Must move!! Jupiter Florida Vs Phoenix AZ ,Pease help! (living, state, place)
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Ok, so I'm thinking of moving to the Jupiter area of Florida or to the phoenix AZ area or one of its suburb areas ,I would like to know the pros and cons from people that have lived in both areas possibly , I have a wife and 3 kids , I want good schools and all of that other obvious stuff, my main concerns would be the quality of life , employment oppurtunites , and just general opportunities in both areas , I would most likely be working in the construction/ maintenance /repair field to start and plan on starting a business in a different field sometime in the near future. As of right now I am currently living in Utica NY and either one of those locations would be a major step up from this area, there are no jobs here , no opportunities, crappy weather and gray skys , and this city is just ran down and depressing , Must Escape A.S.A.P. Thanks https://www.city-data.com/forum/images/smilies/sad4.gif
I can't help a great deal, as I have lived in neither city, but I'd give the slight nod to Phoenix. While neither city is doing great right now, I'd be a little more optomistic of AZ over FL these days. I'd pick either one over Utica, though.
I live in Jupiter and have for the past 10 years. My family, parents and two adult siblings, live in the Phoenix area - parents in Mesa, sister in Phoenix and sister in Gilbert.
Your answer lies in what you are looking for. Jupiter is small and quiet. We are right on the ocean and have a beautiful beach. The town is fairly boring though. If you like action, there isn't a lot to do. Since I am originally from Chicago, I crave city life. Unfortunately, you won't get it any where close to Jupiter. Florida cities are spread out North to South. As a result if you want to go anywhere it requires a long commute. If you are looking for a good job, well... not many of those in Florida. Most decent jobs are 50+ miles to the South.
Phoenix is simply more vibrant. More to do, more to see. The area built around Phoenix reaches in all directions. More options, less commuting. I love the desert look and Phoenix and the surrounding areas do a superb job of making their cities beautiful. Florida simply doesn't take advantage of the beauty of nature. Many areas are old, lack planning and unattractive.
Weather is another issue. Florida is HOT and Humid. Phoenix is HOT and dry. It really depends on which you prefer. Actually when we visit AZ in the fall/winter we find it too dry. We end up with dry skin and lips. Everyone says your body needs an adjustment period in AZ. After a couple of months you don't notice the dryness anymore. I haven't personally tested that theory.
One big factor you might want to consider is hurricanes. Not only are they a pain in the butt, they make living in Florida very expensive. Hurricane insurance on an average home is typically $3,000.
If I had the choice, I would take Phoenix - in a heartbeat. That being said, I am happy living in Jupiter. It sure beats the snow!
*** If your options are open check out Winter Park, FL. It has a beautiful small town feel. Winter Park is located about 25 minutes northeast of Orlando. If I could live anywhere in Florida, Winter Park would be at the top of my list. ***
One last thing (flamers get ready!) Phoenix has a mid-western influence. I find people in AZ are more laid back and friendly. The East coast of Florida is largely NYC south. Think about that... NYC south... Hmmm, you decide what that means to you
I'd have to vote for Phoenix too although I recently moved becuase of the poor job market. It depends on what you are looking for. Phoenix is friendly, slow paced and most people complain about the lack of culture. If you are expecting something spectacular from the 5th largst city in the country you will likely be let down. As far as recreation goes there is about as much to do outdoors as any place in AZ. There are a lot of lakes and in the summer most of us head up North to Flag or the White Mountains to escape the oven. You can also get to OC and SD beaches fairly quickly (5-6 hours). Overall it's an awesome place to live that's very affordable but you take the bad with the good. It's a new city without a lot of Anglo-American history which is another gripe I hear all the time. There is however a lot of Native American history if you are interested in learning about that. Whatever you do enjoy the place you pick and take it for what it is. I see miserable people everywhere I go (I travel a lot for work). And almost every place I've been has a lot of positives that people living there their entire lives always look right past.
I think the biggest decision factors would be if you are really connected to the ocean or desert scenery. I find both very beautiful in their own way. Jupiter on its own is a much smaller area, but it is connected to a very large metropolitan area in a very populated state. I would definitely pick either over Utica but I have a snow aversion.
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