Scottsdale VS Tempe (Phoenix: insurance, crime rate, homes)

[pfil322]

Ended up spending a little more on an apartment in Tempe but got one that is RIGHT on the lightrail which will make getting into work downtown a lot easier. Thanks for all the advice!

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by pfil322

Ended up spending a little more on an apartment in Tempe but got one that is RIGHT on the lightrail which will make getting into work downtown a lot easier. Thanks for all the advice!

Sounds like you made the decision that is perfect for you. I have a grandson attending ASU and go there to have lunch with him occasionally. It's a nice area with lots of activity and people that, while some are a ittle younger than you, will still have much of the same interests. So, in my opinion, from your original post, the socialization aspect should be very appealing to you.

If I were a single 24 year old male, recent college grad, I would plant myself right down as close to the campus as possible

Congratulations

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

What bothers me about Scottsdale is there are so many fake people who really don't have a lot of money but they like to put up a false front just to look hot or successful.

Many patrons of Scottsdale nightclubs and bars are stand-offish, they don't want to mingle with anybody who isn't a plastic doll clone or isn't dressed in the flashy trendy styles.

I find the Mill district of Tempe to be much more welcoming and diversified, it might be more for the college-aged but trashy it is not.

I really dislike the generalization that Scottsdale is for the plastic snobs and fake millionaires. Many people who work and play in Scottsdale DO have money, and they have every right to look fashionable if they can afford it. And if they happen to get a tuck here & there, what's so wrong with that? Personally, I'd rather be around those who dress nice and go to the upscale restaurants than those who look like Hell's Angels and hang out at the seedy places. Better to be safe than sorry, don't you think?

Originally Posted by pfil322

Ended up spending a little more on an apartment in Tempe but got one that is RIGHT on the lightrail which will make getting into work downtown a lot easier. Thanks for all the advice!

Good choice to live in Tempe since that is closer to downtown than Scottsdale is. Still, don't let some of these generalizations about Scottsdale discourage you from going there. Scottsdale is not all elitist and snobbish. Actually, it's very large and diverse.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

What bothers me about Scottsdale is there are so many fake people who really don't have a lot of money but they like to put up a false front just to look hot or successful.

Many patrons of Scottsdale nightclubs and bars are stand-offish, they don't want to mingle with anybody who isn't a plastic doll clone or isn't dressed in the flashy trendy styles.

I find the Mill district of Tempe to be much more welcoming and diversified, it might be more for the college-aged but trashy it is not.

I agree with that but it's not all of Scottsdale. You are right, there are definitely some places in Scottsdale that attract that crowd and it tends to be certain bars and restaurants in Old Town but not all of Scottsdale fits that stereotype but often you hear that description to include all of Scottsdale. Maybe it's not fair to stereotype Mill either; not all of it is trashy but it is young. For example, Mill Ave Cue Club (don't know if it's still open) is a fairly nice place but the crowd is understandably very young. Many people in their mid to early 30's don't feel comfortable going to Cue Club but would rather go to Olive and Ivy.

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I really dislike the generalization that Scottsdale is for the plastic snobs and fake millionaires. Many people who work and play in Scottsdale DO have money, and they have every right to look fashionable if they can afford it.

Agreed, a lot of the people who dine and play in Scottsdale are not from Scottsdale. They are people from all over the Valley who are often educated and can afford to dress nice and dine out. They aren't necessarily rich people but they desire a more upscale scene; you don't have to be a plastic porn star looking person to enjoy that scene, yes normal people do go to these places. Tempe is fun but there is a time and place for everything. Some people have moved past the college scene and want to have fun being around professionals instead of students.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Agreed, a lot of the people who dine and play in Scottsdale are not from Scottsdale. They are people from all over the Valley who are often educated and can afford to dress nice and dine out. They aren't necessarily rich people but they desire a more upscale scene; you don't have to be a plastic porn star looking person to enjoy that scene, yes normal people do go to these places. Tempe is fun but there is a time and place for everything. Some people have moved past the college scene and want to have fun being around professionals instead of students.

Exactly! It all comes down to the old saying of "different strokes for different folks". Some people prefer to be around the younger crowd, and that's where Tempe's Mill Avenue district comes into play. Some like the more upscale, professional types, and that's what many parts of Scottsdale are for. Others' idea of dining out is Chili's or Applebees, and that's fine too, but you're going to find more of those places in the sprawling suburbs ... not in the Mill Avenue district, Old Town Scottsdale, or downtown Phoenix. There's a time & place for everything.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

I agree with that but it's not all of Scottsdale. You are right, there are definitely some places in Scottsdale that attract that crowd and it tends to be certain bars and restaurants in Old Town but not all of Scottsdale fits that stereotype but often you hear that description to include all of Scottsdale. Maybe it's not fair to stereotype Mill either; not all of it is trashy but it is young. For example, Mill Ave Cue Club (don't know if it's still open) is a fairly nice place but the crowd is understandably very young. Many people in their mid to early 30's don't feel comfortable going to Cue Club but would rather go to Olive and Ivy.



Agreed, a lot of the people who dine and play in Scottsdale are not from Scottsdale. They are people from all over the Valley who are often educated and can afford to dress nice and dine out. They aren't necessarily rich people but they desire a more upscale scene; you don't have to be a plastic porn star looking person to enjoy that scene, yes normal people do go to these places. Tempe is fun but there is a time and place for everything. Some people have moved past the college scene and want to have fun being around professionals instead of students.

You are correct that not all of Scottsdale is that way.

It does have a pretty wide reputation for being snobbish and superficial though.

Even the New York times called Scottsdale the South Beach of the desert.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

You are correct that not all of Scottsdale is that way.

It does have a pretty wide reputation for being snobbish and superficial though.

Even the New York times called Scottsdale the South Beach of the desert.

It has that inaccurate reputation largely among people who have never been there, but read the press about big houses, trendy restaurants, resort hotels, etc., or have visited there only long enough to spend time in the resorts and the trendy restaurants. It makes people who read that stuff think that's all there is there. For those who actually know it better, Scottsdale is more than just that, and has a very wide demographic scope.

[Jamajo]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I really dislike the generalization that Scottsdale is for the plastic snobs and fake millionaires. Many people who work and play in Scottsdale DO have money, and they have every right to look fashionable if they can afford it. And if they happen to get a tuck here & there, what's so wrong with that? Personally, I'd rather be around those who dress nice and go to the upscale restaurants than those who look like Hell's Angels and hang out at the seedy places. Better to be safe than sorry, don't you think?

What is really comical is that some people actually believe that you can judge a person's character by the clothes they wear, or the place in which they live...amazing...

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by observer53

It has that inaccurate reputation largely among people who have never been there, but read the press about big houses, trendy restaurants, resort hotels, etc., or have visited there only long enough to spend time in the resorts and the trendy restaurants. It makes people who read that stuff think that's all there is there. For those who actually know it better, Scottsdale is more than just that, and has a very wide demographic scope.

Yes, and since Scottsdale encompasses a large amount of square miles and has a population of well over 200,000, there is going to be some diversity. The nice thing about Scottsdale is the fact that it is diverse ... not all upscale and posh, but not all cookie cutter suburban either. Much of south Scottsdale looks no different than east Phoenix.

Originally Posted by Jamajo

What is really comical is that some people actually believe that you can judge a person's character by the clothes they wear, or the place in which they live...amazing...

Not always, but there is evidence that professional attire is related to a more professional demeanor. People naturally judge others by their appearance because that's the first thing they notice. First impressions mean a lot.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Jamajo

What is really comical is that some people actually believe that you can judge a person's character by the clothes they wear, or the place in which they live...amazing...

What if some Scottsdale dude is going sockless in penny loafers, wearing a bola and driving a Corvette convertible with three rediculously hot blonde women in it? Man, not judging gets tough real quick!