First Impressions of Phoenix (Surprise: hotel, houses, landscaping)

[Fletchman]

Just last week, I was in Phoenix for the first time for a management training seminar. I am from Columbus, OH, and this was my first time "out West". Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see too much, other than the area around the hotel. My thoughts:

1. You have an outstanding airport. Very well designed (at least if you're arriving). On the way out, it was a little difficult locating the gate. But, no big deal.

2. Great street system. I love the grid and it wasn't too hard to find your way around.

3. Very comfortable mornings and evenings. There was a breeze, and it felt great at night when we were sitting out and having drinks.

Minor Negatives:

1. Why don't you have Daylight Saving Time? Seems a little bit strange in this day and age.

2. Is anyone concerned about the excessive water usage for the golf courses and faux lakes?

Overall, I definitely would go back to visit Phoenix.

[MotleyCrew]

I am glad you enjoyed your visit. We loved coming over from CA while we were moving. The evenings right now are pleasant, but you can't sit out on the patio in early August...too hot. We seem to manage our water very well, however I am not in favor of doing large grass lawns here, but that is my personal issue. I have not a clue why we don't have daylight savings here.

[sh9730]

No daylight savings cuz during the summer people would rather have an extra hour of sun in the morning (when its cooler) than in the evening when its 110+.

[Finger Laker]

daylight savings is all about energy efficiency - with the climate here there really is no benefit to it

[MaxPower123]

We don't do DTS because we don't like dealing with nonsense.

[Ponderosa]

With DST, the evenings you enjoyed would not have been as enjoyable.

[aquila]

Very first time I visited Phoenix, I flew out of the midwest when it was 32 degrees. Landed in Phoenix when it was 88-90 degrees. First words out of my mouth to my grandmother were: "Man, it's hot out here." She replied: "Honey, this is a mild day."

First time I drove to Phoenix, my mom lived way over in Surprise off of Grand Ave. I thought the drive from I-17 would never end. I thought the place was HUGE, and my mom said that was only 1/4 of the city I'd drove across!!

I love Phoenix. I really do. I just wish they'd stop planting so much grass everywhere. It detracts from the desert landscaping, which was one of the things I loved the most about the city when I visited.

[Master Shake]

Glad that you seemed to have a nice visit to Phoenix!

Yes, the grid system is very well laid out and makes overall travel easier. Now, if we could only get a good mass transit system!

With DST, many people think it is actually no longer needed in this day and age. Personally, I think everyone else is behind the times with DST.

As for the grass, most newer projects use recycled or reclaimed water instead of fresh water. Also, most houses still stick with the desert landscaping (ie: crushed gravel rocks and low water usage plants). Have you ever been to Las Vegas -- away from the strip area? They still primarily use grass for landscaping, and have reached a point where residents are restricted on which days they are allowed to water their lawns!

[dew2773]

I've recently moved here from Columbus. My first impression was IT'S HOT as HELL here! But a lot more fun than Ohio.