tastes AWFUL!

Tinted car windows is a must in the Summer...(and even the rest of the year.)

Currently, jobs are very difficult to find (like anywhere)...but, hopefully, that will change soon.