Is Phoenix metro good for intellectuals? (Tucson, Mesa: homes, bankrupt, school)

[Boddicker]

I’m a bookish conservative straight man who is in awe of Arizona, but when I have any free time I am unlikely to be outdoors doing off-road stuff, golfing, hiking, working on cars, etc. I usually like to play piano, research, write, drink in bars, dine, and of course read for pleasure. When I am outside I do love to take drives and visit new towns. I also love to play and watch sports and am physically fit, but when push comes to shove my personal nature is one of mental stimulation. All of this might sound incredibly cringe but I don’t know how else to describe who I am.

The reason I ask is because I’d like to know how likely these traits are to be cultivated with others in Phoenix. I am a sociable guy but not a family man, yet. Not a church guy but I am willing to consider. I’ve watched a lot of YT videos and the culture does seem to be rightfully geared towards an active life outdoors. I enjoy that in smaller doses, for sure, but I tend to connect most with reader types.

So, is your fine city fertile ground for meeting a core group of friends and possibly a partner? Or am I describing the conditions of social suicide? I presently live in a poorly-run and bankrupt liberal stronghold that has felt increasingly alien to me after the events of 2020, so I am planning for a midlife change in the next couple years. If you think there are any areas in central AZ for me, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

(ps: not interested in flagstaff or Tucson. This is exclusively about Phx area)

[DetroitN8V]

There are all types here. As unusual as you sound, I’m sure you could find others with similar views and interests. Why choose a blue state though when identifying as conservative?

[Irkle Berserkle]

I have friends in Chicago who still describe Phoenix as a "small town" no matter how many times I disabuse them of that idea. Phoenix now has too many people, and too eclectic a mix of people, to be considered provincial or unsophisticated in any sense. No, it is not New York or San Francisco, not a center of culture and arts, but neither are most of the other 50 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. Of course it 's largely geared toward sports and outdoor activities, but I wouldn't have any fear of feeling intellectually lost. With all the resources available on the internet, I'm not sure I'd feel that way in Laredo.

[Hschlick84]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

There are all types here. As unusual as you sound, I’m sure you could find others with similar views and interests. Why choose a blue state though when identifying as conservative?

Liberals move to red states also, not sure why this is an issue when vice-versa?

[Boddicker]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

There are all types here. As unusual as you sound, I’m sure you could find others with similar views and interests. Why choose a blue state though when identifying as conservative?

The whole country is turning blue based on rapid demographic changes, but relatively speaking Phx is a rare, rare conservative-ish large city, esp. Mesa.

I like liberal culture quite a bit because liberals are often outspoken advocates for the arts; I just don’t care for the highly racialist activist-woke crowd that wants to de-Westernize so many things I hold dear to my heart. Phoenix still seems to me a “live and let live” kind of place.

Btw, why do I sound unusual? I’ve described that I have a lot of varied interests, and I can connect with a lot of different types of people.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

There are all types here. As unusual as you sound, I’m sure you could find others with similar views and interests. Why choose a blue state though when identifying as conservative?

AZ is purple. Plenty of conservatives in the state and Phoenix metro area.

Anyway, to the OP: While there won't be as much intellectual culture as you might expect for a metro area of it's size (I mean, there's really only one major public university based in a metro of 5 million people), there is still more than enough to satisfy the most diligent sophisticate. Phoenix Art Museum is superb, and then there is the Heard Museum, MIM, Performing Arts Center and Opera House, Gammage at ASU, Goldwater Institute, and a decent library system (even if not at the scale of a New York or Chicago). Scottsdale or closer to downtown Phoenix or Mid-town is probably going to be closest to your jam where you will be closer to the cultural amenities and like-minded folks. Just don't expect it to be the same level and concentration as you might find in say, DC, the Bay Area, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Philly, Boston, LA, or even a Denver.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

AZ is purple. Plenty of conservatives in the state and Phoenix metro area.

Anyway, to the OP: While there won't be as much intellectual culture as you might expect for a metro area of it's size (I mean, there's really only one major public university based in a metro of 5 million people), there is still more than enough to satisfy the most diligent sophisticate. Phoenix Art Museum is superb, and then there is the Heard Museum, MIM, Performing Arts Center and Opera House, Gammage at ASU, Goldwater Institute, and a decent library system (even if not at the scale of a New York or Chicago). Scottsdale or closer to downtown Phoenix or Mid-town is probably going to be closest to your jam where you will be closer to the cultural amenities and like-minded folks. Just don't expect it to be the same level and concentration as you might find in say, DC, the Bay Area, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Philly, Boston, LA, or even a Denver.

"Blue state" doesn't mean the absence of conservatives. There are conservatives in SF. The point is, if the guy specifically mentions being a conservative, perhaps a state that is already blue and trending more so in the future isn't the best fit. Omaha or SLC would possibly be better for this guy.

[Boddicker]

Originally Posted by Irkle Berserkle

I have friends in Chicago who still describe Phoenix as a "small town" no matter how many times I disabuse them of that idea. Phoenix now has too many people, and too eclectic a mix of people, to be considered provincial or unsophisticated in any sense. No, it is not New York or San Francisco, not a center of culture and arts, but neither are most of the other 50 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. Of course it 's largely geared toward sports and outdoor activities, but I wouldn't have any fear of feeling intellectually lost. With all the resources available on the internet, I'm not sure I'd feel that way in Laredo.

I live in Chicago proper and I no longer need or desire sophisticated, culturally-rich metropolises. (The 18” of snow outside my window isn’t helping, either .) Those places tend to become so politically homogenous and, yes, elitist in their groupthink. What you describe as an eclectic mix of people is enticing, although that can carry a lot of different connotations. Ultimately I’d like to branch out and become more outdoorsy, so I’m just looking to see if there are pockets of like-minded folks that can serve as an anchor. I think a lot of the homes in the typical tract-housing developments look quite nice, but potentially isolating as well.

Frankly, no place will satisfy everyone’s checklist, and Phoenix won’t mine, but neither has Chicago. I often hear that Phx attracts a lot of vapid and materialistic people, but I refuse to believe that’s the norm. It’s always struck me as a place to maybe reinvent oneself and see life anew. I desperately need that shot in the arm right now.

[Boddicker]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

AZ is purple. Plenty of conservatives in the state and Phoenix metro area.

Anyway, to the OP: While there won't be as much intellectual culture as you might expect for a metro area of it's size (I mean, there's really only one major public university based in a metro of 5 million people), there is still more than enough to satisfy the most diligent sophisticate. Phoenix Art Museum is superb, and then there is the Heard Museum, MIM, Performing Arts Center and Opera House, Gammage at ASU, Goldwater Institute, and a decent library system (even if not at the scale of a New York or Chicago). Scottsdale or closer to downtown Phoenix or Mid-town is probably going to be closest to your jam where you will be closer to the cultural amenities and like-minded folks. Just don't expect it to be the same level and concentration as you might find in say, DC, the Bay Area, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Philly, Boston, LA, or even a Denver.

This is wonderful. Thank you.

[roadwarrior101]

I did grad school at ASU. I found that in my circle (generally, other grad students), there were a lot of fellow intellectuals. However, I think the broader community left a lot to be desired. That isn't to say that there aren't other like minded folks outside of academia, especially with the growing tech community in the Phoenix area. However, it took a lot of work to find these types of folks. Its certainly not as pervasive as where I currently live, in the SF Bay Area.