Stuff I've noticed since I've been here. 10 days so far.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by bailey7

Concerning the statement there is no grass here, Morrison Ranch in Gilbert is ALL grass and tons of trees. It is all watered through their reclaimed water system. Great area to live in, especially if you are from the Mid-West and still want green, not desert. Also, Agritopia in Gilbert has grass and lots of trees .

There are a lot of places in the Valley with grass and trees. This is just another exaggerated criticism stated mostly by people who haven't lived here. South Tempe/NW Chandler and Ocotillo has a lot of parks, grass and trees as well. There are a lot of places with grass and trees. I don't need it to be like Portland with rows of pine trees everywhere to enjoy green. There is plenty of grass and trees here. Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, etc all have areas with grass and trees.

[hart4july]

Originally Posted by maverick974

Just a couple more things.
First of all, I might have ditzed on RE agents a bit much. I did finally find what appears to be an intelligent and well informed agent that is very helpful and knowledgeable. She has been in contact with me with every email and phone call. Very competent. I just wanted to throw that out there. There are good ones to be found.
Also, I took a drive from Mesa up the Apache Trail today. I stopped at Canyon Lake, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake. WOW! What a spectacular drive. Took several hours and your car better be in good shape but it was worth the effort.
Absolutely breathtaking.

Good point! Make sure you bring/get a newer car with you when you move if at all possible. We traded in our 10 yr old mini van for a new one( a KIA Sedona no less) before relocating and its already been on many cool daytrips.

Only problem...the kids are not using the new in-car DVD player as much as planned because the view out the windows is SO AWESOME!!! The saguaros look like people, the mountains are like castles and the sky is a kaleidoscope when the sun is setting!

[goolsbyjazz]

I appreciate the positive post because so many unfortunately leave a negative impression of Arizona. I have lived here for 12 years and it did take me a while to make the adjustment because I was still holding on to the place I moved from (Charlotte, NC). However, when I decided not to look back and to embrace the desert for the things it offered it changed my attitude and opinion of the place. Make no mistake, the summers are very hot! One of the disadvantages of living in the valley is that summer is not the time to be outside because of the extreme temps. However, if one wants to get out of the oppressive heat the state offers short getaways to places like Flagstaff and Pinetop where the temps can be up to 30 degrees cooler. Outside of summer you really can't beat the weather here. True, you don't get the change of seasons, but remember Flag, Sedona and Pinetop are just a few hours away.
I have found the people here to be friendly. You may get some who aren't, but believe me they are the exception and not the rule! The desert is NOT: NY, LA, Chicago, Boston or any of those places, but then again, we already have those places. The energy and vibe in the desert is more laid back than those places. If you are young (20's - 30's) who like the fast-paced city life then this would not be the place. However, if you are looking for a decent place to raise a family, change your life or live in a sunny climate then this is your place. You have to see it for what it is and not for what it's not.

[hart4july]

Not running around outside all summer is absolutely the biggest complaints my children have.

Access to a pool really helps, so finding a community pool is important if you have children and will not have a home with a pool.

[robabeatle]

I loved the dry heat for about 8 years and then it started to get to me. I came from cold PA and the desert was a god-send. BUT, the endless oven baking summers that you hide from the sun just got to me. I love so many things about the Sonoran Desert but I had to move on...

To the OP: you sound like a positive person and that is great. I wouldn't doubt you'd have loved any new place you moved to. Enjoy.

[makeitagreatday]

Originally Posted by shadow91

I read the post and agree with most, the roads are in excellent condition compared to most states I have been in. I don't know either why no street lights--anyone know? Fountain Hills has none and I heard it is so you can view the sky at night--I think that is a bunch of bs myself, I love that there are virtually not alot of bugs but there are some, you can't beat the winters here, I think that is what keeps everyone here, sunshine galore, I know when it is cloudy, I miss the sun. It is very, very hot today, but if you stay indoors it's not too bad. I love the area I am in, we are literally one mile from 2 different highways, one mile from the mall, any restuarant I want to go to. Growing up in IL was either cold, snow, rain, gloom and doom, high humidity in the summer, don't miss that at all. I feel as if AZ is my home now and plan on staying.

Actually, the evening sky views are gorgeous in FH and no street lights only enhances that.

[ErikCortez]

Originally Posted by hart4july

Good point! Make sure you bring/get a newer car with you when you move if at all possible. We traded in our 10 yr old mini van for a new one( a KIA Sedona no less) before relocating and its already been on many cool daytrips.

Only problem...the kids are not using the new in-car DVD player as much as planned because the view out the windows is SO AWESOME!!! The saguaros look like people, the mountains are like castles and the sky is a kaleidoscope when the sun is setting!

An older car in GOOD shape does good here.

[rgscpat]

One of the areas where we avoided looking at houses was The Lakes, in Tempe -- because the HOA required homeowners to have green lawns, among other things, and if I remember rightly, you would not be allowed to have a saguaro or such in your front yard. In that neighborhood, it seems you could pretty easily pretend that you were not in a desert.