10 Reasons Not To Move To Tucson (Phoenix, Scottsdale: restaurant, homeless, nightlife)

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by a8472c

If I knew that Tucson was this awful, I would have told Raytheon to get lost.

Then again, Raytheon has pretty nice salaries and perks, doesn't it... Of course, if you can find a comparable job somewhere else, it's fine.

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by a8472c

Think about it, if everyone and their families at Raytheon and DM left, how many service and retail jobs would be lost, how many dollars would be taken out of the local economy...?

Well, that's always the case for an area's major employer. Same thing up here in Seattle regarding Boeing and Microsoft

Originally Posted by a8472c

"Laid back" is a good word for Tucson as most drive 10 mph under the speed limit and the town is shut down by 8pm.

I agree about there being not a lot of nightlife. Don't agree about the "10 mph under the speed limit though.

Ken

[miamiman]

Originally Posted by a8472c

Think about it, if everyone and their families at Raytheon and DM left, how many service and retail jobs would be lost, how many dollars would be taken out of the local economy...?

"Laid back" is a good word for Tucson as most drive 10 mph under the speed limit and the town is shut down by 8pm. I wish that I actually did more research on this town before moving down here and not just believe the hype. I consider moving to Tucson one of my biggest mistakes. Once I find a job in Phoenix, I am moving out of here as fast as humanly possible. If I knew that Tucson was this awful, I would have told Raytheon to get lost.

What makes you think that Phoenix is any better? With the exception of fast food restaurants, Phoenix shuts down at 8, as well. I live in the Phoenix area, and to be completely honest, it's just a bigger version of Tucson. Sure, we have 4 times as many people and freeways, but when it comes down to it, Phoenix and Tucson are very similar.

I suggest that if you want to find a solution to your complaints you move to San Diego or LA. Phoenix and Tucson aren't as different as you think.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by miamiman

What makes you think that Phoenix is any better? With the exception of fast food restaurants, Phoenix shuts down at 8, as well. I live in the Phoenix area, and to be completely honest, it's just a bigger version of Tucson. Sure, we have 4 times as many people and freeways, but when it comes down to it, Phoenix and Tucson are very similar.

I suggest that if you want to find a solution to your complaints you move to San Diego or LA. Phoenix and Tucson aren't as different as you think.

LOL, your honesty is appreciated!

[lijohy]

Originally Posted by gman4gov

^^^^^Of course these are only personal opinions.
I'll counter.

1. There is no segregation against english speakers. Being bi-lingual is an advantage to most Americans, no matter where you live. A huge plus in the buisness world.
2. Horrible immigrant problem? Phoenix has more illegal immigrants than Tucson per/capita. Tucson is not on the border, but in fact on the corridor going to other cities in the U.S.
3 & 4. Tucson has added more law enforcement in the area. Working to solve this problem.
5. TUSD has some schools in their lower end areas in town. Which city doesn't have problems?
6. Compared to other cities (Phoenix, Vegas, San Diego, LA) in the West? Prices have dropped dramatically in the last 3 months.
7. Nonsense. Try living in California.
8. Why build a sprawling freeway? The Eastside to the Northwest side part of town is the only part of town where this problem exists.
9. Heat? Try living in Phoenix or Vegas. Take a 25 minute drive to MT. Lemmon if 97 degrees kills you.
10. Utility bills are rising all over the country
11. ?
12. Maybe you should have moved to LA or NY, if you or your wife wanted club excitement. Tucson is 2 hours from Phx, 3 1/2 hours from the resort city of Rocky Point,Mexico, and 4-5 hours from San Diego (perfect location for weekend trips). I hope you find your ideal place (Disneyland, Magic Mountain), but Tucson is a very diverse city and a great city to live in.

I hope you are kidding me- California as low paying? When I was in high school living in SF (back in 1997), I got paid 16 bucks an hour as a Jamba Juicer. Same job down here pays 6.50 in 2008. Try living off that when your rent for a crappy 2 bedroom apartment is $850 a month. Then you have to pay for all bills- no laundry included either in our situation, and at all the other places we at first looked at. And we live north Tucson! (I stay here about 6 months out of the year when I am not in Seattle in school). My boyfriend makes less than I do working as a manager in an office building of over 150 people in Tucson than I do working retail in a small consignment shop in Seattle. In Seattle, you make at least 4 to 5 grand per month and the 2 bedroom 1100 dollar apartment is BRAND NEW- with all the extras included, in a fun and safe neighbourhood. And DIVERSE? Unless you consider having a huge influx of So-Cal bleach blond bimbos and bros driving jacked up trucks combined with thousands of Latinos diverse, you are completely wrong. Have you ever been to a real diverse city, one with tens of thousands of African Americans, Asians, Europeans and Africans? A city like Seattle, NY, SF, or San Jose? I think the person you were retorting to was spot on, this city is for the most part cultureless in the modern sense of the world (as in the melting pot ideology) and the implants from Southern Cali are 100% homogeneous, IMHO. It is far too hot to go out in the day and the streets are dangerous, filled with meth heads and hookers in a lot of the neighbourhoods. Even the better neighbourhoods are filled with loco drivers and perverts. I have been honked at and asked if I was working, while wearing hiking shorts and even when I had a shaved head! I can never look semi-cute down here because I am afraid of getting harassing. Can't even wear shorts in this heat because of the pervs slowing down and hollering. In Seattle when it is over 85 degrees, I can wear summer dresses and low heels and no one even bats an eye. Very weird culture down here, I guess. Several times I have seen people smoking crack or something at the bus stop near our place on Campbell. Crazy! I think the person you were replying to was emphasizing the point the the don't like going out to cubs and bars, but that is the only thing to do in this town other than go out and eat and chain restaurants or excellent Mexican joints. What, no pho? Crazy! The pho I have had down here was over priced and the bun thit nuong was slimey and yucky. And that was the only pho place I could find within my four years of coming here! Apples and oranges, I guess.

[a8472c]

Originally Posted by miamiman

What makes you think that Phoenix is any better? With the exception of fast food restaurants, Phoenix shuts down at 8, as well. I live in the Phoenix area, and to be completely honest, it's just a bigger version of Tucson. Sure, we have 4 times as many people and freeways, but when it comes down to it, Phoenix and Tucson are very similar.

I suggest that if you want to find a solution to your complaints you move to San Diego or LA. Phoenix and Tucson aren't as different as you think.

...Well, seeing that I am originally from Phoenix, you cannot be more wrong. Phoenix has freeways, as you mentioned, and the people actually drive with a purpose. The purpose of driving is to get to your destination not take a 30mph scenic tour of the city... Phoenix also has a nightlife, Mill Ave., need I say more? There aren't homeless people on every corner panhandling like in Tucson. But most of all, the women in Phoenix are far better than the women in Tucson. It isn't even close. Every woman I have met in Tucson has fallen into AT LEAST one of the following categories: 1. In a relationship, 2. Single Mother 3. Elitest Snob 4. Weirdo. Seriously, just go to Scottsdale Fashion Square for a half hour and you'll see my point.

[azhiker]

Originally Posted by lijohy

... And DIVERSE? Unless you consider having a huge influx of So-Cal bleach blond bimbos and bros driving jacked up trucks combined with thousands of Latinos diverse, you are completely wrong. Have you ever been to a real diverse city, one with tens of thousands of African Americans, Asians, Europeans and Africans? A city like Seattle, NY, SF, or San Jose? I think the person you were retorting to was spot on, this city is for the most part cultureless in the modern sense of the world (as in the melting pot ideology) and the implants from Southern Cali are 100% homogeneous, IMHO.

Seems you much prefer Seattle, and to each his own. It is very pretty up there, but I would hate to live someplace that rained that much and is so overcast most of the time.

I don't really care one way or another whether a place is diverse. There are certain qualities and characteristics I look for in a community. I want beautiful scenery, and to me, the desert and mountains of Southern Arizona are gorgeous. I want generally great weather, and I may be odd here, but 100 and low humidity is still comfortable to me. I've hiked in it many a time. The only two months that are a little uncomfortable for me are July and August, because of the monsoon's humidity, although that produces some of the most outrageously beautiful electric storms imaginable (and some spectacular sunsets). Just for grins, check out these photos of lightning over Tucson:

GarretB's slideshow on Flickr

So, I want the physical beauty of a place (must have mountains!), and the weather, but I also value places with a lower crime rate, lower gang activity (and their associated vile graffiti), higher achieving schools, lower births out of wedlock, lower rates of dropping out of school; really want to avoid those pathologies and obvious signs of chaos and failure, and whatever a place's demography, if there are fewer of those pathologies present, it's a better place.

Of course, one can't always have everything you want in a community, so if the things that please you far outweigh those that don't (and no place is perfect), you can usually avoid the things that really get under your skin (unless of course, you just plain don't like living in the desert, in which case I'd ask, why the heck are you still living there?)

[awsun1980]

Please--tell me some. I haven't read anything that good on here about Tucson. I am moving May 30th. It is rather disheartening to constantly have to read all the 'bad' stuff--you'd think Tucson was the ghetto or something. I live in Denver--much bigger town, much more crime (of course, more people as well.)

I know moving to Arizona is going to be a huge adjustment for me, but can someone tell me something GOOD to look forward to? I know I have a brutal summer ahead. But can we stop all the complaints on here & for someone who's moving there soon, tell me some good stuff to look forward to.

I'm surprised how many people stay living here if it is as awful as everyone says??

Originally Posted by ArizonaHeat

There have been numerous positive comments here about Tucson! From me many times and others as well. And yes the north, NW, are the nicer parts of Tucson hands down.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by moving-to-AZ

Please--tell me some. I haven't read anything that good on here about Tucson. I am moving May 30th. It is rather disheartening to constantly have to read all the 'bad' stuff--you'd think Tucson was the ghetto or something.

Poor thing! Let me see... Well, the sky has to be the most beautiful blue sky I've ever seen. Some of us like the weather. I personally love the almost constant sunshine. It's very uplifting. Tucson is heaven for the biking, jogging, hiking, fill in the blanks sports/nature crowd, so if you belong to it, you'll be fine. After you've lived here for a while and have forgotten what real mountains (with visible vegetation) look like, you start liking those you have around. The desert does have beauty of its own. Whether you like to visit it or live in it is an individual preference.

Some parts of the city are quite pretty; others - quite ugly. My major beef is the lack of lively downtown, but in all honesty that's hardly Tucson-specific. Same in Phoenix. Same in most of the West. There are some pockets of life here and there. There's also a warm-water beach within reasonable distance (Mexico). People say Mexican cuisine in town is pretty good. As I don't particularly care for it, I've no opinion. Generally restaurants are considered good by many. Being a picky eater and a smoker, I'm not the best source of info.

You should've moved a little earlier to get acclimatized. You're coming during the most brutal heat.

[xwideopenskyx]

Originally Posted by moving-to-AZ

Please--tell me some. I haven't read anything that good on here about Tucson. I am moving May 30th. It is rather disheartening to constantly have to read all the 'bad' stuff--you'd think Tucson was the ghetto or something. I live in Denver--much bigger town, much more crime (of course, more people as well.)

I know moving to Arizona is going to be a huge adjustment for me, but can someone tell me something GOOD to look forward to? I know I have a brutal summer ahead. But can we stop all the complaints on here & for someone who's moving there soon, tell me some good stuff to look forward to.

I'm surprised how many people stay living here if it is as awful as everyone says??

Moving from Ohio to Tucson area in 2006 was the best decision I've ever made. I love living here and have met many people here who feel the same.
The best thing I can tell you is, that it is up to you to like or dislike Tucson.

Peoples opinions are based on their preferences and related directly to where they lived in the past or if they lived here all of their lives and need a change. For me, it was a big improvement in many ways for others it isn't.

There are plenty of good things to look forward to, not knowing what your interests are, I can't be specific. Personally, I never have a boring moment, there is lots of things to do here and I usually can't fit it all into my schedule.

I don't consider summers in Tucson as being brutal. The weather in Ohio was much more brutal in the summer or winter for me. It does get very hot but everywhere you go there is either AC or Evap cooling and AC and sunshades in a car are a must. July and August is the worst and the rest of the year is great. I'm sure others will disagree, but once again personal preferences. For brutal summers look up Yuma and Lake Havasu City along with parts of the Phoenix Valley.

The level of comfort here is based on elevation. I'm over 2700' feet and living out of the city the nights cool off by 20-30 degrees. The higher the elevation the lower the temperature. During the winter you may even get a chance to golf in the valley and ski on top of Mt. Lemmon all in the same day.

Each state, city or town has their share of issues. I hope that the positives outnumber the negatives for you in Tucson. Good luck to you!