moving to Arizona from California (Phoenix, Chandler: transplants, renting, low crime)

[ehv1231]

We have been doing some research on the internet and so far these are the areas that we like. Gilbert, Surprise, Queen Creek, Chandler and Goodyear. We have a Elementary School aged daughter and a daughter who is currently a freshman in high school . My husband retired after 30 years. We are nervous and excited st the same time. We have heard horror stories of the summer heat. Where we live it can get to be 110 degrees so we are used to living in AC during those peak heat waves. Get things done early before it’s 90 degrees outside. Any advice on schools would be greatly appreciated. We would like a family friendly area with low crime and good schools. We are coming to Arizona next month to go look around. Trying to get as much information as possible before we venture out so we don’t waste unnessary time in certain areas

Thank you for helping

[teddyearp]

Just be warned that Arizona can be a terrible place in many other ways:

Arizona is a terrible place, do not think about living here.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by teddyearp

Just be warned that Arizona can be a terrible place in many other ways:

Arizona is a terrible place, do not think about living here.

And take that thread for the tongue in cheek discussion that it is.


You've named places on opposite sides of the Valley. They are all "family friendly". Hope you have set aside a good amount of time to look around on your trip and be able to focus on a smaller area. Renting first is always a good idea when possible.

[cactusland]

So are you okay with summer heat then? Because weeks of 110 isn't unusual. Budget and costs and necessities needed would be helpful as well because your search is too broad.

[infocyde]

As an ex-Californian (you will hate saying that after you have been here awhile) the heat will get to you probably your second summer. The first summer it will be hot but you will be so distracted by everything that it won't get to you too much. The second summer was bad for me. After that, you are used to things, and most of the time unless it's over 110 you won't really even notice the heat (why? because you won't be in it...you will be in air conditioned buildings or an air conditioned car...the only time you notice really is going to open your car which will be for a short time an oven...leave the windows cracked and don't leave things that will melt). Seriously the heat is not a reason not to move to the Phoenix area unless you are really pale. People with really pale skin do seem to get hit by the heat harder. I'm pretty pasty and it didn't bother me the 15 years I lived in the Phoenix area. There are actually benefits to the heat. One, you get used to it so 100 degrees is literally nothing (plus remember it isn't humid, that makes a big difference). Once the sun goes down Phoenix area evenings are amazing. It will be a pleasant 98 degrees out and you will be enjoying the evening in shorts/skirts and t-shirts.

One thing to consider though, if your husband is retired, and you aren't tied to needing jobs so much, there are also wonderful places in Northern Arizona that are forested and have a completely different vibe than the Phoenix area which are much smaller but decent places to live. The Phoenix metro is a good bet if in doubt but it is a big state with lot's of different ecosystems and places to live. The Phoenix metro area though, as long as you don't have to wade through the traffic a lot during rush hour, is a decent place to live.

[Hrothgar]

There's a sweet area just west of Phoenix called Calfornia that's PERFECT for Californians to live and work in! Great place for that, more of those transplants should look into it.

[49erfan916]

Originally Posted by Hrothgar

There's a sweet area just west of Phoenix called Calfornia that's PERFECT for Californians to live and work in! Great place for that, more of those transplants should look into it.

You bump a 5 day old thread just to say this?

[Hrothgar]

There's a rule that says a person cannot post in a thread that's a week old? Or are you trying to show off your California public school math skills?

[49erfan916]

Originally Posted by Hrothgar

There's a rule that says a person cannot post in a thread that's a week old? Or are you trying to show off your California public school math skills?

You're trying to be funny and we're still waiting....

[xrilander]

People like hrothgar are the reason I got the hell out of AZ after living there 13 years. One of the least educated states in the country, and it shows!