Moving to Phx area from WI: Honest Opinion (Phoenix, Glendale: travel, jobs)

[Bossanovawitcha]

Originally Posted by irwin

Again, 80's is hot. No way around it. Maybe to people in Arizona, Saudi Arabia or Iraq 80's is "nice" but to most people in the world, it's hot.

The nights are nice now, but when you hit that sun and it's 80-90 degrees outside, it is hot. Besides, it's November for Pete's sake.

80*, dry, with a nice breeze is not hot. And that's during the middle of the afternoon. Most people do not consider that 'hot'. Heat index is probably 75*. I'd gamble the consensus on 75* is 'warm'.

[sweattea]

Originally Posted by irwin

Again, 80's is hot. No way around it. Maybe to people in Arizona, Saudi Arabia or Iraq 80's is "nice" but to most people in the world, it's hot.

The nights are nice now, but when you hit that sun and it's 80-90 degrees outside, it is hot. Besides, it's November for Pete's sake.

I was sweating in my car today. I thought it was warm.

[cmist]

I would disagree that Chandler / Gilbert are the most family friendly areas.

There are very family friendly areas in North Glendale & North Peoria and they shouldn't be ignored.

The layout of the land in Chandler / Gilbert though is flat gridded out farmland as far as the eye can see, but in North Glendale & North Peoria, you have mountains and just 20 minutes to lake pleasant.

On top of that, all those east valley cities run together and created an unbelievably FLOODED resale market, but the areas in North glendale and North Peoria are a little more confined and create a little more stable situation.

As far as family friendly goes, I have lived in both areas and have 3 children that have been in both school districts. I really didn't find that either area was more family friendly than another. Kyrene Schools compared to Peoria schools was not much different either.

Your decision should be based on where you have to go everyday and not picking Gilbert because someone says incorrectly that its more "family friendly"

Fact of the matter is there is a much higher percentage of Mormons in the east valley, but plenty of other areas are very family friendly even if they aren't predominantly mormon.

[Cin]

Hi, my hubby and I w.kids have lived here forever it seems 17 yrs! One yr....about 7 yrs ago we transfered to Wisconsin...my hubby didn't fit in well with the office there and we came back to AZ...to his original work place. When he flew back from Wisconsin to look at houses he knew we were making a mistake but it was too late and we have tried to make the best of it here but have always known we left a better environment and family place to come to a place that is polluted and overcrowded and too hot for kids in the summer. I don't want to be discouraging...but if it is all because you hate the cold...(those are the only truly happy people I run into)...because that is the driving reason they come here.....It isn't that there aren't decent people...there are...it just is not Wisconsin friendliness. A wierd thing here also is we have one of the highest rates of depression in the U.S...isn't that interesting with all this sun? that being said...if you have visited and feel you like it..you will be fine. Best of luck. Cin

[Bossanovawitcha]

Lots of nice places for families here.

However, Gilbert has consistently been on the 'best places for kids' list nationally the past few years, and thats something most families seem to be looking for (nice place for kids).

Best school district in the Valley. Most families are looking for that as well.

Its also listed as one of the top 25 safest cities in the country. Again, something families tend to look for.

Mist is right tho, there are a lot of nice, family friendly communities out there. Just generalizing by city.

[cmist]

Originally Posted by Bossanovawitcha

Lots of nice places for families here.

However, Gilbert has consistently been on the 'best places for kids' list nationally the past few years, and thats something most families seem to be looking for (nice place for kids).

Best school district in the Valley. Most families are looking for that as well.

Its also listed as one of the top 25 safest cities in the country. Again, something families tend to look for.

Mist is right tho, there are a lot of nice, family friendly communities out there. Just generalizing by city.

I am just curious though, bossanova, any ideas why Gilbert has that ranking? As a long time resident having lived in both areas, I seriously don't understand what makes it one of the "best places for kids"... and NATIONALLY no less???? I don't get it one bit!

Do you have any further information in that article about WHAT specifically the kids there love so much about living there? There are many places in the country with chain stores, tile roofs, and tot lots.

[Bossanovawitcha]

I think the biggest factors are crime (Gilbert is #1 in the Valley and somewhere around #22 in the nation), schools (lots of good districts, but Gilbert PSD right now are generally rated highest, my mother is a teacher in Mesa SD and gets reports for the Valley), parks/libraries (Gilbert has some good ones, of course its not exclusive, so do other cities).

Money's (you can find it at cnn.com) latest 'Best Places To Live' has Gilbert and Scottsdale rated extremely high nationally. Scottsdale is too pricey for middle-class income now, or I'd recommend it (as an AZ native).

The list -

Fort Collins , Colo.
Naperville , Ill.
Sugar Land , Texas
Columbia/Ellicott City, Md.
Cary , N.C.
Overland Park , Kans.
Scottsdale , Ariz.
Boise , Idaho
Fairfield , Conn.
Eden Prairie , Minn.
Plano , Texas
Eagan , Minn.
Olathe , Kans.
West Bloomfield , Mich.
Richardson , Texas
Gilbert , Ariz.
Parsippany-Troy Hills , N.J.
Santa Clarita , Calif.
Carrollton , Texas
Henderson , Nev.
Bellevue , Wash.


If I'm a single guy, I'm leaning towards Tempe/Scottsdale/Biltmore. If you want good schools and want to live closer to Phoenix/Tempe and more cultural activities, Kyrene SD is great, but housing is less affordable. If money isn't an option you can't do much better than Scottsdale for quality of life and amenities. There are plenty of family-friendly communities, but I'm not along in putting Gilbert at the top of the list of family friendly cities in Phoenix..

Of course, now there are more 'unfriendly' areas that I would avoid in Phoenix than there used to be 20 years ago. What disturbs me about AZ is that we leave older areas and move away for the most part in the burbs, instead of fixing up our old neighborhoods (downtown PHX and Biltmore are exceptions) and keeping their charm. I guess this is due to endless land to develop on and loose development restrictions.

[Cin]

I don't totally trust those darn money mag. articles...I mean Mesa was no. 3 for big cities..and I live in mesa....just kinda shocking. Also the crime rate..I don't know. Somebody just got shot in Gilbert walking to work down Warner. I remember when I first bought a home here in Gilbert 12 yrs ago and someone got shot at the atm down the street. The odd thing about shootings here..is they aren't in Phoenix...they are Everywhere. Really odd.

[sweattea]

The layout of the land in Chandler / Gilbert though is flat gridded out farmland as far as the eye can see, but in North Glendale & North Peoria, you have mountains and just 20 minutes to lake pleasant.


We have the Superstition Mountains to the NE of us and the San Tan to the South. Canyon lake is 35 minutes we are not all flat land here in Gilbert. I'm not sure how you missed the mountains here we are surrounded. Gilbert is a family friendly area but not a friendly people area.

Glendale is more down to earth but be careful in what area in Glendale you want to reside. It's true Kyrene school district has nothing on Peoria schools. Peoria is an excellent school district.

[sweattea]

The odd thing about shootings here..is they aren't in Phoenix...they are Everywhere. Really odd.


Very very true statement! Just be careful where ever you are, be aware of your surroundings at all times. I guess like anywhere else.