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I like both, but would choose Florida at the end of the day. All these kidnappings going on in Arizona, and illegals in the SW, makes me a little uneasy about the area.
In terms of weather, a Southwestern summer is generally far more tolerable than a Florida summer. Dry heat is more tolerable than humid heat any day of the week. Also, no hurricanes to worry about. Southern Florida does have the ocean though and I must admit I would take beaches and ocean over desert any day of the week. So, I'm still scratching my head on this one
I have lived in Florida and currently reside in AZ. In many ways are very similar. Currently both states are suffering from the current housing market though Florida does have a more diversified economy and AZ is totally dependent on housing. Both attract a large number of retirees and snow birds. Florida has more small-to-medium-to-metro cities, while Arizona has Phoenix and then two medium-size towns (Tucson, Yuma), a two small ones Flagstaff and Prescott...and that's pretty much it. Arizona has a really poor public education system with a couple of small public universities. Florida educational systems are a bit more sophisticated. English as a second language mandated by the federal government has about bankrupted public education funding in AZ.
AZ is hot in the summer...like hell, but worse. Forget that dry heat vs. humid heat thing...for 8-12 weeks AZ has temps in the triple digits DAY AND NIGHT. Some years there is rain (what the natives lovingly call the "monsoon" season) and can be anywhere from .05 inches to ???. Some years it does not rain AT ALL. Most winters in AZ a mild - but not always...I've experienced snow flakes AND frost in Phoenix. Basically there are two seasons in AZ - winter and summer. Arizona catches on fire...alot. Florida has hurricanes and yes, can get cold in the winter. After four years in AZ...I've decided hurricanes are easier to deal with.
While FL and AZ both have issues with illegal immigration...Arizona is fast becoming a war zone. Phoenix is dangerous and people live behind brick fences and closed doors. The gangs are taking over Arizona and people are genuinely afraid. I am amazed at the increases in crime since I have lived here. Most crimes go unreported as the police are over-taxed and police reports for non-violent crimes are serviced over the telephone. I don't know about you, but if I have been a victim of a crime, taking a police report over the telephone and receiving a copy of such in the mail - only pisses me off more.
Florida has no personal income taxes. Florida has nice beaches. Florida has great farming and fishing industries. Maybe its the beaches but the island attitude is more prevalent (think Jimmy and Parrotheads) in Florida. Arizona is much more like the wild, wild, west and don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes. Owning and carrying a firearm is not only a way of life, but a good idea if a long life is important to you. With enough money and desire to live gated and guarded, you can be very safe in AZ.
Location: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
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I much prefer the US southwest. There is so much more to see and I love the desert and how the mountains are a pretty red color. You have decent weather and very low humidity. Within a 2 hour drive you can go from the hot desert to skiing. When i was in Las Vegas, we drove into the mountains outside the city. It was about 95 in Las Vegas, and after driving about 30 minutes we climbed elevation and it was about 75 degrees. You can escape the desert heat anytime you want. My parents live in south FL, and there's nowhere else to really go. To go skiing or see snow, you need to take a 2 hour plane ride.
Also, I hear there's a mountain peak that has skii lodges just outside of Las Vegas. I heard it only takes about an hour to drive to.
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They are more alike than differant...
