Mesa? (Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe: tornado, military, landscaping)

[Mommy1999]

Hello everyone. I am looking for information on Mesa. I'm really suprised that no one has posted anything on it. My husband is a police officer and I am in the military-but I am looking to go to Nursing School. I would like to know more about Mesa! I almost had my husband totally convinced to move there, but then on another website, he saw some bad reviews (I think maybe it was just an excuse ). I know we need to come and visit before making a move all the way across the country, but I would appreciate any information you all have. We have three children, one in third grade and another that will be starting pre-k pretty soon, so family information is important too. I hate Illinois-I have lived here my whole life (with the exception of a short stay in Minnesota and a year long sabbatical in Houston) and I am ready to get away from these cold winters. They seem to get worse every year. I haven't ever heard anything bad about AZ weather-except that it's hotter than hell on fire! But I would rather be hot than cold any day. Houston was pretty hot, with a lot of humidity but I just couldn't live with four million other people in a bad economy. Thanks in advance for your help. We appreciate it.

[SElaine]

Hello Mommy1999....

Mesa is a large area and therefore is hard to generalize. There are some very nice parts of Mesa and some more questionable ones. So, I think it's reasonable to say you will hear good and bad about Mesa, and they could both be correct.

As for the weather... yes it is hot. I love it. I'd much rather have the heat than have to deal with another winter of cold, sleet, and snow. I hear ya there and completely agree.

If you haven't decided on an area yet, I think you might try looking into Gilbert. It borders Mesa to the south. Gilbert has been rated the safest city in Arizona and has one of the best school districts. It's very family/kid friendly and a great place to raise a family. It will be much more difficult for you to find negative comments about Gilbert than it will be about Mesa. If you read through previous threads you will see that people have a lot of good things to say about Gilbert. Anyway, I'm not trying to discourage a move to Mesa by any means, but simply trying to provide more options, in case you weren't aware of Gilbert.

[vegaspilgrim]

First of all, there are lot of people here from Illinois! After CA, IL is the state with the largest number of people moving to AZ. The heat here is hot, no doubt, but it's much more comfortable than Houston. Keep in mind that Mesa is just one particular municipality within the greater Phoenix metro area-- a giant contiguous blob of concrete sitting on top of the desert. I'm not sure why of all the areas in Phoenix you could live, you are so enamored by Mesa-- there are much nicer areas of the Valley (unless if you have in mind far east Mesa) and the city of Mesa is in serious financial trouble right now, with declining services. Which nursing school are you looking at? I know that the ASU nursing school program (if that's what you are considering), which seems to be on the upswing right now, is now located in the downtown Phoenix campus, not the Tempe campus. You might want to consider that in terms of commutes.

[sablebaby]

I would say don't limit yourself on Mesa. There are numerous areas in the valley that are nicer and closer in. I never cared for Mesa, but have recently seen parts of the newer east Mesa and it looks good. But for me it's too far to civilization. Why are you considering Mesa anyway?

Which nursing program are you looking into? I have heard over the years of the long waiting lists that they have.

I agree that Gilbert may be a better place for a young family. It seems to be very family friendly. But like I said, there's dozens of places that are nice as well.

And yes it is HOT here! Just stay in the AC and you'll be fine. Keep a positive attitude about it and won't be too bad.

[Boatdrinks]

I would decide which nursing school you'll be attending and where your husband will be working before you decide on a place to live. I've heard that the nursing program at the Chandler Gilbert Comm Coll has a wait list. There are many other programs in the area, but you should check them out ahead of time to find out pre-requisites and timelines.

Also, I agree with the others about Mesa - it wouldn't be on my short list of places to live in the Phoenix area. Yes, there are some decent areas in Mesa, but they're pretty expensive. You'll find much nicer and more affordable areas for a young family. Unless you have a specific reason for chosing Mesa (family already lives there, you'll be working there or going to school there, etc), I'd recommend looking around a little more.

Good luck!

[Mommy1999]

I want to thank you all for the information. I work with someone who grew up in Phoenix and he told me Mesa was nice. But I have been hearing a lot about Gilbert and the school information I have been finding seems comparable to the school my daughter is in now, which we love. I also had an interest in Mesa because of the police department. My husband is a cop and we have to make sure that he will not take a pay cut if we move. I will keep doing research and talking to all of you wonderful people and come for a visit. It's funny because when I graduated high school-11 years ago-I was accepted at ASU, but I couldn't get the financial aid worked out. So, I am glad to hear that they have a nursing program. As for which one I am looking at, (I think this is what you're asking) I want to get into the BSN program. And eventually become a Nurse Practioner. Also, ASU has a ROTC detachment and I still have a few years to get commissioned if I get a move on. Thanks again for the info. I will keep checking back for more posts!

[aj661]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I would say don't limit yourself on Mesa. There are numerous areas in the valley that are nicer and closer in. I never cared for Mesa, but have recently seen parts of the newer east Mesa and it looks good. But for me it's too far to civilization. Why are you considering Mesa anyway?

Which nursing program are you looking into? I have heard over the years of the long waiting lists that they have.

I agree that Gilbert may be a better place for a young family. It seems to be very family friendly. But like I said, there's dozens of places that are nice as well.

And yes it is HOT here! Just stay in the AC and you'll be fine. Keep a positive attitude about it and won't be too bad.

EXCUSE ME? Mesa is too far from civilization? Hardly. I'm on the eastern border and I have everything I need within two miles of my house. If she's looking for a community that's still relatively affordable with solid, family oriented values she should be looking at Mesa and Gilbert.

[Cyanna]

I agree, aj. I found the east Mesa area a nice place to live with decent housing and plenty of shopping close and a very good hospital as well.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by aj661

EXCUSE ME? Mesa is too far from civilization? Hardly. I'm on the eastern border and I have everything I need within two miles of my house. If she's looking for a community that's still relatively affordable with solid, family oriented values she should be looking at Mesa and Gilbert.

LOL. For ME, I said it was, as everything I know and love is in Phoenix! I didn't mean from shopping and all that stuff. Maybe I should have worded that better.

I spent a lot of time in Mesa a few years ago and just got so tired of the 60 mile commute back and forth.

[Master Shake]

Take a look at www.maricopa.edu. All of the community colleges in the general Phoenix area (including Mesa Community College) are linked and will be interchangeable up to the RN level -- although some schools offer slightly different specialized programs.

Phoenix is about as hot as Houston, when you take into consideration the very low level of humidity in PHX. The economy is probably better in the PHX area for medical related (ie: nursing), but Houston is better for technical, energy, etc. Both should be the same for police.

For what you mentioned, with respect to schools, housing, long hot summers and economy, PHX and Houston are actually very similar. You will probably be somewhat surprised since you have lived in Houston. Culture, traffic and landscaping (access to water), however, is definitely different. Plus, there are no hurricanes or tornados in PHX! :-)