The truth about the Az from easterners midwesterners and southners (Phoenix: real estate market, insurance) - Arizona (AZ) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

artyst · 07-12-2007, 11:12 AM

davev you're exactly right. i've traveled to many places in the u.s. and there are clearly differences in the way people interact. you mentioned boston so i thought id put in my two cents about the east coast. i found people in the east to be as friendly as people in the midwest. i'm moving to upstate ny in spring of 2009 and i can't wait!!

azkylady · 07-12-2007, 03:43 PM

we are a product of our environment to some degree, I am not as friendly as I was when I came here, Its kind of like when in Rome do as the Romans do. I try and stay aware of it, influence is there though.

and the · 07-12-2007, 08:15 PM

Did you guys see how they treated Borat in NYC when he tried to say hello???

azkylady · 07-12-2007, 10:22 PM

what they do to him?

and the · 07-13-2007, 01:48 AM

I don't want to ruin it for you....You'll have to rent the movie and see...

azkylady · 07-13-2007, 02:07 AM

Thanks for the movie tip

twiggy · 07-13-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by and the

Did you guys see how they treated Borat in NYC when he tried to say hello???

Just because their not stupid doesn't mean their not friendly.

ComradeR · 07-13-2007, 03:42 PM

Moved from Russia to Phoenix, AZ and lived there for 11 years.

First 5 it was fun, maybe because I was learning a new culutre, country, city. After 6-7th year the weather started to get to me a lot. It was hard to do anything after work between May and October, comfortably I mean.

I grew up with outdoors, 4 seasons, fresh food, but I cant say that Arizona was not a great experience. It was very educative, and fun at some parts. Definately what most of you covered is right on target here.

Im happy to say I moved out 3 months ago to a beautiful Los Gatos, CA which is in the Bay Area. I have a nice job, live with a fiance, and we both make a very good ammount of money together for our mid 20s. So i havent noticed the "Its So EXPENSIVE IN CA" just yet. But I will be ready for it. Reason is, Im not looking for a house.

After work in mid July, which is now we are able to go walking, joging, and sometimes at later evenings put on a light jacket. Not to forget I ride a bike to work every morning for 6 miles both ways with a temperature in the low 70s.

Oh and on the weekends Santa Cruz, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, Yosemites, I cant complain. My camera is in love with this area.

Farmers market every Sunday, Whole Foods, 4000 restaurants of your choice in my area.

Honestly, I wasnt living in Phoenix, I was surviving summers in Phoenix.

But I cant forget the thunderstorms, the rain, and the smell after the rain in the desert.

azkylady · 07-14-2007, 12:03 AM

lol gee thanks! some of us are still surviveing the summers!

lovelyliza · 07-14-2007, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bridgett

I am from MI and retired to Phoenix and after a year moved back to MI. Now I will admit that the main reason for leaving was a family illness BUT I don't know how long we would have stayed anyways.
We are in our mid 50's, retired and bought a home in a family neighborhood (Ahwatukee). We didn't want an Active Adult Community because we felt they were too confining. The neighborhood we moved to was nice but we quickly found that everyone hibernates in the summer. Of course that's what we do in the midwest but even when people did come out at night (in PHX) they just smiled and maybe waved. We also found that the people our age were retired military and were very conservative. We almost had to whisper that we were liberal thinking individuals.
Then there was the issue of immigration, immigration, immigration. That's all you hear about. The hatred for Hispanic's was unbelievable.
Next was the cost of living. Yes the property taxes are low but the price of a nice sized home is quite high. Four years ago you could get a great deal but prices have gone up.
Education is horrible. I am a retired teacher and looked into their system and told my grown daughter who lives in PHX to put her kids in private school. The teachers are grossly underpaid and the curriculums are inadequate.
There is no feeling of community and we felt very alone. We got so tired of the endless heat of the summer and even when you went out to restaurants (during the summer) they were very quiet and empty. The winters were not as warm as we thought they would be and even though you have endless blue skies, sun, and mountains to look at you do miss seasonal changes.
Yes there are jobs there but the pay does not equal the cost of living.

Thank you for your informative post. I am looking to relocate to the Scottsdale area from Los Angeles, but I am finding that the prices of homes are not that affordable. Since I cannot afford to buy in LA and no longer want to live here anyway, I thought I would move to the Scottsdale area to be closer to my Mother. But all the real estate listings I see are not encouraging. I can't afford what I want out there either! I just don't know how to tell my Mother or what to even decide at this point. Your post was very informative and if there is anything else you can tell me please do. I am single also so it would be nice to be able to meet new people, make friendships and find a special man, too.