Young East Coasters Considering Phoenix Area (Tucson, Mesa: appointed, transplants, real estate)

[ka3la]

Originally Posted by deboinair

Stay in NY. I was so glad to not encounter many NYers since moving here from Miami. It's like a breathe of fresh air not to see the annoying obnoxious NYers that complain how things aren't like NY but they don't go back. smh

Phoenix IS NOTHING like NY. Nothing is going to remind you of home. It's way slower and not many fun events are here. It's basically a work, go home, or hang out with friends kind of city.

I currently live in a city of less than 100,000 people, so we're not exactly "fast-paced" people. In fact, we'd prefer a city that's slower than say NYC or Long Island or Miami. And the reason we want to move across the country is to experience something that ISN'T going to remind us of home. So thank you for your feedback.

[ka3la]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Things to keep in mind:


1) Golf is best done here in winter when its cooler out. Problem is every old person from Vancouver to Bangor is here, and the courses are booked and more expensive.


2) Golf in summer is no picnic. Have you tried golfing when its 116 degrees out? No good times are had by any. lolol On the plus side, rates are low and the courses are virtually vacant, especially in the afternoon.


3) Have you even visited here in summer? Phoenicians tire of hearing "we love the weather" from newcomers, only to hear them beotch and moan about it 2 years later. Most end up leaving.


4) You should get along here just fine, as long as you keep your liberal opinions to yourself. AZ is very live and let live, but don't come here and complain about our gun laws, etc. Keep the failed NY liberal policies back home. We don't want AZ to turn into a complete craphole like NY or CA or IL has become, please. Just come here wanting to live and let live, and respect our desert, and everything should be AOK.

I like to think we're tolerant people, in regards to anyone's opinions. I'm more worried about locals not liking us or giving us a chance to fit in BECAUSE we're from the NE. I lived briefly in Maryland and the fact that I was simply from up north made people very aggressive and intolerant towards my family.

[ka3la]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

Good question.

If you think you can appreciate what is good about the Valley without complaining about what it does not have, then sure.

But if by "pretty liberal mindset" you're going to get bent out of shape because

1. Arizona doesn't pour money down the public school rathole.
2. It tends to have few social programs for those who want to live there without working, and
3. AZ has a thriving gun culture and any person over 21 can carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

In regards to schools - do a lot of kids go to private school vs public school there? If public schools aren't government funded, how are they funded? [And please, I don't mean this in a snooty way, I just honestly don't know]

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by ka3la

In regards to schools - do a lot of kids go to private school vs public school there? If public schools aren't government funded, how are they funded? [And please, I don't mean this in a snooty way, I just honestly don't know]

95% of Arizona students attend public schools. Public schools are funded just like they are anywhere else - with taxes - just not adequately. Teacher salaries are not competitive, books and supplies are deficient, classrooms are overcrowded, buses are unsafe, and buildings are years behind in maintenance. Other than that, everything is fine.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

95% of Arizona students attend public schools. Public schools are funded just like they are anywhere else - with taxes - just not adequately. Teacher salaries are not competitive, books and supplies are deficient, classrooms are overcrowded, buses are unsafe, and buildings are years behind in maintenance. Other than that, everything is fine.

Somewhat true if you look at the State as a whole. There are specific districts that are performing well above standards but those tend to be in wealthy/Upper Middle Class areas. I don't think anyone would argue that there is room for improvement in the way school funds are allocated and handled...many districts attempt to handle their shortfall by passing bonds to fund projects and updating things. Many schools heavily rely on Tax Credit donations. Private schools are an option as are Charter schools (3 of the top 10 High Schools in the country are here in AZ...but they are BASIS Charter schools).

Teacher's salaries are a whole different subject...they are abysmal.

[Thomasaz]

You really want to move here after reading these replies?

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by Thomasaz

You really want to move here after reading these replies?

It's so funny how looking on these boards (for every state and the city boards) how if a person asks about moving to a place, a bunch of locals gang up and say either stay put or consider Texas instead

[Burning Madolf]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

95% of Arizona students attend public schools. Public schools are funded just like they are anywhere else - with taxes - just not adequately. Teacher salaries are not competitive, books and supplies are deficient, classrooms are overcrowded, buses are unsafe, and buildings are years behind in maintenance. Other than that, everything is fine.

All that and no mention of the parents?

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by ka3la

I like to think we're tolerant people, in regards to anyone's opinions. I'm more worried about locals not liking us or giving us a chance to fit in BECAUSE we're from the NE. I lived briefly in Maryland and the fact that I was simply from up north made people very aggressive and intolerant towards my family.

Virtually everyone from AZ is from somewhere else. I believe NY sends more people to AZ than any other state except CA, so you'll be amongst tons of ex-Yawkers.


The reason Marylanders probably didn't accept you guys is because they think they're southern or some ridiculous reason.

[kitshipp]

For what it's worth, I am in my mid 20's and have lived in Arizona my whole life. I have befriended several people my age who moved here from the east coast for a change of scenery. They all ended up moving back (or somewhere else, IE Seattle) within 5 years. I would definitely recommend staying here for a week if possible, preferably during the summer to scope it out.