Pros and cons to live in Phoenix (Scottsdale, Tempe: amusement park, movies)

[starchief5]

I've lived all over the USA. All climates. Seen it all. Chose to retire here. All places have their pros and cons. The most nearly perfect places to live are unaffordable to most of us. Personally, if I had it to do all over again, I would have chosen a location nearer the center of Phoenix - because of the sprawl. I'll take the heat over the cold. We live in a place that other people travel to on vacation.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by khuntrevor

Except for most municipal workers including Teachers, Firefighters, and PD.

That's not "most municipal workers". I haven't checked them all, but I strongly suspect that most people who are employed by cities and school districts in the Valley (school district employees are not "municipal employees") are NOT covered by union contracts.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by observer53

That's not "most municipal workers". I haven't checked them all, but I strongly suspect that most people who are employed by cities and school districts in the Valley (school district employees are not "municipal employees") are NOT covered by union contracts.

I would like to have more of a unionized workforce here.

I know there are plusses and minusses to organized labor but I see the Phoenix area as a little too underpaid in most employment fields, I think a stronger union presence would help that.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I would like to have more of a unionized workforce here.

I know there are plusses and minusses to organized labor but I see the Phoenix area as a little too underpaid in most employment fields, I think a stronger union presence would help that.

Union?!! I hear what you're saying, but good luck with that out here!

[observer53]

With the closure of a lot of the copper mines, the union presence here decreased substantially. CWA, UFCW, SEIU, and AFSCME to a lesser degree, all have representation here, but it certainly is different than it used to be.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by observer53

With the closure of a lot of the copper mines, the union presence here decreased substantially. CWA, UFCW, SEIU, and AFSCME to a lesser degree, all have representation here, but it certainly is different than it used to be.

I remember the days when the copper miners were constantly striking. Lots of unrest, uncertainty, and work not getting done. Those who crossed the picket lines to earn an honest living were heavily threatened, and met with violence. I don't miss those days at all in that regard. Those who want more of a unionized presence in the workforce should find somewhere else to live. Many of us like it just fine without a huge union representation.

Also, the reason for the low pay scales is not due to lack of unions. A lot of it is because of the lack of national & global competition, and the lack of reputable firms headquartered here. Many people still think of Phoenix as little more than a big retirement city ... and others seem to think a mediocre salary is just fine to get by on here without much incentive to improve their education or skills. Most large companies are looking for people who are skilled, hard working, dedicated, and educated. They don't want people looking for little more than sunshine and a place to retire.

[goolsbyjazz]

Was just with some people from FLA and Pennsylvania and they were really liking Arizona. I cautioned them that the nice weather will soon leave us and make way for the heat of hades! Although Phx is a large city, it doesn't have the same "buzz" surrounding it of many of the other large cities. However, people are still moving here. What do you think the draw is?

[PoppySead]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

Was just with some people from FLA and Pennsylvania and they were really liking Arizona. I cautioned them that the nice weather will soon leave us and make way for the heat of hades! Although Phx is a large city, it doesn't have the same "buzz" surrounding it of many of the other large cities. However, people are still moving here. What do you think the draw is?

Exactly that! No buzz, relaxed, no pressure. You can do whatever you want and nobody cares, we have great weather, no stress.

It's like the difference in a woman who always cares what she looks like, adds a bunch of accessories and has surgery to make herself really good looking so she stands out, vs the woman who is just naturally healthy and good looking without trying.

We have natural gifts that make us a great place to live. Sunshine, no real natural disasters, plenty of elevation and mountains to visit close by and a relaxed bunch of people. I think some people get annoyed that we don't care, but we don't. Why should we? Why would the natural girl care when she is already getting plenty of offers? We don't care because we don't need to care.

When thousands of people start leaving here a year and nobody moves here in droves anymore we might care then. We might need some makeup. But that aint happening. Were crowded, lucky we have plenty of growing room.

[Twincam666]

Originally Posted by stasi_crystals

This thread is going to attract nothing but negative replies. It might as well be closed. Yes, Phoenix is hot If you don't like the heat(some of us do) then don't come here. Simple as that.

I think it's a good thread........And AZ heat is better than DFW heat for sure.....

[jmac1]

The only con is intense heat....but that doesn't bother me, you adust. I lived in LA (San Fran Valley, San Gabe valley, and the South Bay) for 20 years, and the thing I miss is the cooling off of hot summer days during the evening (like last week....wow, very nice). Other than that, Phoenix has the best weather next to LA. The reason people don't like Phoenix is because of perception (year round heat, red necks, illegals, and old people) not reality or they just don't make the necessary changes that make AZ AZ. You can't make it LA, NY, or Chi, you have to make it AZ! Hiking, Skiing, Laking (new word), Fishing, Camping, off roading, et al; and light cosmopolitan things like shopping, dining, museums/arts, culture events, and bar hopping..... If you can do this, your quality of life becomes a STEAL for the cost!!

One other con is getting more friends and family to move out here.

Like the above poster says; as long as it doesn't affect our overall growth financially, who cares, that is their loss.

SE= Humidity and bugs
NE=Blizzards and run downed infrastructure
Midwest=really?!
Rockies=ISOLATION!!
NW=Rain and Gloom
SW: (AZ and her bordering states)= Best landscape and climate in the country. IMHO