Phoenix... You will LOVE IT or HATE IT (Peoria, Casa Grande: real estate market, to rent)

[cmist]

If you are considering a move to Phoenix...

You can tell by this forum there isn't alot of middle ground. People either LOVE IT or HATE IT. So understand right now, that you yourself will probably fall into one of these camps when you are able to move here and judge for yourself. So its safe to say... if you don't think you will absolutely LOVE it here, you will probably HATE IT.

I find that most people that love it here are of the following personality type, so if you don't fit this prototype, you will end up hating it.

1. You enjoy predictability and conformity. I say this because most of the city is governed by HOA's and PAD's that patrol areas making sure nothing sticks out. Residents will gladly pay hefty monthly dues to avoid the dreaded "purple house" and to ensure you don't have any RV's or other leisurely items showing above your own backyard fence line. Its considered a privilege to be able to drive down your street and see total conformity. Whats funny to me, is when you build these new homes, builders say they don't allow 2 homes to have the same color scheme, but actually you need a microscope to see the difference between the shades of tan. If this sounds good you will love it here.

Don't get me wrong, you can find neighborhoods without HOA's but they are not as common. Other cities I have been in have the option of moving further out into something more rural with some land, where no one tells you what plants you can have or what color to paint your home. The prices in those areas weren't much more since the pricing was adjusted due to sacrificing a longer drive, and maybe getting a fixer upper, etc.

Out here however, due to the lack of affordable homes built with more than a postage stamp backyard, the demand was really high for properties with a little bit of land. It was actually much more expensive to buy a really funky bad fixer upper, much further out. So, I believe its not as easy as some places to choose a different lifestyle if you don't like cookie cutter living. Things may have changed a little as of late with the total collapse of the real estate market... but I'm not sure.

2. If you absolutely hate rain, snow, seasons and any type of varying weather patterns, this place is for you. This runs along the same lines of loving predictability since the weather is as predictable as the housing. Most of the people in the "I love it here camp" love to discuss how much they hate snow, and how much they LOVE "clean freeways".

If you will enjoy driving clean freeways and discussing your hatred of snow, multi-colored houses and RV's sticking above fence lines... or for added drama maybe some are even parked in a driveway . If this sounds good, you will make ALOT of friends. I recommend you put yourself in the "I WILL LOVE IT HERE" camp and rush out here immediately. Hurry while the prices are as cheap as the dirt they are built on.

Now, I don't hate AZ... just daily living in Phoenix. I'm well aware of all the things "within 2hrs away" However, I don't think they built the actual city of Phoenix with its residents interest at heart. It was stamped out as fast as lightning with total thoughtlessness. Rather than exercising some form of controlled growth which would have given more value to the existing homes, Phoenix allowed its residents to get squeezed for every cent they could. New subdivisions were breaking ground in every corner of the city. To make matters worse, even though there was plenty of land available, builders created false demand by closing off all but 2 lots in the whole subdivision and raffled them off with a lottery system, raising the prices by about $30,000 every weekend. And now... look who tops the charts of the worst real estate markets.

If someone is going to say, everywhere is having a tough time with housing, I know, but we still lead the pack and not by accident.

If someone is going to say, "If you don't like it here, leave" Please, save yourself the breath. I will leave when I can, but until then, since I live in Phoenix, it seems I will have plenty of spare time to share my perspectives on the city.

[yukon]

See, I'm the other way. I LOVE Phoenix. It's the idea of living in ARIZONA that bothers me

Can I move PHX over here to NM?

[cmist]

Originally Posted by yukon

See, I'm the other way. I LOVE Phoenix. It's the idea of living in ARIZONA that bothers me

Can I move PHX over here to NM?

Funny, I might like Phx better too if it was in NM! I much prefer driving up to northern NM than northern AZ... if there is a way to move it there, I'll stay.

[yukon]

Well, that's two of us. How many do you think it will take to move the city?

[Grannysroost]

Cmist...I don't live in Phoenix, nor would I just on personal preferences and I know that at this point in life, I just defend the area in general because most people when they hear AZ think Phoenix...as it is the major city. When we knew we were moving to AZ, we made the decision to be outside Phoenix...We ended up in Casa Grande, but had every intention of going to AZ City due to the HOA and RV issues, being that is what we moved with. We got lucky and found a place to rent to park the puppy (not purple by the way, ...)and we are very content with where we are at right now...1-1/2 acres fenced...full hookups for the RV, and we can do what we want, 45 minutes from Phoenix. Sometimes sanity has to take priorty and this is our sanity...The point is people need to do so some research into housing, areas, cities, towns, etc... Not every cloud is silver-lined, but we need to settle for what works with life's circumstances. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, then we have to deal with it...sometimes later versus sooner. If bitter, it rides on you and makes every day miserable and your end mission harder to achieve. I am saying if something went wrong somewhere, try to make the best of what you have, for you and your family....ya know?

[cmist]

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

Cmist...I don't live in Phoenix, nor would I just on personal preferences and I know that at this point in life, I just defend the area in general because most people when they hear AZ think Phoenix...as it is the major city. When we knew we were moving to AZ, we made the decision to be outside Phoenix...We ended up in Casa Grande, but had every intention of going to AZ City due to the HOA and RV issues, being that is what we moved with. We got lucky and found a place to rent to park the puppy (not purple by the way, ...)and we are very content with where we are at right now...1-1/2 acres fenced...full hookups for the RV, and we can do what we want, 45 minutes from Phoenix. Sometimes sanity has to take priorty and this is our sanity...The point is people need to do so some research into housing, areas, cities, towns, etc... Not every cloud is silver-lined, but we need to settle for what works with life's circumstances. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, then we have to deal with it...sometimes later versus sooner. If bitter, it rides on you and makes every day miserable and your end mission harder to achieve. I am saying if something went wrong somewhere, try to make the best of what you have, for you and your family....ya know?

I agree 100% and understand that bitterness drags you down. I think you made a wise choice picking where you did given your lifestyle, I don't think anything I really said about Phx needs defending. Its actually true and the fact you don't live here with your RV proves that. People would rather see 100% conformity than have to look at your RV popping up from behind your fence (EVEN if you have a TAN ONE!).

As for me, I love people that actually DO things like RV, Boat, Quads, whatever, BUT the value system in Phoenix is largely ANTI-FUN in favor of conformity, predictability, manicured landscapes, and obsessiveness over clean streets. Heck, they even have street cleaners that needlessly go around squirting water on asphalt???!!!

I myself do well here. I have a large home in an upscale neighborhood, built a backyard to die for with pool / spa / built in bbq / fireplace, etc. but thats not enough when the city itself has a mismatched priority system. You are reminded of it everytime you wake up and leave your house. So I wanted to give others a heads up that if their priorities aren't in line with what I describe, they won't like it here either.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by cmist

I agree 100% and understand that bitterness drags you down. I think you made a wise choice picking where you did given your lifestyle, I don't think anything I really said about Phx needs defending. Its actually true and the fact you don't live here with your RV proves that. People would rather see 100% conformity than have to look at your RV popping up from behind your fence (EVEN if you have a TAN ONE!).

As for me, I love people that actually DO things like RV, Boat, Quads, whatever, BUT the value system in Phoenix is largely ANTI-FUN in favor of conformity, predictability, manicured landscapes, and obsessiveness over clean streets. Heck, they even have street cleaners that needlessly go around squirting water on asphalt???!!!

I myself do well here. I have a large home in an upscale neighborhood, built a backyard to die for with pool / spa / built in bbq / fireplace, etc. This was my attempt to cope with it here. I appreciate the kind words, and do my best to avoid being bitter. I wasn't trying to sound bitter as much as I was trying to get some reactions on my observations. Thanks Granny!

I am very jealous! The outdoor kitchen is on my list, it is something I have always wanted, as we have cooked outside in even below-zero weather....it will come in time...pool is on the list too...not sure if below or above ground...just something to go flooph in on a floatee and go ahhhhhh....

[cmist]

Originally Posted by Grannysroost

I am very jealous! The outdoor kitchen is on my list, it is something I have always wanted, as we have cooked outside in even below-zero weather....it will come in time...pool is on the list too...not sure if below or above ground...just something to go flooph in on a floatee and go ahhhhhh....

If you are ever in North Peoria, drop on by. Can swim, eat & have a merry old time. I don't live in an HOA, we welcome your RV too of ANY color!!!

[twiggy]

Well, you know what I'm looking for and thats why I am leaving. Cape Cod MA couldn't be more of a 180 and it's about time. It's taken me 3 years of planning to be able to save enough to move my family across the U.S. I can't wait! I've been here for way too long to miss the brown, I'm the exact opposite of what's moving here, no denying them apples. lol
I do fall into the "haters" lane but only because too not fall into that land you have to "love it" here and I don't "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT", so I guess I'm a hater. It's by default, I have a few issues with our states government. lol

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by cmist

If you are ever in North Peoria, drop on by. Can swim, eat & have a merry old time. I don't live in an HOA, we welcome your RV too of ANY color!!!

LOL, We may have to do that...and that invitation will be back at ya in about 2 months or so, short the pool right now,...we are redoing the garage here for a guest house Loves outdoor cooking...I just went outside for a bit and heard the neighbors goats Just kidding...