DUer relocating to Phoenix. Any suggestions?

[NEOBuckeye]

As you might guess by my name, I'm from Ohio. But I see the writing on the wall for this state. Two decades of GOP mismanagement have almost completely decimated my state's economy so that the only jobs available here are part time night shifts at Wal-Mart and Taco Bell, and you need to work two or three of those at the same time just to get by. The cost of college tuition has shot through the roof these past few years, so it's difficult to even go back to school now, in order to try and access another field. There are no real living-wage jobs here, and young people are fleeing Ohio in droves. In short, things really suck here, and I want out.

I travelled to Phoenix this past March to see a friend, and absolutely loved the area! I'm not phased at all by the mostly brown and dry countryside, or the thought of experiencing triple-digit temperatures on a continuous basis for long stretches of time. I was actually impressed by the amount of construction going on around town and the general "buzz" I felt about the city -- it seems like the place to be right now. The kicker for me is that college tuition in Arizona is about 1/3 of what it is in Ohio right now, though I would have to be a resident for a year. I'm sure I can wait that long.

So, what do you say, Arizona DUers? Do you have any recommendations? Can you tell me where the best places are to live? Where are the affordable, yet relatively safe apartments located?

I actually did have the chance to drive around Tempe near ASU for a couple of hours. I'm thinking that might be a good place to set up shop while I go back to school.

Any cool sites or places to hang out? Are there any Dem or DUer gatherings?

Thanks in advance!

[jillan]

1. I take it you are a college student?

Tempe is great - the best suburb of Phoenix imho.

I live in Chandler. Both Chandler and Gilbert are great for families.

The most important thing is to move where you have access to a pool!

[NEOBuckeye]

14. Not really.

At least not in the traditional sense. I graduated in 2000, but I am planning on returning to school in a year or two to pick up my Masters.

Tempe must be the most verdant area around Phoenix by far, like an oasis! I actually remember seeing green lawns at the houses all around the downtown/ASU campus area. I assume that has something to do with that nearby canal/river. It was quite a contrast from the north side of Phoenix and Scottsdale, which is nearly all brown and basically desert.

I drove all over town and saw as much as I could. I think the Tempe/Mesa/Gilbert area gave me the best vibes.

[ThoughtCriminal]

2. You'll notice the difference between March and June

I lived in Tucson and Mesa for many years before moving up to the mountains. I moved here from Alabama alsmost 25 years ago and never regretted it - there's plenty to explore.

I'll try to think of some advise - off the top of my head:

1. Drink lots of cool water - the climate really drains you.
2. Try to live near your work - commuting in the valley has become a growing hassle
3. I really prefered Tucson to Phoenix/Mesa. More liberal, nice mountains - more of a college town feel
4. Don't expect good wages here either.

It's been too many years since I've looked at the apartment market in the area, but you'll probably find lower rents in Mesa than Tempe. But again, being close to work is more important than it used to be.

[NEOBuckeye]

15. Thanks for the advice!

Carrying and drinking lots of water in the desert just seems like common sense, but I'm sure there are plenty of newcomers who find out why, the hard way.

I do remember running into some traffic snarls during rush hour, on either Rt. 51 or the 101 loop, I think. Hope it wasn't just a light day, but I have sat through much worse.

I've also heard from other people that Tucson is definitely the more progressive/liberal city over Phoenix. I'm sure I'll get down there at some point after I move to check it out.

[NoodleBoy]

3. there's a bunch of dem groups

and if you do move to Tempe, LD17 could really use as many volunteers as possible this cycle.

[NEOBuckeye]

16. Thanks!

I'll check into it!

[Phx_Dem]

4. Housing right around the University..

is pretty pricy. You might want to check out South Scottsdale and the area of Phoenix just north of South Mountain. (baseline road area). If you have kids, check out the Madison area in Phx.

PS--the wages here in the Valley are much better than Tucson.

PPS--need a job? send me a PM.

[jillan]

12. Ok - spill

I'm ready for a career change.
Been working in corporate Amerika for too long.

[NEOBuckeye]

17. South Scottsdale?

Thanks! I'll be sure to check it out. I thought all of Scottsdale was pretty pricey, though, from the ads I've looked at so far.

I don't have kids, but is Madison like the ideal family neighborhood in Phoenix?

[Phx_Dem]

23. The neighborhoods in S, Scottsdale (south of Old Town)

are more diverse than up north. There are lots of apts. and rental homes.

Part of the North Central Phx. area feeds into the Madison school district, it's probably the best elementary/middle school district in Phx. Many of the schools in Madison are ranked very high in the state rankings, one in particular, Madison Simis is always ranked in the top 3 in the state. What's nice is that the Madison area is very diverse, unlike other good school districts in N. Scottsdale, Chandler etc.

[ChazII]

26. South Scottsdale

is a 'mature' area. In my section many of the original home owners are still in their homes or have sold the home to one of their childrem. The area is undergoing a renovation and will soon be catering to the more affluent crowd. I am between Old Town and then Tempe border. It is true that there are many rentals in the area, too,

[Turtlebah]

5. Hi NEO Buckeye

Just stay away from Buckeye in Phoenix! *LoL* .. not the best part of town.

Come to Az! We NEED more Dems/Liberals here! I would LOVE to see this state turn blue!

I lived in Mesa, yea, cheaper rents than Tempe, and not too terribly far from Tempe, just next door.. Mesa's a Mormon town.. that's why the roads are so wide in Mesa, compared to the rest of the valley..great for biking.. I'd never bike in Phx. though..

Turtlebah

[NEOBuckeye]

18. Mesa seemed like a really nice area.

And I do recall the wide roads, but what does road size have to do with the Mormons? Is it part of their culture? I'm just asking out of curiosity. I really have no idea.

[Fridays Child]

6. Yes. Come to Tucson, instead.

Whereupon I will turn you on to the three best Mexican restaurants in the universe. :)

[Ptah]

7. OK, now I have to ask.

Which three are you talking about?

:hi:

[Fridays Child]

8. Hey, Ptah!

:hi:

I'm talking about...
St. Mary's Mexican Restaurant across from Furr's on W. St. Marys, Anita Street Market in Barrio Anita, and El Dorado Tortilla Factory on South Park. I've also heard good stuff about Guero Canelo near S. 12th and Irvington.

Hope you're feeling better!

:)

[NEOBuckeye]

19. I may pay Tucson a visit later in the Fall after I arrive

You will have to show me those restaurants. B-)

[blondeatlast]

28. Correction: the Sunset Cafe is in Coolidge.

Come to think of it, so is Tag's.

:evilgrin:

[CPMaz]

9. Big one - always have water available

and drink it, even if you don't feel thirsty.

Also, wear sunblock (lots of skin cancer here), and if you have to go outside to check your mail - wear shoes! I learned that one shortly after I moved here 12 years ago. The hard way, lol.

Otherwise, most of the advice from other DUers has been pretty good - try to live fairly close to school/work; commuting can be a pain in the a$$ these days. And expensive.

[NEOBuckeye]

20. Thanks!

I think drinking and always keeping water around is pretty much a no brainer in 90 to 100+ degree temps.

I'll note the sunblock though. B-)

[Ptah]

10. Here's some general information about surviving the desert:

At the end of this page:

http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/tucson.html


<snip>
The Complete Gringo's Tucson Summertime Visit Survival Guide

Avoid Summer Visits - It gets pretty damn hot out in the Sonoran Desert here in Southern Arizona during our summers, and the best advice regarding visiting then is just don't do it. While the weather in Tucson is enviable for the remainder of the year, the only reason anybody stays here during the summer is because they're too poor to leave! If you're planning on doing a little field collecting during your visit to Southern Arizona, venturing into our remote desert areas during the summer is very hazardous and unpleasant due to the extreme heat. If you choose to ignore this first piece of advice, please don't say you weren't warned, and be sure you heed the rest!
.
Carry Spare Water - The exposed desert terrain, high temperatures and low humidity make rapid dehydration a severe problem for anyone who becomes injured, lost or stranded by a mechanical breakdown of their vehicle. When traveling in the desert, always carry an emergency supply of at least a gallon of water per occupant in your vehicle. Not beer. Not soda. Water. If you are going to venture off the beaten path you should increase this prudent reserve significantly. If you go off sightseeing or prospecting in the desert on foot, always pack an emergency reserve of at least two quarts of water per person. It is not wise to go hiking in the desert without a partner. To avoid dehydration just sitting in the shade, you need to drink a dozen large glasses of water per day . You'll need even more if you're active or exerting yourself.

</snip>

[Fridays Child]

11. "Observe Flash Flood Warnings."

In early 1993, when this town was badly flooded, the rains had been over for more than a week, so my husband and I thought we'd take Tanque Verde Loop from Speedway to Tanque Verde. There was a barricade across the road but the water looked very shallow and we thought we'd be fine. Well, a woman up the road from us had the same idea and we watched her cross, until THUNK! Suddenly, her car dropped about a foot into the water and she was stuck.

Because of her, we dodged a bullet and totally learned the lesson about barricaded roads in the desert. So, whoever and wherever you are, ma'am, thank you for going ahead of us and sorry about your Camaro! :hi:

[NEOBuckeye]

21. Thanks!

I'll probably be heading out there at the end of September or early October. What's the temperature like in the valley in early Fall?

[MountainMama]

25. It's hot....

Damn hot. If we're lucky, it'll be bearable again around mid-October. There is no fall here. I miss fall very much.

[catmother]

13. moved here from new york city almost 17 years ago. great

place, beautiful. was nicer back then before all the growth. the summers do tend to be a bit much. every couple of years i say "what the hell am i doing here in this large convection oven"? even at 11 p.m. it's still 100 during the summer.

i wish you good luck and listen to the advice from the other posters.

[NEOBuckeye]

22. Thanks!

I'm always curious to know how other people from the same climate (Midwest/Northeast) made the adjustment to the Desert/Southwest.

I'm not entirely sure as to how I will handle the intense heat, but I know for certain that I will NOT miss the snow!

[catmother]

24. in the winter when you see the forecast back home you'll laugh

your ass off. in the summer, you know that you are paying the price for the wonderful winter. i'll take this anytime. don't like the intense heat, but i hate the cold more.

also the sunshine every day makes you feel better. you'll actually welcome rain and cloudy days. i know when it's cloudy people here say to each other "isn't this a beautiful day"?.

again my best wishes to you.

[DesertRat]

27. Do you know about our air pollution problem?

Definately think twice if you have asthma. We have very high particulate pollution in the winter. I'm a teacher and many times this past winter when the weather was warm and sunny, we couldn't go out for recess due to high pollution advisories. I saw my students with asthma really suffer. I don't have breathing problems, but could feel a tightness in my chest, and my eyes always burned.
In the summer we have high ozone alerts. Our beautiful weather can be enticing, but beware of the bad air. I grew up here and this is a fairly recent occurance. It gets worse every year. :(

[NEOBuckeye]

31. No asthma here

It's not something I'm particularly worried about. :) Anyway, I grew up in the Rust Belt, where our air quality supposedly isn't the best, either.

[President Kerry]

29. Hey, I'm considering the same thing.

Got a job offer in Tempe, so i'm in the process of mulling it over. Currently live in Boston, so it's quite a change. Anyway, you definitely won't be the only one, tons of transplants there, just from reading the posts about. Good luck and cheers, mate! :toast:

[NoodleBoy]

30. For both of you, if you do move before the election, VOTE BY MAIL

Because the adress on your voter registration card must match the adress on your driver's license or another document if you go to the polls or they won't let you vote. VBM, though, and it's no problem.

[NEOBuckeye]

33. I'm voting absentee in Ohio, probably

My final act as a resident Ohioan will likely be to ensure that the odious J. Kenneth Blackwell is denied his delusions of grandeur in becoming our next governor. :)

[NEOBuckeye]

32. Like moving to a different world, almost?

That is quite a contrast, from New England to the Southwest! Whatever you decide to do, good luck! Perhaps we'll meet up at a DU gathering sometime?

[President Kerry]

36. Yes, absolutely!

It is quite a change in every respect. I'll miss Boston, no doubt, but it's time for new opportunities. Also, I'm looking forward to seeing Arizona go blue, and be in a position to contribute to it.

[Ptah]

37. Baja Arizona is already blue.

The more the merrier.

Screw Maricopa County.

Come south.

[UnwillingSkeptic05]

34. Another benefit of living close to work/school . .

You don't have to spend much time on the roads.
Driving here is no bueno, from what I've seen. I'm sure it's probably like this living in other big cities, but being a lifelong Zonie I wouldn't know. I can count the number of folks I know who haven't got in an accident at some point on one hand.(and that's if your missing a couple of fingers)
While visiting elsewhere, the drivers seemed so nice and calm compared to driving here though. Was a nice change of pace from the crazies around the valley.
Live as close as you can to work/school. Cuts down on gas prices, and less chance of meeting bad juju. Public transportation isn't really a viable option from my experience.

Then again . .I'm from the north valley. Might be different here then where you seem to be considering.
Just a friendly heads-up either way. B-)

[NMDemDist2]

35. welcome to DU !!

:hi: