What do you think about living in PHOENIX, ARIZONA ? We just visited there - lots of jobs, but also social?

Question

problems with METHAMPHETAMINE, GANGS, VIOLENCE, and urban troubles with volumes of traffic.

Also, it was 110 degrees there (just last week). Do you think PHOENIX is a great place to live ? Employment opportunities ?
Social interactions with different races and types of people ?

I liked visiting there, but the HEAT was REPRESSIVE. And the young "gangsta-tough" mentality is a BIG TURN-OFF FOR ME !!

Answer 1

The cost of living is quite reasonable and jobs are fairly easy to find. It is continuing to grow, so growth sector positions (trades, health care, education, transportation) are especially plentiful. The heat is oppressive, but the people plan their activities with a different mid-set (never outside in the mid-day, must have dash protectors, a slower physical pace altogether). There is a nice diversity of people, although most groups are pretty homogenous (not many mixed-race families), and a sort of a Wild West mentality of independence prevails. There are definitely some areas where the Thug Life is prevalent, and people who live locally generally avoid, rather than try to change or to impact, those geographies. It is very odd to see a plastic Santa Claus perched in a palm tree, but grilling out for New Year's day offsets the double-takes. If you are of a mind to move, take another, more extended vacation, subscribe to local papers, and try to get a feel for the place. I'd go for it!

Answer 2

I have lived here in Phoenix for 9 years, after growing up in SoCal.
A. The meth issue wouldn't affect your life if you are not a user, dealer or living in a bad neighborhood. That would apply in any city in the U.S. though. We are 30 minutes from downtown and I have never felt that the issue was impacting our lives directly. The Phoenix P.D. works hard on that war and I respect their efforts. I will also expect flack for that statement. You can't please all of the people...!
B. Yes. It's HOT. It's REALLY hot. It's hellaciously hot. It does not cool off at night. "They" will tell you "it's only hot for 3 or 4 months"... This is a lie. It is hot for 5 months. The other 7 months are heaven. The other 7 months make me forget about the previous 5 months. It's hard to grow things here though, but if you get the knack for it, you can make your yard a desert paradise with TONS of blooms because there are TONS of beautiful desert plants that are low water/drought tolerant. Our hot season also produces AMAZING storms with fantastic lightening shows and great thunder. The sunsets here cannot be beat, and I kid you not, every night there is a beautiful one different from the night before.
C. Gangsta-Tough mentality? Where were you? There are so many different areas and that remark makes me think you were not in a good one. Sure, there are bad neighborhoods, but I leave my door unlocked all the time even when I leave for hours at a time... okay I have 3 big dogs... but still.... I leave my car running when I run into stores, etc... You can't do that everywhere, granted. Southeast Valley is my suggestion.
D. Social interaction with differrent races... not really so much. Depends on where you go. Check out
http://www.city-data.com/city/Arizona.html Look at Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Higley, Johnson Ranch
E. Employment Opps... Not really sure, I know a lot of IT companies have been/are moving here, hence the moniker Silicon Desert. Lots of aviation, technology, education & health opportunities. My husband works out of town or from home, and I don't work... because the cost of living is, of course, better than most places.

Good luck to you on your decision, I suggest checking out other areas, i.e. suburbs. It's a great place to raise kids. Overall, I am happy here.

Answer 3

The social problems you mention are in every big city. I have lived in Phoenix for 20 years and find it relatively safe. I have never personally encountered drugs, gangs or violence. There really is no "ghetto" in Phoenix. There are a lot of very family-oriented communities and wonderful schools.

If you like sports, we have professional baseball, hockey, arena football, lacrosse, basketball, and football, all played in some of the finest stadiums/arenas.

The traffic is bad only if you have to commute during rush hour. Everyone wants to work in town but live way out on the outskirts of town - so they suffer the consequences of their choices. There are plenty of jobs.

We have a larger Hispanic population than most US cities, being on the border with Mexico. An Asian area is developing in southeast Phoenix also. We enjoy their restaurants, specialty grocers, etc. They contribute to our children's education because they share their culture in the schools.

Yes, the heat is terrible in the summer, but we enjoy gorgeous weather from October through April. If you hate gray skies, rain and snow, this is a great place to live.

If you are moving here, I would recommend the east side of town or the far northwest suburbs.

Answer 4

I've lived in AZ over 22 years. Phoenix is like the 5th biggest city in the nation. Of course there's going to be problems, just like every other big city.

Also, if you just can't live where there's drugs or crime, I have no idea where you'd end up living. Those problems are really everywhere.

As for the heat, you get used to it after a while. Some people just don't like the heat, then you should probably not live in AZ.

Answer 5

You can find any type of job easily. Property values are affordable. The cost of living is inexpensive. Parking is plentiful. Art galleries are everywhere. The culture is southwestern mixed with every ethnicity. It is sunny just about every day. I prefer a dry heat to any type of humidity. The mornings and evenings are perfect to sit outside and relax. Most homes have swimming pools and you can wear shorts and sandals year round. During the daytime I am at a casual work environment in an air-conditioned office as are most people so why the gripe about the heat? On weekends you have many peaks and mountains to explore, parks to roam, and the Sedona and surrounding deserts offer breath taking views. There are golf parks, horse stables, pubilc pools and gyms. You are mere hours away from Mexico, the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff's mountains and snow and many major California cities. There are many types of bars and unique, independent restaurants as well as favorite chains. There are many shopping malls and outlets as well as specialty stores and thrift shops and every where I drive I see garage or yard sales for those looking for unique and one of a kind items. I love PHOENIX!

Answer 6

you got really good answers from all the others so i'll be brief with my answer. first of all, their are these type of problems like drugs, gangs and violence not only here but everywhere else in the usa. ( there are parts of arizona that have less crime than others.) as far as heat is concerned, we do suffer through the summer months but once late fall rolls around it really gets nice and the temps are very mild (all the snow birds flock here during that time)
employment oppurtunities are abundant here with so many new homes being built and shops and strip malls to accomodate.
if you feel like you wouldn't be happy here (which it looks that way to me) then i wouldn't suggest you move here. btw...alot of people don't like the heat but just deal with it.

Answer 7

i was born n raised in phx ! Don't fall for lame B.S.about drugs an violence! That's anywhere you go! people have to stop crying that there a victim almost all the problems that people have they have created themselves !phoenix is a great place to live. wear a helmet on I 10 trust me

Answer 8

well i have lived in arizona all my life and i'm not gonna lie....violence gets just as bad here as any where else in the world and it's always hot! but there are a lot of great jobs here and places to go quad riding and the sunrise is gorgeous plus in az u dont have to worry about hurricanes or anything

Answer 9

So don't move here. I do the hiring at my company, required is an Arizona drivers license that says you have lived here for six months. Your car better have AZ license plates. You have to have lived at the same adress six months. You won't start out at the top pay scale either.

Answer 10

Weather only sucks 3 months a year, never need to run your heat, lots of jobs but traffic really sucks. Go to Scottsdale.