Moving from Chicago to Phoenix?

Travel Info
I am considering moving from Chicago to Phoenix for career reasons. However, I really like Chicago's walkability, the downtown, and the nearby restaurants and shops and public transportation - and I know that Phoenix is far more spread out, with a "downtown" that's basically in development now. If I'm used to Chicago, am I not going to like Phoenix, or is it a nice enough city these days that I'll be OK?

Travel Tips

I lived in Phoenix for 7 years and I moved from Philadelphia. You can't walk anywhere in Phoenix - it's too hot and things aren't close to each other. The closest thing to a city feel is Tempe, but it's a college town and if you're 33, you may be over that scene. If you moved in one of the [expensive] neighborhoods like Kierland or the Biltmore, you could have more of what you're looking for - those areas have centers that combine housing, restaurants, shops, etc. There is a Phoenix "downtown," but there is nothing there and it basically closes at 8. Forget public transportation - you'll need a car. There's a bus system, but I've never seen one with more than one person in it.

On the plus side, it's warm and beautiful and people are very friendly. It's laid back, you don't need reservations for restaurants, when you do go to restaurants, it's normal for people to wear shorts. It has world-class resorts and spas. There's an area in North Scottsdale that's a singles paradise - lots and lots of nice restaurants and clubs. My brother is 33 and he lives in Tempe and loves it.
Others

If I were you, I'd take a week or two and experience a Phoenix summer. Not everyone can thrive in such a hostile weather environment. Even with air conditioning.
On the plus side, there are nice renovations going on, but the sad fact is that besides perhaps Los Angeles, Phoenix is still in a state of uncontrolled sprawl, and water will soon be a major issue.
resident of benson arizona
My husband is originally from a place near chicago and we live in the Phoenix area now. The weekend we first came here to find an apartment I'll be honest... it freaked me out. There are a lot of bad areas. The city is really "patchy" you'll be driving along in a nice area then all the sudden BOOM your in the worst neighborhood you've ever seen. Arizona is also ranked 50th for the education level in the united states. They drive crazy too. We moved from san diego county to here and our vehicle insurance doubled. I would recommend checking it out before you actually move here. On apts.com I found a lot of "nice" apartments then when I came to Phoenix they were in really bad neighborhoods. Dont let me freak you out too much though. There are nice places. I would say check out mesa, tempe, scottsdale or avondale. They are just outside phoenix city limits and travel time is pretty short. Oh yeah and check out the weather.com and look up phoenix. Its really hot here.
my boyfriend moved here from Geneva,IL about 4 years ago.

he says he misses the suburban lifestyle that he had back home but loves the warm weather (especially in the winter). he likes our freeway set-up as well (but only b/c he works nites w/me so we don't deal with traffic issues). he doesn't want to move back.

walking anywhere here is out of the question unless you actually live down-town but it's not particularly safe and in the place that it is safe-it's outragously expensive.

the public transportation system is decent from what i've heard but i can't imagine waiting at a bus stop in the middle of summer when it's 115 outside!!

someone mentioned the city being "patchy" as far as layout goes-she is totally right. one section of a city can be totally beautiful and clean-then the next thing you know, you're in the ghetto trying to figure out what the hell happened.

nothing here compares to downtown chicago (i've been there several times) and it's not as safe.

but there are several nice cities to live in-my bf and i live in chandler and love our area-we know all of our neighbors and although we don't-if the doors were left unlocked at nite-i'd feel totally safe.

gilbert,queen creek,and scottsdale are good cities in east valley along with chandler.

surprise,peoria,litchfield park,and some parts of glendale are nice in the west valley.

overall to live here-you have to have high tolerance for heat (we have alot of that!!) and have use of a vehicle-otherwise be prepared to wait at the bus stop in the middle of 115 degree temps in the summer!!
az resident 15+ years