Can anybody tell me how you like Phoenix,AZ?

Question

I am Planning on going there to MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) next year and need some feedback!

Answer 1

Most all those complaining on here likely reside in the West Valley. I hated it when I lived over there too. All aside, it depends on where you are now.

I grew up in a small town in northern AZ and by comparison, Phoenix seemed like a real paradise. I moved down here five years ago, a week after I graduated high school and loved it. I moved to MS for a year and couldn't wait to be back.

There is no doubt about it, it gets HOT, but, it's only as bad as you make it. I drove around the city for three years with no AC in my truck and it got to the point where it was 116 degrees outside but I didn't break a sweat. You adapt.

If you plan on coming here, make sure you make the investment of finding a nice place to live. The PHX MMI is on the North side of town, and there's a lot of new development up there. East Phoenix, Scottsdale, the Biltmore area and of course Tempe have hell of culture and things to do. Plus, if you're in to bikes, The Dunes are just a few hours south, not to mention all kinds of places to ride out in the desert.

One of my best friends moved out here to go to MMI from Maine; originally he thought he was going to the FL one but at the last minute they told him it was AZ or nothing, so he took the drive. He really likes it here, has a house now, etc.

I think the bottom line is you're either going to love it or hate it. I run into people all the time (most of the people here ARE transplants) from NJ, Chicago, WI, MN, NY, and they freakin' love it here. The summers are bad, but the autumn, winter, and spring are *paradise*. Cleaning the pool in your shorts on New Years? Done it. Most West Coasters don't seem to like it here, and I actually don't see many southerners but people from the Midwest and Northwest really seem to like it.

If you're a city girl, I mean a REAL city girl, you'll probably hate it. The industries here aren't stock trading or finance. It's cattle, mining, agriculture, technology, and construction; there's no need for a centralized business district and no one seems to really want one. If you can get the scratch and some time you should take a trip out to get the feel.

Mail me if you'd like additional details on the place...

Cheers!

Answer 2

For the good stuff: The main thing is employment, but there's also great shopping, golf, lots of resorts and it's sunny most of the year. If you have time and money you can drive a couple hours to the north to cool down or a few hours south to some beach in Mexico. Now for the bad stuff: Phoenix is HOT - 6 months out of the year you really don't want to be outside during the day - so you stay at home or go shopping. There's also the pollution - when people say we have blue skies they're not being totally honest. Most of the time they have more of a brownish hue. It also seems our rivers are drying up and we might not be able to sustain our rapid growth - but you can rest assure the golf courses will stay green. Housing prices do not match income levels - but they do have 40 year mortgages now. If you're a student, childless couple or retiree it might not be that bad - there are many people who love it here and I've lasted 24 years, although my family and I are moving out of state as soon as our house sells.

Answer 3

Phoenix is a GREAT town. Employment rates are good. Housing costs can be a bit high, but the values are good. Schools are good. Cultural events are lacking, the heat factors in here. But after 9pm it is usually cool enough and people are out and about. One of the best points is that from Phoenix you are a short plane trip or about a 5 hour drive to Los Angeles, Las vegas, San Diego, and Santa Fe; all great places to escape the heat. But if you need a reason to love Phoenix, how about 75 to 80 degree weather in January & February!!!

Answer 4

Have lived here for nearly 30 years, but ready to find a greener pasture. It has become too dirty, too crowded, and I am sorry to say this, too Mexican. I feel that that illegal immigration problem has already eroded the quality of life here, and it is only getting worse. Look up crime statistics, and see for yourself.

Nearly everywhere I used to go out and enjoy the desert is now, or soon will be a Master Planned Community. The millionaire develpers have the politicians in there pocket, so they need not guarantee that there will be roads, or WATER for all those homes. Arizona, and especially the Valley of the Sun is slowly deteriorating.

Answer 5

I know everyone thinks it's paradise, but I hated it there and couldn't wait to leave. I never got accustomed to the heat.

The lack of a real city feel (even downtown seems sort of suburban) bugged me - it was hard to find a store that wasn't some sort of chain, and restaurants were even worse. The major passtime seemed to be shopping.

As it's the desert, everything was brown. That depressed me. I need green grass and leaves that change, I guess.

I got out as soon as I could - but if I had to go back for a year to do something I really wanted to do, I'd go back. It's just a year, and then you can leave if you hate it.

Answer 6

I have lived in the Phoenix area since 1969, and love it, but then I really like the heat. There are plenty of lakes just an hour or so away, and during the winter, it's a quick drive up to Flagstaff to ski.

Answer 7

I grew up in Phoenix, been here over 45 years. Its over populated, traffic sucks, government officials have no clue on building proper roads, way too many Illegal aliens,too hot and becoming worse, Phoenix is the largest HICK town in the country.
I'm leaving here soon as I retire.

Answer 8

Well it takes a month or so to get use to the heat, but its the best place I've ever lived..Spent 22 years in the service and have lived all over..Lived in arizona, (MESA) for 20 years and hope I can move back before I die.. Could'nt ask for a better place to live..Tour friend now from Tennessee...ROB

Answer 9

I've lived here over 23 years! I can't imagine living any place else.

Beautiful weather, lots of stuff to do, 5 hour drive from Disneyland & Las Vegas, & lots of job opportunities. What more can you ask for?

Answer 10

Hot and hellish actual. Very little to do in the city. Way overpopulated with mexicans who speak no english and will blow kisses at you in front of their wives.