Does Arizona have a western or cowboy culture? (Phoenix, Tucson: houses, buying)

[MissLadyLexi25]

My friend who lives in Phoenix says there is not cowboy culture there so to speak, and that hordes of people from Los Angeles have moved to Arizona in last decade changing things for the worst( at least in Phoenix). I was wondering if Arizona still has some pockets of a "cowboy" or western culture just like Montana, Wyoming or Texas.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by MissLadyLexi25

My friend who lives in Phoenix says there is not cowboy culture there so to speak, and that hordes of people from Los Angeles have moved to Arizona in last decade changing things for the worst( at least in Phoenix). I was wondering if Arizona still has some pockets of a "cowboy" or western culture just like Montana, Wyoming or Texas.

Downtown Gilbert has somewhat of an old Western feel if you are interested.

[azdr0710]

several decades ago, the Western culture was a drawing card for Arizona.....it appealed to tourists and was marketed that way....

that vibe is not at all so popular anymore and, in fact, is discouraged by some visitors' centers here....Scottsdale, once billed as "The West's Most Western Town", dropped that moniker years ago in favor of promoting golf, tennis, and nightlife

yes, many Californians have moved here, but I don't think they're responsible for the decline in cowboy culture.....the decline was inevitable due to changing economies (high tech, manufacturing, changing tourist preferences)

there very much is a real cowboy culture in certain rural parts of Arizona....Cochise, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Coconino Counties, among others, still have real ranches with real cowboys - albeit often using their smartphones, helicopters, trucks, and computers to manage the stock in lieu of horses and lariats

[Hschlick84]

Which areas of Phoenix besides Gilbert that was mentioned has the most western cowboy atmosphere vibe? In Texas and parts of Wyoming, the deputies wear cowboy hats as part of the culture, is that predominate around parts of AZ?

[Prickly Pear]

In the rural areas or small towns I would say. I'd say Phoenix has the least amount of a "Western" presence. Tucson does to an extent... some of the cities in N. Arizona like Prescott and Wickenburg do fairly well here. SE Arizona, near Bisbee (not sure if Bisbee does though), has the vibe as well.

[corydon]

Around Willcox the cattle trade is still going, but the cows hitch a ride in a cattle truck...

I delivered once sucker rod to a ranch east of Kingman. It is called White fort or something like that.
The ranch was 600 square miles.... And yes, there was one guy with the herd, checking for sick cows. The pay was not all that great.....

[LordBalfor]

As mentioned by others, you won't really find such a culture in Phoenix but it's alive and well in the smaller, rural towns. You have to remember that Phoenix is a HUGE city - and I mean HUGE!!!! Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the U.S, with massive suburban sprawl that goes on and on and on - seemingly endless rows of homes and strip malls and office parks. In many ways it's very reminiscent of Los Angeles.

Ken

[goolsbyjazz]

You will see it in some people. I have friends who love to wear their cowboy hats and boots.

[KurtAZ]

Used to be a lot more prevalent in Phoenix...then they started buying up all the farm land and building houses...most of Chandler used to be horse and sheep farms...Mr. Chauncey's kids sold the ranch in N. Scottsdale...I would say some of the outlying areas may be a bit more "western". Queen Creek, Cave Creek, New River. I think the closer you get to the Rim, the more hats and boots you are going to see. Same with proximity to Tombstone.

[AZgarden]

If you visit Rawhide, you will get your fix ! LOL