Am I in for a culture shock? (coming from LA) (Phoenix: real estate, good credit)

[xani]

I am considering a trip to Phoenix to check out the place as potential location to move to, from LA....am I in for a major culture shock?

For example, it was a shock to move to San Diego or San Francisco from LA for me--there was just that drastic difference.
I had stayed in Albuquerque before as well... definitely felt like a very small and quiet place compared to LA.
Not to mention the shock from moving to NYC.
Now my asthma is getting the best of me and I am afraid I will be forced to leave LA and move, and I want to mentally prepare for the trip to Phoenix... What will surprise me as being quite different from LA?--if anything at all.

[Jkgourmet]

If your asthma is allergy related, Phoenix may not solve the problem for you. Our pollen counts are quite high and cause many people to be miserable during certain times of year.

That said, yes, I think Phoenix will be a major culture shock to you in many, many ways. Have you considered Chicago or Boston?

[cacto]

If you think theres a drastic difference between LA and SD or SF, then you should probably never leave LA.

[unit731]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

If your asthma is allergy related, Phoenix may not solve the problem for you. Our pollen counts are quite high and cause many people to be miserable during certain times of year.

That said, yes, I think Phoenix will be a major culture shock to you in many, many ways. Have you considered Chicago or Boston?

Correct. If the pollen is bothering you in LA then the Phoenix valley will offer no help.

If you have good credit you might be able to purchase a home cheaper in the valley. Rents are reasonalble too.

But as the old addage states the lawns are greener somewhere else. And the Phoenix valley has few lawns.

[Ponderosa]

Phoenix looks just like an eastern suburb of LA. We have all the same home builders here and they build all the same models of homes. Same chain stores and restaurants. Everywhere you go you see illegals working in the restaurants and on landscaping crews. Half the stations on the dial play salsa, and the rest play west coast Hip Hop with a couple country thrown in. Few attend church. The freeways are crowded with commuters and public transport sucks. Downtown is tiny compared to the size of the city. Rivers are dry and what water you do see is in canals. The sun shines relentlessly. There are mountains visible in the distance through the haze. It's Republican like Orange County is Republican. There is probably no place on the planet that LOOKS more like LA than Phoenix. The largest group of migrants to Phoenix come from southern California. If you can't live there, Phoenix is the closest analog you are going to find.

[InfiniteStyle]

As far as asthma Arizona is much better considering the dry heat, compared to LA (I lived in both places with Asthma, Phoenix is far better for us). Having moved from LA a few years ago, I thought I was in for a culture-shock myself. With all of the fabulous and diverse places to go everyday in LA (restaurants open 24 hours, shopping, beaches, lush green landscapes, etc, etc) the quality of life for the money in Phoenix is a huge improvement. I lived in many areas in LA from Brentwood to the San Gabriel Valley. Here in Phoenix we have beautiful homes with pools that are AFFORDABLE, no TRAFFIC compared to LA (are you kidding me!! the 405 at 3pm is a parking lot. I'd take Phoenix area freeways any day because at least you are moving over a shorter distance). Scottsdale has all the same shopping and fine dining experiences compared to any hip, trendy places in LA, just a smaller number of chose from. We have friendlier people (but less diversity). People don't focus as much on their outer appearance in Phoenix, or what you own and what you drive. And LA is just an hour-flight away, so if you need to visit family and friends it's a quick trip back home. I highly recommend you visiting!

[xani]

Originally Posted by cacto

If you think theres a drastic difference between LA and SD or SF, then you should probably never leave LA.

Why shouldn't I leave in LA? I lived in almost all major US cities and Europe.
I don't attach any negative connotation to "culture shock"; I had moved to the US from Europe.

[xani]

The thing is that pollens aren't bothering me at all... it is the chemical stuff in the LA air that's causing a problem--never had an allergy to pollen (or cats) before, but I do to chemicals. LA has lots of car exhaust stuff and stuff from oil refineries floating around... Also, it's pretty much superfund sites piled on top of each other, and turns out these chemicals float out of the ground and into the homes sitting on top.

[xani]

Originally Posted by InfiniteStyle

As far as asthma Arizona is much better considering the dry heat, compared to LA (I lived in both places with Asthma, Phoenix is far better for us). Having moved from LA a few years ago, I thought I was in for a culture-shock myself. With all of the fabulous and diverse places to go everyday in LA (restaurants open 24 hours, shopping, beaches, lush green landscapes, etc, etc) the quality of life for the money in Phoenix is a huge improvement. I lived in many areas in LA from Brentwood to the San Gabriel Valley. Here in Phoenix we have beautiful homes with pools that are AFFORDABLE, no TRAFFIC compared to LA (are you kidding me!! the 405 at 3pm is a parking lot. I'd take Phoenix area freeways any day because at least you are moving over a shorter distance). Scottsdale has all the same shopping and fine dining experiences compared to any hip, trendy places in LA, just a smaller number of chose from. We have friendlier people (but less diversity). People don't focus as much on their outer appearance in Phoenix, or what you own and what you drive. And LA is just an hour-flight away, so if you need to visit family and friends it's a quick trip back home. I highly recommend you visiting!

I know someone's daughter had to move to Phoenix cause her asthma was too bad in LA... and she's doing fine in Phoenix. Yes, I heard a lot of good things about Phoenix. I'm into nightlife and I do know that Phoenix has options for me. I only had been to Tuscon so far and the city's landscaping looked beautiful. In LA, even a day time (no peak hour) trip to see real estate is a nightmare--cause of huge distances and constant trouble on freeway, accidents, lane closures.
Last place I lived was SF Bay area (no hope to afford a home there, ever for me)--and it was a huge contrast in terms of zero traffic compared to LA.

[xani]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Phoenix looks just like an eastern suburb of LA. We have all the same home builders here and they build all the same models of homes. Same chain stores and restaurants. Everywhere you go you see illegals working in the restaurants and on landscaping crews. Half the stations on the dial play salsa, and the rest play west coast Hip Hop with a couple country thrown in. Few attend church. The freeways are crowded with commuters and public transport sucks. Downtown is tiny compared to the size of the city. Rivers are dry and what water you do see is in canals. The sun shines relentlessly. There are mountains visible in the distance through the haze. It's Republican like Orange County is Republican. There is probably no place on the planet that LOOKS more like LA than Phoenix. The largest group of migrants to Phoenix come from southern California. If you can't live there, Phoenix is the closest analog you are going to find.

Right now, Im staying in Orange County, so I guess it won't be a big deal