What don't you like about Phoenix? (Mesa, Apache Junction: allergies, wages, restaurants)

[Foreverking]

Originally Posted by pokuku

Yep, because none of the outdoor activities are suitable for 118 degrees and blazing sun. The indoor ones are good though.

Hmm, Ive only seen 118 twice since Ive been here for the past 6 years. That said, heat and ME don't agree that well.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Foreverking

Hmm, Ive only seen 118 twice since Ive been here for the past 6 years. That said, heat and ME don't agree that well.

I think you would be correct. This year it topped out at 119 degrees, and two years ago the highest temp was 118. Before that, you have to go back to 2006 to find a 118 degree high. However, I really don't consider 118 to be much different than 115, 116, or 117. Anything over 110 is blast furnace hot, at least it is to me anyway ... and I agree with you that the heat and I are not very compatible. Dry heat may feel somewhat better than heat with humidity, but heat stroke is more of a risk with dry heat because you don't sweat as much & don't feel as miserable ... in other words, you don't get the warning signs as much in dry heat like you do with humid heat.

[maverick974]

I just HAD to add to this thread for my own selfish reasons so I apologize in advance.
Here in east Mesa, it's supposed to be clear blue skies, low 90's and light winds. Pretty nice.
I'm from the Oregon coast. As I write this, it's raining. And when I say it's raining, it's actually POURING. They are expecting rain totals upwards of 10 inches for this weekend. Add in winds of up to 85 mph and you'll see why I am so happy to live in the valley of the sun.
Weather like that is not uncommon where I'm from and it lasts all fall, winter and spring. The coast of Oregon doesn't typically get a break from the weather until June or sometimes it even runs into July.
I'm so happy and thankful to live here. I no longer have to huddle in my cold house and wait out the weather so a little heat is not that bothersome to me. At least I can get out of the house.
It cracks me up when it rains here for more than a day or two. People start to get cabin fever after just a couple days of rain. Picture that feeling for months and months at a time and you'll get an idea what it's like to live with crappy weather for most of the year.
Isn't the weather this week in Arizona going to be AWESOME????????

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by maverick974

I just HAD to add to this thread for my own selfish reasons so I apologize in advance.
Here in east Mesa, it's supposed to be clear blue skies, low 90's and light winds. Pretty nice.
I'm from the Oregon coast. As I write this, it's raining. And when I say it's raining, it's actually POURING. They are expecting rain totals upwards of 10 inches for this weekend. Add in winds of up to 85 mph and you'll see why I am so happy to live in the valley of the sun.
Weather like that is not uncommon where I'm from and it lasts all fall, winter and spring. The coast of Oregon doesn't typically get a break from the weather until June or sometimes it even runs into July.
I'm so happy and thankful to live here. I no longer have to huddle in my cold house and wait out the weather so a little heat is not that bothersome to me. At least I can get out of the house.
It cracks me up when it rains here for more than a day or two. People start to get cabin fever after just a couple days of rain. Picture that feeling for months and months at a time and you'll get an idea what it's like to live with crappy weather for most of the year.
Isn't the weather this week in Arizona going to be AWESOME????????

LOL...no need to apologize. As an AZ native, who loves my state, I am always happy to see other people happy to live here.

It's pretty awesome up here in the Verde Valley too. Still cooler than Phoenix and, really, been kinda cold the last few nights but perfect sleeping weather. I'm thinking about putting my quilt back on the bed today. lol

Having lived on the Oregon coast for 11 years I am well acquainted with the weather you speak of. lol I was much younger then though and I don't think it bothered me nearly as much as it would now. I was there last August and it was only 64 degrees and 'drizzly'. At the same time it was over 100 degrees on the I-5 corridor! Weird weather up there.

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat

LOL...no need to apologize. As an AZ native, who loves my state, I am always happy to see other people happy to live here.

It's pretty awesome up here in the Verde Valley too. Still cooler than Phoenix and, really, been kinda cold the last few nights but perfect sleeping weather. I'm thinking about putting my quilt back on the bed today. lol

Having lived on the Oregon coast for 11 years I am well acquainted with the weather you speak of. lol I was much younger then though and I don't think it bothered me nearly as much as it would now. I was there last August and it was only 64 degrees and 'drizzly'. At the same time it was over 100 degrees on the I-5 corridor! Weird weather up there.

Yeah, the PNW has some strange weather for sure. 10 inches in a weekend. WOW!
I lived there for 24 years and I don't ever recall that much rain in such a short period. There will be some flooding, downed trees all over the place, land slides and massive power outages I'm sure.
The most rain I remember was about 4 inches in one day and that happened all too often for me.
I actually liked Oregon. Beautiful state but one never could enjoy it much because of all the rain. I HATED being huddled in the house for months at a time.
I sure am glad I live here when I see weather like that up there. This is the time of year all my friends don't want to hear from me. I'm sitting by the pool, on the lake or going on a motorcycle ride. They are just trying to stay dry. HA!

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Madhatter015

Slow drivers on Freeways who dawdle in the Left lane!! It's like nobody knows what the Left lane is for, it's a Passing lane, not a lane to move along at one's own little slow pace!! I notice this more in Phoenix than I do in other large cities!!

I tend to agree here. I get behind plenty of these slowpokes in the left lanes too, and they are not only being inconsiderate, they are violating the AZ law that says slower traffic must stay to the right. Of course, they'll defend themselves by stating that they're abiding by the speed limit and that they're not going to move over for the "speed demons". Unfortunately, they are still hindering the flow of traffic (and being even more of a nuisance than speeders) when they camp out in the left lanes & refuse to move over. I will say, however, that Phoenix is not the only city where this happens. You'll find slow, inconsiderate drivers all over, regardless of where it is.

Originally Posted by Madhatter015

Thre isn't much hustle-bustle about Phoenix at all!! Most everyone who lives here came from somewhere else, usually the Midwest, and they brought their hick ways with them!! Their idea of upscale dining is Olive Garden or Red Lobster!! Too many big Pickup trucks here too, it feels like a rural area or Texas!! For the sixth largest city in the United States it's very slow and unsophisticated here!!

Phoenix is overlooked for large-scale entertainment and conventions, they all go to L.A. or Vegas!! We are left with old 1980s Rock bands at the Indian Casinos like Toto and REO Speedwagon!! We get plenty of Gun conventions and Gun shows, but no first-rate entertainment, dining, or conventions!! Nobody goes to Phoenix to have a good time, they come here to relax or retire mostly!! Even Downtown doesn't have much going on!!

What part of Phoenix do you live in? No, Phoenix is not fast paced or sophisticated if you compare it to New York, but there is enough of a city vibe in certain parts of the Valley. Personally, I don't even pay attention to what goes on at the Indian run casinos. There are plenty of large scale concerts, clubs, and conventions here ... but the downside to this is much of the nightlife, fine dining, and entertainment is in Scottsdale, and to a certain point Tempe, Westgate, and downtown Phoenix. Much of the Phoenix area is highly suburban. I personally would prefer less outward sprawl and more upward development & action in the urban core ... but many people prefer the suburban life, and you'll find this in many Western U.S. cities besides Phoenix.

Originally Posted by Madhatter015

moved here because of a job transfer and I like the lower cost of things!! Other than that and the weather most of the year I hate this place!! I'm sorry I moved here, I made a big mistake, and I will be looking for a much more progressive city sooner or later, hopefully sooner!!

Where do you think you're going to find a more "progressive" city that has a lower cost of living and the "nice weather" that you like? That's going to be hard to find. It sounds like you would prefer New York, Philadelphia, or Boston ... but guess what? Your taxes and overall cost of living would be much higher, and you would have to contend with harsh winters & all the humidity, rain, and storms during most of the year.

Personally, what really irritates me are these people who move here strictly for the weather & cheaper cost of living, only to hate everything else about Phoenix. I think the sunny climate is one of the WORST reasons to move here because our climate really isn't all that great when you consider how brutally hot the summers are & how dry it is much of the year. In any case, I really don't think you're going to find your perfect city because it sounds like you will be a malcontent no matter where you go.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by maverick974

Yeah, the PNW has some strange weather for sure. 10 inches in a weekend. WOW!
I lived there for 24 years and I don't ever recall that much rain in such a short period. There will be some flooding, downed trees all over the place, land slides and massive power outages I'm sure.
The most rain I remember was about 4 inches in one day and that happened all too often for me.
I actually liked Oregon. Beautiful state but one never could enjoy it much because of all the rain. I HATED being huddled in the house for months at a time.
I sure am glad I live here when I see weather like that up there. This is the time of year all my friends don't want to hear from me. I'm sitting by the pool, on the lake or going on a motorcycle ride. They are just trying to stay dry. HA!

My son called me from Klamath Falls today. He's already singing the Winter Time Blues and it's not that bad! lol

I can recall a few 'good' coastal storms back in the 60s. I think what I remember most though is the seemingly never ending fog! I loved Oregon but couldn't live there again. Enjoy visiting every chance I get though.

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat

My son called me from Klamath Falls today. He's already singing the Winter Time Blues and it's not that bad! lol

I can recall a few 'good' coastal storms back in the 60s. I think what I remember most though is the seemingly never ending fog! I loved Oregon but couldn't live there again. Enjoy visiting every chance I get though.

I feel much the same way. I loved the Oregon coast during the summer but come September, it's all over until June or July. 9 or 10 months of incessant rain. It finally got to me. The kids grew up, the wife passed away and all I had to do was watch it rain. I hated it once the family was gone.
I talked to a good friend of mine this morning. It's raining so hard he can't even walk out on his covered porch. It's pouring and he said he is getting 85 mph winds blowing the rain right through any small opening.
Yes, I did like it there but like you, I can't live there anymore. I'd like to visit but only during July or August. No trudging through the mud for me.

[NewlyNatural]

Originally Posted by bradleyyo

I lurk on this bored often because I have friends that live in Phoenix. I always hear the good things about Phoenix like affordability. What are things you don't like about it?

It is extremely HOT most of the year, too spread out, and lacks culture.

[SageCats]

Lack of green and trees
Lack of changing of the seasons
The religious climate here
The need to drive everywhere and lack of trains