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How is Phoenix,AZ? I am thinking of moving there with my family. Originally from Memphis, TN--moved to Texas.. |
Travel Info I know that it gets pretty hot, but is it a great place for a young family to live? Is it diverse? Great jobs? (serious and helpful answers only please) thnx! Travel Tips I've never been to Memphis, so I'm not sure how it compares to Phoenix, but here's my opinion of Phoenix having moved here about three years ago from Detroit. First, I would not raise my family here (I don't have kids and whenever that does happen is when I will move). If you do some research, you will find that the State of Arizona is ranked horribly when it comes to education (#49 I believe). The funding is quite bad. This would be my concern for your family since you have children that would be attending the schools. Also, just because you live in a nice area doesn't necessarily mean the schools are the best in the area. For example, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley are by far the nicest areas in town, but their schools have problems just like many of the other schools that are in "slum" areas. So, you would be paying higher property taxes, but not seeing much return on your investment in terms of quality of education for your children. Second, the weather is nice in the winter, but extremely difficult to contend with in the summertime. With children, they will want to play outside and that is nearly impossible in the summertime. The summers here are like the winters for people in the north and east...we hibernate. Kids just don't want to stay indoors when school is out. I think the kids that are raised here get accustomed to it, but it might be hard for your kids to initially adjust to. In general, Phoenix is just a big suburb. It lacks character or culture, which is the reason why I left Detroit. The people are friendly at first, but I've found a lot of them moved here to escape their past. So, a lot of them have "issues." The issues could range from previous drug abuse to money issues to domestic abuse. Just be prepared that the person you first meet isn't who they end up being after six months because their problems come back to haunt them. The restaurants are pretty good here...a lot of variety. Shopping is pretty much plaza after plaza with a few good malls, but they are all chain stores. There isn't much "quaint" small town shopping...you have to go up north to find that. Taxes are low here, but you don't get much as a result. Everything is HOA out here, so be prepared to pay at least $100 a month in HOA dues. Housing is coming down, so now is the time to buy....there are a ton of foreclosures. In terms of diversity, I don't think it is nearly as diverse as Detroit, but you may find it diverse...it's tough to say. The road rage and traffic is horrible. We have a huge meth problem. And crime is on the rise. My best recommendation would be to visit for at least a week in the summertime (with your kids). Set-up a time with a realtor to see what you can afford (in what neighborhoods) and then research the school districts. I moved here without visiting Phoenix and it was the worst mistake I've ever made. I'm hoping to move out of here in a few years. Best wishes! Source(s): Personal experience Other Travel Tips It's a great place. Half my family lives there and they love it! and it get's cooler in the "winter" it just doesn't snow! i live in tx. i love it... why you wanna leave here? what part are you living in? i live on the outskirts of houston. so, there is lots to do but yet not so close to downtown I live in a suburb of Phoenix, and I've been here just about 10 years. Phoenix is expanding very rapidly, and the job market is pretty good. Traffic is horrible, and will only get worse in the next 5 years. It does get hot in summer, but I'll trade a couple of months being stuck inside because of heat for a couple of months of being stuck inside because of snow. Everything is air conditioned, and you learn to live with it. Phoenix is very diverse, and there a lot of great neighborhoods in which to raise your kids. Don't move in July or August though - try it November-March and you'll be happier :) I can't speak from personal experience but I have heard it's a pretty good town to live in. It is diverse, real estate prices haven't gone through the roof yet, and there's a good job market. It was even better 5 to 10 years ago, but a lot of people have moved there since then. It's a good location because, for one thing, you are within driving distance to a lot of great places, including the California mountains, the Grand Canyon, and several national parks. It is nightmarishley hot. I live there currently and it is suppose to get up to 115 today.... But anyway, yeah, the jobs are good depending on your location. Phoenix, like any city has slums like sunny slope and south phoenix, so I would suggest the Scottsdale or Paradise Valley areas. Or even Arrowhead District. The Financial, Fashion, and Business Districts have fab job opportunities. Also, some of the new establishments by Desert Ridge Mall are really nice, and there are loads of Jobs up by there. And again, depending on your location its good for family. We are diverse, but the populous is predominantly Hispanic (Illegal Hispanics for that matter) We're one of the largest metropolitan housing cities of illegal immigrants from Mexico. ~Charlie |
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