Thoughts from a Los Angeleno
I just recently moved to Arizona from California. Specifically from LA, CA to Glendale, AZ (there is a Glendale in CA). And so far I've been here a month. Moved here specifically for a job. I'm single guy, no kids, never been married. Pros: My salary went UP, cost of living went DOWN; traffic disappear (now granted I drive west away from Phoenix to work) but in general, I have not experienced anywhere NEAR the traffic jam nightmares of Los Angeles. Beautiful weather (though I came in October so I prepared for the brutal summers). And nice roads, open spaces. Cons: Well...not really but it does feel a bit isolating. Not a negative just used to more people. As for nightlifte, I know of Scottsdale and Tempe (AS Univ) and downtown Phoenix. Not too much diversity (I'm Hispanic). Other than that I look forward to visiting the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff and Tucson.
—jaramill
USED TO LOVE IT STARTING TO HATE IT.
in phoenix over 47yrs now born here. and i have seen it go from a nice place to live to one that is over stuffed with people legal and illegal crime has exploded meth labs and drop houses are everywhere now the place is no congested with polution and traffic it takes forever to get a road built or even repaired around here and the state can't even balance it budget but they sure are good at spending our hard earn taxes dollar on nonesense like a light rail or yet another sports stadium most people can't afford to ever use... og and for some reason it's now 90 degrees on halloween instead of 78 degrees like it used to be 20 yrs ago! it hardly ever rains here and when it does alot of people drive like idots out in it.. it used to be a great place then the population exploded and now it's starting to feel like hell on earth at times. why won't i leave it's simple i was here first born here as far as i'm concerned everyone else here thats causing the problems can please leave
— George S
Miserable people
To all the anti social freaks out their that say there is nothing to do out here, you are all lazy and truly don't like the heat. So why did you even move here. I've lived here for almost a year, came from Chicago... Obviously lol, and I love it out here! You can't shovel sunshine, maybe if you had a better additude, or outlook on life it wouldn't be so hard to meet people. The only complaint that I might have is the thievery, there is so much of that out here, so take extra caution and lock your stuff up! Otherwise, the females are bad, pretty much all dtf, you can do something outside everyday if you choose to, its all about staying hydrated and I'm not talking about drinking carbonated garbage, lots of water. The heat is a mind over matter thing. Mills ave is a great place for the blue collar regular, people tend to be a bit snobby when partying in scottsdale, but that is what money brings to most people... Both have great night lives, but I prefer mills ave...
— Chi Town
It gets hotter every year
This place is an oven and the air is filthy. No trees, every plant and animal has spikes, thorns, or venom and is trying to kill you. Mammals are not supposed to be here. For 6 months of the year you will have a perpetual layer of sweat on you if you just go outside. Its the first place I have been where the sun is your enemy and you dont look forward to a sunny day cause its miserable.
— ItsHot
I like Oregon better, sorry, but I do.
As a native and life long resident of Oregon, I'm finding my new life in Phoenix to resemble The Twilight Zone. The water here resembles warm swimming pool water with a side of dirt, the coffee is a joke and I miss rain, moss and mud. There I said it, I miss mud, naturally occurring mud. Why live here? A job transfer brought us here and hopefully one that will take us out. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful here, the cacti are amazing and the Mexican food is the best I've had this side of Mexico but I miss my family, my friends, the ability to buy a real cup of coffee at any time without driving 10 miles, ice cold, lovely water from the tap, hipsters, hippies, good beer, trees, lakes and rivers and the ocean.
— OregonCoffeeMomma
Phoenix , the other hell
Here's my pro/con list, I'll start with the Cons: Summers are brutally hot, horrible job market, foreclosures everywhere, urban sprawl at its worst, vacant strip malls, chain restaurants, lame Mexican restaurants, red light cameras, snowbirds, Scottsdale Range Rover drivers and fake people, high ratio of strip clubs/check cashing/pawn shops, powerful HOAs, no rain, haboobs, high % of Republicans and Tea Party gun lovers, high crime rates, Jan Brewer, tendency to blame all ills and budget deficits on Mexicans, cookie cutter McMansion subdivisions, high % of SUV/offroad vehicles for work commuting, spraying water fountains into the air (in the desert??WTF???), flooding grass yards in the desert (another WTF???) and did I say it's too freaking hot? PROS: Short drive to get away from Phoenix (go to California of Flagstaff), plenty of water intensive golf courses to play in the 110+ degree heat, can't swing a dead cat without hitting a publicly funded baseball stadium.
— ouch, the truth hurts
Phoenix is AWESOME
If you love scorching hot weather, I mean really HOT, like when you go outside and immediately feel the heat sting your neck, you'll love it here! If you love the way human flesh smells after people come in from a walk home in the middle of the afternoon, You're gonna LOVE it here... If you like dust storms that are the latest wave of occurrences happening due to the yearly increase in summer tempratures YOU are gonna LOVE it here!! If you like staying inside you're poorly air-conditioned home all day everyday to work out and watch tv and do inside the house things because it's too hot outside to survive, THEN you will absolutely love it here... if you're a loner and don't like to mingle, you'll LOVE it here, people stay inside their houses either because it's too hot to go out or they're loser loners... If you like how the sun makes everyone seem older because of skin damage caused by the sun, you will like it here, everyone looks dry and old and they smell like dried dirty clothes.
— B-Rock-Adocious
still debating
I have recently moved here from NY due to the weather and my medical condtions. What causes my conflictions is the different stories I hear from everyone. Although I live in north phoenix in a gated community, I have heard that I could have done better because of the high crime rate in phoenix. That didn't sit well with me especially after having asked my realtor about this area before I purchased my property. I will give it a chance and see what the market does within my first year. It is different being away from your comfort zone.
— Native ny ker
Fun!
I've been here for about 5 years now, and I LOVE IT!! I live in Old Town Scottsdale, and there are TONS of things to do and see, and keep yourself cool. There are some parts of Phoenix that look kinda rough, but EVERY city has that!! I'm single, but I see a lot of nice places to raise a family here, such as Gilbert or Chandler. And we have all 4 professional sports here, so there's Always a game going on. I've been to many places, and I may not have been born here, but THIS is my home :) If ya Can't take the Heat, then Get Outta the Kitchen!
— sciscoe
An honest response
Every city has the good things and bad things about a it. As for myself, I love phoenix. I have lived here for 4 years. Before I moved here I was living in Chicago for about 7 years and New York City for 5 years. No wonder people come here from all over. Phoenix has great weather for nine months out of the year, the sunsets are to die for, affordable living, traffic is not to bad. Lots to do and places to go. Its funny that people complain that there is nothing to do here, it was also funny to here that from people in chicago and new york when I was living there.I think some people that say that stuff are really boring people and that is why they also complain about not having any friends. I mean what does phoenix not have that Chicago or New York has. Unless your into Broadway.
— mr. truth