PHX has its ups and downs (Phoenix: neighborhoods, scorpion, luxury)

[Chelito23]

I just quit my job with the state government and came back home, to California. I just missed "life" in general as other posters have mentioned: friends, familiarity, etc. Not that I or anyone couldn't be happy or adjust, AZ just wasn't for me. And it wasn't a weather or pollution thing on my part, I am in the Imperial Valley which is CA's answer to Yuma.

I will say this, there is a massive cultural difference between CA and AZ that is very noticeable to people that are liberal or put off by pervasive gun culture and conservativism. But at the same time, I met many (almost everybody) peple who moved to PHX from elsewhere, and shared my political opinions...and these people enjoyed AZ and weren't affected by what personally bothered me. So, it is an individual issue. I also must say, 99% of the people I spoke with loved it and loved living there, which seemed remarkably high to me, but I am clearly in the minority and I think recommending AZ to others is solid since most people seem to be happy with it. I will also add that the job opportunities are very promising in PHX compared to CA.

My major caveat is that if you are Hispanic, the climate in Arizona is decidely different from CA. Yes, there are Hispanics there, but you don't see the large professional segment of it. There are a lot of Hispanics laboring in service and unskilled jobs, which is fine, but there isn't a large, visible Chicano or Hispanic American culture that influences the city as a whole, rather very small, localized influences on their negihborhoods. This is evidenced by politics, very segregated areas, lack of diversity outside of "bad" areas, etc. But again, this probably wouldn't be an issue for most people and again, many Hispanic people are happy in PHX and just accept the political climate as part of life there.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

I just quit my job with the state government and came back home, to California. I just missed "life" in general as other posters have mentioned: friends, familiarity, etc. Not that I or anyone couldn't be happy or adjust, AZ just wasn't for me. And it wasn't a weather or pollution thing on my part, I am in the Imperial Valley which is CA's answer to Yuma.

I will say this, there is a massive cultural difference between CA and AZ that is very noticeable to people that are liberal or put off by pervasive gun culture and conservativism. But at the same time, I met many (almost everybody) peple who moved to PHX from elsewhere, and shared my political opinions...and these people enjoyed AZ and weren't affected by what personally bothered me. So, it is an individual issue. I also must say, 99% of the people I spoke with loved it and loved living there, which seemed remarkably high to me, but I am clearly in the minority and I think recommending AZ to others is solid since most people seem to be happy with it. I will also add that the job opportunities are very promising in PHX compared to CA.

My major caveat is that if you are Hispanic, the climate in Arizona is decidely different from CA. Yes, there are Hispanics there, but you don't see the large professional segment of it. There are a lot of Hispanics laboring in service and unskilled jobs, which is fine, but there isn't a large, visible Chicano or Hispanic American culture that influences the city as a whole, rather very small, localized influences on their negihborhoods. This is evidenced by politics, very segregated areas, lack of diversity outside of "bad" areas, etc. But again, this probably wouldn't be an issue for most people and again, many Hispanic people are happy in PHX and just accept the political climate as part of life there.

That bolded ^^ above is an excellent point and deserves to be repeated. In spite of the impression one might get from reading City Data threads, people you talk to here are overwhelmingly happy about living here. They tend to look at you like you're nuts if you dis Arizona living. Survey after survey done here shows a large majority enjoy the lifestyle and are very favorable about the city in which they live. I suppose that might be obvious as a city of millions doesn't double in size in ten years if everyone hates it and regrets the move.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

That bolded ^^ above is an excellent point and deserves to be repeated. In spite of the impression one might get from reading City Data threads, people you talk to here are overwhelmingly happy about living here. They tend to look at you like you're nuts if you dis Arizona living. Survey after survey done here shows a large majority enjoy the lifestyle and are very favorable about the city in which they live. I suppose that might be obvious as a city of millions doesn't double in size in ten years if everyone hates it and regrets the move.

True. And, many of those people either like the political situation here; don't see it affecting their daily lives and therefore don't care; are blissfully unaware of it and just enjoy the lifestyle. Others, (myself included) chafe at the politics of recent years, but have built a life here, like lots of aspects of living here, and are not going to pull up stakes and go elsewhere for political reasons.

[ReadyFreddy]

So true, observer.

I actually did look into moving to San Diego this last move, which was what got me to register at this site last year, to research it. I have beefs with facets of AZ and facets of Mesa. But I decided it wasn't worth it to take a huge step down in quality of housing/neighborhood/schools, for what was mainly (to me) a better climate and better political/socio factors. Plus the thought of starting all over in finding good doctors, dentists, hair stylists, etc. was a big turn off. Maybe when I'm an empty nester I'll try CA (again, was born there).

[Bondurant]

I don't see any downside to Phoenix. There is crime and blight in areas but the same can be said for every large metro area in the United States. Think Phoenix is bad? Cruise the ghettos of Detroit, Chicago and Philly. Yeah, the summer can be brutal but I detest shoveling snow. Yeah, the political climate is awkward but as a libertarian I detest the politics everywhere.

I love Phoenix. Best place I ever lived and the 22 year quest to move here was well worth the payoff of being here.

[adventuregurl]

Originally Posted by mullenium

massive legitimate greenery (moss growing on the trees!) fresh air, fresh water, etc.

There are pros and cons to every climate. While you may enjoy this, you may not enjoy the mold that grows everywhere, including window tracks, and can only be killed with 50/50 bleach and water, or power washed away. It was too much for me!

[NotQuiteNative]

The climate is so horrible here for 6 months of the year that one tends to forget how perfect it is the other 6 months.

There's no logical, rational, quantitative argument for one place over another. Go where you are happy.

I've tried to escape 3 times and come back after each one. I guess this is home.

[observer53]

Other than the "horrible for six months" part, I agree with you.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

I don't see any downside to Phoenix. There is crime and blight in areas but the same can be said for every large metro area in the United States. Think Phoenix is bad? Cruise the ghettos of Detroit, Chicago and Philly. Yeah, the summer can be brutal but I detest shoveling snow. Yeah, the political climate is awkward but as a libertarian I detest the politics everywhere.

I love Phoenix. Best place I ever lived and the 22 year quest to move here was well worth the payoff of being here.

Welcome! I'm glad that you were persistent in your 22-year quest to move here!

[sunluv]

Originally Posted by NotQuiteNative

The climate is so horrible here for 6 months of the year that one tends to forget how perfect it is the other 6 months.

There's no logical, rational, quantitative argument for one place over another. Go where you are happy.

I've tried to escape 3 times and come back after each one. I guess this is home.

Moderator cut: rude

Those who miss the weather of places like Portland, Seattle, etc. are those who prefer growing mushrooms in basements. Sure, if you want damp, cold, miserable weather this ain't the place. The heat here is (1) for a few months, (2) happens during very predictable parts of the day, where (3) it's usually easy to avoid via AC, if desired. Summers in most of the rest of the continent are just as bad actually, when factoring in humidity that is higher than that found during the mild version of Monsoon that we have here.

Not enough green here...please, give me a break that's funny.

This environment (and the SW in general including NM, Nevada, Cali) has it over most of the continent, actually. Phoenix also has excellent infrastructure, lots of space, is clean, relatively low crime, etc.